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	<title>My Life Shared</title>
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		<title>My Life Shared</title>
		<link>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com</link>
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		<item>
		<title>A Hint</title>
		<link>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/09/30/a-hint/</link>
		<comments>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/09/30/a-hint/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:06:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Random Happenings]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://amyriep.com/?p=1203</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;m excited about the change that&#8217;s coming to my home in blogesphere.  And when I&#8217;m excited about something, I have a hard time keeping it a surprise.  You should have seen me as a kid anticipating Christmas.  I wanted hints about this and that, I scowered my house for hidden presents, and sometimes when I [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1203&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;m excited about the <a href="http://amyriep.com/2009/09/17/change-is-coming/" target="_blank">change that&#8217;s coming</a> to my home in blogesphere.  And when I&#8217;m excited about something, I have a hard time keeping it a surprise.  You should have seen me as a kid anticipating Christmas.  I wanted hints about this and that, I scowered my house for hidden presents, and sometimes when I found wrapped packages- I found ways to sneak a peak.  I feel that same excitement as I see something I care about coming to life before my very eyes!! It&#8217;s just plain exciting.</p>
<p>So, if you want a hint of what&#8217;s to come- you&#8217;ll find it <a href="http://amyriep.com/2009/04/06/roots-and-wings/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<br />Posted in Random Happenings  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1203/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1203/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1203/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1203/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gofacebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1203/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/facebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1203/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gotwitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1203/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/twitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1203/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1203/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1203/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1203/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1203/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1203/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1203/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1203&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Amy</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Questionable?</title>
		<link>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/questionable/</link>
		<comments>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/questionable/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:23:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Pictures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Silas]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://amyriep.com/?p=1201</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Highly Questionable! Posted in Pictures, Silas<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1201&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1200" title="IMG_3316" src="http://expectantandbeyond.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/img_3316.jpg?w=300&#038;h=200" alt="IMG_3316" width="300" height="200" /></p>
<h2 style="text-align:center;"><em>Highly</em> Questionable!</h2>
<br />Posted in Pictures, Silas  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1201/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1201/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1201/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1201/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gofacebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1201/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/facebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1201/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gotwitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1201/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/twitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1201/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1201/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1201/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1201/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1201/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1201/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1201/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1201&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Amy</media:title>
		</media:content>

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			<media:title type="html">IMG_3316</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sometimes, Never, ALWAYS</title>
		<link>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/sometimes-never-always/</link>
		<comments>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/sometimes-never-always/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:40:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[About Amy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[My Walk]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://amyriep.com/?p=1198</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Sometimes when life is hard, I feel unseen Sometimes when I pray, I feel unheard Sometimes I brazenly want to shake my fist at the sky or stomp my feet in a good ol&#8217; fashioned tantrum And then God speaks: Who do you say that I am, Amy&#8230; He&#8217;s never indifferent He&#8217;s never uncaring He&#8217;s [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1198&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sometimes when life is hard, I feel unseen</p>
<p>Sometimes when I pray, I feel unheard</p>
<p>Sometimes I brazenly want to shake my fist at the sky or stomp my feet in a good ol&#8217; fashioned tantrum</p>
<p>And then God speaks: <em>Who do you say that I am, Amy&#8230;</em></p>
<p>He&#8217;s never indifferent</p>
<p>He&#8217;s never uncaring</p>
<p>He&#8217;s always responsive</p>
<p>He is the Lord.</p>
<p>When God&#8217;s actions look different from what I would have hoped for-  it has nothing to do with Him failing me- and everything to do with His sovereignty.  His sovereignty is about His strength, in which there&#8217;s no room for weakness. His sovereignty has everything to do with His passionate love for me, and nothing to do with indifference.</p>
<p>My perspective is so limited. My desires so tainted&#8230; but because He is sovereign, I can rest in assurance that everything God does, <em>or does not do</em>- is really about the depths of His love for me. A love that extends so much deeper, so much farther, so much wider&#8230; than I could ever comprehend.</p>
<br />Posted in About Amy, My Walk  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1198/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1198/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1198/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1198/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gofacebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1198/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/facebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1198/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gotwitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1198/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/twitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1198/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1198/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1198/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1198/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1198/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1198/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1198/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1198&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/227eaaf13fe3e3905be2974919c571fa?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=PG" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Amy</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Change is Coming&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/change-is-coming/</link>
		<comments>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/change-is-coming/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:17:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[About Amy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Random Happenings]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://amyriep.com/?p=1196</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Do you like change? I do. I&#8217;ve always enjoyed re-arranging my furniture. I love putting color on walls and if given the chance, I would change it more frequently than is really necessary. I&#8217;m convinced that living space should be accessorized and that those accessories should be switched up- at least seasonally. I grew up [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1196&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Do you like change? I do.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ve always enjoyed re-arranging my furniture.</p>
<p>I love putting color on walls and if given the chance, I would change it more frequently than is really necessary.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m convinced that living space should be accessorized and that those accessories should be switched up- at least seasonally. I grew up in a house where mom&#8217;s baker&#8217;s rack was changed in accordance with every upcoming holiday- so I think I get my itch for &#8220;different&#8221; from her.</p>
<p>&#8230;and this blog is my &#8220;home&#8221; in cyberspace&#8230; so guess what???  Change is coming&#8230;</p>
<br />Posted in About Amy, Random Happenings  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1196/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1196/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1196/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1196/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gofacebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1196/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/facebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1196/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gotwitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1196/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/twitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1196/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1196/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1196/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1196/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1196/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1196/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1196/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1196&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>13</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Amy</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Captured</title>
		<link>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/captured/</link>
		<comments>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/captured/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:06:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ellie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pictures]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://amyriep.com/?p=1192</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I take a crazy amount of pictures of my kiddos.  I think everything they do is worthy of being documented- and I love to play with photography (even though I really know nothing aside from point and shoot).  But- it&#8217;s rare when I take a shot that really caputres them. Yesterday, however, I took this [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1192&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I take a crazy amount of pictures of my kiddos.  I think <em>everything </em>they do is worthy of being documented- and I love to play with photography (even though I really know nothing aside from point and shoot).  But- it&#8217;s rare when I take a shot that <em>really</em> caputres them. Yesterday, however, I took this one of Ellie and it&#8217;s TOTALLY her&#8230; all of her little nuances are wrapped up or somehow contained in this picture&#8230; and I love it:</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1193" title="ellie 009" src="http://expectantandbeyond.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/ellie-009.jpg?w=200&#038;h=300" alt="ellie 009" width="200" height="300" /></p>
<br />Posted in Ellie, Parenting, Pictures  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1192/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1192/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1192/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1192/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gofacebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1192/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/facebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1192/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gotwitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1192/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/twitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1192/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1192/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1192/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1192/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1192/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1192/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1192/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1192&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/227eaaf13fe3e3905be2974919c571fa?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=PG" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Amy</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://expectantandbeyond.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/ellie-009.jpg?w=200" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">ellie 009</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>I&#8217;m a WHAT?</title>
		<link>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/09/10/im-a-what/</link>
		<comments>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/09/10/im-a-what/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:03:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[About Amy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://amyriep.com/?p=1189</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There are a few labels in my life that I like: Mother, Friend, Wife, Writer, Sister. But there’s one that just doesn’t seem to fit: Missionary.  Someone called me a missionary the other day and I found myself looking around to see who they were talking about.  I wonder why it’s an uncomfortable label for [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1189&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are a few labels in my life that I like: Mother, Friend, Wife, Writer, Sister. But there’s one that just doesn’t seem to fit: Missionary.  Someone called me a missionary the other day and I found myself looking around to see who they were talking about.  I wonder why it’s an uncomfortable label for me? Maybe because that word conjures so many pre-conceived ideas that rub me the wrong way<em>.</em> Just ask my dear friend Emily &#8211; when we were introduced almost a decade ago I was described by our mutual boss as a former missionary… and she still thinks I was wearing a long skirt with a bun in my hair when we met.  When I hear the word missionary- I don’t think of a “normal” person.  I think of someone who is probably a little weird and socially awkward.  I think of someone who loves doctrine potentially more than they love Jesus.  I think of someone who would never spend $3 on a latte…ever.</p>
<p>Ouch? <strong>I don’t mean any offense</strong>- this is just me talking.  And I don’t know where my pre-conceived notions about missionaries come from.  In fact, all of the “missionaries” I know (<a href="http://www.gritandglory.com" target="_blank">Alece</a>, <a href="http://www.xanga.com/missionarymommy" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="http://www.angiewashington.com" target="_blank">@ngie</a>,- just to name a few!) don’t fit this mold at all.  What I see in all of those women is that they <em><strong>live a missional life</strong>- </em> A life centered on loving God and making Him known.  Being missional has nothing to do with location.  It has everything to do with lifestyle.  Heart orientation. Purpose-driven living.</p>
<p>I still won’t call myself a missionary. But I will choose live a missional life-  no matter where home is.</p>
<br />Posted in About Amy  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1189/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1189/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1189/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1189/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gofacebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1189/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/facebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1189/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gotwitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1189/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/twitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1189/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1189/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1189/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1189/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1189/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1189/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1189/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1189&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>10</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Amy</media:title>
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	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Inside My Brain</title>
		<link>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/09/08/inside-my-brain/</link>
		<comments>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/09/08/inside-my-brain/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:10:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[About Amy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://amyriep.com/?p=1186</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Life has been busy and my mind has been swirling. I haven&#8217;t stayed with a creative thought long enough to actually write a post, but I miss blogging. Ironic. So, as I sit here- trying to flag down a waitress for yet another coffee&#8230; my mind goes here and there&#8230; have a look inside: I [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1186&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Life has been busy and my mind has been swirling. I haven&#8217;t stayed with a creative thought long enough to actually write a post, but I miss blogging. Ironic.</p>
<p>So, as I sit here- trying to flag down a waitress for <em>yet another</em> coffee&#8230; my mind goes here and there&#8230; have a look inside:</p>
<p><em>I wonder how long Africa will be home? Silas&#8217; new-found accent cracks me up and makes me shake my head.<br />
</em></p>
<p><em>Where did I put my iPod&#8230; I swear I left it in the console and it&#8217;s not there&#8230; I&#8217;m feeling slightly panicked.</em></p>
<p><em>It will be nice when Ellie doesn&#8217;t wake up at 5:30</em></p>
<p><em>I can&#8217;t believe my dad&#8217;s here. I won&#8217;t want to take him back to the airport next week.</em></p>
<p><em>Budgets. Ugh&#8230; I HATE budgets. Why do finances stress me out so much&#8230; it&#8217;s just money.</em></p>
<p><em>My <a href="http://www.gritandglory.com" target="_blank">friend </a>thinks she has a muffin-top?  REALLY??? no man&#8230;<br />
</em></p>
<p><em>Time to stand up and flag down a waitress&#8230;<br />
</em></p>
<br />Posted in About Amy  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1186/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1186/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1186/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1186/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gofacebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1186/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/facebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1186/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gotwitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1186/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/twitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1186/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1186/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1186/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1186/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1186/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1186/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1186/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1186&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Amy</media:title>
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		<title>Good Clean Fun</title>
		<link>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/08/30/good-clean-fun/</link>
		<comments>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/08/30/good-clean-fun/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:25:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Pictures]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Posted in Pictures<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1185&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1184" title="August 09 016" src="http://expectantandbeyond.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/august-09-016.jpg?w=200&#038;h=300" alt="August 09 016" width="200" height="300" /></p>
<br />Posted in Pictures  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1185/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1185/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1185/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1185/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gofacebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1185/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/facebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1185/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gotwitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1185/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/twitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1185/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1185/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1185/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1185/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1185/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1185/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1185/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1185&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Amy</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">August 09 016</media:title>
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		<title>Overwhelmed?</title>
		<link>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/08/27/overwhelmed/</link>
		<comments>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/08/27/overwhelmed/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:22:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[About Amy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[My Walk]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://amyriep.com/?p=1182</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Does life feel overwhelming to you too?  Like a wave barreling down from above. Like quick sand.  It feels claustrophobic. Like an overcrowded elevator on a hot summer day. I&#8217;ve felt like that a few times this week, even just moments ago.  And then, His voice says&#8230; &#8220;Choose to be overwhelmed by Me&#8230; and by [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1182&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Does life feel overwhelming to you too?  Like a wave barreling down from above. Like quick sand.  It feels claustrophobic. Like an overcrowded elevator on a hot summer day. I&#8217;ve felt like that a few times this week, even just moments ago.  And then, His voice says&#8230; &#8220;Choose to be overwhelmed by Me&#8230; and by Me alone.&#8221;</p>
<p>So that&#8217;s where I&#8217;m standing.  Submerged in who He is. Flooded by His promises. Soaking in His words.  Overwhelmed, indeed.</p>
<br />Posted in About Amy, My Walk  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1182/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1182/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1182/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1182/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gofacebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1182/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/facebook/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1182/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gotwitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1182/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/twitter/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1182/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1182/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1182/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1182/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1182/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1182/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/1182/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1182&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
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			<media:title type="html">Amy</media:title>
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		<title>Wednesday&#8217;s Window</title>
		<link>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/wednesdays-window-15/</link>
		<comments>http://expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/wednesdays-window-15/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:00:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Amy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ellie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pictures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Silas]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[My kiddos are accessorizing! Ellie with her adorable pigtails and Silas with his Sotho meets New Orleans hat! Posted in Ellie, Pictures, Silas<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=expectantandbeyond.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3003439&amp;post=1180&amp;subd=expectantandbeyond&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>My kiddos are accessorizing! Ellie with her adorable pigtails and Silas with his Sotho meets New Orleans hat!</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1178" title="IMG_3272" src="http://expectantandbeyond.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/img_3272.jpg?w=200&#038;h=300" alt="IMG_3272" width="200" height="300" /></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1179" title="IMG_3303" src="http://expectantandbeyond.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/img_3303.jpg?w=300&#038;h=200" alt="IMG_3303" width="300" height="200" /></p>
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		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Amy</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">IMG_3272</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">IMG_3303</media:title>
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