Empty Nesters Unite!

Four women gathered in my gazebo Saturday morning with beverages in hand hoping to find encouragement in the shared experiences and struggles navigating this transitional time in our lives - launching our children. It was an interesting foursome, ladies from different parts of my life finding connections in unexpected shared acquaintances and shared experiences.
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After everyone else had departed, one gal asked what I had taken away from our time together. She was concerned that as host, I lacked opportunity to share. Not a chance! I never have a problem speaking up, ;-) and I loved listening to the conversation between these women.

My take-aways:

1) No "Cheats" Here - Whether our children live far away or under the same roof - it's tough navigating a new role in parenting: It's tough setting boundaries for our adult children, while being supportive.
2) Great Idea! Work on a shared project together even though we may be miles apart. It can give us something positive to talk about during our phone conversations or times together.
     *work on the same knitting/crocheting pattern. How fun it would be to show off the finished product to each other. Of course, I would make sure there was a picture of us with our projects. :)
     *go through the same devotional and share what God is teaching you.
     *read and discuss a book.
     *try out a new recipe and share the results, modifications, suggestions. (Both my kids enjoy sharing their cooking adventures and Chad loves to share his own recipes; it gives me a window on his world.)
4) Gratitude. Focusing on the positive and thanking God helps our outlook and attitude. Philippians 4:8-9
5) He's got to be enough. So... the kids are gone; enjoy the new found freedom of being a couple, again. I love this part of the empty nest! ;-)
5) Finally, Get over it! It's not about me. "I often think I'm the "Queen Bee" and the world should revolve around me"... or perhaps at least  "a Princess"? LOL! Reality check, please!

Thank you, Lord, for the precious women in my life. Thank you for kindred spirits. the traveling companions you've given me along this journey. Thank you for true friendships.

More Dancing, Singing, Loving

Continuing to dance, sing, and love:
* Singing along with "Grace Like Rain" on the radio and seeing the guy in the truck next to me mouthing the exact same lyrics - made my day!
* My neighbor and good friend brought dinner over to Craig and me when she was the one home alone for the week. Great meal, great fellowship - true fellowship; the kind where we both encourage and exhort. Love this gal!
* Unexpected visit from my dad for dinner. Loved the visit, sitting on the deck as the sun went down.
* A good night's sleep with the cool, fresh air blowing through the open windows.

I think I used to get this song and the one in my previous post mixed up...both have the lyrics, "I want to live like there's no tomorrow."



"Waking up to the sunrise and the radio
Feels like I'm tied up, what's holding me?
Just praying today will be the day I go free...
I want to be the way I was made!"

Lord,
I am ready to be free to be who you made me to be. I wanna live, I wanna laugh, I wanna love...I wanna give, I wanna sing, I wanna dance. Loose me from what's holding me back; hurt, unforgiveness, fear, self-confidence, self-image...yeah, anything that's holding me back.

Life is Good!

This song has been stuck in my brain, but I had trouble finding the artist, lyrics and Youtube. Whenever I hear it on the radio, I crank it up and sing along. It describes how I feel about my life, how I wanna live...

"And the joy that we get brings joy to the giver..."

Singing about the joy in today:

Hearing about not one but TWO God appointments and being given a specific assignment to pray about regarding these "appointments". Praying for God's work to be completed, and a harvest realized! All glory to Him!

Spending two beautiful evenings on the deck, reading, watching, thinking, praying.

Spending two evenings in a row catching up with girlfriends.

Getting knitting/crocheting instructions to finish a multi-year project. I still have a long way to go.

A productive one-on-one meeting with my boss. The best yet!

Repeatable results on my test.

The many privileges and "fringe benefits" of being a GM employee.

Knowing and believing Romans 8:28 - Resting in God's faithful arms, and waiting on Him.

Lord,
I'm working on living like there's no tomorrow, not wasting another minute...it's good to be alive! I pray the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart will bring you honor and glory, today.  Rejoicing in the day you have made...Thank you!

I've Got Reasons

To bless the Lord, O my soul...



...for He has surely blessed me!

I have just completed 2 years back to GM as a full time, directly employed engineer. I can hardly believe that it's been a year since my probationary period ended. I am still learning. I still feel totally inadequate. I still make lots of mistakes. I still say dumb things. (really dumb things!) I am still getting to know my co-workers and colleagues. I definitely don't have it all figured out. I am SO thankful for the grace my boss and co-workers extend to me. I've wanted to quit, but they encourage me on. Blessed - that's what I am!

Thanks to the job that I have, I got to spend a week with my gal, mostly just hanging out together after work in her apartment, getting a chance to see where she worships, lives and to hang out with her colleague-friends! WOW! Did I say colleagues? Blessed - that's what I am!

Chatting for an hour with my "little" guy. Yeah - HE called me...just to chat. Not to ask for anything. Love hearing his voice. Love the positive attitude that flows through the receiver. Love the chuckles and digs when I've overstepped into the "nosey"  - information you don't need to know, Mom - area. Funny. Blessed - that's what I am!

Spent an absolutely gorgeous day on the golf course with colleagues from all over the industry; some suppliers, some competitors, some who formerly held my job, some who share my faith and how neat it is to have that connection and be able to share how God is working in our lives in the midst of talking "shop". Blessed - that's what I am!

"Seeing" prayers answered for my family. A special doctor who shares our faith and my desire to go "natural". A therapist who relates perfectly. Blessed - that's what I am!

Lord,
"Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes..." because I have 10000 reasons to bless your name.

It's Better-er

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
I sought the LORD, and he answered me...
(Psalm 34:1-4 ESV)

I had a really bad day, yesterday. All of my tests are down for one reason or another. The one I thought I had fixed aborted after 1.5 hours (It's a 22 hour test) My very important project is still sitting idle and I'm all out of ideas on how to fix it. Then I had a very frustrating hour and a half phone call that kept me an hour over.

That was then, this is now...
I started out the day by praying the entire way to work. I prayed first of all, that my attitude would be positive and bring glory to God whether things went the way I wanted or not. I prayed for each test, and every contact I needed to make. I prayed for my co-workers. I prayed over my schedule. I prayed.

By the time I got to work, I marched in with confidence and a positive outlook for the day.

Guess what...I had a great day!
My co-worker and "right hand man" encouraged me, "It will be better-er", he said with a grin.


I was able to replace the one part without totally disassembling. I tore the test down and built it back up without the slightest hitch. Every tight fit and problem area "miraculously" slid together and I got the test up and running in record time - even with replacing a part!

I sent out an e-mail looking for the replacement parts I've been anxiously awaiting to repair my equipment. The response was almost immediate (@ 6:30 in the morning!) that my parts should arrive by Monday! Woohoo! Praying this is the answer to my troubles with a certain test rig. This same rig had two other parts replaced and calibrated without any problems - all before 10 a.m., AND I calibrated the instrument with one phone call and it's now running better than ever. (That person must have been waiting for me to call, too!) 

Not everything went well. My reference test failed again, but at least I have a troubleshooting plan in process. I have hope. I know who has my back and He will lead me - or catch me. He hears and answers my cry for help; my job is to cry out to Him.

Thank you for the encouragement.
Thank you for how you planned out my day and answered my cry in every way.
Thank you for allowing me to "see" your answers, today.
You are AWESOME God! You make all things "better-er", in Your time...

Ingredients for a Delicious Life!

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 ESV)

This is the verse of the week - one stored in my heart for many years. A truth that has carried me through many challenges over the years, and yet, still as fresh and encouraging as it was the first time God proved it true in my life.


I know it's true today, and am confident God is at work in my life and in the lives of those I love...for our good and His glory. 


I love the illustration in my study. I've heard similar, but since I'm a chocoholic, this one I can relate to:

"- Begin with bitter chocolate.- Stir in some dry, tasteless flour.
- Add several raw eggs and some sour milk.
- Mix these and several more ingredients thoroughly.
- Bake in a hot oven.
- The end result: a (YUMMY) chocolate cake. Now think about your life - the bitter, the dry, the raw, the sour, the mixing, and the heat. Sounds bad, doesn't it? And it fdeels bad when it's happening! But in God's hands, these things - these unpleasant and uncomfortable and unlovely elements and components of life - will result in something good." ~ p. 177-178 Loving God with All Your Mind, Elizabeth George (my paraphrase)

So, when I write that I'm dealing with "disappointment, hurt and frustration", don't think I'm angry. I'm just missing all those good things that have slipped away: those good times I remember, and good people I cherish. It's those good close relationships that are changing. It's all those very good things that I am thankful for having experienced in my life over the years. It's because of God's abundant blessings in my life (and in the lives of others) that I am where I am in life, today: New jobs, careers, cities to live in, college to experience, new challenges, new fellowships, new opportunities.


But...I am also very excited for what God has in store for the next chapter. The page is turning slowly, but it's turning and I "can't wait" to see what the author of my life is going to write on those next pages.  God is working it all out!


I heard this song today, after I had written this blog last night. Today was one of those days...I'm feeling like everything I touch just falls apart, breaks, fails...So good to know He's always there to Steady my Heart"...


Lord,
I love the ways you steadied my heart, today:

• Much needed rain showers that stopped long enough for me to jump out and get a signature.
• Meeting and chatting with a "down to earth" executive.
• The floppy windshield wiper - and a short way to drive. It made me start my day laughing. 
• Laughing with the young (& cute) security guards. They remind me to take myself lightly and enjoy the moment.
• Being "harassed" by fun co-workers.
• A "10 minute chat" with my sister before leaving the grounds that turned into at least a half hour - maybe longer. I lose track of time when I'm with her. <3  :)
• A song that I connect with after "one of those days".
• A quick, simple dinner.
• The promise of a walk.

"What's good and what gets broken happens just the way that You plan" 

Thanks for the reminder!

New Blog: Chronicles of The 4-C's

Check out my new blog about the happenings of our family, affectionately known as "The 4-C's", also the name of our boat:

Chronicles of The 4-C's

This blog will continue to be my thoughts, discoveries, and ramblings about life.

Thanks for visiting!

I Press On

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 3:14 ESV)

While on vacation last week, I picked up my Bible Study that I had ignored since we decided to take a break from the Ladies' LIFE Group I have led for the last 6 years - almost without a break. I have been spending much time in prayer and discussion with my hubby regarding God's desire for my life, my service, my gifts and talents. Having studied His Word for the last 17 years, I know in my heart that He has a plan in all of the changes in my life and will use the events of the last year or so for my good and His glory. It doesn't necessarily make dealing with the disappointment, hurt and frustration any easier.

As He always does, He gave me just what I needed from His Word to encourage me:

"Abraham...Moses...Samuel...David...Paul...John...

The list of God's people who pressed on toward God's purposes and served the Lord until the end of their lives goes on and on. At one time or another during the race, each of the men of faith just mentioned had a valid reason to quit. People told them 'No!' God told them 'No!' to something they wanted. Circumstances seemed to scream 'No!' to their personal desires. Yet not one of them quit, resigned, or retired. They knew they hadn't finished the race, that there was more work to be done, that their purpose wasn't fulfilled, and that God had other plans for them and could still use them. They knew that by God's grace they could make a difference for His kingdom right up until the day they left this earth and went to be with Him. They pressed on." ~ Loving God with All Your Mind, Elizabeth George

 My spirit was so lifted and my heart encouraged as I read and studied. It confirmed the conclusions my hubby and I had come to. I was so overwhelmed by God's presence and love, that my emotions released and tears welled up to overflowing.

With a new sense of purpose, hope and joy, "I press on toward the goal!" and allow God to use circumstances in my life to conform me to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Yup, it's all about Jesus!



God's grace to me:
* A vacation from routine to get refreshed, refocused, renewed
* A family that is flexible with plans
* A young friend sensitive and caring enough to ask, "Is everything ok?"
* Forever friends who are always there for us - especially when we make less than stellar decisions
* A card from a friend to encourage me, arriving at just the right time
* A Bible Study that has ministered to me in ways I would have never imagined


Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving me, for walking with me, for never leaving me, for knowing and providing just what I need when I need it most. Help me serve you with joy until you call me home. Help me love people like you love them - especially when I don't "feel" like loving.  It's all about You, Lord Jesus. You are truly all that I need. Amen.

Becoming More Like Jesus?

I struggled to finish the book, "Sing You Hom3" by Jod1 P1coult because of the content and the writer's agenda, yet I was determined to see how the controversial subject was handled and how Christians were portrayed. I was disappointed, but have to admit, that it is (sadly) mostly true. I could not stop thinking of this song by Casting Crowns - especially the words, "Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against.."

Jesus, Friend Of Sinners lyrics

Jesus Friend of sinners we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to 
swing
Jesus friend of sinners the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus friend of sinners 
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy 
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours

Yeah,yeah,yeah

Jesus friend of sinners the one who's writing in the sand
Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of thieves
Let the memory of Your mercy bring your people to their knees 

Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we 
judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and love like 
You did
Oh Jesus friend of sinners 
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy 
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me a grateful leper at Your feet

'Cause You are good, You are good And Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
Oh Jesus friend of sinners 
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy 
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks Yours

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast
Yeah(hold note)You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

Lord, 

I want people to know what I'm for; I LOVE JESUS; I hunger for God's Word and stand on it's TRUTH! Help me love people like you do. Help me to love them to You. Grant me wisdom, understanding and your words.

"...while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

Gone Are the Dark Days

Happy Days are Here:
1. The  ominous sounding phone call from my boss, resulted in learning I had been promoted! Woohoo! Feeling appreciated.
2. Friends who never quit on us - they stand with not only when times are great and we're having lots of fun, but also when we fall short, do stupid things, and are less than loveable. These people really know how to be grace-givers.
3. Seeing my kids thriving in their adult lives, stepping out, being challenged, learning, and growing.
4. Better yet, hearing my kids would love to "come home" some day. (See, they're not running away from us!)
5. An exhausting week of "get-togethers" with lots of different people.
      - Elder family cook-out
      - Girlfriend Walk "Girls' Night Out in downtown Oxford...walking a talking all evening with my girlfriend.
      - Dinner with a couple from church. Conversation in the gazebo until the sun went down. Love these people. We'll have to do it again.
      - Graduation Open Houses and an evening road trip to Grand Rapids and back to attend the Theatrical Production of "Screwtape Letters" with friends.



Lord,
I've been dwelling (yes - making my home; living in) the past and wishing life would be like those days once again. I have been a slow learner - slow to hear your voice, Lord. You've been whispering, but I brush your gentle words away like an annoying mosquito buzzing in my ear. Your message is becoming louder, clearer, and more emphatic as You remove people and ministry from my life. I know You're preparing me for the new work that you have for me. Enough of the pouting...enough of the heel digging, enough of chasing, grasping, mourning. When I sing "you are my all in all", "you are my everything", "you are all I need", do I really mean it?  I am learning about my true heart...Help me to make it so, Lord.

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

you have loosed my sackcloth

and clothed me with gladness,

that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.

O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

(Psalm 30:11-12 ESV)

Things I Learned From My Dad

Dad,

It's Father's Day and even though I'm not able to be with you, I am thinking about you, treasuring wonderful memories, and thanking God for you and the special relationship we share. I love spending time with you. 

You taught me so much. Here are a few things that I learned:

*Family is important. 

*You need to stick up for, stand with and support your family before anyone else. 

*Honor your mother.

*Gender roles are to be crossed. Men can "BUILD" a cake too! :)

*Honor your elders.

*When you borrow something, return it in as good (or better if possible) condition than you received it. (Even if the owner is a big corporation like GM.)

*When you say "Yes" to something, you are choosing to say, "NO!" to something else.

*Make time for leisure.

*As a family, we work together so we can play together.

*How to water ski and snow ski.

*Dare to Dream. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. 

*If you want it, work for it; work HARD.

*How to swing a hammer.
*Don't be afraid to try new things.

*Always give your best effort.
*When you fall, pick yourself up, get back on, and try again.

*How to windmill a softball pitch. =)

*How to ride a bicycle. 
*As you struggle to climb those hills (in life) that seem impossible or fight against a headwind, you are building character.

 

*Free throws are a scrappy guard's "bread and butter". 

 

*Follow through with your promises and be responsible. 

*Learn skills to be an independent woman.

*How to change a tire and change the oil in my car. (OK - I never did learn to change my oil. One big mess was enough!) :-D

You are an amazing man, and as I grew up, I was watching you...

Love, 

Daddy's Little Girl

My Running - Redeemed

I was discouraged about my running performance last week at Lake Ann, but I picked myself up and started again. I had signed up for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure months ago, but I wasn't able to get anyone to join me, and I just wasn't up to driving to Detroit  by myself, again. Instead, I ran my own 5K, locally. My time was not record breaking, or even that great, but better than last weekend...much better - just under 40 minutes. So thankful for the opportunity to try again. As congressman Tim Scott said in his Commencement Address to CSU Graduates a few weeks ago, "You need to learn to fail forward." This week my running has been redeemed...



Thank you, Lord for the gift of second chances, especially in the Race called "LIFE" as I often miss your goals. I am thankful that you provide second chances through your son, my Redeemer who is Christ Jesus.

Arrows Released

"Unless the LORD builds the house,

those who build it labor in vain.

...

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the children of one's youth.

Blessed is the man

who fills his quiver with them!

He shall not be put to shame

when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."

(Psalm 127 ESV)

Ready, set, go!

Within a month's time, we moved both kids out of our home, each into their own apartment with anticipation of a great adventure ahead. I can't really describe the feelings I have...but it's all good.

Success! All packed up with room to spare.

Ft. Wayne or bust. :)

A place of her own...

A proud daddy with his "Little Girl"

Saying "Goodbye for now!"

"See Mom, I told you it would all fit!" Smartypants...

Approximately one month later, Chad drove home from Huntsville to pack up his room. His task was a bit easier as much of his belongings have been in Hunstville for the past three years. (Well - at least since the fall.) He spent some time fishing with his dad, and hanging our with his mom (that's me!). We enjoyed his brief stay.

Everything fit into his truck.

Heading to Hunstville via Ft. Wayne  - 1month and 2 days after we  left with Cristin

"We've done our job well, Ma," Craig whispers in my ear as we glance down the hall of our home. "It is kinda weird to look down the hall and see empty rooms, though." 

Yeah...satisfying, and a bit ... quiet.

The arrows have been released and are flying, no - they're soaring high! We've aimed them towards a target and pray daily that they reach the bulls-eye.

Gifts of this season:

• The "kids" excited to spend time together, planning a visit. Hearing muffled sounds of excited phone conversations between them.
• A call from my gal just to say, "Mom, I LOVE my job and I LOVE Ft. Wayne!"
• Hearing reference to meeting with "colleagues" - music to our ears after 5 years of college preparation!
• A call from my guy to tell me about his first day on the Co-Op job. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to hear the excitement in his voice!
• Calls for recipes.
• Calls to ask Dad advice.
• Listening to stories about planning expenditures and budgeting...*smiles* This is where you see what's really important to them. :)
• Hearing stories about decorating ...and planting a garden?
• Love to hear the excitement he has about his church...and her stories of church shopping. Praying for God's clear direction, there.

Our quiver is now empty, but our hearts are full. People often remark about both of our kids moving away from home. My response is that we always pray that they seek and follow God's will for THEIR life, whether that takes them to the other side of the world, across the country, across the state, or next door.

"Train up a child in the way he should go;

even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

We've trained them up with God's help and His guidance, we've aimed them to be in the center of God's will and released them into God's more than capable, loving hands. Now, we've all embarked on a new adventure, and because God is directing, we know it will be an exciting ride!

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of our children and the incredible responsibility and honor you have given us to raise them for a time. I pray we have honored you.

"Ridiculously Hard"

That was the commentary I received about the trail we were to run for Lake Ann's 5K Fundraiser Saturday morning. That, my friend, was an understatement!

I failed meeting my very minimal objective of running the entire 5K and ended up walking for a sad time of around 47minutes; the hills were too much after starting out way too fast of a pace for me. While I don't train on solid track or road, and am used to some dirt and gravel, this trail  was over the top - a maze of hills, sand, gravel...did I mention hills? ...roots, sticks...don't let me forget, HILLS! 

KILLER HILLS!

God reminded me that He is there with me in my successes and there for me in my failures. The failures keep me humbly dependent upon Him. Honestly, not much about this weekend went the way I had envisioned, but God used it to help me climb some other mountains in my life, to work on calming some raging "seas", and to heal some hurts.

It was a gift to spend a day enjoying God's creation - a warm, sunny day on a beautiful wooded lake side trail in northern Michigan. 

I was blessed by my dorm-mates - fun godly young women who encouraged me. Thanks Kristy, Betsy, Stacy, Kaley, and Jo!

God spoke to me through His Word.

I had over eight hours of drive time to pour out  all my fear and doubts - and He heard the cries of my heart.

He is near - I am blessed.

Roots to Find Her Wings - Now FLY!

We are so proud of our gal as she just completed one chapter in her life while already beginning the next. 

On Saturday, May 5th, 2012, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy from Charleston Southern University.

Waiting with her Daddy during a layover.

2011-2012 All-Around Music Award

Trying on the mortarboard...

Graduate Luncheon with Mom and Nonna

Receiving her diploma from Dr. Hunter

Proud Daddy - It was his desire to see her "Walk"

Nonna & Gramps shared the event with us.

I remember the Girls' Road Trip weekend we moved Cristin to CSU almost 5 years ago. 

August 16th, 2007 Girls' Road Trip - Me, Julie, Nonna, Cristin

I remember the tears, then waving goodbye to smiles in anticipation to what God had in store. It was as we left her standing and waving on that sidewalk that I first hear this song and it still gets me teary-eyed.

This is my prayer for Cristin, still...

Packing Up

Here we are...packing up Cristin to move her to Ft. Wayne in less than a week, where God is writing a new chapter in her life...in our lives...

So many blessings on our journey to this point. So excited to see what God has planned...

This old Michael W. Smith song has been playing in my mind. Not only my daughter, but I'm blessed to call her "sister" and friend:

We'll keep you close, as always...

Love you bunches!

"The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace."

(Numbers 6:24-26 ESV)

Lessons from "Life Without Limits"

An activity we enjoyed with Aunt Rita and Uncle Randy is Movie Night. From quite a selection of movies we hadn't seen to choose from, we chose "Soul Surfer, The Incredible True Story of Bethany Hamilton".  

You probably have heard of it, if not already seen it. It is an amazing story of family, friends, and most of all - faith. It is about understanding God's calling in your life, and living it out fully, in every circumstance you find yourself. It is about trusting God for all things.  In summary, it is inspiring! It is a must have for my collection - on my Christmas/birthday wish list!

Ironically, I had also brought "Life Without Limits" by Nick Vujicic to read on my vacation. Nick, born without arms and legs, tells his "secret" to living the full, inspiring life God designed for him. No arms? No legs? No Problem! Nick is honest about his struggles, but most of all, he is inspiring as he lives out the abundant life in Christ.

I laughed. 

I cried. 

I am inspired!

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."  (John 10:10 ESV)

The stories of these two amazing people have humbled me and inspired me to take hold of the abundant life God has given me and live it to the fullest for Him! 

Lord, I can easily get discouraged about the little disappointments in life, dwell on my own failures as well as the hurts I feel from others failing me. Help me to look above my circumstances to the hope I have in you.

Forgetting, Straining, and Pressing

Memory Verse Monday -

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 3:13-14 ESV)

Perfect...been studying this verse during the past week, dwelling on it...
In one of our recent week's study, the analogy was made to a runner, having to look just in front to the next marker. Obviously, looking back will only slow me and trip me up; looking too far ahead can be overwhelming and appear out of reach - impossible. Looking just ahead to the next "short" goal is manageable. There are victories along the way to celebrate. I can walk - or run - in step with my Savior until I reach the goal! Good practice for "half marathon" training, for weight loss work, and for life.

Lord, 
Help me to forget my past - 
     ...the failures that make me fearful to try 
     ...the successes that make me complacent and stagnant.
Help me to live in the present, 
     ...seeing the work you have for me now.
Help me to welcome the future plans you have for me and my family and trust you as I wait and watch.

In the Whirlwind

The past few weeks have literally flown by. I'm thankful for our Ladies' Bible Study, because it is keeping me focused on what I need to do today. It is a bit redundant and slow compared to others we've done, but God knew this would be exactly what I would need at this time. He is AWESOME!

Monday Memory Verses - A command with certain comfort for me and for my family, knowing God is always with us - that he even goes before us and leads the way in the adventure and the work He has called us to:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

(Joshua 1:9 ESV)

"It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

(Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV)

Training Tuesdays - It's getting easier - not easy, but easier - to run the 5Ks I have mapped out around my house. The most difficult is the Ramsey route which has a steep hill, just shy of the 1 mile mark. Yesterday, I ran the entire "Race for the Cure" 5 K route on my treadmill. It was so fun to virtually see the road and buildings as my treadmill has a "street view" option. I remembered some of the buildings and turns from two years ago, and cheered when Tiger Stadium came into view. I forgot that once we got to the stadium, we had to run AROUND it. LOL! I made it! YAY! That is the first milestone.

Weight Watch Wednesday - All I can say is - the slope is still negative, which is positive. I would like it to be more negative. Being on the road traveling a lot, makes eating right, difficult. I am getting better at making good choices, though.

Thankful Thursday - WOW! How do I begin?
- Thankful for the flexibility of my job that allows me to work from any location, at flexible hours.
- Thankful for the two fun days road-tripping with Cristin to her job interviews in Ft. Wayne, IN.
- Thankful for God's clear answer to Cristin accepting her first job offer.
- Thankful for God's provision of the perfect apartment for Cristin - the least expensive, with open spaces, and tenants her age in a great location with lots of stores nearby and easy access to the expressway!
- Thankful for an e-mail from a supplier in Germany I have never met and the instant connection we made as a brother/sister in Christ. It  made my day, and my response made his. :) (He had typed "Read John 3:16" at the very bottom of his e-mail. I replied "John 10:10 - Living the abundant life! :)" Subsequent e-mails indicated that he is no longer allowed to include Bible verses at the bottom of his e-mails, but we can still Praise God together, through our correspondence with the knowledge we already have of our common bond.

Songspiration Saturday & Sunday - One of my favorite albums to run to is Jeremy Camp's "Live Unplugged".  This week, these two songs kept playing in my head - they kinda go together:
-


Lord - 
Empty me - I want less of me (literally and figuratively speaking) and more of You! Empty me of any desire that's not of you. My desire is to be used by you...

Samaritan's Feet - for Angie Miller :)

Buick Gets Into 2012 NCAA® March Madness®

Thought Angie would appreciate this - reminded me of "Shoes for Orphan Souls".