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...