In His Grip

1/2 Marathon Training, Update

This week was a little hard to get out and run.  I am not sure why, but I do know that the days are getting shorter because the mornings are getting darker and darker when I start out.  I am using that for the reason that I am having a hard time getting up out of bed.  But I did purchase myself a new incentive for next week.  In Runners World magazine this month, there was an article about the new running skirts.  I have seen these out there but have not been brave enough to try one.  So as I was shopping at Wal-Mart today I found a running skirt for a great price.  So along with my new running hat, I now have a running skirt to match, how fun! Monday--3.5 miles, Tuesday--4.5 miles, Thursday--3 miles, Friday--4 miles, week total -- 15 miles.

Three Word Thursday

Outside the lines

Flowers From My Garden

Last Summer I wrote about having weeds in the flower bed on the south side of the house.  This year I took action early and planted a bunch of packets of Zinnia seeds in that flower bed.  Now I have all the cut flowers I want in my house. When I neglect my garden weeds will grow, but if I do a little preparation beautiful flowers will grow instead.  So I guess it works the same with my life, if I neglect my time with God "weeds" will grow out of control, but with a little time spent with Him, he will produce "flowers" in my life.  I love how God can make all things beautiful.

I Say Yes!

This is a prayer that I found in a new book that I have been reading, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God.   I will say yes today.  "God, I want to see You. God I want to hear You.  God I want to know You.  God I want to follow hard after You.  And even before I know what I will face today, I say yes to You."

At The Pool

Do all little girls play synchronized swimming at the pool, or was it just me and my two sisters?  We were at the pool yesterday and I watched some little girls playing like they were synchronized swimmers.  I remember trying to do those moves where just your legs pop out of the water in those great poses. Okay, I never accomplished the great poses or made it look quite so graceful, but I did sport a great swimming cap with a big flower on it.

1/2 Marathon Training Update

This week was hard to get out there and hit the pavement.  Returning to the routine of life after vacation is always a challenge for me.  Luckily, I planned ahead for this and loaded a novel on my MP3 player for vacation.  I do not allow myself to listen to the story unless I am running, so by the time I had to get back to running at home I was dying to know what happens next in the story.  I will use anything to motivate myself to get out there at 5:00 am.  Monday--4 miles, Tuesday--3 miles, Wednesday--3.5, Friday--3 miles, Saturday--3.5 miles, total--17 miles.

Anna On A Mission

Oh, no here is another story about Anna, I am not sure Lindsey is going to like it she thinks Anna is getting way too much blog time.  Oh well, at 5:30 am this morning Anna left on a mission trip to Mexico.  She and 100 other students are headed to Monterey to hold neighborhood Bible schools for the week.  She will be traveling with one of her long-time friends, Ashley.  Anna and Ashley had a great time yesterday purchasing things to give away to the children.  They went to US Toy and bought bags of bracelets, rings, and other trinkets to pass out.  This is her second year of going with this particular group and she will be returning to the same neighborhood she was in last year.  She is really looking forward to connecting with some of the children she met last summer.  Keep the entire group in your prayers, as they travel by van and then share their love of Christ with the people of Monterey.  They will return in the evening of the 20th.

Three Word Thursday

Life is beautiful!

 

Making Something Old, New

While on vacation my Mom and I did this little project.  This is a rocking chair that my Mom bought back in the 70's at a J. C. Penny warehouse sale.  It has been a constant in her home since.  We have rocked all of our children in this chair and it is something that will be around for a long time, but it really needed an update.  As we were sitting in the great room one morning, I asked Mom if she had ever considered painting the rocking chair.  She said that she had and wanted to paint it red.  As we were talking and in keeping with her rustic decor we decided to spray paint it red and then sand some of the paint back off again to look worn.  Here is what we started with and the finished product.  I think it turned out great and looks so much better then the old 70's has been rocker.  What do you think?

My Vacation Reading

I read some great books while on vacation.  The Last Time I Was Me, I found one day in Barnes & Noble.  Normally I don't buy a book without reading a review or two, but I liked the summery, lounging on the lake look about it.  Who says you can't judge a book by its cover?  So on a whim, I bought this book and took a chance. This book made me laugh and cry with the main character, great entertainment.   The Beach House, I purchased in the Lifeway store near my home.  Again, I purchased it because of the cover and title, hoping it would be a good summer read.  It did not disappoint and even with a smattering of spiritual truth mixed in.  This is story of four friends meeting again after years and surviving their 40 birthdays.  Check them out, they are sure to give you great reading entertainment this summer.

Woo Hoo 20,000 Views!

Today my blog went over 20,000 views.  It took about a year to reach 10,000 views and a little less the seven months to reach 20,000.  Who knew anyone cared what I have to say?  Thanks for checking out my daily thoughts and your encouraging comments.

1/2 Marathon Training, Update

I am so spoiled now that I have been running in Minnesota for the last week.  With the temperatures in the 60's for a morning run, how will I ever be able to come back to Kansas and run in the humidity? Running on the nice shady road was great but the hills were a killer.  Sunday--4 miles; Monday--60 minute paddle boat ride; Tuesday--3 1/2 mile run; Wednesday--5 mile run; Thursday 3 1/2 mile run; Friday--60 minute paddle boat ride; Saturday--4 mile run, 60 minute paddle boat ride.  Week total--20 miles.

Creative Design

How could anyone deny that there is a God?  When you are out in nature and see all that there is out there, how could any of this happen by an accident 1,000,000's of years ago?  As I look at all there is to see in nature, I know that there is a creative designer behind it all.  Ryan has been taking pictures almost every morning and it is so fun to see how creatively different each day might start. 

We were lying on the dock last night looking at the stars and vastness of our sky.  Are we the only ones that God created all of this for?  Would He create all of this beauty just for us, just for you, just for me?  I believe the answer is YES!

Three Word Thursday

Wow! 50 years!

Three Word Thursday--Part 2

Don't be jealous!

Peep S'mores

If you have never tried a s'more using Peeps, you have never had this great taste of Grandma Bergie's.  She buys Peeps after the holiday and they get a little hard, which is just perfect.  You roast these like you would a marshmallow, put them on a bar of chocolate between two graham crackers and enjoy.  They are the absolute best.  You will never want a s'more with just an ordinary marshmallow again.  We have these at the lake around the fire pit on the patio.  My kids will always have great memories hearing stories and singing around the fire at the lake. 

"I just had surgery"

Okay, the "I just had surgery" is not working for me anymore.  It has been only a week and two days since she had surgery.  This is NOT what the doctor order I am pretty sure.  She found this size 3 youth wet suit in the life jacket box, she tried it on, (What 20 year old tries on a size 3 wet suit to begin with?) and decided that it was tight enough across her stomach that she could try wake boarding.  So being the "adult" that she is, she made the decision to wake board.  She actually did pretty good, but did not want to fall, but stop on her own terms.  We will see how she is feeling tomorrow.  The day after is always the true teller of how hard you played.

"Real" Fish Story

Sometimes there are "fish stories" and sometimes there are "real" fish to go along with the story.  Ryan and Jeff went out early this morning and caught this big one.  We will have a fish fry tonight.

Comet Theater

When you vacation in the same place for over 22 years, you have your favorite places to go.  One of our "have to" go places in Cook, MN is the Comet Theater.  Not only does it actually seat about 100 people to see a movie, it is the best gift/antique/coffee shop around.  Okay, there ain't much around here, but it is definitely a place we never want to miss.  Today after church, we stopped by to pick up a treat for our loved one left behind.  You know who you are.  We miss you and wish you were here.  Brining a special treat home just for you.

1/2 Marathon Training

Bought myself a new running hat this week.  I found it on sale at Dick's for a great price.  With my short, sassy hair, I wake up a little too sassy to not cover it up, so I always wear a hat.  Besides, it helps disguise who I am in case someone sees me running.   By the time they realize it is me they have past me.   This week I did not do too bad.  Had the first day this summer where I felt like I was swimming rather than running.  Sunday -- 20 mile bike ride; Monday -- 3 mile run; Wednesday -- 3 mile run, Thursday -- 4.5 mile run, Friday -- raining; Saturday -- 3 mile run; week total running -- 13.5 miles.  I am looking forward to running in the nice cool air of Minnesota.

I Need A Vacation

I am ready for vacation.  Although we are not going anywhere fancy, a week at the lake in Minnesota is the best vacation for simply relaxing.  I will not allow myself to look at my schedule after we get back, that will just stress me out.  Looking forward to sitting in the sun, fishing, and doing some good summer reading.  Lake Vermilion here we come!

Three Word Thursday

Do I worship?

Unfortunately -- Fortunately!

This past week has been a mix of unfortunate events.  But fortunately, I can see how God has provided and perhaps there is a lesson in all of this.

Unfortunately, my van of over 10 years died this week with no chance of recovery.

But fortunately, there are four other cars in our family that are available for me to drive and I am in no big hurry to replace it until I get back from India in September.

Unfortunately, the TV in our family room went on the blink.

But fortunately, this not only gives us a much quieter home, but there are other TV's in the house if we really need to watch them and the DVR is still working.

Unfortunately, Lindsey had been sick and in pain since Thursday with no relief.

But, fortunately, she has diagnosed and had an emergency appendectomy on Saturday and is on the road to recovery.

Unfortunately, I needed Lindsey to work this week on our next big project.  It is going to be a long week with lots of late nights for me.

But fortunately, we leave for vacation on Saturday, yeah!

When unfortunate events come my way I always try to find a "fortunately" in there somewhere.  Being a child of God, I am trusting there is one in there somewhere and it is my job to find it and hang on to it.

Kansas City 1/2 Marathon Training

This year I am going to be totally out there early in the game.  I am starting to train for the Kansas City 1/2 Marathon.  Last year I kept it to myself until about five weeks ahead of time afraid that I might not achieve my goal.  However, I did accomplish that goal and am hoping to finish the race without walking this year.  There will be two weeks in September when I will be in India and it is doubtful that I will get any training done while there, but I am trusting that I will not lose too much during that time.  One of the reasons I started this blog was to keep me accountable.  How much more accountable can I be?  Well, on Saturdays, I will report on my progress and my mileage.  I can do this one mile at a time.  Happy running!!!!

The SEWBIZ Van is No More :(

The diagnosis is in. SEWBIZ will go to the great junk yard somewhere here in Kansas City.  The garage guy called and he put about $300 worth of labor into her before it was apparent that she could not be saved.  I will be going over the garage this afternoon to pick up my personal items and say good-bye to this driving companion of over 10 years.  Hopefully, we can come out even with the junk yard maybe giving us the $300 to cover the cost of the garage diagnosis.  So, I guess we will be replacing her with a newer model.  Actually, I am not in a big hurry to replace her.  We still have four vehicles in our garage and driveway, there is always something around to get me where I need to go.  But if you hear of any good deals out there on something that looks good and sounds good let me know.  Now that I am past the mini van chapter of life, maybe I will go for something sporty.  Does that mean mid-life crisis?  Oh no!

Three Word Thrusday

Too much fun!

SEWBIZ In For Repairs?

I have owned my Chevy Venture, SEWBIZ, for over 10 years now.   I have had that custom license plate for almost 20 years.  It has moved through two other vans but has been with this one the longest.  Before we went away for the weekend, my SEWBIZ had a major breakdown.  I am not sure she will recover.  I am not emotionally prepared to let my SEWBIZ go yet.  Weird, that I am emotional about a crazy van that has its quirks.  The drivers window does not roll down; so when I go through a drive-thru I have to drive past the window and open my door, there is a big soda stain on the carpet in the back from a road trip in 2000 and she has a small chip in the window that happen a week after I bought her brand new.  Now I just have to wait for my garage man to let me know what the financial damage will be.  Will it be worth it to put more money into her or ditch her for a newer model? 

Relaxing this Weekend

We are just relaxing this weekend with friends.  You just cannot have a better time then hanging with friends for a weekend.

My Piece of Sky

This is the view from the hammock in my backyard.  I love this spot and spend many a summer evening reading here.  The best part about my house is the backyard, that doesn't say much for the house does it.  Although I cannot complain, I have a great house too, but the backyard is what sold us this particular home. How great that no one else can claim this small piece of my sky but me.  I day dream looking at my sky, pray prayers, and just think about what God has in store for me and my peeps. 

Three Word Thursday

Thoughts don't count.

 

 

Signs of Hope

I have been reading this book, Beyond Duty: A Passion for Christ, a Heart for Mission by Tim Dearborn.  Boy, it has really got me to thinking about how I view missions.  After attending the Exponential Conference in April and being on the mission track, I was exposed to this different way of thinking of missions.  I keep hearing this statement, "The church of God does not have a mission in the world!  The God of mission has a church in the world!"  I love this!  We as humans always want to make it about us and what we are doing.  It is not about US it is only God that can bring hope to the world.  But we have the privilege of being living signs of hope, in life, word, and acts of service.  We cannot create hope in anyone, only God can do this but we can participate with Him to create conditions in which signs of hope are evident.  How wonderful that God can use anyone, someone who is not perfect and just living their life as best they can, as a sign of hope for someone else.  Just call me "HOPE".

Worlds of Fun

We made our annual visit to Worlds of Fun this weekend.   We probably would not go every year if it was not for the fact that the company that Jeff works for, Garmin, has their Summer family event there.  I am not sure how many years we have been doing this, but I do remember back in the early days of Garmin we had the Summer event at Hertiage Park, shelter house #2.   Garmin has grown by leaps and bounds since then, so much so that we can no longer have our lunch in the company picnic area of the park but everyone is given vouchers to eat at any eating estibalishment in the park.  Garmin has been a great company for Jeff to work for and our family has been blessed in many ways.  The Garmin story is a perfect example of God's blessing on a man who chose to serve His God in the marketplace and in turn has blessed hundreds of thousands of families because of his obedience.   

Why Do I Fear?

I go through seasons of life where I am gripped by fear.  It can manifest itself in many different ways.  Fear of failure, especially in front of people, ranks right up there for me.  When I am in these times of fear, I think about it, dream about it, talk about it with my hubby, it kind of takes over my life.  God would not be God, if He left me to live in my fear.  This past week, almost every one of my daily devotions have been about God's assurance.  The only way to remove fear from my life is to listen to God's assurance to me.  Man, if only I would remember this before I go down that path of fear, Hebrews 13:5 I will never leave you nor forsake you.  When I beleive I am all alone in my fear I can remeber that the Lord is my helper at this very minute.  Wow, that is so reassuring!  And I refuse to live in fear.

Three Word Thursday

Road less traveled.

 

Looking For The Tiny Blessings

I have been thinking lately that what makes God so great to me is not the big blessings that He has given me so much, but the tiny things.  Although, I am not that good that I no longer want BIG blessings.  But rather that He has to know me very intimately in order to know how to bless me in tiny ways.  This means He knows absolutely every detail about me.  This great BIG God of the universe cares enough about little old me to bless me in the smallest of ways, how great is that!  Look for the tiniest blessings today and let someone know where you have seen God in the smallest way. 

Watching the Clock

Summertime means late nights for me.  As a Mom, I just cannot allow myself to totally fall asleep if my babies are not home.  I try all kinds of things to try to stay awake waiting for the girls to get home.  I watch TV on the sofa, which is way too comfortable and I fall asleep.  I read a book, I must not have any books that are exciting enough to stay awake.  There are nights I just decide to work until they get home.   Will there ever be a time when I can go up to bed and go to sleep not worrying whether or not they get home?  Until I reach that point of parenthood, I will watch the clock and be a weary gal at work the next day until school starts once again.  Oh yeah, then I will have no idea what time they get home to bed, because they will both be in college.                                

Big job Almost Done!

This is what my workroom looks like right now.  I have been working so hard on the this big deadline at work.  I am so ready to have the place back to normal again.  With the final date being Monday, I am happy to say that I am almost finished.  This job takes me over my previous monthly profit high.  I usually reward myself with some kind of prize when I reach such milestones.  You know, most valuable employee kind of prize.  Oh yeah, I am the only employee.  However, I am feeling like this may be cheating a bit, as  Lindsey has been working for me the last couple of weeks.  I do need to keep in mind that this particular milestone has been in place for almost two years and I think it will be a very hard goal to beat again.  I am thinking that the prize is definitely in order here.                

Three Word Thursday

Welcome summer feet!!!!!

Memorial Weekend

We spent the weekend in Minneapolis, Minnesota.   Our niece graduated from college and we finally got to see where Ryan has made his home.  The weekend was full of activity and I am glad to be home so that I can get some rest but we had a great time.  Ryan is living in the kind of place he has always wanted to live.  He has a loft apartment in the Uptown area of Minneapolis.  He loves his neighborhood and his apartment.  And as a matter of fact, our niece has choosen to live in this same area and they will be living only blocks away from each other.  It is amazing watching these young adults move into the world of grownups.  Ryan says he will not use the "G" word, grownup, but he would rather mature, the word grownup sounds old.  Whatever, he is maturing into at wonderful grownup.

Anna is Not the Only One

I guess maybe Anna has been taking all of the blog time.  I have been informed that there are other people in our family doing wonderful things.  I have heard it mentioned around the house that in order to make the blog you have to either graduate,live far away, or make a great bag.  So here is to Lindsey!  She is back from school for the Summer, and working for Stitches By Sturman this week and next week and will be helping out later on in the Summer when the next nursing home job is on the work schedule.  This takes her from being an amateur seamstress to a professional, after all she is getting paid.  Her grades for this last semester came and she is maintaining straight A's.  Since being in college, she has only received one B.  Next year, she will be the secretary for the Phi Upsilon Omicron (Family and Consumer Science National Honor Society).  So here is a BIG SHOUT OUT to Lindsey, she too is doing wonderful things. Gotta to love a girl who lets you know when she needs a little recognition. 

Three Word Thursday

Set to soar!

The Flowers Are Coming

I am so excited!  There are finally flowers in my garden.  This is my clematis that I have tried to get to bloom for three years now.  I had very good luck at our old house and had clematis growing all over our fence.  People would stop their cars and ask me about them they were so big and pretty.  But no such luck at this house.  After three years, this is what I have so far.  Maybe with a little more Miracle Gro and some warm sunshine I can have the beautiful clematis that I have had in the past.  

Sweat Shop Labor

When you have free labor you have got to take advantage, right?  On Monday I had the whole family working for me.  If you get too close to our house I just might put you to work too.  Okay, they were not totally free, Stitches By Sturman did take them all out to lunch and then we had a Sonic cherry lime-aid break in the afternoon.  Lindsey and Lori were cutting the fabrics.  Dad and Mom cut the wood.  We have 158, 41" boards for valances. I of course was supervising and trying to wrap my head around the most efficient process.  I have a huge job that is due on the 2nd of June.  Lindsey will be working with me all week so hopefully we will be able to keep up with the targeted output.

Olathe South Graduation

She has graduated!  Yeah!  You would think that there are no other people in my life right now, because it all has been about Anna for the last month.  After all, her siblings have both had their time of it being all about them and Anna was going to be sure that she had her chance and this was her time.  Now, I guess our family is officially into Summer.  Shoot, late nights every night.  Will I ever catch up on my sleep?

Great Party!

We all had a great time at Anna's party.  The house was full, there was congratulations, laughter, and a lot of hugs.  Oh my, look at that picture hanging behind Anna, just a little crooked.  You think you have every detail covered and then something crooked shows up in the pictures.  I guess no matter how much time you spend on the small stuff, the small stuff really does not matter.  Anna's friends came out in force as well as our family.  We are so happy for Anna as she closes this chapter and starts on a new path of life.  To call us proud parents would be an understatement.  The weekend is almost over and the only thing left is the actual graduation.