WFW - Finished the Race

WFW - Finished the Race
Originally uploaded by chelled.

2 Timothy 4:7:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

Isn't it wonderful to know, to be assured that we are walking inGod's will for us? To now that we have accomplished the task set before us, and have done well? I love to see people succeed, to achieve the unimagineable. It gets me fired up and excited. And to see God glorified the entire time? Well, that's just icing on the proverbial cake.

These are the shoes I wore for the half marathon this past Saturday, and that's the medal they hung around my neck at the finish line. Pretty cool, but it pales in comparison to the prize that awaits me in Heaven.

Be blessed today, and for more, wonderful Word Filled Wednesday posts visit the 160 acre woods.

But really, I'm done now

Today, I finished a half marathon in 3:08:51. We walked the thing, so I'm actually quite impressed with that time. To add to the joy, today set a heat record for this event. Good times, good times. It was hot friends, very stinking hot. An ice bath, a shower, some food, and AdvoCare products taken, I can say with authority, and, I've said it once before, but this time I am SERIOUS: I AM DONE WITH THESE!!!!

Big props go out to my buddies who completed the event today, their first half marathon ever, and some are stating it will not be their last. Good luck ladies, good luck. To the family and friends of the man who collapsed and died upon completing the half marathon, my prayers and thoughts are with you, and I'm glad God waited until after the finish line...symbolic really. Seriously, I cannot imagine what this family will be going through after today. I don't know their names, don't know the man's name, but please pray for them.

Time to go ice the ankle, and various other parts of my body...again. Night night.

One of those weeks, a venting, a lesson, and an expectation.

Oh friends, has this been one exhausting challenging adventurous week. We began a new 10 week session for the insane workouts. Watching the new folks come in is like watching freshmen the first day of high school. They are wide eyed, timid, and boy do they make funny comments. Some commented on how hard the workouts were, and I laughed, hysterically, to myself. If only they knew, if only they knew. I wish I knew how the other two classes were going, but I can tell you the 5 am crew is filled with some insanely fun people. (Maybe it's the delirium from being up so early.)

So, yes, I am still getting up at 4:15 am during the week. And this week, unlike most, my daughter has decided that her afternoon naps should only last 45 minutes to an hour! What?!?!?! Back up that crazy train kid because you are sorely mistaken. A lack of sleep equals a fussy kid, and she fusses most of the afternoon. This.is.not.normal! However, being the mean stellar mom that I am, I will not hold her throughout the afternoon nor do I cater to her. She chooses to not sleep, she deals with it. Needless to say, her desire to be clingy, my list of things to do, and her fussing make for long afternoons and hair pulling type evenings. And yes, I'm aware that her fussy state is nothing compared to most, but I'm not used to most. I am accustomed to a content, smiling kid, the vast majority of the time and need her to return to said child a.s.a.p!

Now, a little venting. Hold on to your hats here folks, it's a good one. When did women stop dressing themselves??? What happened to attractive, yet modest, attire and keeping some parts of the body left to the imagination? Good grief! Easter Sunday at church was like the "cleavage festival!" In fact, my husband exclaimed, "I saw cleavage, but I didn't want to! I am so sorry!!! It was everywhere!" He was right too. And then, this past Sunday, I look over and a woman is leaning over helping a child. She's wearing one of those long shirts with tights. You know, that style that came out in the 80s....and should have stayed there? However, the tights were not thick enough appropriate and I got to see her hind quarters, something I would have preferred to have not witnessed in this life. Why do people not test out clothes prior to going out in public? Come on, bend over, look for gaps and spaces and peeps that shouldn't be there! Pay attention people! PLEASE! I am tired of being subjected to witnessing other people's body parts that I truly just do not need to be a spectator to. And at the gym? Oh me oh my, I just don't have the time to rant about that one. When you walk out the door, have clothes on, it's just that simple.

In other venting news, I realized the former coach and personal trainer in me are still very much alive and active. While doing team drills the other day, in the early morn, a team member quit. I was fired up. Why? I think it's a mental block, not an inability. This person is a strong person, tough in many regards, but will give up when certain challenges are placed in front of us. The coach in me wanted to yell, "You never give up on your team! This isn't just about you, it's about digging deep for the sake of everyone else!" The trainer wanted to shout, "If you keep giving up and never push yourself just that one extra step, you will never see the results you want. We have been doing this long enough that your intensity should have increased. Come on, go for it, don't be afraid to push yourself. But if you won't, please don't complain that your results are not what you want." Luckily, I gave voice to neither. On a positive note, those of us who remained had to work harder and will therefore be stronger because of it.

Finally in venting news, where does a mom go to have a moment of peace and quiet? Bathroom?** No. Bedroom? No. Outside? Nope. It seems, nowhere. This week, all I have wanted are just a few minutes, fine, hours, with no one speaking to me, no one touching me, no one needing me. It hasn't happened, but I dream about it. Tomorrow, as I venture out for 13.1 miles, along with 30,000 or so people, I may actually get that. Maybe I am excited about the half marathon after all (yes, that event I claimed I was never doing again).

Even in the midst of a rough week, there are still many opportunities to learn a thing or two. ATI continues to surprise, amaze, and encourage me. I love that class, and I love our women's director, who is teaching it. Here are a few things she's said that have truly opened my eyes and changed how I read the New Testament:

• In the letters of the New Testament, the writers are writing specific things to specific people at a specific time within a specific culture.
• We must understand the historical context in order to have a practical application.
• The Bible cannot mean something to us that it never meant to its original readers.
• Paul does not hate women nor think less of them.....that's where you get to apply the first two bullet points to figure that out, assuming you have ever thought that.

Me oh my, I am soaking this stuff up! I love it! Then again, it's easy to because Kristi is such an incredibly gifted teacher, and funny to boot.

My dear sweet baby is turning one on May 2nd. I am in awe of how the first year of her life has flown by. I expect the next year to go even quicker. She is growing, changing, and developing into such a wonderful little girl. Her hair is filled with unmanageable incredible curls and she is a hoot with new people, unless of course they are to invasive in her personal space. Friends are coming into town to help us celebrate, local friends should be joining us too. It will be good to celebrate together, to enjoy, and drink in the blessings God has bestowed upon us. We anxiously await May 2nd, a time to celebrate, eat some cupcakes, and fellowship.

**As I wrote that, I had to laugh to myself. Growing up, I used to go into the bathroom, following my mother, when I wanted to talk to her. She took no papers to grade in there, no one else would follow her, and I knew I would have her undivided attention. I have to smile because I can remember some of those conversations. But as a mom now? I'm sure she was really wanting just a few moments of peace and time alone. Besides, while in the restroom, I'm not sure any of us like to have an audience. Thanks for rarely kicking me out Mom, and, sorry for disturbing you.

Word Filled Wednesday

Holding hands
Originally uploaded by chelled.

Romans 9:20-24:

On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.

Be blessed today, and for more, wonderful Word Filled Wednesday posts visit the 160 acre woods.

Somtimes, the best you can do is to carry on

My prayer today is that each of us, no matter what obstacles stand in the way, no matter how many people stand in the way, that we continue to "carry on" and believe in the gifts we have each been given. be blessed today.

Be blessed today, and for more, wonderful Word Filled Wednesday posts visit the 160 acre woods.

Like Watching a Car Wreck

Have you ever witnessed the moments prior to two vehicles colliding? You know, the moment that sends off alarms in your head, and those voices begin yelling, "Oh no! Those two are about to wreck! What do I do? What do I do?" Yet, the best you can do is turn away and protect yourself, or, watch and serve as an eye witness. You hear the tires screech, smell the burn of rubber, and hear that fateful *smash* as metal collides with metal. Glass shatters. Metal bends. Lives change. And you? You were a witness to every minute of it.

So it is with life, and with people sometimes. We sit, knowing in our heads that the actions being taken will end horribly. We are attuned to the fact that lives will be forever changed, that the wake of destruction will be more damaging than anyone could have imagined. We focus on the ones involved, attempting to be alert, to be their personal warning broadcast system. We sound the sirens, ring the bells, flash the lights. But, nothing. No response, no acknowledgement, nothing. They stare blankly back as if we are doing nothing, and are, all in an instant, unable to comprehend the words we may speak.

Do we try to step in, between the oncoming trains, or do we step aside? Do we risk being the ones lashed out at, or calmly back away? Do we listen to the complaints, the insults, the despair and respond with the best encouragement we can conjure up? Or, are we silent?

It is a tricky place to be in, that spot in the middle. When love calls you to want more for a person, but reality says nothing will change. We do our best to not get sucked into the vortex of despair all the while trying to serve as a life preserver for those we care for.

Where is that line I wonder? That line that says, "I love you, but I can no longer watch you hurt yourself and everyone around you. In your reactions to the present, you are unable to see the damage you are causing for the future. I will continue to love you, to pray for you, but I can no longer listen and be a character in this play."

I jump back and forth over this line, almost daily. I want to help, I long to see broken hearts healed and lives restored. Yet, I know that sometimes people will choose to allow their hearts to be hardened instead. I know that we are currently living in a society that no longer understands long-suffering and perseverance. We believe these to entail a week, a month, two at the most. But years of suffering and challenge? Surely not. We would rather bail out, leaving brokenness in our midst, than put ourselves aside and walk through the pain. It seems to me that we have absolutely no clue what it means to stay in something for the "long haul". We live in a society that believes reality shows are truly real and that fairy tales are the norm for romance. We have forgotten how hard it is, how much selflsessness is required.

Were it not so easy to think so highly of oneself and to be absorbed only with how I feel, at this moment, maybe we wouldn't have to collide with one another to see the need for change.

Romans 5:1-5:

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Super Big Miracle

Easter Sunday, whew, it was a good day. Church was amazing, and the fellowship that followed was a blessing. During service, we sat by some sweet friends who have 5 children. 3 of the 5 are theirs, 2 of them are in their home via foster care. The desire of their hearts is to have the boys in their home forever. I asked my friend where they were in the adoption process. With pain filling her eyes, she said, "We're about a month away from them being back in the birth family's home." The hurt and heartache radiated from her eyes as she looked at me, and one of the two boys snuggled closely in her lap. My heart broke. I asked what it would take for the boys to stay with them. She said, "A super big miracle." Indeed.

The good news is that we serve a God who can do just that. The news that is hard to understand is that prayer may not be answered as we would want. Still, I ask you to ask God for a "super big miracle" for the Johnson family, and for the two boys whose lives may be disrupted, again. Please, right now, pray for them and for the safety and well being of those boys. And yes, be so bold as to even ask God for the boys to stay in the Johnson's home, where they are safe, loved, and well cared for.

The day of days

Oh good grief, I was not sure I was going to make it through the day yesterday. Sheesh! My dear, sweet, precious little girl fussed and cried...ALL.DAY.LONG! She was wearing me out! You must understand, my child, is not a fussy kid. I know, I know, we do not deserve such a great little one, but I have learned not to question these things; I'm just thankful for them. So yesterday, when nothing calmed the child down, and she wouldn't go down for her nap? Well, let us just say I was a bit beside myself. I began to wonder if either one of us would make it through the day.

Luckily, Andy did return home from work, on time. He swooped in, and like Mighty Mouse, came in and saved the day. Whew. As he walked in, I quickly said, "Don't ask me about today, don't ask me what's for dinner. I'm going to play volleyball tonight, have fun with your child." He looked, well, stunned would be a good word. He nodded his head, walked back slowly, and exited the room. It seems Daddy is just what the girl needed, and volleyball is just what Mommy needed.

Every now and then, we have some really great nights at volleyball. I am not just talking about the level of play either, I mean people just out, having fun and doing as best they can. Last night, there were not many people there so we played 3 on 3 and when two more arrived, you guessed it, 4 on 4. I realized I do better with less people on the court. Since no one seems to know proper offenses and defenses, having less people makes movement and reading the ball easier. Funny how that works. A teammate and I even devised a plan for me to get some blocks. Oh yes, a great plan it was (cue the evil laughter). As I went up to jump (hop rather), he came up behind me, grabbed me by the waist, and lifted me. It was glorious! I am never up that high over the net. Who knew one could have such a great view of the court? Alas, I was reminded why I am a setter.

As for tonight, we'll be heading over to have dinner with some friends. Much madness may ensue due to the fact there will be 5 young children there, and 6 crazy adults, but we're looking forward to it. With family far away, this will be a nice way to enter Easter weekend. Enjoy friends, enjoy.

**no, the picture is not of my child. There would have to be gobs of snot and really big tears pouring down the kid's face in order for it to be my girl.

Easter

Word Filled Wednesday Jn 12:24

Word Filled Wednesday Jn 12:24
Originally uploaded by chelled.

Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip came and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip came and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. "He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. "If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
John 12:20-26

But the good news? He rose again! As we draw closer to Easter Sunday, I pray you each are resting in the fact we serve a living God!

Be blessed today, and for more, wonderful Word Filled Wednesday posts visit the 160 acre woods.

*Yes, I know that's not actually wheat in the picture!

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Why are they always left out?

Recently, I have seen quite a few books, resources, sites, and so forth for stay at home moms. And I got to thinking, "Why are stay at home dads always left out?"

I know some stay at home dads, they are amazing. Truly, they do just as good of a job raising the kids as any mom, and in fact, in some ways, are better. Clearly, our society is all about the man working, he must provide for his family, or, obviously he's a lazy good for nothing....blah blah blah. But, there are some families where the wife is working, and it is better, and more beneficial for the father to stay home. And you know what? It works. It completely works.

Or there are dads with weird schedules that allow them to do something like read a story, dressed in character, to his son's class. How cool is that? I can just see his son, sitting proudly, chest puffed out, because his dad was there.

In a society that so often touts progressive thinking, it is funny to me how traditional some views will remain. And, that is not necessarily a bad thing. My only challenge is this: the next time you encounter a stay at home dad, rather than raising your eyebrows and pondering what may be wrong with this man, shake his hand and tell him he's making a big difference in his child's life. Because, after all, he is.