Psalm 143:10

"Teach me to do Your will O God, may Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing."

I came upon this verse early yesterday morning just before I left to run the Willamette Mission Trail Challenge...let's just say it was applicable.

The course consisted of 6.2 miles of shoe sucking mud, moss covered tree trunks precariously strewn across the trail, a few very slippery steep hills, and bramble bushes coming at you out of nowhere. Not to mention the 200 runners slipping and sliding on the narrow path all around you. Forget about your pace..this is survival.

Why? That was the question I heard being grunted through every labored breath around me...."Why am I doing this?"

Back to Psalm 143:10 'Teach me to do Your will O God, may Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing."

That is why I ran in the mud and jumped over trees for 6 miles. God speaks to me there. He whispers to my heart about His grace. He makes the un-forseen, surmountable. He keeps me steady. And then I apply it in the race of life.

13 HUNTERS Run, Franklin, MA 02038 | MLS# 70991555

13 HUNTERS Run, Franklin, MA 02038 | MLS# 70991555

Aaron walked through this home yesterday...yes, it's colonial, but he said the pictures don't give it justice and it's very homey. I love the fireplace. There is an offer on it...but we are praying about possibly putting an offer in on it if that one falls through. Aaron said that when he walked in he felt like he was home...that's saying a lot for my Oregonian husband.

House of the Week: A country retreat in Tiverton | projoHomes: House of the Week | projo.com | The Providence Journal

House of the Week: A country retreat in Tiverton | projoHomes: House of the Week |
projo.com | The Providence Journal

I keep coming back to this one...looks a lot like home to me.

These Days

Elizabeth all curled up in Abby Sue's bed, wearing her big sisters robe (Abby Sue was at school)
Saying goodbye to Otis
A special night out to celebrate Daddy's promotion
Porch Pirates

Overdue

Aaron scheduled a massage for me today.....

I'm down to nothing but my underwear...covered up with a flimsy blanket...mentally preparing myself for the awkwardness of it all.

Alan (M.T.), "So where are some areas you would like me to focus on."

Me (thinking), "How do I explain to this man that my left butt cheek is killing me?"

5 minutes into the massage and I begin to forget that I'm almost naked.

10 minutes....I forget that there are 10 loads of laundry waiting for me at home.

20 minutes....Alan asks, "Do you think you and Aaron will have more children?"

Me (thinking) "More children? I have children?....Where am I anyway?....What's my name?"

I need to schedule these things more often.

4 miles felt like 40

Abby Sue 3 years old~ and how I felt today.

It's just one of "those" days....

I got in an argument with the best dad in the world.

I felt like I had four pairs of snow pants on when I tried to run 4 measly miles.

I cried when the City of Silverton decided that my front lawn would be the perfect place for a new crosswalk sign.

And I feel like crap because I ate the Colonels chicken last night instead of making a healthy dinner for the kids and I.

On the flip side...

I have the best dad in the world

The City of Silverton decided to move their sign.

I ran 4 miles on two healthy legs that work really well.

We all ate frozen blueberries for dessert.

Redemption is a beautiful thing.

Walking and Running by Faith

Aaron started the Boston commute at 4 AM today. He will be coming and going like this for the next 6 months. It will be hard on us as a family and equally hard on us as a husband and wife. I'm praying for Jesus to be close to us both...to give us grace and perseverance. I'm thankful for God's timing, and the desire He put into my heart to train for the marathon (only God could convince me to sign up for something like that!) It keeps me focused and disciplined. I'm learning to take one day at a time...one mile at a time....and do my best in that moment. Leaving the past and present in the hands of their Creator. He is working out His will in me...and that is nothing short of miraculous! Thank You Jesus, precious Savior.

p.s.

Answered prayer: We found a home for Otis. Sad goodbyes tomorrow....but happy hellos for Otis and a couple who just lost their Golden Retriever to cancer and have been looking for a new dog to love. Otis will have room to roam and undivided attention. This puts our hearts at ease.

Thursday's Child

Not because I have it on a list

Not because I have something to prove

Not because I need to feel accomplished

Not because I fear failure

Not because I think I can

I run to learn....

Patience

Endurance

Perseverance

Humility

Faith

and because I'm Thursday's Child and " have far to go".

Eugene Marathon...May 2, 2010

What would I do without my daily dose of Abby Sue-isms?

" I really need to start working on my Boston accent.....(clears throat)..."Green Monstah"..."Green Monstah"...I sound like a "Red Sox" fan now right?"

Abby Sue~ 8 years old

Turbie Towels, Wookie Cookies, & Baby Art

Nana is a professional at finding the best

inventions to improve our daily lives. She gifted us girls with the "Turbie Towel" this Christmas. They work so well that Ben had no shame in trying one out too.

Speaking of Ben, Poppa & Gramma blessed our "Little Chef" with the Star Wars Cookbook this Christmas. It was the perfect gift for a boy who loves anything food related and can't get enough Star Wars in his life. We decided to try our first recipe out the other night..."Wookie Cookies." They were out of this world.

Babies are inspiring. One of these was for the fourth child of the Kelly Family...an adorable little boy they named Brighton Zane. And the other was for a baby girl that I cannot wait to hold...little Miss Ellie June...her mommy, Hollie and I like a lot of the same things, so this one was extra fun!

We will go.

Take me with you

I want to see

everything, that fills my dreams.

Take me with you

near or far,

you know my home is where you are.

And on those days

I complain,

when sunshines gone,

my eyes will rain.

Remember this,

there's no regret,

growing pains just hurt a bit.

I resolve to...

1.) clean less.

2.) say less.

3.) kick condemnation to the curb.

4.) "can" criticism.

5.) support my man.

6.) have less to give more.

7.) serve gladly.

8.) share the gospel message.

9.) live the gospel message.

10.) embrace contentment.

oh and one more...

11.) a change of plans.

Christmas memories cont.

even baby kitty is tuckered out
Daddy in action with his new custom made "Mantula"

Traditional Christmas Eve at Grampa & Nana's (if only Aaron was an inch shorter!)
"O Sweetheart..O Hunny!" (what Zibby has been saying a lot these days)
Christmas vacation fun with plastic cups? (They even used my glue gun to make a palace for the cats out of these things!)

Holiday Highlights

"Christmas in Australia is often very hot.."
Abby Sue the Sweet Shop Elf
Strawberry Rhubarb Preserves & the mini-homemaker
Advent....all is calm, all is bright
Christmas Kombucha...creepy, wierd, fermenting mushroom drink