Runner Girls

I am thankful for my runner girls. Girlfriends to talk to as we run and solve the problems of our worlds.

I am not thankful for bruised toenails, pulled hamstrings so high up that I am embarrassed to show a massage therapist of the exact location of my latest injury, plantar fasciitis, and tweaky spots along the inside of my ankle. Yes...I did stretch, but no one warned me about the toenails until the 13.1 damage had been done.

our super cute Disney Princess Half Marathon training skirts - thanks, Stephanie!

Was this our first run together? I am getting old! I can't remember.

A Surprise Gift

  

I was surprised to see such a sweet gift basket waiting for me when I had an opportunity to talk with a friend's small group. These ladies offered me a collection of favorite things:

stuff for the tub (where I do my best relaxing and thinking)

Journals and notebooks (where I write my best thinking until I can get to the computer)

a magazine for inspiration (I have a fetish about ripping out interesting pictures. I save them for whatever reason...inspiration hoarding for a rainy day when I have none.)

notecards (to express gratitude and affection)

Thanks girls. I enjoyed sharing ZUMBA, talking about our desire to be healthy, balanced women of God, and eating your yummy salad supper. You've inspired me to do this same format with my college girls in May.

When we built our house, the builder asked if I needed more hanging space for my clothes. "No, I'm not really a clothes girl" I replied. What I really want is shelves for my journals.

My quiet retreat

The Gift of Smiling

An acquaintance stopped me in our church parking lot today to tell me that I have the gift of smiling. I joked, "except when I'm looking like this" and scowled, wagging a finger at my three children and a neighborhood child that we had along. She explained that she had decided that I have the gift of smiling when she saw me dancing in our church's Palm Sunday worship service.

"Oh," I said. "I feel His joy when I dance", borrowing from Eric Liddel's (Chariots of Fire) statement about running.                  http://youtu.be/uwyltmUR3MU

Today I also felt the gift of tears. "Dance for Jesus" (Chris Rice, "Untitled Hymn") came on the radio. This is the song I'd love to be sung at my funeral. Rather than being morbid, it is such an affirmation of life to think of wishing others who know me the joy of dancing for Him, falling and having Him pick them up again, and flying up to be with Him throughout eternity. Just thinking of the Joy that I have in knowing Him, being on a journey with Him to love children with no family, and to love the children that He has already given us, brought overwhelming emotion as I drove along in my scratched-up everyday- life minivan. I am so honored to be a part of a life that is bigger than myself. I am so grateful that my husband loves the Lord and is committed to listening to His direction for our lives. Thank you, Father, for the gift of life in YOU.

Chris Rice - Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus) Lyrics Weak and wounded sinner Lost and left to die O, raise your head, for love is passing by Come to Jesus Come to Jesus Come to Jesus and live! Now your burden's lifted And carried far away And precious blood has washed away the stain, so Sing to Jesus Sing to Jesus Sing to Jesus and live! And like a newborn baby Don't be afraid to crawl And remember when you walk Sometimes we fall...so Fall on Jesus Fall on Jesus Fall on Jesus and live! Sometimes the way is lonely And steep and filled with pain So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then Cry to Jesus Cry to Jesus Cry to Jesus and live! O, and when the love spills over And music fills the night And when you can't contain your joy inside, then Dance for Jesus Dance for Jesus Dance for Jesus and live! And with your final heartbeat Kiss the world goodbye Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and Fly to Jesus Fly to Jesus Fly to Jesus and live!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOzYcXaZY8k&feature=fvwrel

A Few Good Friends and their adoption journeys

I am blessed to meet regularly with ten girlfriends for prayer and life-sharing. We used to be a Bible Study group, but since we are all leading Bible Studies for other people and are involved in various ministry things, we decided to simplify, and just meet together to talk about life. To process together in the context of growing in Christ, taking in His word, and intending to obey.

                                                   www.caringbridge.org/visit/viviyang

                                                 http://cabinessfamily.wordpress.com

Two of these girlfriends have been in the process of adoption for years. Betsy has been waiting for Vivi for almost five years. They just received news that their trip to China has been delayed, again. Gennie leaves for the Ukraine on Sunday to pick up Ivan....He is now THEIRS after having been hosted twice by their family through a program called New Horizons for Children.

It is interesting to me how God can use the power of a group. In praying for others, we have been led to consider our own responsibility in meeting the needs of the world.

God says through James that the religion He considers to be pure and faultless is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)

After years of asking God what our responsibility is, and waiting to have united hearts, WE, Andy and Taryn Davis, Laurel, Brennan and Mary Jayne are inviting two Latvian children into our home for the summer...and we are THRILLED.

When we found out the children's birthdays, genuine joy spread through me. I have bonded with them through a picture and a short bio. I know that she is very strong and intelligent. That is probably code for strong-willed. Welcome to the family, "Natalie". You will be in the company of five (maybe six) equally strong-willed, hard-headed Scotch-Irish blooded people. I know that "Will" likes Legos and running and is high energy. Welcome to the family, "Will". We run in crazy directions all the time. You will fit right in.

Learning their birthdays felt like a little sign that we were on the right track. "Natalie's" birthday is our anniversary. She is nine, just like Laurel. She is three months younger, so Laurel will retain her "firstborn" position (which, interestingly enough, she was more than willing to let go of). Brennan remains smack in the middle, our wonderful fiery middle child. "Will" is two days younger than Mary Jayne. They are both five. That would make her birthday, Dec. 21, his,
Dec 23, Christmas (25), and Andy's birthday, Dec. 31/New Year's Eve. Pshew! Fun times.

Looking at the numbers I smile from ear to ear. That is totally crazy. Andy and I have looked at each other many times this week and said: Are we crazy? The joyful answer: YES!!!

I feel like I am pregnant with two sets of twins and  HAPPY about it! Me, the same girl, who cried and slammed things around when I thought I might be pregnant again last year. The anger and despair that welled up in me then were signals that I am DONE biologically speaking, but that there was room in my heart to share with these children.

It was Andy, not I, that had a heart for siblings. When we first started this conversation, years ago, when Mary Jayne was born, I could not imagine two more small children. But now, everyone has grown. We are at a stage where I can pull up the minivan and say, "hop in...let's go".

I love adventuring with you, God.

Good Soil

For my 40th birthday I am receiving lots of dirt. Lots and lots...truckloads full of dirt. Not just any dirt, but good, rich topsoil. The kind that flowers can actually live in.


When we built our home, the driveway was constructed first with a layer of crusher run gravel. These extra rocks were pushed aside into a layer of orange construction sand. These two layers sit on top of who knows how many years of compacted white kaolin clay. Very few things can live in these conditions.


And this is the exact spot where I had envisioned a beautiful English county style garden. One wild and wooly with flowering plants and vines, speaking of HOME.


I have tried transplanting many things to this location. A few can make it. Many struggle. Many sizzle in the brutal South Carolina summer heat. Other's drown with their roots rotting in the miry clay.

It occurred to me that there is nothing wrong with these plants. It is the condition of the soil. I've tried to ameliorate the situation by mixing in various things the garden center recommends, but to no avail.


I've hand-picked rock after rock as I've worked in the little garden of my dreams and tried not to compare it's pitiful yield with the lush side-yard garden of my neighbor's. Well, tried. The truth be told, I actually walk by with longing every time we pass by on a family walk or drive into the neighborhood. I'm working on counting my blessings, but secretly wonder how her soil just up the street seems fine, and ours is swampland.


So, working with what we've got, we are bringing in truckloads of good soil and transplanting these plants to a new home. A place where they might have a chance to survive...and even flourish.

God spoke to me as we have decided this week to host two orphan children in our home this summer, that they are the like the flowers of my dreams. There is nothing wrong with these children. They just need a good place to grow. They will need love and affection, and pruning and watering....genuine CARE. And they will flourish under His care.

Favorite Things - coffee

My husband gave me this giant mug from Starbucks for some occasion several years ago. It is my favorite. It says, "established in 1971"...just like me. As Starbucks and I approach our 40th year we enjoy sitting down together with a journal, a pen, a beautiful view, and some quiet reflection.

We are intentional about taking moments to savor and reflect. Truly living life, and not letting it be dictated by a full schedule of things to do and places we need to be.

It is a battle, but one worth fighting.

Favorite Things - dancing

When we built our house, we included a space for exercise as we are committed to staying active, and modeling health to our children. Andy installed a ballet barre for me and the  girls. The mirrored wall behind it has been shattered in three different places in almost three years.

The first accident was when I decided that the ballet barre would be a good place for Mary Jayne to practice her roller skating. She could hang on the barre for a while, and I could have my hand back. I forgot  to think about the possibility of her skate rolling out from underneath her and into the glass. Oops!

The second incident involved Brennan whirling a plastic dinosaur through the air at top speed...One more broken spot when it launched into the mirror.

The third happened during a play date with Mary Jayne and her best bud Emma. 

My shadow 

Somehow my giant exercise ball became their toy and Emma crashed into the mirror. No one was hurt.

We have packing tape holding the pieces together. We will repair it in time, but this season of life is messy. Accidents occur. We will keep on dancing, regardless of the brokenness around us.

Gratitude

O my soul, bless God, 
Don't forget a single blessing.
Psalm 103:1




watching my children dance wild and crazy to the end title and credits music after a movie

the color of the blue sky against the spring green earth


Starbucks decaf with cream...on sale...then redeeming the empty bag so that I can walk around the grocery store with my "free" treat


the ability to take our children on vacations


answered prayer for a good Christian neighborhood friend for Laurel...sleepovers with no drama

anticipating a girls' outing...going to a mani-pedi with my sister-in-law and having the chance to get to know her better

Do Not Despise the Day of Small Things

A Day of Small Things

Spring Break! I do not need to teach today. The kids have nowhere they have to be. Kate is coming here for Laurel's piano lesson. We have at day at home...a real stay-at-home day. A day to be quiet and listen for His voice. A day to be still and run in one hundred different directions. I may even cook something decent for dinner for a change. A day to be together, and a day to be alone.

I have time today to scratch off the sticker residue that was on the upstairs bathroom mirror. I think it's been there since we built our house almost three years ago. And the sticker that someone left on the exercise room mirror. And a sticker on the bottom of a glass canister that I bought to hold my cotton balls and could never scratch off with my fingernail. Oh, glorious goo gone. Oh, glorious free day!

Scratching off stickers might not seem like much of a reason for joy, but it is. A heart of gratitude for small things and the time to accomplish minute tasks that are not important, but that have been dangling over my head UNDONE for so long.  JOY! The gift of time to accomplish, and the gift of time to accomplish nothing. Accomplishing nothing of value IS of great value.

May I learn "the art of leaving things undone" and may I "make the most of every opportunity".

I thank you, Lord Jesus, for a day of small things.

Do not despise the day of small things.... 
Zechariah 4: 10

Beginning

Come and glorify the Lord with me...
let us exalt His name together.
Psalm 34:3


These words decorate my bedroom wall. 
The verse is inscribed in our wedding rings. 
As I begin to share my journey with you, these words are fitting for us, as well.


                                                                                   Come....