Morning run

I planned to run 6 miles today. Last night I hadn't heard from any of my running buddies- I figured maybe I'd just solo it again.... Around 10:30 my txt me to see if I was running and how far. She didn't think she was up for 6 but in the end it was decided she would come to my house and we'd do four together. Then I would just keep going to get to 6 miles. I had my doubts- but then I did do 5 last Saturday on my own.

So we met up at my house quickly decided on a 4 mile route, I could "easily" do my usual two mile route but bump that up to six.

We started out ok, it got a little hard. I started to doubt myself. She thinks she holds me back- not so. I started to struggle and wondered how I was going to soldier on through an additional 2 miles. I'm a complete fraud. Me in my camelbak and garmin. What a joke- I'm not a real runner. There's no way I can run a half marathon- this is ludicrous. Crazy. Insane.

As we neared my house and the end of our 4 miles- mom asked if I was going to keep going. I sighed and said I needed too. We paused in my yard. Mom headed home with an "I love you and txt me when your done". I sucked down more water and trudged on down the road. Mostly walking. Wishing I had thought to stop inside for my iPod. Oh well. 

Mile 5 sucked, especially the first half but then I started to feel a bit better. I alternated between singing a line from a VBS song in my head (the only song I could remember apparently) and "the faster  you run, the faster your done!"

Mile 6 was definitely the best one. Made me believe maybe I can do this after all. I have got to start taking training more seriously. Getting my butt out of bed for runs during the week. Two runs a week just aren't cutting it 😖 Obviously.

Oh you know just walking around the house sucking down water from my camelbak waiting for my coffee to be ready!

Iced coffee and banana muffins on the deck w the pooch. 

Learning to be the light...

For Today {July 27, 2016}

Linked up with The Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window it looks so nice and sunny and summery out there!

I am thinking How laughable it is I think I am going to run a half marathon in September! We are so far behind on training. I don't know how I will pull it off.

Today was a little bit better. I actually got up and out for my morning run.  Mostly thanks to the pup who was needing to go outside shortly before my alarm went off.  Tempting as it was I did NOT go back to bed after taking him out but laced up and headed out for my run.

I am thankful for my home. Saturday will mark 6 years since we moved in.  I love it and am so thankful for it.

One of my favorite things running by the creek.  The creek walk is my favorite little place.  Hannah and I went there for a bike ride Sunday night.

I am reading The Scenic Route, random library pick. Unsure of how I feel about it yet.

I am hoping finally got around to making the kids' dentist appointments. Here's hoping they don't have mouths full of cavities.  Next up will be well child checks and eye appointments.

I am learning Light has been a resounding theme in my devotions lately.  Working on being the Light, reflecting His light.  Letting go of all the anxiety.

In my kitchen Saturday night we made these hot sandwiches we found on Pinterest- Hot Ham and Swiss Croissants. We "baked" them on the grill instead of the oven.  SO GOOD!

Last nights dinner--  Grilled pork chops, fresh veggies and rice pilaf.  I have recently started using (& loving!) pampered chef's rice cooker again. Their rice pilaf recipe is pretty delish too.  Comes out perfectly every time.

Asian Crunch Salad ready to take for lunch! Loving my mason jar set still!

Tonight we are grilling Buffalo Chicken Sliders! We are all really excited to try this recipe!

Board room some Bible Journaling inspiration-~

Pinned: Bible Journaling
Source: instagram

Shared Quote

"Some may call it foolish and impossible 

But for every heart it rescues, it's a miracle 

It's nothing less than scandalous 

This love that took our place 

Just call it what it is, call it grace 

Call it grace"    

~Call in Grace | Unspoken

A moment from my day  Isaac napping on his quilt at Mom and Dad's on Sunday. <3

Light

Its wonderful to finally have a day where it feels like the fog is lifting and I can breathe deep again. 

Bonus its FRIDAY! 

Some of my favorites from this week~

More salads in my Make and Take Mason Jar, this one is Chicken Fajita. Leftover fajita filling in the bottom. Followed by bell pepper and cherry tomatoes. Lettuce and shredded cheese. Topped with Aldi's Salsa Ranch dressing and crushed tortilla chips. Yum!

My sister in law and I got in a few miles with her youngest two boys while all our other kids were at VBS.  I'm thankful she invited me to run with her. It felt good. I was pleasantly surprised with how nice of an evening it was, their road nicely shaded. =)

Kinda loving this new tag line from Pampered Chef--
 A new season coming up, great time for a fresh start. Can't wait to get my hands on some of the NEW products. I will be doing a virtual reveal in August! Swing by and "LIKE" my facebook page... when I hit 100 likes I will be doing a GIVEAWAY!!

--> 6 years ago today we had our first supper in our new home <3 Memories <3

Finding out a random stranger reads (& is encouraged by)  my blog. =) LOVE getting blog comments, they make my day!

Live as Children of the LIGHT! (From Ephesians 5:8 niv)

Make Disciples

I sat at my kitchen table. I read my Jesus Calling and my Bible. I savored my coffee. I prayed. I felt inspired and empowered.

Then I had to leave my little sanctuary. Take my lessons and make them reality.  That's when I began to falter.

I keep reading in my devotionals and Bible how I am here for a P U R P O S E.  For a R E A S O N. That I am just where G O D wants me.  I believe it. I do. Why then do I spend so much time feel completely useless? Completely superfluous.

Feelings lie. Its not wrong to feel but you don't always have to act on them.  Sometimes you just have to keep telling yourself the T R U T H until the feelings start to fade.

Since I had yesterday's devo pictured on my phone- I read it again and again and again. Until it began to sink in.

I spent the rest of the day envisioning my Shield of Faith. Trying to focus on God's truth instead of the Devil's lies. Even now I struggle- the words in my mind are not good. I tell myself things that are far from kind and not true. 

But tonight I was reminded of what matters. What it's really all about.

After VBS tonight two teenagers were excitedly sharing with each other- one had a child accept Jesus in their class tonight. The other had given out two bibles to kids who didn't have one. Taught them how to use them. Their excitement palpable, catching. I quote- "best day ever". This is what it's all about. This is the future. This is the church. This is what matters.

Love God. Love Others. Make Disciples. 

VBS and Pampered Chef! ;-)

For Today {July 19, 2016}

Looking out my window summer!

I am thinking about VBS- its VBS week at our Church.  Praying for the kids, the helpers, the teachers.  I think I am a little bit sad to not be teaching.  I haven't taught the past few years because of my job.  This year I am "kitchen supervisor"-- but turns out the kitchen team is a well oiled machine and by the time I get out of work, pick up my kids and get there, they are pretty much set.  I felt a little bit useless. But its not about me... Its about the kids and sharing Jesus... Praying for tonight. For more kids and that the Holy Spirit would be working on hearts. One little girls face in particular is on my heart. I don't know her or even her name but God keeps bringing her back to mind. Maybe she needs prayer...

I am thankful my husband is home.  It was so nice to sit with him at the breakfast table this morning. The kids still all asleep.

One of my favorite things Pampered Chef! Got a sneak peek at the fall products! So excited!!

I am wearing giving my julia dress another shot. ;-)  I saw this tip on pinterest, to gather it on the inside with a ponytail holder which shortens it a bit and creates some rouching across the belly as well. I think I liked it better that way.

I am creating- I finished Isaac's quilt! If you missed it- check it out HERE.

Chance claimed it when I laid it on the floor to trim the edges.  I asked him to move when I was done...He crawled to the edge and moved his head off it. Thanks. :P

In my kitchen I got Pampered Chef's new Make and Take Mason Jar Set this weekend. I could hardly wait to try it out.  Sunday afternoon we prepped salad... (Hannah made the dressing).

 

& I had it for lunch yesterday at work! So yummy. Italian Chopped Salad.

Mikayla made a version at home for lunch- which she equally enjoyed.
I will be getting her a set to take her lunch to school in the fall as well.

I am hoping ...just hoping...

I am learning look for the light... BE the Light...

Board room

Pinned: Pampered Chef
Source: Pampered Chef Blog

Post Script I heard this song on my way to work, it keeps playing in my head today...

Shared Quote

For You are my hope, O Lord GOD... Psalm 71:5 NKJV

A moment from my day Mikayla had her senior pictures taken on Saturday. Here is a sneak peak---

still reeling over the fact my little girl is a SENIOR!

Closing Notes: 

Isaac's Quilt

This morning I was able to give my sister Isaac's quilt. They loved it! It made my heart happy 😍

I made it from a jelly roll (roll of fabrics strips) of Dr Suess fabrics.  When I came across the jelly roll online I knew it was the fabric for this project. My sister is an avid book lover and a librarian. Already instilling a love of books in her soon.  The pattern I purchased on craftsy.com-  Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern Marcie's Maze. I was so excited to get it started. Laura commented I got it done realitively quickly. Our binge watching of Grey's Anatomy lately helped with that. ;-)

The finished product-

Pre run selfie this morning-

It made me happy that Isaac loves it too.

Bright and cheery.

Later on Laura txted me this picture with the caption Isaac loving life-

Friday!

It's been one of those weeks. A couple of them actually. But maybe it's all in my perspective.

My mister has been out of town all week. He was supposed to get home late last night but decided to leave early this morning because of traffic. Right after I got up and was struggling to get motivated enough to go for a run- he called me. He's broken down in New Jersey. Had been sitting at a gas station for an hour and was waiting for a hardware to open (still two hours to go there). But I am thankful- he didn't have an accident. He is somewhere safe, not stuck along the highway. It's something he can fix easily and will be on his way as soon as he can.

Then there's this guy--

Today he turns one year old! Happy birthday Chancey! We love you! He has brought so much joy and laughter to our family.

It's been almost a year since we lost my sweet Riley.

Thankful for Chance- who is so different yet just as loveable to fill the void.

It's so easy to get caught up in the why me's... But today I am choosing joy. Choosing to be thankful. To keep my eyes on Him. To be and do my best today.

Wednesday night I finished Isaac's quilt! I can hardly wait to give it to my sister this weekend! I will do a post on the once she has it. She hasn't seen it yet and I want her to see it for the first time in person!

Last night we started the next project-

Choosing shirts for Mikayla's graduation quilt. Tonight or this weekend I will probably begin cutting and interfacing them. I also have to get back to the quilt shop for the music fabric we found.

We also tried in vain to find Mikayla's brownie sash last night- it's MIA and we wanted to have all her Girl Scout sashes for her senior portrait session tomorrow.  But we found the kids' baby books that have been missing since our move--- 6 years ago. Tucked in the bottom of my cedar chest. We had a good time sitting on my bed, flipping through them taking a little stroll down memory lane.

God is good.  All the time. God is good.

He CHOSE Me

Do you ever have those days where you feel like you're just not worth it. That there's no point. I have been having those days a lot lately but God keeps reminding me that He chose me.  He made me, just the way I am. He loves me... I am worthy. Beautiful. Chosen.  Enough. I am where I am for a reason.  A Purpose. So are you.

Today I am praying for you. If you are struggling and you are reading this- know you are loved. As I type and reflect I am praying. Praying for you. That God would wrap you in His arms. That you would feel his love and see yourself through His eyes.

I received the following prayer in an email devotional years ago, its one that has stuck with me:

B-L-E-S-S: A guide to praying for yourself or others

BODY – Lord, thank you for my health. Please strengthen me physically today. Ease the tension in my shoulders and head. Give me wisdom to take care of myself wisely. Help me to be disciplined in what I eat and give me determination to exercise today. Protect me as I go about my day. Thank you that You are a shield around me. I need Your help today especially with __________________.
LABOR – Father God, I give You all my efforts today. You know where I work hard and You know where I slack off and procrastinate. Help me focus today. Help my mind to retain what I study. Bless my efforts today. Help me to prioritize the important things in my life. Multiply my efforts and may my accomplishments be fruitful.  Thank you that my weak points are the very entry point for Your strength. Fill me with Your Spirit and help me today to _____________________.
EMOTIONS – Lord, You alone know how I can so easily be dragged by my emotions instead of being led by Your Spirit. Today I bring to You the areas within my heart that feel unstable and shaky. Thank you that You are my Rock today. You give me a firm place to stand. Give me self-confidence that is rooted in You. Help me to feel encased in Your peace today and to trust You completely with __________________.
SOCIAL – Father God, bless my friendships and lead me into purposeful friendships with others who seek You. Give me strength to distance myself from social situations that could draw my heart away from You. Fill my lonely places with the assurance of Your presence. Be with the woman You have chosen for me and bless and protect her today. Help her with whatever she is facing and draw her close to You. Bring me a friend to encourage and one who will encourage me. Today I pray a blessing on ________________.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH – Lord, help me to trust You and to depend on You. It’s so easy to try to lean on my own understanding. Help me to sense Your presence with me today. Give me a strong desire to read Your Word. Help me to understand what You are saying to me. Show me what needs to be cleansed in my heart and life today. I ask Your forgiveness for ____________________. Give me a deep desire to draw near to You and to make time to quiet myself so I can hear You speak.

God is so good. Giving me reminder after reminder. Day after day.  Some days my job feels so pointless.  I remind myself that this job is such a gift. A direct answer to prayers. Just what I asked for. So I am thankful.  Thankful  I no longer have to work evenings or weekends. Thankful I can see all my children off to school in the mornings.  Thankful I am near home if they need me.

I am thankful for my husband who works so hard for our family. I am thankful that after 20 years together, he is still the love of my life. My best friend. The only one I want to be with.

I am thankful for our home. =)

7.12

For Today

July 12, 2016

Linked up with Peggy.

Looking out my window

Its sunny and summery but not too hot yet.

I am thinking

Sometimes life feels like a such a struggle.

Last week was hard and long. 

Pretty much how I have felt all week~

But today is better.

Today is the first day I have felt completely like myself in a bit.

I am thankful
for being able to run with my sister this weekend.
She was able to purchase a jogging stroller from a friend.
It made me happy to see her so excited about it. As well as put in 4 miles with her (& our mom) on Saturday.  I have missed running with my sister!

One of my favorite things

Friday morning I finally got my lazy butt out of bed for a run.  Totally worth it.

He leads me beside the still waters...He restores my soul (Psalm 23)

I am wearing

Loving my Lularoe skirt.  Also found steal on $2 tanks at Old Navy. Soft and flowy and I love them. I bought one in every color they had left in my size. Which was only three but still- the orange, a coral and a lavender.

I am creating

I'm almost finished with Isaac's quilt. Definitely coming into the home stretch.  
Hoping this weekend I might be able to give it to my sister!
update since I started this post: only two more blocks to quilt and then binding!!!!
Two more nights of Grey's Anatomy should do it ;-)

I am watching 
Grey's Anatomy.
Mikayla and I have been binge watching.
Last night we stayed up till midnight watching episodes on netfix.

I am learning

A little Bible journaling this morning. Using my Blessings or Lessons kit, and our current memory verse in Sunday School.

In my devotional time I was reminded of the armor of God, that every day is a battle.  That we need to be prepared.  - I found the picture below on pinterest.

source: http://peggyapl.blogspot.com/2012_02_01_archive.html

I then drew my own version-                      

In my kitchen

This week we grilled meatballs in Pampered Chef's new Meatball and Slider Basket.

So fun and they came out so yummy.

We made pampered chef recipe Cheese Stuffed Italian Meatballs.

In my garden
I actually have some flowers blooming! Need to get out there and do a bit of weeding.

Board room printable planner stickers:

pinned: planner <3

source: etsy

Shared Quote

A moment from my day

I am enough...just who HE created me to be... so are You...

Closing Notes: