Posts Tagged ‘My friends rock’
Truthful Thursday – Philippians 1
Posted on: June 17, 2010
- In: Life
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“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ — for this will bring much glory and praise to God.” Philippians 1:9-11 NLT {emphasis mine}
Earlier this morning I emailed some sister-mamas asking for help. I’ve been feeling burned out, overwhelmed and with a short fuse. I needed reassurance, a loving word, a helping hand. You know what I got?
I got the Word poured over me.
I had sister-mamas pray for me.
I had God use these women to reassure and help me.
As the girls napped I prayed. Actually, that’s a understatement. I poured my heart out to God. And in the midst of that, He brought to mind the verses above. Resounding in my heart was “I want you to understand what really matters“. What really matters is Christ. What really matters is His love. What really matters is living this life as worship to Him.What really matters is loving my family the way Christ loves them. Honestly, I loose sight of that. Sometimes I think a clean house, doing the laundry, cooking, blogging, me-time is what matters. I forget that Christ has called me to be a light. I forget that Christ has called me to live my life for Him – and my life is being a wife and mother.
And while the last few weeks have been hard, and while today started out rough, God used my sister-mamas to speak to me. He didn’t say “It’s gonna get easier”. He said “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” {Hebrews 13:5, NLT}. And that is what really matters.
About my friends, that is!
My friend and fellow blogger, Emily, wrote this amazing guest post about Mommybloggers and 10 tips for being effective. You should totally check it out. Even if you aren’t a mommy.
How I Became a Purposeful Mommyblogger
- In: Life
- 6 Comments
I just booked a flight to New York to spend a weekend in September crossing off # 8 from my 30 before 30: Have a Girls’ Getaway Weekend.
I am super excited to visit these three beauties:
Along with this super fabulous chick (who doesn’t know the other girls… yet 😉 ).
- In: Life
- 4 Comments
Over the weekend, we got Julia a tricycle from our friends, the Cramers (thanks again Dana!). She has been talking about it non-stop since we picked it up. As for me, the trike is proving just one more lesson in patience, since apparently kids aren’t born with the ability to pedal and it’s up to the parent to teach them. Whew.
Don’t you just love Julia’s shaggy dog hair? She’s looking pretty gangsta if you ask me.
- In: Life
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I completed my half marathon yesterday. Whew. It was intense. I’m glad I did it and I’m glad I’m done.
My original goal was to run in the Drake Relays in Des Moines which take place next weekend. But, between traveling with the girls and Jonathan starting a new MBA class that weekend, it just didn’t seem possible. I didn’t want to forgo all my training from the last 2 months, so I came up with a better idea:
Run for Haiti
I told Jonathan that we should organize our own run, inviting people to run various miles to raise money for Haiti to send to Compassion International. We wanted to make the run on a donation basis – ranging from $1-5 per mile. I talked to Leah, since she was the first person I knew who would be on board with it. She said she’d run one of the routes and I went from there. After doing a facebook event and sending out an email, we had 10 runners (including myself) who either ran or walked anywhere from 3, 5, 13.1 or 16 miles. I even was blessed to have company for the vast majority of my run. One of the girls who ran is training for a marathon and used today as her long run. God really knew what He was doing, because we turned out to run the same pace, which was delightful. Very nice to have a running buddy for a long run like that!
I ran the last 3+ miles on my own. I’ll be completely honest – I ended up walking about 1/2 mile or so. I started getting so dehydrated that I was feeling faint and starting to blackout. Not good. I stopping running and walked to a gas station that was on my route. I took a break while I got some water. After that I ran the rest of the way home, but at a much slower pace than before. Initially I was disappointed for having stopped, but realized it was the best thing for me. The last two miles were the most challenging, yet I stuck to it. My reward when I got home? Julia running to me full speed yelling “Mama!” as I was crossing the finishing line. Nearly made me cry.
My recovering has gone smoother than I expected. As soon as I crossed the finish line I felt like I hit a wall. The last 3 miles of the run I started getting a headache (most likely from needing more water) and it was pretty intense once I got home. We ate some pizza (my request – Papa John’s pepperoni) then I got cleaned up. After that I was pretty useless for about 2+ hours. I took a long nap, drank plenty of water and took some ibuprofen. Stairs are presenting some challenges, but over all, aside from the headache that last all day yesterday, I feel pretty great. I’m thinking I might be able to bump my recovering run up to Tuesday instead of Wednesday.
I am thrilled to say, that as for helping Haiti, we had spectacular support. We raised a total of $260 for Compassion International. How amazing is that?!
I want to say a big thank you to all the people that ran with me yesterday. I was, still am, blown away by your support and desire to be apart of this event. I also want to say thank you to everyone who has cheered for me along the way. This has been a great experience for me and I truly appreciate everyone’s encouragement and support. I can officially say “Been there. Done that.” Now to check it off my 30 before 30 list:
#1. Run a half marathon
- In: Life
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Tomorrow is Easter. The day that changed who I am. The day my Savior conquered death and rose again. The day that brings me hope.
This afternoon I got a tattoo. The tattoo is named the “symbol of hope” and it represents a hopeful cure for colon cancer.
Colon cancer? Why colon cancer? Nearly two years ago my dear friend Brittney Mann lost her battle with colon cancer. She shared with me that it was one of her aspirations to get this same tattoo once she beat the cancer. Since she wasn’t able to, I decided I would get the tattoo as a way to honor and remember her. But it’s even deeper than that.
I love that it’s named “symbol of hope”. I know where Brittney’s hope laid. Not in a cure. But in Christ.
Christ is my hope.
Because of His death on the cross, my sins were washed clean.
Because of His resurrection, my life is eternal.
In Christ alone, my hope is found.
I miss Brittney more than I can express. I joyfully look forward to the day when I can see her again. When we can rejoice together in our completeness, in our healing, and in our hope. And with even more joy, I look forward to that same day when I can see my Savior, face to face, and find my hope fulfilled.
This tattoo may not be a cross or a picture of Jesus, but it represents Christ to me. It is a symbol that He came and conquered. It is a symbol that He loves me and died for me. It is a symbol that HE is my hope.
While on this earth we may never find a cure for cancer, but Jesus holds the cure for our sins through salvation in Him.
You gotta read this
Posted on: March 30, 2010
My friend Leah had quite the life changing experience today. She saved a little boy from drowning in a pond. I’ll let her tell you the story.
My birthday rocked
Posted on: March 26, 2010
- In: Life
- 7 Comments
In my recollection, I’ve had about 3 or 4 amazing birthdays.
Yesterday was one of them.
In the morning I went running then to the salon to have my hair done. Later, Jonathan took the girls and me to lunch at Red’s Alehouse, where I partook in an amazing basil chicken sandwich. Pesto? On my birthday? Yes please!
We had a lazy afternoon while the girls slept, then went on a date to Motley Cow. The best part was riding on Jonathan motorcycle. In my new birthday dress. While it was a little chilly, it was awesome. I told Jonathan I felt strangely chic but tough.
I felt so loved by all my family and friends. Sweet messages and thoughtful gifts abounded. I am truly blessed.
And for all you who have patiently awaited – here’s the dress (and new haircut):
I’ll find a picture that shows the whole dress, so count this as your sneak preview. 😉
Yeah, we’re that good. Remember, I told you Hispanic and hosting are spelled the same.
Friday night, Leah came over with her family. They had originally intended to help us with unpacking, rearranging and any other tidbits. However, we weren’t ready to actually do anything. Surprise, surprise. Anyways, we cooked them dinner and then just hung out while the kids ran around and Jon and Jason worked on the laundry room.
While we were serving dinner, Leah and Jason commented on how impressed they were (was that right Leah? Or am I tooting my own horn? 😉 ) that our kitchen wasn’t even put together and already we were having company. I even got the go ahead to say “I’m awesome”. Oh yeah…
However, Leah washed our dishes. Which is a sure fire way to get themselves invited back.
- In: Life
- 5 Comments
We had been storing our coffee pot on top of the fridge (for lack of counter space) this last week. I know, I know, not the smartest place to put the second most used appliance in the house (it comes in as a close second to the fridge itself). However, with all the painting, moving, rearranging taking place, on top of the fridge was the best option.
On Saturday morning, I reached up to grab the coffee maker. It was just about down when… I realized the cord was wrapped around a glass jar (seriously, what is our deal with putting breakables on the fridge?!). I pushed the coffee maker back up. Then my thumb slipped. Before I even knew what happened, the coffee pot fell, shattering into a million pieces. Apparently, that’s the draw back to wood floors. Of course, both girls are in the kitchen. Immediately I yelled “Don’t move!”. It seemed smart at the time, but only freaked Julia out, causing her to start crying and running toward me. Yep, I’m one smart cookie.
We got the mess cleaned up and everyone was fine. Well, sorta. See, I can’t live without coffee. Ok, ok, that’s not entirely true. I choose not to live without coffee. And in my choice not to live without it, that means I need at least 2-3 cups a day. Honestly though, I’m not addicted. Promise.
Once the fiasco had passed, I tweeted that our coffee pot died (a most gruesome death, being it Saturday morning and all). Later that day, I had a girls’ day out to celebrate Leah’s birthday. During our outing I bemoaned the loss of the coffee pot. I mean, really, what am I to do all week without coffee? While I’m not an addict (I pinky swear), it does seem harsh to force someone to make such a sacrifice.
Then on Sunday afternoon my friend, Kate, sends me a text. She asked if she could stop by later that evening to drop something off for me as a birthday/house warming gift. At 8:15 that evening, she shows up at my door with this:
Oh, bless you Kate! My Monday will be off to a good start because of you!
See, I told you my friends rock!
A Wife Loved Like The Church 
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