Merry Christmas, from our family to yours. Thank you for being part of our lives this past year and for letting us be part of yours. I am blessed by the gift that is each of you and I’m looking forward to where the Lord takes us in 2014!
For His Glory ~
Wow. I really fell off the ol’ blogging/thankfulness wagon, didn’t I? Sorry about that. A busy weekend, followed by starting off the week under the weather left us catching up with life the past few days. Hopefully I can catch up here over the long weekend. Until then, have a wonderful, blessed, joyful Thanksgiving.
For His Glory ~
~ Sara
….where I write about the random things rolling around in my head.
This summer has been really good. Busy and fast, but super-productive and fun most of the time. I haven’t posted any photos of the other redecorating projects I’ve done, and I will soon enough, but I counted the other day and I think I have painted at least thirteen individual pieces of furniture this summer. That’s not including frames and other things that have been painted, purchased, or hung. It’s been so long since I did any real decorating I had forgotten how much I loved it. I’m so thankful for Matt not complaining about it all and helping me with some of the finishing and all of the rearranging.
This summer has also been really hot. Ridiculously hot. Hot enough that this summer-loving girl is dreaming of snow days. I’ve realized I enjoy the hot hot hot much more when all I have to do is lay by some body of water with a book and watch the kids swim. I do not, however, enjoy running when it is 85 degrees and 90% humidity at 6 in the morning. That’s not fun at all.
The girls have really been good this summer. They’ve spent countless hours playing with Legos. They’ve gone to camps and been creative here at home. We painted part of their playhouse, but then it got too hot, so maybe we’ll finish that this fall.
We’ve enjoyed watching the Olympics the past several nights. It was so fun to watch the women’s gymnastics last night. I can’t get over what those athletes can make their bodies do. Unbelievable.
School starts next week. I’m finally ready. Sort of. The girls are ready, though none can admit it.
I think that’s it for me today. Hope your week is going well!
For His Glory ~
~ Sara
I am so incredibly thankful for this day. Beautiful weather. A run with a friend after the sun came up. A full day of baking (which I’m realizing is much more enjoyable when I’m not trying to teach school at the same time). Thirty minutes at the park because it’s sunny and 60 on November 23. I am blessed. Now off to my in-laws to celebrate God’s abundant blessings. Praying that you have a joyous “Thanksgiving Eve” and that tonight your heart is overflowing with thankfulness for His incredible grace.
For His Glory ~
~ Sara
On Saturday I ran my fourth half marathon. The past few weeks of training have reminded me of some things that seem to apply to life as well.
Point three was key this past weekend and it’s what God and I have been talking about ever since.
My wonderful friend and running buddy Nikki and I trained hard through a lot of different challenges and prepared our bodies to not only run this race but meet a personal time goal. We went to bed early on Friday night and did our best to sleep well, but already my mind was fighting against fear and nerves.
I’ve run this particular course three times now. I know the parts that I struggle with, that have been hard in the past and my mind that night before the race was telling me that it was going to be harder than ever because not only did I want to finish, I wanted to finish fast. (Well, fast for me. Not fast for the Kenyans.)
(look at that elevation profile – not flat!)
We got up Saturday morning and started the race strong. We made it up the hill I had been dreading and I was still feeling good. And then a second steeper – but shorter – hill that I had apparently blocked out in my mind came right on the heels of the big hill and I struggled all the way up it. My body was able to do the work, but my mind was weak.
By mile four I was ready to cry and had to walk shortly after. Poor Nikki tried so so so hard to keep me motivated and dragged me along for five more miles before we got separated by the crowd.
God and I talked a lot that last 4.1 miles. I knew He had helped me prepare for that day and I gave up. I didn’t claim the victory He had given me and I don’t think missing a goal in a race is a sin, but not walking in faith and obedience is and that’s what had happened. I chose failure that day because I chose fear. I was afraid that even if I worked hard I wouldn’t meet my goal. I was afraid of working hard and still letting myself/Nikki/those who came to watch down. I was afraid of hills and fatigue and an uneasy stomach. I was afraid I couldn’t conquer that race and so I chose not to be carried by the One who had already given me the victory.
And all too often, that’s how we deal with life. We are afraid so we refuse to walk in faith. What if God doesn’t provide? What if there isn’t enough? What if He doesn’t do what He said He would? What if I misunderstood? What if? What if? What if??? But God has already given us the victory through Christ Jesus His Son. That doesn’t mean that we won’t struggle and that He won’t allow hard things to draw us closer and teach us more and cause us to lean harder on Him. He calls the weak and the broken and the ill-equipped. We will need Him more and more. But He calls us to walk in faith, to walk in the victory He has given. And to give all the glory to Him, because only He is worthy.
By His grace I will run another race. (At the time of this writing I’m still so stiff I can’t run at all, but that should heal soon enough.) And by His grace I will meet that time goal. But even if I don’t, that’s really not the point. The point is to work hard, train hard, and trust Him for the results and the courage to finish well.
For His Glory ~
~ Sara
Hey, all! Just a quick stop by to say I am going dark for a few days. (It always makes me feel better to note that my lack of writing is intentional rather than just a matter of neglect.)
Have a blessed week!
~ Sara
It’s spring break here this week, and even though I have numerous blog posts bouncing around in my head, I’m taking this week off. We have projects to work on and I want to be sure to do some things to make this week fun, so I’m going to do what I can to keep from being distracted by my own pursuits this week. See you all Monday!
~ Sara
Today’s post really has nothing to do with either time or balance, but it has the potential to be really fun. 🙂
In the spirit of Christmas, and because I just spent an hour and a half locked in my bedroom wrapping gifts, my tip this week is to torment your children by not putting names on any of the gifts under the Christmas tree. Bwahahaha!!!
Our kids are going nuts. It’s going to be a fun ten days!
So, how are you keeping your sanity during this busy season?
For His Glory ~
~ Sara
When the weather is spectacular and the light is right, it’s always fun (and slightly crazy) to take my four girls out to take pictures….
Emma
Chandler
Ellie
Grace
I started out this week with fully intending to do my normal daily blogging, but as the day has unfolded and five days of being away from home have taken their toll on laundry and house and school, I have decided to give myself an out for the week. I have much I could share and perhaps I will. But in this moment I’m letting myself off the hook for this week. 😉
Perhaps I will see you later this week….if not, I will definitely be back Monday to count gifts and blessings and God’s great goodness.
Have an amazing week, friends!
~ Sara
My Ears Are Tired 