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13.  A garden that is producing good food.

14.  The whir of the washing machine.

15.  Watching the hummingbirds visit.

16.  Learning and growing.

One Thousand Gifts...con't

9. Visiting with friends.
10. Running in the cool of the morning.
11. A birthday reminder to savor each moment with loved ones.
12. A turkey family seen on my run.

5. The sunshine after a hard rain.
6. A quiet house with still sleeping children.
7. Early morning coffee.
8. The purring of a soft kitty next to me.

One Thousand Gifts

I've been reading Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are.  I'm about halfway through and I think I'm going to need to read the book again once I'm finished because there is so much to digest!

In chapter 3, Ann's dare is revealed.  She begins making a list of a thousand gifts, blessings, thanksgivings. This whole idea keeps swirling in my mind. Could I dare to make such a list?  What would that look like? It seems daunting.  But, I'm going to start my own list of gifts, things to give thanks over.  I'm going to use the blogging venue to write it all down.   Will I get to one thousand?

1. My husband who works in rain, snow, wind, & sun.
2. A newly ten year old, spirited daughter.
3. An eight year old daughter who is writing hymns.
4. Family & friends to love and encourage.


This is just the beginning, there is much more to come!

Fear

“Fear of failure must never be a reason not to try something.”  Frederick Smith

F.E.A.R.  It's an emotion that has held me back for far too long.  I'm so over it.  Done.  One thing I've learned is that is okay to fail, and it's okay to not do well the first time trying something new.  It's okay for something to be hard.   It's okay to be vulnerable and get rid of the facade of who you want others to think you are.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Why Run?

I know, I know, it's been a long time since I've blogged.  I've been busy, doing things like taking care of my family and homeschooling my children!  Oh yeah, and running and swimming too!  Up until this week, I've just been consistently getting the workout in 6 days each week.  That is changing.  It's time to step up the intensity to prepare for two races in July.  I'd love to have cheerleaders, so ask for details the next time we talk :)

I've been bit hard by the running bug.  I've already had a passing thought of someday doing a half-marathon.  WHAT?!?!  One step at a time, this year will be a 10K.  One that I just today heard is a "grueling" course.  It's a good thing hill work is in the plan.

I wanted to share this blog post, We run, that I read today.  Some of the reasons he gives for running are not my personal reasons.  Why am I running?  For my mental and physical health.  For my husband.  For my children.  Because I am starting to think of myself as a runner, just a little.  Because God is teaching me about life through the discipline of running.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.  1 Corinthians 6:19-20


For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.  Hebrews 12:11-13

snow tunnel 2011

We actually had enough snow this year for the annual snow tunnel...