Running 2015

This year I have run 302 times. This is my highest mileage year ever 1080 miles. I ran in two new states New York and Missouri. I ran 2 races, Spooky Trails at Rudy Mines and the Reindeer Run. 

My lifetime mileage with Nike is 3600 miles. I ran 100 miles in December. 

Needless to say I love to run. 

Christmas 2015

What a beautiful Christmas. Auj enjoyed riding her new bike outside on this amazing December day. 

Hallejuiah, Christ the Savior is born! 

Holding it Together

Matthew Henry said, "The weaker the vessels are the stronger his power may appear, that the treasure itself may be valued the more.” 

"Ray Stedman writes, “When Paul uses the phrase, ‘all things by him hold together,’ he is speaking of our Lord’s power to sustain and to prevent breakdown.” Guess what that also includes? It includes you and me. He keeps us from falling apart, literally."

"This is is easy to do when I have a glorious sunrise dazzling before my eyes. But what about whenI have to take my girls to Target and they instantly turn into small crazy people? When every look from a pass- erby is one of judgment? It is in these times I need to be reminded that God is working on my behalf and Jesus is holding me together."

 

"The mere fact that you are holding me together, Lord, is a gift. I don’t have to keep it together because that is your job. It is so freeing. Let me be overwhelmed by you and nothing else today. In Jesus’s name, amen."

"In your darkest days, the ones where you’re tempted to despair and wonder if God truly hears you, truly sees you, remember that he prayed for you, and according to Scripture, still does (Hebrews 7:25)."

 

#hopedevo

 

Owen

 

"She was part of God’s plan. Since then, I have seen my deep need of God’s grace. I think before she came along I was pretty much mothering in my own strength. God knew what it would take to lead me to a place of complete dependence. It isn’t her personally, but the overwhelming task of raising these four girls together that brings me to a place of needing God like never before. He knew this is what it would take. He has also used this vulnerable place to call me out from hiding behind my veil of fine." 

I could say all the same thinks about Owen. 

Open My Eyes

"It’s easy to get stuck in the mess, isn’t it? We fall so far down in the pit that it’s hard to see the blue sky at the top anymore. Gloom and doom become the norm. We yell more because we see fault more, and we forget to look at the positive in our lives." 

"What if, starting today, we asked the Lord to open our eyes?"

"What if we truly meant it when we said, “Slow me down, Lord, so I can see you in the small things”? What if instead of saying, “Go! Go! Go!” we said, “Stop! Stop! Stop! is moment will never hap- pen again. Let me breathe it in!” 

"He is our rescue. He always has been. He always will be." #HOPEdevo 

"Abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Do you know where the shadow is? As close to God as you can get." #HOPEdevo 

"Christ is able to give us a life we never dreamed we could have —in him." #HOPEdevo 

Heading Home

This morning we visited Redeemer Church to see Tim Keller. It was encouraging to see a packed house for worship and the preaching was excellent. 

We visited several more shops and finished up our Christmas shopping. We've had a wonderful, much needed getaway, but I am excited to see my sweet babies. 

New York was even more amazing than I expected and I hope to visit again. Thankful for so many who made this trip possible. 

Sleeping In

We got to sleep in this morning since we didn't have any early plans. We had breakfast at the bagel shop next door. The lines have been so long, so we knew it had to be good. 

Top of the Empire State Building 

The line to get in took forever. 

We took the subway to Central Park. We ran a 10K around the park. So fun. 

We visited the Guggenheim Museum. 

Also, a visit with Kelly Rippa and some of my favorite New York Yankee players. 

Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. 

 Including our 6.5 mile run, we walked 15.69 miles today. I'm tired and my feet hurt, but it sure was fun.