On your marks, get set, GO!

Don't waste your time just wishing things would be better. Close your eyes and think of where you'd like to be 5 years from now. Does getting there seem a daunting chore? When I started training for my half-marathon I was a new runner. 13.1 miles seemed incredibly absurd. With a plan in my hand, my first "long" run of two miles seemed a tad more do-able. With my shoes laced up and fierce determination, I thought, "This is where I need to go. Just get to the Waffle House and then back home.Got this!" and then at the end of the block, "whew..it seemed so much closer by car...can I really do this? Will I ever get there?" So I needed an even more attainable goal. "Just get to those trash cans over there. Good. Now you've still got steam, so pick up the pace and just head for that red van down the street. Okay, stop. Take a breather. Now, just trot past the city fountain. Look! You're at the big church! The Waffle House is in sight!" Anyone can do this. Just a little at a time. Baby steps. Fall down? Get up. Keep going. You'll get there!

You have in you these things:
POWER! LOVE! SELF-DISCIPLINE! 1 Tim 1:7

Being anchored to God's truths will help you to remember that you CAN do it!

Freedom to Choose~

Life is full of decisions. Ohhhhh so many decisions. I prefer to shop at Aldi because of the fewer choices. Shopping at Walmart for shampoo or cereal is quite a painful ordeal. It takes me ages! Which brand? What ingredients? How bout the price? The size? Okay, this one. And then you turn the corner and see a whole new display...ughhh. And when I go to get my hair done, the stylist expects some idea of what 'do' to do. My response is usually, "Hey, you're the one with all the experience. You pick." Other than a few core convictions, I just can't think of much that I can firmly decide on.

So what does this have to do with all the tea in China? Well, it's decision time. And this is something which only weeks ago, I would not have even realized was an option, but instead just a child's wishful thinking. Now, I'm actually contemplating a big request. If the request were granted, my boy would make a 15000 mile journey to another country, be housed, fed, and transported by various? friends. And the goal: 14 year old boy giving support and love to his badly injured best friend.

We are all grieved at the thought of the pain that our friend is going through and if we still lived down the street, it would be a no brainer. We'd be there in a flash. So my immediate internal response was, "Awww, that's sweet, honey. But Gray's got loads of support there. Remember the vast ocean and the 30+ hours of travel across it? We're going to do that in a few months anyway. And he'll be much better then."

So what stopped me from responding in that way? Choices. I've chosen to realize that this request is coming from a young man who should know that his needs are important. His desire is valid. And that his father and I have heard his request and will take the time to pray and think it over. I don't want to be a parent that dominates my kids' choices, but instead I hope that my kids will have the freedom to make a few quirky decisions that they can learn from... or I can learn from...

My new thinking was spurred on by a book I was given years ago. I've only just finished it. What a doozie (in a good way!)- Read "Loving Our Kids on Purpose" by Danny Silk -- find it on Amazon.com


Timothy submitted this big request to us and we'd appreciate your prayers for wisdom in this situation. Also, pray for our friends, the Bohlenders as their son mends from severe burns.