A Morning in the Park

by | Faith | 1 comment

Go Zach!

Pom-poms were left at home but we cheered on our youngest son this morning during the Spinx Run Fest held in beautiful downtown Greenville, SC.

Zach’s in the yellow t and red shorts. We liked how easy he was to spot in the crowd.

Sarah, baby Piper, Ashley, and Patrick led the cheers. Brian and I are thankful for the special friendships that both boys developed while in college. Patrick and Ashley are at the top of the list!

The finish line brought an expression of relief (or is that pain?) to Zach’s face. I think it may have been a little of both, and understandably so. Training for a half-marathon while traveling out of town and preparing for Piper’s arrival is commendable… and we couldn’t be prouder!

Who knows? The entire family may get in on the 5K action next year (although Brian has threatened to wear a Twinkie costume during the race.) If that’s not enough reason to discourage me from training, I don’t know what is. 🙂

Lesson Learned From One Spoiled Lhasa

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I know you want this, but you can’t have it. It’s not good for you.

To Rupert, however, everything about it was right:

It looked good.
It smelled good.
It was edible.
Everybody else was eating it.

How do you reason with an eight-year old Lhasa Apso? After all, I know what’s best for him even when he doesn’t understand. He simply needs to trust me.

While spouting these words of wisdom to Rupert (note his glazed expression in the picture) I gained a sense of how God may feel when trying to reason with me.

  • It looks and smells good, Lord. Why can’t I have it, experience it, or enjoy it? The enemy has been attempting to hijack our God-given senses ever since fig leaves were in fashion. When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye…she took some and ate it. Genesis 3:6
  • It’s edible, it makes sense, it’s available, and calling my name, Lord—and You’re asking me to wait?
  • Everybody else has one, Lord! Why are you denying me but blessing everyone else?

I quietly repented in that moment recognizing that much like Rupert, I won’t always see, sense, or understand what’s best for me, but I must always trust that God does.

A lesson learned from one spoiled Lhasa. Thank You, Lord.

We’re Baaaaack!

by | Faith | 5 comments





Things Learned During Our Weekend Getaway:

  • When surprising the hubby with a “Happy Anniversary” script instead of the standard “Happy Birthday, Cathy” on the cake, be sure to first alert the clerk at the bakery when he’s present for the pick-up. The surprise fizzled quickly.
  • If there are specific things that would enhance your vacation, say — space, windows, ample lighting, a table, or stricter enforcement on the “no smoking” policy indoors, don’t settle for pictures alone. Ask questions ahead of time. Upon arrival, what I initially believed to be a cute but quaint tool shed was, in fact, our getaway for the next three nights. Brian was relieved I’d made those reservations.
  • Wear comfy shoes even if you think you’ll only be shopping for a short period of time (I’m not a shopper!)
  • Wear comfy shoes (it bears repeating).
  • It pays to talk to the locals. While in an antique store, we were invited to a large local inn for an evening of music. And then it happened. The owner of the inn shared how it’s haunted by a little girl who likes to pull on skirts. Green River BBQ, my new book, and a Law and Order Criminal Intent marathon never sounded so good.
  • And last but not least, never underestimate the hubby—or the joy of preparation. He surprised me with an Ipad 2 for my birthday/anniversary and being the prepared person that I am, i.e., hard-hitting-hint-dropper, I went ahead and purchased a manual, tucking it in my luggage just in case. 🙂

Overall, it was a great time away, but there truly is something sweet about coming home… and leaving the tool shed behind.

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