Friday Five

Today I am thankful for:
* Getting to see family from out of state
* God's healing for my sick children
* Choices
* Inspiring books
* Evening talks on the deck with Tim

Colorado Biking Theology

If you live in Colorado, I find that it is essential to have a well-thought out biking theology. The reason? Elevation!

Not long ago a friend of mine in Oklahoma posted her running log, which included a commentary on great dislike for the "hills" she had to run. The small print noted there was a total change in elevation of 30 feet. It still makes me giggle. I think there's a 30 foot elevation change from one end of my driveway to the other. Well, maybe I indulge the truth...but not by much.

Elevation in Colorado is serious business. All of my bike rides include an elevation change of no less than 1,000 feet. I can't even run around my neighborhood without descending or ascending several hundred feet in either direction.

So biking theology = good idea! Mine is very simple. Go uphill first. This makes perfect sense to me. If you bike uphill first, enduring all the strain and tough work of long hills, you will be rewarded at the end of your ride with a fun, easy, downhill coast. There are several cliches that come to mind that fit this theology. "Work hard. Play later." * "No pain. No Gain." * "The difference between try and triumph is a little umph."

The interesting thing is that about 95% of the bikers I pass on the trails do not share this biking theology. That is — they go downhill first, then uphill. It makes for an interesting ride. As I dig deep and pedal uphill, hoards of bikers fly past me — going downhill — all smiling and greeting me with a cheery "Good morning!" I huff out a "Hi" or "Morning" trying not to expend too much precious energy. I rarely smile.

(Side note: I would think it would only take one bike ride with the incorrect theology to realize a change was needed, but this does not seem to be the case because I continue to be the odd biker on the trail...going the "wrong" direction first.)

Oh, but the tables do turn; and I am the better for it. As I come flying downhill, I pass all those cheerful bikers but there is a vast difference in their countenance. They no longer shout cheerful greetings; they rarely smile or even look up. I, on the other hand, become Pollyanna on the trail and share joy and happiness wherever I pedal — downhill!

PS. My daughter and I tested my theology this morning when we rode our bikes to her piano lesson. It was a quick 15 minute downhill ride to get there. We were smiles and giggles the whole way. The ride back was a very steep (probably the steepest in town) long uphill...and it was hot! It took us 45 minutes. We were grumbles and sweat the whole way. That's not a ride we'll be doing again — at least not any time soon.

Venting or confessing over a not-so-clean kitchen

Most of my friends know that, for me, Mondays are cleaning/laundry days. I spend the whole day cleaning the entire house and doing all the laundry. My philosophy is this: I don't want to be a slave to housework. So I do it once a week. That's it! By the weekend the mess is usually driving me crazy, but I force myself to let it go and not make my family uptight with my deranged need for spotlessness.

Now during the summer, I allow other activities to intermingle with cleaning day. We go for a bike ride or spend a couple hours at the pool or venture to the library. The goal is to still have fun with my kids while accomplishing my goal of cleaning the house once a week.

Today was just such a day. I even spent an hour reading in the hammock (one of my favorite summer activities). The house was finally clean and it was time for me start dinner. I was just beginning to pull all the ingredients out of the fridge when I felt a "shower" of soda on me. To my utter surprise and horror, I turned to see a soda can that had been dropped on the floor - spewing ALLLLLLL of its contents ALLLLLL over my newly cleaned kitchen. From top to bottom. From one end to the other.

I'm not gonna lie. I saw red! I couldn't speak! I stood there holding back my wrath with every ounce of self control I could muster. "Please go downstairs and do not return until I call for you." That's all I said but I was also thinking, "You better thank your lucky stars I've been learning about self control and didn't open a can of...." You get the picture. I can honestly say I have never been that angry at one of my children. (The anger arose from the disobedience that led to such an awful accident...not at the accident itself.)

I didn't even know where to start. Not only were the cabinets dripping with soda, I was dripping with soda. As I wiped down the cabinets and floor I thought about my reaction.I was thankful the Holy Spirit closed my mouth. Goodness knows that's not always the case. I've been studying and praying for days about living a disciplined life. This was my first big test...and dare I say I passed? No. I didn't pass, but I didn't fail either. There was a supernatural control that rose up in me, and I was able to keep my anger and venting inside. But I fumed on the inside...maybe a little longer than necessary. Will there be a day when I don't react on the inside so strongly? Will grace ever fully take over my heart and mind so that anger isn't even an option?

Do you know people like that? They just never get angry? My husband is one of those people. I'm certain that in the past 16 years that I've known him, I've seen him get angry. Once. But the truth is I can't even recall it. My memories of him are full of times when he had the right to be angry, but he responded with grace and patience instead. I wish I were like that. I'm learning that a disciplined life allows grace to take over. That's what I long for. More fruit of the Spirit in my life. More of Him. Less of me.

I've made way worse mistakes in my life. And the price tag was much higher than a dirty kitchen. This simple truth alone should allow me to be more grace-filled and forgiving. Lord, let it be so.

* The names of the guilty in this story have been withheld to protect their identity. ☺

Friday Five

Today I am thankful for:

1. Water parks
2. New friends
3. New opportunities
4. Smell of rain
5. My health

Three things on Thursday

1.) Earlier this week I got to meet some bloggy friends! Thanks Meredith for making all the arrangements! It was a beautiful day at the park, meeting new friends while the kids played. I'm looking forward to doing it again and including more local bloggers, so let me know if you want to join us.

2.) I'm reading a wonderful book by Elisabeth Elliot titled "Discipline: The Glad Surrender." This book is deeply insightful and challenging. I am already planning to read it again when I finish because I find it to be so deep and engaging. Here is just one of many wonderful quotes: "My burden is light," Jesus said. It is the addition of burdens God never meant us to carry that weighs us down. Learn to say no.

3.) I've succumbed to weariness this week. The truth is I've been fighting it with daily (continuous) prayer, but my soul is weary. I have four friends and one family member currently battling cancer, and another is being tested for it in days to come. There are no words....

I've watched several other friends and family members battle this awful disease. The journey is long and difficult. The outcome uncertain. I find myself being more thankful for the good health I currently have. The enemy of my soul tempts me to fear that I'll be next. The Lord gives me words of encouragement to share with those people in my life going through the storm. All I know to do is cling to Him, trust in His sovereignty and seek His wisdom and guidance. (And, perhaps, refer myself to the quote in #2 of this post.)

What's not to love about Wednesday?

This morning I woke up and went for a mile run around the neighborhood. As I neared the top of the first hill, I was taken with the view - city in one direction and mountains in the other. I stopped, thinking to myself, "I never want to be so hurried that I don't have time to stop and be thankful." So I stood and praised God for all the blessings in my life as I took in the beautiful scenery.

That was followed by breakfast on the deck (one of my favorite things about summer) and more time with God. I love to start my mornings listening to the birds and the breeze through the trees. It makes me feel like I am worshipping God with all of creation.

The kids and I had plans to go to the pool, but they begged me to let them play in the childcare area first. Really!?! OK...so I dropped them off and rode the stationary bike while I read a fantastic book by Elisabeth Elliott. An hour of uninterrupted reading. That just doesn't happen to me very often.

So I thanked the kids by swimming with them all afternoon. We snacked on lots of fresh fruit and veggies and swam till we were too tired to go on. Our time in the sun was followed by a nap for all! I relished laying on the bed listening to the afternoon rain and feeling the cool breeze blow in the windows. And the thought occurred to me (as it often does), "I am so blessed."

Blessed. Not because I don't have troubles or trials or failures or broken dreams. Blessed. Because I have a Heavenly Father who gives me days like today - days of reprieve. My daily bread. His portion for me.

Friday Five

Today I am thankful for:

1. A day at the lake with my family.
2. Afternoon clouds.
3. Naps.
4. New books.
5. Talking with Emma about God.

Friday Five

Today I am thankful for:

1. Weekend camping trips
2. Thunderstorms
3. Laughter from my children
4. Water skiing
5. The power of prayer

Three things on Thursday

1.) My friend Emily posted this quote on her blog, and I liked it so much I decided to borrow it.

"Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives. Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control."
- Francis Chan (Crazy Love)

2.) Today was one of my perfect summer days! I started the day with breakfast and God time on the deck. Then the kids and I went for a 2 hour bike ride. We had a great time, but it was pretty hot so we decided to head to the pool. So we spent two hours at the pool, which was made even better by running into good friends we hadn't seen in a while. Now we are home - Nate is napping. Emma is playing games. And I'm getting blog time. A nice quiet dinner on the deck will round out this wonderful summer day.

3.) Danny Oertli, a very talented local musician, posted a great blog about parenting. I've read it many times mainly because I find comfort in the fact that I'm not the only parent that messes up from time to time. This is a cute story!

Thought for the day

The crown of the home is godliness.
The beauty of the home is order.
The glory of the home is hospitality.
The blessing of the home is contentment.

Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933)

Building the Blocks

A few months ago I came across this blog: Building the Blocks, and I was so moved by what I read and saw. This family is such an inspiration! They have 4 biological children and 5 adopted children. And now they are preparing to move to Guatemala where they can make a difference in the lives of more orphans.Once I read their story, I knew I wanted to get involved.

You see, prior to discovering the Block's blog God had been speaking to my heart about orphans. Everywhere I looked I would hear about orphans in need. I didn't know what God had in mind, but I shared it with Tim and we both began to pray about it. In the mean time, I was planning a garage sale to get rid of lots of baby things and items that had collected in our attic over the years.

The two came together one morning in church when I very clearly felt God tell me the money we raised from the garage sale should go to the Block family. I was so excited!!! I made up signs and displayed them on the day of our sale.

Even Emma got excited about it and decided to donate all her lemonade money!

In one day we made $500 for the Block family. I love how God connects families and that He chose us as vessels to help this precious family. I hope you'll get involved, too. Read the Block's blog and get inspired!

P.S. We have also decided to take a family field trip to the Compassion International headquarters and let our kids pick children to sponsor on a monthly basis. Little by little we can all make a huge difference!

A memorable anniversary!

Tim and I went to Breckenridge to celebrate our anniversary, while the kids had a grand time at Nanny & Papa's house. It's actually up for debate as to who had more fun.

Within minutes of arriving in Breck, we hit our favorite ice cream shop. The Mexican chocolate was amazing!

This was the view from the lodge we stayed in, which was the same place we spent the first night of our honeymoon.

The next day we biked 40 miles on our favorite Colorado trail - from Breckenridge to Vail Pass. There is some of the most beautiful Colorado scenery on this route, and much of it you can't see unless you are on the trail.

We had dinner at one of our favorite Breck restaurants - The Dredge. It is a floating restaurant on the Blue River. The views and the food are outstanding!

We loved sitting on Main Street - people watching and enjoying the views and gorgeous summer weather.

Breakfast on the deck was definitely a highlight!

Another highlight was getting a couple's massage after our 5 hour bike excursion. We were so sore but hadn't thought ahead to schedule massages. Once we got back to the lodge we went to the spa to see when we could get in. The gal asked me when we wanted to be seen, and I half-jokingly said, "Now." Fortunately, she had a break in her schedule right then and was able to get us both in! I know that saved us a lot of painful muscles the following day.

Breckenridge is such a fun place to be on the 4th of July weekend, which is why we've spent 4 of our 13 anniversaries there. This is the first time since having kids that we've taken an anniversary trip alone. Tim and I both agreed this was one of our most memorable anniversary trips yet.

Thirteen years of wedded bliss - and that ain't no lie!

Happy anniversary to the man of my dreams! "Some call it luck, but I know it's grace." I love you this much...

This is what an "I do" and thirteen years of blessing have amounted to...a wonderful life, a wonderful family, a wonderful dream come true.

I love you, Tim!

Friday Five

This is an idea that my SIL Mendy does on Facebook, listing five things each Friday she is thankful for. I love it! So I am borrowing the idea for my blog (since I am rarely on FB these days).

Today I am thankful for:

1. Summer days.
2. Cool evening breezes.
3. Little hands that reach up to the counter to sneak a bit while I prepare dinner.
4. Fireworks!
5. Celebrating 13 years of a wonderful marriage with the man of my dreams (this weekend)!

What are your Friday five?