Home Again

Ten years. That's a long time to make memories. Collin was sad that we wouldn't be living as close to him anymore. After all, we just got back to town. Mac perfectly understood why we wanted to downsize a bit and move. Autumn is the furthest away, and I was feeling especially sad that she wouldn't get to come home and see the inside of the house one last time. She felt sad about it, too. 

Moving weekend came, and I was worried that Verne would be in agony after such intense work. Thankfully, a great group of young men from the homeschool athletic association that Verne started several years back came to the rescue. They carried heavy boxes and furniture for several hours on Friday evening, lightening Verne's load immensely. Mac arrived later that night to help the next day, and Collin showed up on Saturday as well. 

We just crawled into bed on Friday when fear struck Verne. He had borrowed a delivery truck from work to transport our things. It was bigger than anything he had ever driven. While he felt confident on the interstate, he was fretting over how in the world he was going to get it into the crowded streets of the city neighborhood where we would be renting for the next five weeks. But God! 

Just as I was drifting off to sleep, Verne sprang up. "Tracy! Nathan!"

What about him? Verne had only met Nathan the month before when he started his subbing rotation in the children's Sunday School class on Thy Will be Done. Nathan and his fiancé had been assigned as classroom helpers to Verne. 

Verne went on to say that Nathan was a city firefighter and would likely know how to maneuver the large truck in tight spaces. Providentially, Nathan had offered to help unload the truck once we arrived in our new city. He sent Nathan a message, and Nathan said he would be happy to drive the truck into the neighborhood. What a relief, and a blessing! God provides! Verne drove the truck to within two miles of the house where he met Nathan in a large parking lot, and Nathan took it from there. 

Closing day came, (we moved out a week early because they took immediate possession), and we walked through the house one last time, stopping to take pictures on the porch steps. I was sad, but also excited to start a new chapter in our lives. 

After five weeks in the rental on the opposite side of town from where we had house sat in the first half of the year and where we now live, we learned even more about the city-new shortcuts, things to do, places to eat. I'm thankful for our time there, but I was more than ready to live in our own home. 

The men at the church rallied once more and helped move us a final time. As the men were unloading the truck a neighbor came to meet us. The next evening a group of neighborhood children knocked on the door, their bikes neatly lined up on the sidewalk, and helmets in hand. They wanted to welcome us. Various neighbors have stopped by to say hello. Children ride their bikes, scooters, and run the streets with superhero capes. Yes, God brought us to just the right place, and took care of every detail getting us here. 

Without Excuse

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. - Romans 1:20 (NIV)

Grant

...and then came spring. One early morning as we were running through town and had just come over the crest of a hill, she said, "I feel like I'm running six weeks pregnant." Again, words failed me. My mind raced. Is she pregnant? Is this her way of telling me? What if she isn't, and I ask: will her heart hurt even more? I remained silent, and we finished our run and parted ways.  

Several days later as we ran in the hour before dawn and we were talking about upcoming races, she counted herself out for a fall marathon. That's when I knew. And I had the courage to ask, "Are you...?" Yes, joy comes in the morning! My heart was happy, and light, and thankful. 

The months passed and Amy kept on running until finally we had to train separately as we approached our marathon date, and she approached her due date. But still, nearly every day she'd check in with me, asking me for updates, and coaching me along the way. At the local fabric store I spied a piece of number fabric and was instantly drawn to it for a baby quilt for Amy's little one. Runners are constantly crunching numbers, trying to set PRs, and so forth. The rest of the fabrics were chosen to coordinate with the colors of the numbers, and to suit a baby boy. The pattern is from Allison Harris of Cluck Cluck Sew, and is called Kaleidoscope. 

I started cutting pieces in early September, and had the hand-quilting done by early December. I just had to wait for the new little babe to make his appearance so I could label the back with his name. Waiting is hard, even when you aren't the expectant mother. ;-)

Finally, on December 16, Grant came into the world healthy and loved. I shared with Amy how much I loved his name, and how I thought it was so fitting since God had granted her another baby after losing Jack. (I was reminded a bit of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1.) Two full weeks passed until we got to meet this new little beautiful person, and it was good to finally hold him. 

It was good to see Verne holding him, too. It took me back to the days when our children were newborns. He definitely still has the touch, and was able to put Grant to sleep.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127:3-5

In the Morning When I Rise...

...give me Jesus

(click on the link above to hear this beautiful Fernando Ortega song)

The above photo is a scene from one of my morning runs this week. What a tremendous way to start the day, yes?

Morning :: Noon :: Night - Running Edition

On Friday, June 15, 2012, I was traveling to Dayton, OH, after spending a week at my parents' home in Pennsylvania.  I was meeting Verne and Mac later that evening, and we were scheduled to run a race the next morning, and attend the wedding of a family friend in the afternoon. I had just pulled into the Lodi station Outlets to get something to eat and use the restroom when my phone rang. It was Verne. 

His voice was quavering, and he told me that a woman had been murdered while she was out running the previous morning. I had been out running the previous morning. Sure, I was several hundred miles away from the crime. Sure, people are murdered every day. We're not supposed to get used to that fact, but this left me feeling vulnerable. Evidently, I wasn't the only one. 

Sarah Roberts Hart was a 31 year old mother of three who happened to be pregnant with her fourth child when she was killed. Immediately, a small town rallied, and runners from around the globe united to honor her memory. A race was organized, and over 3,000 people signed up to participate in either the 1.5 mile fun walk or the 4 mile race. There were participants from every state, and many from other countries. Some of these people were "virtual runners". That is, they signed up, and were sent a t-shirt just like the local participants, and walked or ran on their own. Over 2,600 people showed up today, and over $70,000 was raised to start a scholarship fund in Sarah's name. 

While the race was intended to honor Sarah, her husband spoke very briefly and said that Sarah wouldn't have wanted that. She would have wanted Jesus to get all the glory.

It was an emotional day to be sure. 

The day after hearing of Sarah's death, I ran my fastest 5k ever. I cried while I ran, and my legs carried me swiftly. I was tired this morning, and wanted to slow down. I kept thinking, "This race is called Run With All Your Hart". And, "Sarah fought with everything she had to stay alive, not only for her own life, but for that of her unborn child".  My legs carried me swiftly again this morning.  

Abigail was our official photographer since she's suffering from a sprained ankle, and captured a bit of the start.

Verne finished exactly one minute ahead of me.

Though I did "run with all my heart", I couldn't catch the woman in front of me. It turned out to be okay... she wasn't in my age group anyway. ;-)

Abigail and I waiting for the awards in a very crowded auditorium close to noon. Many said it looked more like a state basketball tournament than a race, and they were right.

I never expected to place in such a large race, but I came in third in my age group. Turns out it was a really good thing that woman ahead of me wasn't in my group- I would have gone home empty-handed. Honestly, though, it would have been fine. My heart was full enough. To God be the Glory!

This race reminds me so much of Joseph's story in Genesis. His brothers were jealous, and intended to do him harm, but Joseph survived and was able to save the people in the midst of a famine, with God's help, of course. Sarah's attacker meant to do her harm, and he did take her life that day. Thankfully, she knew the Lord as her savior, and she continues to live, though not on this earth. Her memory lives on, and because of the evil that was done to her, others will benefit by receiving scholarship money for years to come. Not only that, and more importantly, others will benefit as they watch Sarah's family live with grace. Yes, they are grieving, but they are not bitter. Their faith is shining, and is an example to thousands.


Several hours after the race, we arrived safely back at home, got cleaned up, and rested for an hour. There was another race not too far away, and Verne wanted to do it. I'd never raced in the evening, but agreed it would be fun. It was only two miles. I always run farther than two miles. How hard could it be?

Not knowing how my stomach would cooperate with the change in schedule, I had a cup of coffee, and a bowl of watermelon. Nice combo, huh?

Apparently, it worked.

Once again, we lined up, and were off.

Several hundred of us, running the streets. Crazy, I know. Because I had run hard this morning, I planned on doing this race just for fun. Then I found out that a young girl from the track and cross country team that Verne and I coach was running, too. Well, I couldn't let her beat me.

She lined up ahead of me, and actually was ahead of me for a bit, but I was persistent, and steadily gained on her.

Those two miles turned out to be my fastest two miles ever. I ended up with a pace of 7:16 per mile.

I was the first female finisher over 40.

It was 10 o'clock before I had supper. Verne scrambled us some eggs with onion and peppers while I made toast and smashed some avocado for on top of it. Boy, did that ever taste good! I think I'll sleep good tonight.

Lamentations 3:22-23

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end; 

they are new every morning; 

great is your faithfulness. 

Wrong Side of the Bed

Ever have days where you feel like you can't do anything right, please anyone, and feel like crying for no particular reason? I do, and apparently it runs in the family. Prescription? Hugs, kisses, and words of affirmation. 

 I love you.

I think you're amazing! 

You bring so much joy to my life! 

 Sometimes, though, my words fail.  They aren't enough. 

But His always are. 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your cares upon Him, because He cares for you.  ~ 1 Peter 5:7

Like Scarlet

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.

Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)

A Different Kind of Christmas

When our children were young we attended a church that held an Alternative Christmas each year. The fellowship hall was turned into a marketplace where families could shop for goods made in third-world countries. You may be thinking, 'I can go to any store and buy goods made in third-world countries', and while this is true, the difference is in how the workers are paid. Where does the money go? to a large corporation that pays its employees very little, or straight back to the craftsman?

Along with being able to buy tangible goods that you could keep or give as Christmas gifts, Alternative Christmas sold things like Bibles, mosquito nets, water filters, goats, chickens, water buffaloes, garden tools, etc. You paid a certain sum for each item that you wished to purchase and the monies went back to poverty-stricken countries, providing the gifts that you had chosen for people who were in desperate need.

Over the past year, Mac has invested in Kiva, and has also gifted money in my name for my birthday and Mother's Day. Autumn has sponsored a child from Compassion International. Just this past week, she asked me if I'd like to have a chicken, given in my name, as my Christmas gift, and I answered with a whole-hearted, "Yes!"

We asked our children several months ago what they would think about forgoing Christmas gifts this year so that we, as a family, could sponsor a child through Compassion. We have no desire to go into debt for Christmas, and our children have all of their needs met. Each one of them agreed that this was a better idea than obtaining more stuff, and it turns out that the amount we will spend to sponsor a child is almost exactly what we would spend on our four children combined at Christmas. The fun (and difficult) part will be choosing who to sponsor.

Instead of anticipating gifts under a tree, we've been preparing to welcome the Christ-child by studying an Advent devotional every evening after supper. We're enjoying the slower pace of the season, haven't had to deal with crowds, and we're finding joy in giving to others.

Sound intriguing? Here's a list of resources that might be useful in making your own Alternative Christmas:

Compassion International
Samaritan's Purse
World Vision
Kiva

It's so easy to count my blessings when I see those who are struggling. I pray that I can be more like Christ, willing to sacrifice, that others may have plenty.

#317- 336

~ having plenty, even if that means eating eggs several times a week
~ December oranges
~ hot coffee, warming my hands as well as my insides
~ a good MRI result for Verne, meaning...
~ no surgery! just a cast for several weeks

~ a fresh Christmas tree
~ children eager to hear the evening's devotion
~ popcorn, strung with cranberries for the tree
~ and for eating!
~ two birthdays in one week- both fine men, father and son

~ phone calls from loved ones
~ snow
~ sleds
~ anticipation of being with family for Christmas for the first time in 12 years
~ quilts and afghans to snuggle under

~ tokens of friendship from friends far away
~ Christmas cards and letters received in the mail
~ jam sales
~ pretty new fabric
~ clean closets

Join us with the counting?

Psalm 121 (ESV)

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.

The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.

Project Linus

On the second Tuesday of every month a group of women gather together at Paula's to cut, stitch, and clip fabrics. The work of their hands results in blankets that are given to children who are needy, sick, or abused. I'm not sure who is blessed more, the children receiving the blankets, or the women who make them.

You don't have to meet with a Linus group to contribute blankets. You can work on blankets at home and deliver them to a "drop off" point in your community or mail them to another Linus chapter. They accept quilts, afghans, fleece blankets, and more.

Is there a Project Linus organization near you? Consider giving of your time - you won't be sorry!

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Matthew 25:31-40 (ESV)