I Felt The Need To Say It (My Thoughts On The Current Times)

 I desire to make my home a place of peace and a safe space away from the outside world.  I want my blog to hold the same feeling.  Sometimes most of the time it's just difficult.  If you've been paying attention, American politics right now is ... I'm lacking a proper word for it ... out of control.  One candidate was nearly assassinated and the other candidate, currently president, decided to drop out of the race.  It had been a nail-biter trying to figure out who the replacement will be, although I think most of us already had the idea.  It's a mess.  If you're outside of America looking in I imagine you are shaking your head wondering how a country known as the "free world" can become so reckless and disgraceful.  Our country is so divided and people have stopped becoming friends with each other over different views.  It's sad.  In my post about President Trump I lost a follower.  I'm not upset about it.  I think it's sad that people want to dismiss us only because we think differently.  America is supposed to be about freedom and it feels like we are quickly spiraling away from that.  I'm sure you are someone who just doesn't want to hear about it and I understand.  I wish I did not care so much.  I've been surrounded by the talk of politics my entire life.  My father so adamantly watches the news and expresses his feelings either in a newspaper editorial, an email to family and friends, or during every conversation we have with each other.  He taught me the importance of standing up for what I believe in and he taught me that it's the politics that keeps our country from either continuing our freedom or deteriorating from it, so we have to stay tuned in.  My son has started becoming very actively interested in politics, too.  He is always telling us something he learned or asks questions on what we think.  It's constant.  It's everywhere.  And it's getting scary.  

But I'm not letting any of it control me.  You see, as much as I believe in the importance of our government I also believe we have a God more superior to anyone who holds office.  He has a plan and has it all figured out from beginning to end.  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future," -- Jeremiah 29:11.  My trust is not in President Trump, President Biden or anyone in a pants suit.  It's in Jesus Christ.  However, it's still imperative that we stay informed and do whatever possible to make sure we stay on track.  I know posting my thoughts on the blogosphere isn't going to do anything to fix the problems but maybe it will help encourage someone in some way.  Or maybe you started reading, realizing this was going to get political and didn't continue on.  That's okay, too.  I love having a platform to share whatever is going on in this head of mine.  Also, it's nice to have a place where years from now I can look back and read while thinking wow we really went through that?  

We are living in such uncertain times right now but it's always been that way.  If you are paying close attention to what is going on and feel any level of anxiousness I encourage you to read the Bible.  Scripture has a way of filling me with comfort.  My Christian friends, I ask you to join me in prayer because as it says in the Word, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them." -- Matthew 18:20.  And lastly, "and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." -- 2 Chronicals 7:14.  Our nation needs healing.  

God, please comfort our hearts and our minds  Heal our country and this world.  Help us move in a direction that is in Your will.  Father, I thank You for the many blessings You have given us and I ask that You deliver us from the wickedness of sin and help keep our eyes focused on You and You alone.  In Jesus name, I pray -- Amen!    

Random July Moments

 I have a very small vegetable garden with different types of tomatoes and red lunchbox peppers.   I water diligently but the hot summer heat is killing the leaves.  Thankfully, we are getting plenty of veggies (oh wait, tomatoes are classified as fruit).  Picture also includes a husky tail.  

Using some of the delicious garden cherry tomatoes in a salad.  

Attempting a game night usually ends with us being frustrated with each other but I do enjoy the family time.  

Bri enjoyed dance camp and seemed to fit right into place at the new company. 

Don't leave a husky home alone.  She chewed up my magazine.  

One of my favorite hobbies is diamond art.  There is a store at the mall that sold a set of 4 Mario themed diamond art for $6.  First one complete.  

While sitting in the car waiting for cross-country practice to finish might as well read the Bible.  

Have a blessed Wednesday, my friends!  

I Want(ed) To Be A Runner

 But I'm not.  

Years ago I had this idea of starting a running routine to train for a 5k (3.1 miles).   As soon as my sneakers hit the pavement the realization that I'm not a runner set in.  It was hard.  I couldn't get my breathing correctly and my legs felt as if they were giving out.  I tried to pace myself; walk for most of it and then add more running each time.  It was useless and I stopped.  Another dream of mine that quickly went to the wasteland.  

Now my son, who hasn't done much running in his sixteen years of life, decided to join the cross-country team.  His stamina is amazing.   He showed up for his first practice and blew everyone away.  Then came the dreaded words, "Mom, do a 5k with me.  Let's do the Turkey Trot this year."

If you haven't heard of the Turkey Trot it's a 5k on Thanksgiving morning.   4 months away.  My husband cheers me on and is filled with confidence I can do it.   I know he means well and I appreciate his confidence in me but the more I hear him pushing the further my mind goes from wanting to do it.  My dad used to hassle my mom about her weight but his words only sunk her further into depression.   It's the same for me.  

I joined my son and his team at the rail trail on Saturday for practice.   The team was off, passing me by until they were out of site.  I walked a few feet and then began.  One foot swiftly in front of the other.  I quickly realized I was in the wrong clothes for a run.  Rule 1: don't wear khaki shorts and a cotton t-shirt.   My heavy phone in my pocket wore me down but I wanted that worship music to help me go.  I ran a little, walked more of it, ran a little more, realized my shoe got untied so I stopped to fix it, turned around, walked a little, ran a few feet, walked, then ran the last few feet.  I arrived at the car thirsty and sweaty, my vision blurry.  It was bad.  I'm just not cut out for this.

What's most frustrating is the idea of letting my son down.  He wants this for me.  My husband's words of "encouragement", especially when they are said in front of our kids, only sinks me further in the pit of disappointment.   As I sat in the car waiting for my son to return I cried.  I've never been one to accomplish goals.  {As you might know, it's taken me years just to finish one manuscript.}   I'm not competitive in nature.   I easily give up on the things I know I can't do.  I'm not just disappointing my son.  I'm disappointing myself.  

A 5k.  4 months away.  It may seem easy for you.   I'm the most unathletic person on the face of this earth.  But I've always been one to try to give my children the things they desire and, so, I guess the seriousness of training for this 3.1 miles of agony is something I must do.  Y'all pray for me!

Summer Days Are Passing By

Good morning!  I'm awake after going to bed late last night (wanted to watch the RNC) and now I'm enjoying a quiet morning with a cup of coffee while the kids are still sleeping and before another busy day begins.  I am so grateful to have met new (to me) bloggers from my last post.  Thanks Sandra for putting that together.  Once school begins and we are on a more set schedule I'd love to get back into joining in with the Happy Homemaker posts.  I really want to improve on this blog.

The summer days for us are all over the place.  Some days are slow moving while other days I'm running one kid one way and the other kid the other way.  These two just don't like to sit still while the introvert me would rather stay home.  Then there's endless piles of house cleaning that I just can't seem to get through. 

When I thought summer would be a good time for getting rearranging done I'm realizing it's probably better to do it when the kids are in school and the house is quiet and empty.  With my kids home we spend quality time just relaxing with each other or I'm busy being their chauffer.  My son has been joining in on cross-country open gym practices and he also signed up for marching band and will be starting band camp next week.  This week my daughter has dance camp with a new company we decided to move to.  The decision was one we had been wrestling with but it's going to be a good change.  Three other friends from the last studio are going too so she's not alone in it.  The mothers and dancers I've met so far are really nice and welcoming.  The last studio was very expensive and filled with drama.  I desired to take her away from it and after much prayer that's what we did.  I definitely saw God's provision through the process. 

I'm also experiencing day four with a headache.  Pain medicine has not worked.  Maybe it's the heat.  Maybe it's hormonal.  I'm just hoping it passes soon.  Oh, the heat.  It's been over 100° in the last several days.  I step outside and feel like I've been stuck in an oven.  Within minutes my face fills with unpleasant sweat.  I've always loved summer but the older I get the more eager I am for those cooler temperatures.  

The remaining weeks of summer vacation are filled with so much activity and will continue going by fast and there is only one more month left until school begins again.  My son made a comment last night that every year for him seems to be going faster.  I told him wait until he has children then it will all pass with just a blink.  I'm grateful for every moment.