It's fall...

and the flowers are still blooming.

The bugs are still hopping,

the bees are still buzzing,

and the tomatoes are still growing.

Hopefully, I'll eek a few more off the vine before the weather snaps and all is done.

The windows are wide open and the cooler breezes are filtering through...

an absolute delight!

I love, love, love this time of year. Sometimes I wish fall would stay for 12 months on end.

But then I'd miss the snows of winter. And the new life of spring time.

And the heat of the sun in summer.

Yes, change is good.

Still, fall is my favorite.

And I'm so very glad it's here!

Three words

Boot Camp stinks.

Words like--

Suicide planks.

Jump rope for ANOTHER minute.

And... close grip push-ups-- one. more. set.

-- have absolutely no place in my vocabulary.

Of course, I intend to go back tomorrow... but until then, I think we'll just plan to school from the sofa :)

Around here

Or... more aptly titled-- What Next? Because the last few days have been... challenging. Interesting. Tricky. And... amusing. Here's why.

So school. Yes, school. It comes around every September, but for some reason or other, it completely caught me by surprise this go round. A crazily busy summer surely didn't help. Nor did my decision to read only for pleasure these past few months (note to self: a little school prep-work truly is necessary before the calendar flips to September. Now I know :). So currently I find myself volumes deep in the Great Books, Ancient Egypt, latin declensions, and algebra 1... all of which are more than my overly tired brain can handle on any given day. I think I'm in deep. Very, very deep.

Costco. I {LOVE} that place. Love, love, love, love, love. But really. Christmas decorations? On the shelves? Smack dab in the middle of the warehouse? Seriously??? And why?????

And that's all I have to say about that.

The family room carpet. Beautifully clean (thank you, Stanley Steamer). For one night. Because sometime while we slept, the dog got sick. In three different spots. Ugh.

The laundry room. Probably my least favorite room in my house. Now... surely my least favorite. Why? Because five days ago my washing machine died. In mid-cycle. Right before the first rinse. Soaking wet sheets and towels had to be wrung dry (Chris handled that one splendidly :), the water had to be emptied from the basin (again... Chris), and those sopping wet linens-- I had to dry them in the dryer so that I can re-wash them tomorrow when my new machine arrives. Hallelujah! Still, anyone care to wager a guess at how many pounds of laundry a family of six can generate in the span of 6 days (in addition to the bits & pieces that came home dirty from the beach)? I'll tell you this much... it's a lot.

And finally, I now have this beauty-- tall, proud and black-- dominating a

portion of the boys' bedroom.

Uncle Donnie offered it to them a couple weeks ago; I was told they were inheriting a punching bag. You know, something easily stashed in the corner or even under the bed if necessary. Evidently, we experienced a minor miscommunication. I'm thinking you won't find anything even remotely similar in the Pottery Barn catalog.

Big Man later created this sign and attached it to the top of the "Big Black Beast"

...so that I might find its presence a little more appealing :)

How can I argue with that??!

And that's about it. For now.

Tomorrow may find me back on Everything-is-fine-and-dandy Street. Or it may not.

Either way, I'm reminded that I have a choice:

Whether I soar through the day with the wind at my back OR struggle just to keep my head above water as the hard times roll, I can grumble. Or I can praise. I can complain. Or I can give thanks.

I must choose... because I simply cannot do both.

I must choose.

And remember...

that even when things don't seem to work out quite right,

ALL IS GRACE.

All.

Every little tidbit. Every single breath.

ALL.

Thank you, Father.

Observations from the beach

*** The beach (any beach!) truly is one of my favorite destinations on earth. Elegance and poise, however, will never be my companions there. Traipsing across a sun-baked dune... with a folding chair and tote bag in hand... in the 105 degree heat... will never a pretty picture make. Let-me-just-make-it-to-the-hard-packed-sand-without-falling-smack-on-my-face is more often the manner in which I trudge.

*** As much as I LOVE watching my children delight in the sand and the pounding surf, the opportunity to sit in a chair... under an umbrella... with a single book... for hours on end... is truly a heavenly treat.

*** The sound of the ocean's roar is one of the most glorious in all of creation.

*** While on the surface, time alone seems like a wonderful thing... nothing really compares to sharing LIFE with the ones you love.

*** People-watching surely is an enlightening experience... one that generally begs more questions than it answers and one that inevitably establishes for me-- over and over again-- how very blessed I am and how very much I love MY wild & crazy crew.

*** Ice-cold Dr. Pepper... on the blistering sand... is surely a gift from heaven's hand.

*** Renting an umbrella for $10/day is worth every single penny... and then some.

*** With regard to actually getting to the beach-- it really is important to jot down the directions in their entirety. Skipping even just one little step may add significant travel time to your day. Just sayin'.

*** Watching a stingray flop back to the sea after being cut loose from a fisherman's line is truly a breath-taking experience.

*** Porpoises off the coast-- who frolic and play... surely as God intended-- bring a smile to my face... every single time.

*** There's no doubt in my mind-- the splendor of creation demands a Creator, and how blessed we are that He's a creative One!!

"In the beginning,

God

created the heavens and the earth...

and [He] saw that it was good."

Genesis 1

Cereal boxes and hope

Cereal boxes.

Hope.

Yep, I know what you're thinking~ oh, no... now she's really gone off the deep end!

But I promise you, I haven't. This is really, really cool. And potentially life-changing. I promise.

And it all starts with cereal. And our precious little ones. And their full bellies. And our desire to make a difference.

You see, in Haiti, children are orphaned every single day because their mothers cannot feed them. Because their fathers cannot provide for them. Because life in an orphanage is their ONLY chance for survival. Their only chance...

Can you imagine? Can you imagine releasing your son, your daughter to be raised by

another, simply because you didn't have the means to do so yourself... can you imagine?

I, for one, cannot. And that's why I'm so, so thankful for folks at Compassion International and World Vision who allow us-- we Americans so overwhelmingly rich as compared to the rest of the world-- to step in and bless out of our abundance. Well, here's another wonderful option... and EASY option... if you really want to make a difference. Consider it a Christmas gift to a hurting family, hundreds of miles away.

Here's the deal: when your family reaches the end of its next box of Lucky Charms, don't shred that cardboard. Don't squash it and cram it in to your recycling bin. Just flatten it and set it aside until you save another. And another. And another. And then, when you have a big box packed full of flattened, empty cereal boxes, drop it in the mail. And then pray. Give thanks. Count *your* blessings. And trust the Lord to do the rest.

Because when those cereal boxes reach Haiti, they'll be put to good use. Men and women, as part of the Apparent Project, will use those boxes-- believe it or not-- to make jewelry. Beautiful jewelry. Jewelry that provides enough money for them to raise their own children... in their own homes... with dignity and love and hope.

Simple.

Painless.

And a significant opportunity to change a life.

One cereal box at a time.

Will you join me??

"Then the King will say to those on His right,

'Come, you who are blessed by my Father;

take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,

I was a stranger and you invited me in,

I needed clothes and you clothed me,

I was sick and you looked after me,

I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

Then the righteous will answer Him,

'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,

or thirsty and give you something to drink?

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in,

or needing clothes and clothe you?

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

The King will reply,

'Truly I tell you,

whatever you did for the least of these

brothers and sisters of mine,

you did for Me.' "

Matthew 25: 34-40

** If anyone who lives in my neck of the woods would like to participate,

I'd be happy to mail your boxes with mine...

just let me know :)

*** For whatever it's worth... I'm also saving other boxes--

ones from our Ritz Crackers, our Triscuits, our Graham Crackers--

that sort of thing.

I figure~ they're colorful, and they're no smaller than a Grape Nuts (cereal) box,

so hopefully they'll be acceptable, as well.

These days I'm struggling...

Struggling to find that groove again... that pre-holiday routine that actually allowed us to get

our school work done in a timely manner.

Struggling to get my Christmas decorations out of the attic when everything in me screams that it. is. not. time. to. decorate. for Christmas. It's only July after all... isn't it??

Struggling to accept the fact that fall has gone (for all intents & purposes) and the brutal, bone-chilling days of winter are upon us. I soooooo want the 70s (degrees, I mean :) back!

Struggling to keep up with Mt. Laundry... when will some brilliant scientist invent self-washing clothes??

Struggling to keep *healthy* meals on the table when Ramen noodles are such an easy & painless choice :)

Struggling to study my way through evil dictatorships, a Nazi regime, and unending brutality, misery, and suffering. Why, O Lord, why??

Struggling to rejoice in all things... even in *my* (relatively pitiful... as compared to those in the note above) sufferings.

Struggling in the day to day battle of less-of-me and more-of-Him... struggling to die to self.

Struggling to see the good instead of nitpicking on the not-so-pretty; struggling to offer grace at all times~

Struggling to filter the good from the best.

The eternal from the transient.

The holy from the rest.

Struggling.

And yet still... still my God reigns. Still He loves. Still He holds and helps and offers Hope and Light and Grace, even though so incredibly undeserving am I. Still He nudges me on, pressing me towards the Goal, one itty-bitty baby step at a time.

Yes, these past few days have been tough. But the Good News... His love conquers all. And in Him, there's peace. Perfect peace.

I think it's time I stake my claim!

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings,

because we know that suffering produces perseverance,

perseverance, character,

and character, hope.

And hope does not put us to shame,

because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,

who has been given to us."

Romans 5: 3-5

And for my fellow music lovers... one of my favorites. It's ministered greatly to me these past few days~ enjoy!

These days I'm loving...

:: this scrumptious fall weather and afternoons in the leaves

:: a sickness- free home. Ha. lle. lu. jah.

:: fresh apple cider, straight from the orchard

:: and a freezer now full of homemade applesauce for winter-- I'm feeling so very domestic these days :)

:: this baked oatmeal recipe... no more need for the prepare-the-night-before-and refrigerate-while-I-sleep variety (which rarely gets made anymore because, by the time I get the kitchen cleaned up after dinner and the littles tucked warmly in bed, I'm too tuckered out to go in and make another mess). This one is a lovely substitute!

:: the bittersweet my mom tucked into my front door wreath

:: a clean carpet in my family room & Chick-fil-a sweet tea (it's the little things, you know?!)

:: this book... I'm almost/only halfway through, but so far it's given me much, MUCH food for thought. I highly recommended it!

:: the work of Marcia Somerville and her team~ their writing and their finished product, Tapestry of Grace. Rich, full, abundant. Every thread pointing to God, every strand telling History. A blessing, for sure... a gift.

:: my husband's heart for our family... his provision, his dedication, his love

:: my little people's Thanksgiving anticipation... and the reminder that EVERY day is a day to give thanks

:: train tracks and teamwork

:: The Jesus Storybook Bible... now on our second (or is it our third?) trip through. Our very, very, very favorite children's version and a morning staple for all. And as an added bonus-- each week on their website, they share a different video... one of the 44 stories contained in the JSB. Once again, a blessing for both young and old(er :)

:: this time with my babes. Yes, the house is a mess. And yes, the pantry is bare. The laundry... let's not even go there. But oh, how I cherish these days of books and lessons and shared meals and laughter. Stories and hot chocolate and walks in the sun. And His hand through it all... weaving and sculpting and shaping our hearts... even through tears and struggles and misunderstandings galore. Yes, He's here. And with Him, all things are possible.

:: His grace, so marvelous and full.

"... My grace is sufficient for you,

for My power is made perfect in weakness..."

2 Corinthians 12:9

A true champion

For anyone needing a little inspiration... or perhaps just a little reminder--

that our lives are purposeful, that we don't go unnoticed,

that He calls us to LOVE,

and as a result,

speak volumes to those in need.

Watch and be blessed~

Thank you, Jennefer, for passing this story along~

Back in the saddle

Wow! It's been a while, a long while...

But we're back.... back from our two gloriously restful weeks at the beach... back to life as we know it here in the burbs. And it didn't take long. In fact, as soon as our feet returned to northern Virginia soil, we hit the ground running. It's funny how it works like that... no gradual return to normalcy for us. Just vacation, then LIFE with no transition in between. And, much to my dismay, the home repair fairy didn't show up while we were away. No, the house is still a mess, and I am just as anxious as ever for repairs to be completely complete. Thankfully, three very kind gentlemen are here now-- they're starting from the outside in, securing new roofing, new windows, new flashing and the like. And hopefully, in a few more days, they'll head indoors: to my kitchen, to my pantry, to my laundry room... and the dust will really start to fly.

But God. is. good. So far the boys and I (after two and a half years with a little girl, I still say that-- the boys and I :)... make that, the five of us... have been able to function normally even as hammers pound and trim pieces fall. School is well under way, and the boys are swimming like fish once again. The beach is a far too distant memory (unfortunately) as World War 1, transitive verbs, and algebraic equations now take center stage in our minds. But fun we're having-- with a field trip in to DC (the Wright Brothers plane is at eye-level now, right on the floor... down from the rafters for a special display, and wow, is it cool!) and a special play date with no-longer-faraway friends. A leisurely afternoon in the woods with favorite people will truly do wonders for your soul! Ah, and lest I forget-- a new development on the home front since we've returned from vacation... Bub is now in the youth group at church (I know, will someone please tell me how THAT happened!), and this trying-to-be-brave mama is rejoicing with him over this very exciting time (as she clings to the Father and trusts that He really does have her boy in His hands).

And every day I'm being reminded... over and over and over again... that even though the pace is somewhat frantic at times, even though I can't always see the forest for the trees, even though I collapse into bed (often earlier than I'd like) at the end of another exhausting day-- these days are gifts. Gifts from Abba Father to be used for His glory as we study and work and play and pray. Gifts to be cherished, gifts to be embraced, gifts to be nurtured and savored and treasured. Gifts that rush me to the feet of Jesus and keep me there~

And that's a good thing... because isn't that exactly where I oughta be?

Happy Thursday, everyone... it's good to be home!

Oops! I almost forgot... congratulations Stephan & Jessica on your recent engagement... I am so very, very happy for you! May the Lord pour out His blessing on your marriage and your new life together, and may He be glorified through it all!

Still. learning. one. day. at. a. time.

Alrighty. Earlier this summer I made a confession:

I was stressed. I was overwhelmed. I was plumb tuckered out. BUT God, in His infinite grace-full-ness, spoke a word over me, infused me with His power, and set me on the straight and narrow... resting in Him, secure in His provision, quiet in heart... free!

Now, however, on this 6th day of August, it's time for another confession:

I've wandered from that lovely place... from that burden-less straight and narrow. And I've wandered far. Yes, that wonderful feeling of heaven-sent peace that washed over me those many weeks ago... it's gone. Of course, not because the Lord removed it from me, but because I chose to stray in my own weary fashion... and yes, my OWN weary fashion looks nothing like His perfect one.

And as a result, I've fallen prey to those same struggles yet AGAIN.

I've stressed AGAIN. I've grumbled AGAIN. And I've allowed myself to return to that oh-so-ugly place of panic one. more. time.

Because school is quickly approaching. Along with a course in 20th century history (a class I'll be co-teaching for junior high students). And of course-- the end of a lazy hazy summer that's been anything but.

And that... well... that makes for a rather frazzled and frizzled mama (instead of a loving and generous and patient and quiet and tender and full-of-grace mama), and as most of us know, when the gal in charge is in that sort of state, stand back.

Can I get an 'amen'??

Enter Tsh at Simple Mom this morning with this utterly profound, stopped-me-in-my-tracks declaration: Stress is a choice. Yep, that one got me.

"Stress is a choice. Do you buy that? Some people have a hard time with the idea. ...

Yes, bad things happen: The economy sours, our business struggles, the stock market tumbles, jobs are lost, people around us don't follow through, deadlines are missed, projects fail,

good people leave. Life is full of these. But still, stress is a choice

because whatever the 'trigger event,' we always choose our own response.

We choose to react angrily. We choose to stuff our emotions and keep quiet.

We choose to worry. ... Stress is a choice."

~John G. Miller, QBQ! The Question Behind the Question

AND THEN... just 30 minutes later, Kelly Minter (the author of my biblestudy) had to jump on the bandwagon as well.

With regards to Ruth and Boaz and the scene that unfolds in chapter 3, verses 14-18~

[Drawing from Christ so that we can generously pour love on others]

"can be hard to practice because receiving our supply from God isn't always as tangible

as a bag of grain, a fish, or a piece of bread [as seen in Matthew 15:29-37]

that we walk up and take from His hand. It may be something concrete,

but many times it's a supply of patience, forgiveness, love, wisdom, or comfort

that we desperately need from Him so we can pour it out on someone else--

just like Ruth did for Naomi with the grain.

This kind of spiritual supply comes from being in Jesus' presence.

Meditating on the pages of Scripture.

Committing to focused prayer.

Waiting quietly on Him so our spirits can learn his voice.

Ruth knew where Boaz was, she sought him out, and she lay at his feet.

It is not surprising she walked away with something to offer someone else" (page 111).

Nothing new.

Nothing I haven't heard before.

But something I all too quickly forget.

Something I need to hear over and over and over again.

Something I need to LIVE by... every moment... every day... as I shower His Love on my little people... every chance I get... while He meets my every need and enables my stress-free living~

Starting now.

"Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:28-31

The end of July, the state championship, fast-food overload, and... EXHAUSTION

So it's August now. I'm not real sure where July went, but I'm told it really was here, all 31 days of it in fact. Somehow or other I just completely missed it. Or at least I feel like I did. Because the calendar flipped to month number 7, and then it flipped once again to month number 8, seemingly overnight. And you know what that means? For all intents & purposes, summer is over. School is just around the corner. And I'm not ready in any way, shape, or form. Ugh~

Anyhoo, putting my grumbling aside (grin), I'll share a few little tidbits regarding our adventures of this weekend past. In the western part of the state we wrapped up (almost) the summer swim season with the state championships at VA Tech. We had a grand time (though the pups did not... prison [aka: the kennel] is NOT their avorite place) as both Bub and Noh-man competed for 4 days straight. And now, as a result, both have many, many, many more things to add to their gratitude journals. A few of the highlights:

Noh-man (as ranked amongst his fellow 9 year-olds):

In the 400 meter freestyle-- 1st in the state.

In the 100 meter butterfly-- 1st in the state.

And in the 200 meter individual medley-- 3rd in the state.

Bub (as ranked amongst his fellow 11-year olds):

In the 400 meter freestyle-- 1st in the state.

In the 200 meter butterfly-- 4th in the state.

And in the 100 meter freestyle-- 4th in the state.

Popping at the seams proud doesn't come close to describing my mental state at this moment in time (well, other than exhausted :). My boys fought and scrappled and did.their.thing. with the best (and fastest) in the state, and though they both had their ups and their downs, they never gave up, they never gave in, and they never sacrificed humility or courage or determination or honor in their pursuit of victory. The Lord continues to work in their hearts and in their lives, and I simply could not ask for more. To Him be the glory... great things He has done!

Now... as for fast-food overload-- I think you get the point. Four days and three nights in a hotel does not for healthy living make. But we survived (and oh, how I still love Chick-fil-a!) and once again have a whole new appreciation for home-cooked meals.

And now... now that we're home... and now that it's August (yes, I'm still trying to get my mind around that fact), we're gonna crash. And crash HARD. Because we're plumb tuckered out. See you when we wake up~ or perhaps next fall... whichever comes first :)

"For great is your love, higher than the heavens;

your faithfulness reaches to the skies."

Psalm 108:4

Learning... always learning

Just a few weeks ago, some very special friends of ours purchased a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful home out in the country. A large brick colonial nestled on 10 gorgeous wooded acres... complete with tennis courts and volleyball net, walking trails, and room. to. move. And ever since that time (I've gotta confess), I've been struggling with it all. I mean... honestly, I am so tickled pink for them! They are wonderful, wonderful folks and their family is the best. But wowza. My little Cape Cod perched on a third of a city acre, is currently boxing me in and... forcing me to examine my heart.

In a very timely manner (as is always the case with our Lord), my bff posted this quote on her blog yesterday:

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not,

but rejoices for those which he has."

~Epictetus

Hmmm. How 'bout that?

Coincidental? I think not.

God-ordained? Absolutely.

And so today, as I pray and pray and remind myself of His never-ending love, of His never-ending care, of His always-wants-best-for me provision, I switch my focus. Off of my wants and on to my blessings. My gifts. My treasures so lovingly given by the One who knows best, who gives best, who loves best. And once again, I give thanks.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,

because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' "

Hebrews 13:5

"But godliness with contentment is great gain."

1 Timothy 6:6

"... for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances,

I do know what it is to be in need,

and I do know what it is to have plenty.

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,

whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

Philippians 4: 11b-13

"But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap

and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

For the love of money is a root to all kinds evil...

But you, man of God, flee from all this,

and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

Fight the good fight of faith.

Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called

when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus,

who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,

I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame

until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Timothy 6: 8-14

Lessons learned in the pool

My Noh-man, swimmer extraordinaire, has been diligently striving to qualify for the Eastern Zone Championship all summer long. While Bub qualified last year as a 10-year old, it's not nearly as common for kiddos to do so at age 9. As of this writing, only two have done it thus far in the entire state of VA... & if you happened to read my post on Monday, you know my Noh-man is one of them. But that's what my story is all about :)

So anyhoo, Noh snatched his first 3 qualifying times (he needs 4) fairly early in the longcourse season (April-July: swimmers compete in a 50m pool instead of a 25yd one), but that fourth bugger has been... well, a bug. He's missed that cut in the past few meets by a mere quarter of a second. In Baltimore, he'd get another shot.

Well, last Friday that opportunity came and went, and just as in races past, Noh narrowly missed his cut. BUT... the cup was half full, my friend, because that night, in the finals round, he would get one more chance. You see, the top 8 finishers in each event were slated to compete again, and since Noh had finished third, he would be there.

So enter Friday night, ~ 7pm. Noh stood behind the starting block in lane 5, ready to attack the 200 meter freestyle one. more. time. He was flanked on either side by 2 fellows who had just out-touched him in the preliminaries, but he was undaunted. Focused. Prepared.

At the far end of the pool Mom cheered with Big Man & Lollipop. Chris watched (and cheered) from the starting end of the pool, and I squatted at the end of Noh's lane with my dad, stopwatch in hand... hovering, screaming, urging him on to victory.

Now a quick note about my dad-- he's an engineer, a numbers kind of guy, a mathematical genius for sure. He knows *all* the boys' times by heart-- their splits, their seeds, their goals... every statistical nugget needed to determine their chances of success at any given point in a race. So as Noh-man torpedoed through that 200 free, at each and every flip turn he made, Dad KNEW whether or not he was on track for the Zone cut. My boy had to swim that 200 meters in 2:41:39-- that's 2 minutes, 40 seconds, and 39 hundredths of a second (or less) if he was going to qualify for the Eastern Zone Championship that evening.

So, for the first 3 legs... he. looked. good. Off the wall he flew through his first two turns, and off the wall he flew through his last one. With only 50 meters to go, Noh-man was swimming to beat the band; surely he'd finish in time.

And then Dad glanced at his watch... and proceeded to break my heart. "He's not gonna make it," he said as he dejectedly looked to the ground. Immediately my heart sank to the floor because evidently, Noh was too far off the pace. The seconds would tick by and so would that qualification he so desperately wanted-- he would not reach the wall in time. Still, we rose to our feet and cheered him on to the very end.

Now... hang with me... because this is where the story gets really good. Remember those 2 young fellas who were seeded above my Noh-man, those two little whipper-snappers who were just a fraction of a second faster than him in the prelims?? Well... they took off. Infused by some extraordinary jet propulsion power, they stretched their lead and zoomed closer to the finish line, leaving my Noh and the rest of the swimmers farther behind. Noh, ever determined, however, continued to motor on, and as he neared the end of the pool, my dad looked at his watch one more time. A tiny glimmer of hope crept across his lips... because there was still 10 seconds left before the Zone cut expired, and Noh was currently cruising at a mighty fast pace. I turned to stare at the score board-- desperate for his time to flash across the screen.

I waited. And I waited. And I waited for what seemed like an eternity.... for Noh's final time to appear in bright neon yellow. And then finally, it was there.

2:41:00

2:41:00

2:41:00 for the swimmer in lane 5.

Two minutes, 41 seconds flat. He finished with 39 hundredths of a second to spare.

Once again, the Lord had provided. He had met the need-- precisely.

God. is. good.

Needless to say, we all did the happy dance right there on the pool deck-- we hooted, we hollered, we partied like it was 1999... because our boy had done it.

He had done it. By God's amazing grace, he had done it.

**********************

Shortly thereafter, I asked him, "When did you know you had done it? Did you hear us screaming at the other end? Did you see me dancing (not a pretty sight, I'll tell you)? Did your timer tell you? Did daddy rush over from his lane to share the great news? Did you see the scoreboard? Please tell me... when did you know?"

"Well, I thought I heard you screaming, but I didn't want to look. So I took my time in taking off my cap and goggles..."

He didn't want to look.

He didn't want to look because he was too afraid of being disappointed yet again. And even as I write this I cry... because my boy-- my fighter-- my champion-- my teacher... didn't quit. He didn't give up. He swam that last 50m stretch with all his might even as those 2 super fast fellas pulled farther ahead... closer and closer to the finish line and that coveted Zone cut time. If they were so close to qualifying earlier that day in the prelims, Noh assumed-- surely they'd be close to it again. And who knows? Perhaps this time they'd make it. But he wouldn't... because he couldn't keep that pace... and the prize would, once again, remain just beyond his grasp.

At that very moment...in the pool... when Noh-man made that conscious realization--
Discouraged? Yes.
Disheartened? You bet.
Defeated? Not on your life.

How easy would it have been for him-- upon seeing those 2 fast little dudes stretch their lead--to turn off his jets... to downshift into 4th gear... to coast to the finish line, satisfied with a race well swum, but heartsick over the results? How easy would it have been for him to pause in his efforts, even if for a second, to recollect his thoughts, reassess his strategy, redetermine his game plan... when a pause for a mere fraction of a second would surely determine the outcome? I mean after all, he was already convinced that the prize for which he'd so incredibly labored was now out of reach. Why continue to fight?

Because the prize was worth the fight. Period.

Because the prize was worth the fight, Noh-man didn't ease across the finish line. And he didn't pause in his labors, even though defeat was all but certain. Instead he kicked it up another notch and did the IMPOSSIBLE. By God's amazing grace and by Holy Spirit-power, he flew. He flew. He flew.

Jesus looked at them and said,

"With man this is impossible,

but with God all things are possible."

Matthew 19:26

********************

Since that night I've wondered. How often do I do THAT in the course of my everyday? How often do I turn on my jets and race to the end, even when defeat seems all but inevitable? How often do I refuse... absolutely refuse... to surrender, even when the goal seems helplessly out of reach? How often do I deny discouragement and disappointment a foothold in my heart, and how often do I press the gas pedal still further, trusting in Holy Spirit-power to lead me to the end?

Truth be told... not as often as I care to admit.

But let me ask you this?? If a courageous 9yo boy can fight with everything he's got, why can't I? Why shouldn't I? Why don't I?

I don't know, but I must... because the prize in this life is worth so much more. Knowing Jesus and bringing glory to His name-- that's what it's all about. Even when it's tough...

The Prize is worth the fight.

"Well done, good and faithful servant...

come and share your master's happiness!"

(Matt.25:23)

Well done. Well done. Well done. You have finished the race, and you have finished it well.

What can be better than that??!

Thank you, heavenly Father, for your endlessly wonderful gifts.

And thank you for the champion-sized heart of my 9 year-old boy

and the lesson you've used him to teach~

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,
and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy set before him endured the cross,
scorning its shame,
and sat down at the right hand of God.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men,
so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Hebrews 12:1-3

Happy Independence Day!

"Now the Lord is the Spirit,

and where the Spirit of the Lord is,

there is freedom."

2 Corinthians 3:17

Overwhelmed

So this morning, after rushing my boys out the door for an early morning swim practice,

I sat down with my Bible and my study (plus a not-quite-ready-to-greet-the-day furry friend),

and I opened up to Day 05 (I'm just getting started). Here's part of what I read:

"Many times I've gotten so discouraged by Satan,

my own weak flesh, or another opposing entity,

that I've finally resorted to speaking out loud the the truth of Scripture.

Audibly praying and reading Scripture is a wonderful discipline to employ,

especially when you are overwhelmed (p.28)."

Overwhelmed. Overwhelmed. Overwhelmed.

Hmmm. That one got me.

And here's why::

A few days ago, my bff sent me a few questions to answer.

You see, we're doing this study together (even though we're separated

by a couple hundred miles) with Beth Moore's summer group, and before starting,

we needed to answer a few simple questions. You know, the basic stuff

along with What do you want to get out of this study? AND, in a word,

describe this season of your life.

Immediately, I responded.... overwhelmed!

(and felt quite sure this was the BEST and most appropriate choice for now)

Why overwhelmed? Because that's what I am.

Even though it's summer, and

even though I'm supposed to be relaxing,

I'm not.

I'm stressing over my mile-long to-do list and the calendar that's racing by,

and I'm having trouble-- very real and heart-thumping trouble--

because I simply cannot see the forest for the trees.

Yes, I'm overwhelmed, and for many days now I've been lamenting that fact.

So back to this morning. I finished my lesson

and hopped out back for some garden time before my littlest two awaken

[with no rain over the past several weeks and temps reaching the mid-90s,

watering my gardens has turned into a non-negotiable daily chore],

and with my iPod attached to my hip (because I agreed with the author--

what I needed now was a ginormous dose of Scripture...

in my ear, to my heart, over and over and over again),

I set forth.

I toted jug after jug after jug of water,

and I enjoyed a few Holy Spirit-inspired dances along the way

(thankfully, we have a privacy fence :)

and then an old favorite came on and... BAM!

It stopped me, dead in my tracks.

Because the Lord had spoken.

Through these words-- through His Word--

I got the message, just as He intended.

Give me one pure and holy passion.

Give me one magnificent obsession.

Give me one glorious ambition for my life

To know and follow hard after You...

To know and follow hard after You

To grow as Your disciple in Your truth

This world is empty, pale, and poor

Compared to knowing You, my Lord

Lead me on and I will run after You

Lead me on and I will run after You

-- Mark Altrogge

How 'bout that?!!

Meant for me? Yes.

Today? Yes.

Did I listen? Yes.

And did I get it? Yes.

And then I thanked Him for His gracious reminders and changed my tune.

So... history plans? Yes, they're important.

Those 3000 pages on the 20th century in review? I'll try.

A new paint color in my bedroom? Sure, it would be nice.

Veggie and flower bed survival? Oh, I hope so.

New recipes and adventures and bread and more? Perhaps... and hopefully.

But when it's all said and done, what matters most?

How should I really spend my spare time, my energies, and my attentions?

And what do I want to teach my children, even during these lazy days of summer?

To know and follow hard after You,

and to grow as Your disciple in Your truth...

Lead me on, and I will run after you.

So today, I'm resubmitting my answer.

No longer overwhelmed.

Today, I'm set free.

Free to be faithful and obedient and grace-filled and more...

because He who started this good work in me will be faithful to complete it.

All I need do is follow.

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple.

Psalm 27:4