Attitude

Paul encourages us to "have the mind of Christ" in Philippians.  I love the idea that I can think like Christ thinks.  So different and so foreign to what I usually have running through my mind.

In 2011, I want a new attitude.  Every time I renew my mind in one area, God is ready to tackle the next.  He has been speaking to me about this, and just yesterday, I read a blog that said what my heart has been feeling.  Beth Moore says it so much better than I so read it here:

http://blog.lproof.org/2010/12/thinking-about-a-new-year.html

My attitude is one that will not be easily offended. I won't hold grudges. I want to love so freely, that forgiveness is abounding. 

Health and Wellness

I do not know why I like to run so much. No one in my family is very athletic. I would never consider myself and athlete, yet year in year out, I always come back to running.

Here are my events for 2011:

Atlanta Publix Marathon and Half Marathon

I'm running it with my pals Courtney and Lindsey.  We are doing the half. I really wanted to do the full, but in all honesty it scared me to death and I was easily persuaded to do the half this year.Registrations are completed and I am excited.

Second event:

Old Capital City Triathlon

This is an example of what happens when you talk about races with a runner at a Christmas party.  Thirty minutes into the conversations, I was so excited about this new venture. I've been thinking about a triathlon (the baby one) for a while. I know that I can't run forever, and I love the idea of mixing several things in one race.  I have somehow convinced about five other women to do this thing with me.  I have not been so excited about a race in a long time.

I know better than to make any type of eating commitment for 2011.  Who am I kidding? I am terrible at diets. So after thinking long and hard about my middle age weight gain I am contemplating moderation.  Everything in moderation. Hopefully this will mean less meat, more vegetables, less sugar and more water.

So maybe 2011 will be a year of new accomplishments for me. Maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll get Mr. Welch off the couch, into a pair of running shoes and in a 5K.  Now that would be a real accomplishment!

Socks and stuff

Knitting socks has become my new obsession. I like it because they are fast and fun.  While I was blocking the pair I made my dad for Christmas, I noticed that I still am leaving a small hole in the gussett. Dang it.
OK so here's my plan for 2011: a pair of socks every month.  The more you knit, the better you get.  Everyone gets socks for their birthday this year, but by December I can promise you, there will be no holes in the gussett, or ladders on the side. 
January is for Wayne. Last night, while we were watching TV wrapped up in a blnaket, I saw his bare feet sticking out from under the blanket, and I thought I need to knit that man some slippers to cover up those feet.  I told him as much and he replied " Well, that is sweet but you probably won't get them done until July and then I won't need them."  Now I'm not sure if that was a slam on my knitting skills, or if  he really doesn't want to wear slippers. Either way I found a manish pair that I am casting on January 1st.

So that's my goals for kntting in 2011. Not sure if I will have 12 pairs of socks in 2011, but the ones I have will be beautiful!

Looking forward....

I'm a sucker for New Years resolutions. I love them. I love to make them, I love to look back on them. THat is not to say that I do very well keeping them, but that's for another post.

My friend Hollie mentioned in one of her posts that she was going to take the last days of the month and use them to look forward to 2011. Maybe not so much resolution, but contemplation. What are the things I want to learn, do and become in 2011?

After all these years, I am finally learning that I do better spending quality time with God when I do a structured bible study or daily devotional thing.  I applaud you folks who read through the bible in a year, but its not for me. I cringe when I hear someone say "I'm reading the bible through in a year."  I think of all the times I have tried and made it to the third week of January then stopped after bogged down in the laws of Numbers and Deuteronomy.

I am starting off this year with a favorite, "Jesus the One and Only: 90 Day Devotional" . Mostly I want to fall in love with Jesus again. Oh I love Him,  but I'm not always "in love" with Him.  So the first 3 months of the year I am going to focus on Jesus, his life, His words while He was on earth.  I've lost that lovin' feelin' by just being too busy and too overwhelmed.  He's waiting on me.....

Tomorrow I'll tell you some more of my contemplations for 2011.  What about you?

Sleep in heavenly peace

The soft gentle rumble I hear is coming from my man who is sleeping in the heavenly peace of a full tummy.  The girls are in their rooms relishing the technology of finally having wireless capablility.  Folks, all it takes to make your kids Christmas is a 15 dollar router.
I am contemplating how in the heck I start a diet with all that food crammmed in the fridge.  The dogs are dozing in their new nests.  There is a gentle rain falling that I am hoping turns to a dusting of snow later on this afternoon.  The TV is playing a hallmark Christmas movie in the background.
 My heart is full...peace on earth....goodwill to men.  Merry Christmas from the Welch house!

Day Before

Call me crazy, but I love the day before the "Big Day".....any big day,  Thanksgiving, a birthday, in this case, Christmas. The anticipation is maxed out, I'm usually running around like crazy.  The girls are at home asking me a thousand questions.  Wayne is making me laugh by singing some silly song he has made up about that given event. In this case he is entertaining me with his Elvis version of Blue Christmas. I love the feeling.

The best part of the "day before Christmas" is spending it with Lynn and Craig.  I am thinking back to the first Christmas Eve I ever spent with them. I was dating Wayne.  So nervous to make a good impression. We went to their TINY house in Marietta and ate and laughed until we cried. I was in love, with him.....and them.

Through the years we have loved each other through every Christmas Eve. I don't really remember a year when we weren't together.  There were years that Wayne oldest sister, Patricia and her family joined us. Those are special times that don't come around to often, but mostly I love to think about the joy of Christmas Eve's spent together. Things like:

......The year I was pregnant with Ginny and threw up about 4 times on the way there.

......Bringing Pawpaw with us and getting in a terrible wreck on the way...and being so happy that next morning that we were all ok

......Matt getting  a "new truck" for Christmas. Wayne drove it from Eatonton and parked it at the pool house

......watching Chevy Chase "Christmas Vacation" and laughing until I cried.

......decorating ornaments.

......Shrimp chowder

......driving around looking at Christmas lights sitting in the backseat with Lynn and laughing, and laughing, and laughing.

......listening to stories about their mom, and wishing she were here, even if just for tonight.

......lining the kids up in front of the tree and taking pictures.

......watching Leslie, as a little girl, content to just be near Matt, but usually on him in some way.

......first Christmas meeting Christopher, watching him watch Megan, and knowing that this kid's a keeper.

......seeing the explosion of lights that Craig has created in the living room....kitchen...bathroom if Lynn will let him. Nobody loves Christmas like Craig.

......speaking of Craig and Christmas....his egg nog! :)

......laying on the bed with Lynn, laughing and talking while the boys hog the TV. Talking about what we got the kids, what we think the boys got us, and whether or not it will be a "sweatpants" kind of Christmas.

It's Christmas Eve morning. In about an hour Wayne and the girls will be up. We will load up and make our trek to Cumming.  This morning I realize that our Christmas Eve looks as different as our lives.  Matt and Megan have started their own lives.  My girls are almost grown.  It changes every year but it will always be about family.

There will always be Christmas Eve at Lynn's.  The kids and their family's may be there and some years won't.  There will be new babies, more stories of college and new careers.  New sons and daughters to bring home.  But there will always be four good friends, who happen to be family celebrating together.  Maybe  over Lynn's chowder, and maybe over Shoney's, but together.  Among God's blessings in my life, I am thankful for being  in this family.  I am blessed.

Hillsong

I am sooooo excited!

I will be HERE on March 7, 2011. Perfect birthday present!

last reads of 2010

 I just finished up my last two books for 2010:

Worth gave me this book and it is absolutely awesome. If you are missional minded this book will inspire you to reach out. Toby Mac does a fantastic job of showing through the lives of ordinary people, how extraordinary our God is! Read it! You can borrow it from me....but you can't keep it.

Tina gave me this book. I finished it last night about 12:30. It has me so energized to run my half marathon in March!  the story is actually the autobiography of of Sister Madonna Buder, a Catholic nun started running at age 48, and now, at the age of 80, she has finished countless marathons and triathlons.  She combines stories of her training rituals with accounts of races where she is visited by angels.  Her relationship with Jesus is very real, and you witness her conversations with Him, as her friend.  You see her turn racing into a ministry to others.  Fantastic book. It helped to affirm in me that EVERY part of our lives as believers in Jesus, is a ministry.  You can borrow this one too, but not until I finish running in March! :)

I think I will squeeze another book in next week while I am off.  I am going to start the Karen Kingsbury series on the Baxter family.  I usually don't like Christian fiction, but I'm gonna give it a try.

* sorry for the fuzziness of these pics I ripped off of Amazon*

Mary, did you know

....that your baby boy, would save our sons and daughters?

What's on your knitting needles?

This awesome neck warmer looks so soft and warm. It's a gift for someone who appreciates handknits as much as I do!

Campfire socks.  Fun to knit, and quick once I figured out the pattern.These are for my dad, except I knit them in BRIGHT RED! to go with his Georgia lounge pants.

Lesson learned

I learned a great lesson this week It was this: Stand still and let God move. I wish I had the time and space to tell you the whole story, but let me just give you the short version.

About a month ago, I heard God distinctly and clearly tell me something that He wanted me to do.  If you know me, I am VERY action oriented and I proceeded to do what He said, when I hit a roadblock.  I remember so clearly lying in bed that night and I ask Him, "God did I hear you right?"  He answered, "You just stand still and let Me move."

In an unprecedented act of faith in Him, I did just that. Let me tell you that I seldom stand still, even after He has told me to. Most of the time I am running around trying to manipulate a way for His will to be done, you know He needs me to do that for Him  :).  But this time, I stood still and just waited and watched.

 He moved in a way that I did not expect,  but as clearly as I had heard his voice a month before, I saw His hand move.  It was beautiful, seamless, perfect.  It made me humble, and happy.

I trust Him. Once again, He showed me that His way is perfect, and that His timing is never too late.  I love this song.........

Stand still, and let God move.

Standing still is hard to do.

When you feel you have reached the end,

He'll make a way for you,

Stand still, and let God move.

Snuggle weather

Baby it's cold outside....and it's snuggle weather inside!

Simple Things

After having a horrific 2009, I made a pact with myself to slow down in 2010 and enjoy the simple things. I read the most interesting thing by Andrew Murray the other day. He said that in the rush of our world, we forget to be still and commune with God. To commune with God means to say "No" alot. It means turning off your cell phone and spending Saturdays at home. It has been a year of awakening. I slowed down. I said no alot more to people and requests for my time, and started saying "Yes" to God, to Wayne, to my family.  I found time to do some really neat things I've been wanting to do. Like hang out laundry.

 When I was a little girl I used to love to help my mom hang out laundry.  I love a towel that has hung out to dry on the line.  I figure if I live out the country with no neighbors to see our underwear, why not?  Wayne made me a clothesline and that is a simple pleasure for me on Saturdays.

I found time to take a walk and talk to God.  He has never told me He was too busy for me.  He has never failed to show up and walk with me, and tell me things I needed to know.

I found time to spend some lazy afternoons with Wayne.  In a year that has been hard in other ways, it has been a great growing year for us. I love him so much.

I'm not sure what 2011 will bring, but I feel like for the first time in a while I am grounded and settled. Learning to say yes to the right things makes all the difference in the world.

Streams in the Desert

For the last few weeks, I have been reading this book, Streams in the Desert.  It's an old book.  It was published in 1925 but literally, this copy I have is old. The pages are yellow, and it smells musty. I love this book.  In the the age of internet, email and smartphones, it is such a pleasure to hold a book in my hands and read from the wisdom of believers before me.  Mrs. Charles E. Cowman (I love it that she uses her husbands's name!) wrote a collection of early morning thoughts as she ministered as a missionary to Japan and China for many years.  Six of those years were spent and the bedside (literally) of her invalid husband, who finally died and left her heartbroken and lonely.  I love the wealth of knowledge she shares about her sufferings.
Here is an excerpt......

"I think that I can trace every scrap of sorrow in my life to simple unbelief.  How could I be anything but quite happy if I believed always that the past is quite forgiven and the present is furnished with power, and the future found to be bright with hope because of facts that I cannot change with my mood?"

If you happen upon a copy of this book at a yard sale pick it up. It is a treasure.

Sweet Word

Like you, sometimes I find myself in a situation that seems impossible.  A situation that has no outward resolution. I want to be a faith filled woman, but I'm not always that woman.  This morning, God reminded me of His power, His hugeness, his ability to bring water to a desert.

2 Kings 3: 16-18  " then he (Elijah) said " This is what the LORD says, "Dig ditches all over this valley. Here's what will happen- you won't hear the wind, and you won't see the rain, but this valley is going to fill up with water and your army and your animals will drink their fill.'"

So, I've got my shovel in my hand, I'm diggin' my trenches. I don't smell rain or see clouds.  This air is still, I won't even pretend that I see any storm on its way, but I know that God is bringing rain to me.  He promised that to me.  He will cover me and my family, my church and my ministry in drenching, life-giving rain.  Faith doesn't stop to scan the horizon. Faith keeps digging, knowing that these trenches are going to overflow.

Mr. Romantic

I am married to a wonderful man. He is a wonderful provider. He's been a hard worker since the day I met him.
He is hilarious. No really, he seems quiet to the rest of the world, but he can make me laugh so hard I nearly pee my pants.  We have a thousand private jokes, and he takes pleasure in making Ginny laugh by telling her all sorts of Ginger and Willow stories, or poking fun at me, her mother.

We are at  that place in life/marriage where we kinda think and act as one. That doesn't mean we always agree, or look at things the same way, but in most situations, I think about what WE will do, and what he thinks is always present in my mind. (Except when I am buying running shoes or knitting supplies!)

Last night was date night and we both had our mouths set for Japanese. Kiroshima was packed however, and we settled for Buffingtons, the burger place down the street.  It's usually my favorite place in the world, but the food was so-so last night. Maybe because I had been craving sushi, and nachos were just not the same.
Anyway, it didn't really matter because we had the best time together.

It was one of those nights where we had such good talk time.  Most of our conversations are me yammering on and on and Wayne nodding his head and saying "Yeah Baby" at every given pause. But tonight he really listened to me talk about Leslie and college, about how happy I am that Ginny is doing so good.  I know he was listening because he asked me questions and there was no GON magazine in site for him to read.

We talked and talked about his business, about the future, about the girls, about Christmas.  It was good. I needed it.  As we left Kiroshima and headed to DQ for our buy-one-get-one-free Blizzard, I thought, "I love this man."  He's my best friend in the entire world.  Romance is being asked into your partner's world. I'm glad I'm a part of his.

Oh and then to top off a perfect evening, we went home and watched "Swamp Loggers".

My day

I took Leslie to see University of West Georgia.  A definite maybe on her possible college list.  I simultaneously was excited for her, while I had to fight the urge not to throw up. I remember very clearly sitting in the orientation session and having an out of body experience.  I saw the leaders lips moving but I could not hear a word she said. My mind was instead racing while I had thoughts like, How can my baby be going to college?  Who is this tall redhead sitting next to me smiling and laughing? She looks so grown up! How can I have a child in college? I am only a kid myself.  Will she be able to find her classes?  What if she runs out of money the first month? 

All these thoughts fired in rapid succession, and were finally silenced when I heard her saying " Mom let's go, we are going to take the tour." She was giving me the look that meant "Do not say a word, don't try and make friendly conversation with the tour guide or I will never speak to you again."  

I managed to stumble along the tour keeping my mouth shut and blinking back tears.  This is for real. She is going to leave my little nest I have made for her.  As we looked at the rooms where she will live and eat, and study and laugh, I thought, her room will be empty next year.  I won't wake her up yelling, "If you do not get up right now I am driving you to school for the entire week!".  I won't peek in her room and see a pile of red hair ever which a way, and her sweet little mouth gaping open while she sleeps.  I won't hear MTV and VH1 and threaten to take away her TV if she doesn't turn off that "trashy TV". 

I've never been good at transition.  I like things the same way.  But things don't stay the same, ever.  I refuse to be a clingy mother.  When it's time to fly the coop, she'll be just fine. I will be too. 

 

Thankful

for grace...given to me when I did not deserve it.

for love...... of a good man and great kids.

for family......the ones I'm related to by blood, and by love.

for a future......there is so much more than this.

for  trials....has helped me define what brings me joy.

for quiet......I am learning to "be still and know that You are God."

Happy Thanksgiving

What's on my knitting needles?

This is an inside out sock. I have to finish the toe. I love this super soft yarn. It is really easy to knit up, and I am quickly becoming obsessed with socks. They are fast, interesting and who doesn't love  a pair of handknit socks as a gift?

I finished this bag before we went to Boston. I love the cabled braid strap. It was alot of fun to make, but I didn't allow for stretch in the yarn as it hangs over my shoulder, and by the second day in Boston, it was more of a knee bag instead of a hip bag. Gotta do something with it besides that ugly knot I put in it! I think the answer may be in letting it be a kntting bag to haul my yarn in vs. a real purse I guess my lip gloss collection can get weighty!

My favorite thing as of late are these precious booties. Who are they for? My sweet niece that is coming in May. She will have beautiful dark hair and eyelashes like her daddy.  I am working on another set for her red haired brother who is probably wild and doesn't like to wear booties, but that is just too bad. He will have to wear them.

My baby sister, Liz, is having babies....two of them!  God truly has granted her a double blessing for her trials!

Boston

Well, did you think I fell off the face of the earth? I usually don't take too long of a blogging break, but ever since we got back from Boston, life has been chaotic. Anyway.....Let's talk Boston

We stayed downtown at the Boston Park Plaza. Total awesomeness. Jazz band every night in the lobby, and two bathrooms in our suite. What more can you ask for?

Boston is the home of Harvard and MIT. All that brain power in one place...a little overwhelming huh?

  

Wayne's goal for this trip was to find Neptune Oyster which had been featured on one of his favorite shows "The Best thing I Ever Ate"

It was fabulous, even if we did underestimate the cost of a dozen oysters on the half shell. Basically blew out daily food budget on this one meal...but oh! so worth it!

 If you are a history buff like Wayne and I, you know that Boston is the seat of all things colonial.  The birth place of the United States.  Incredible history to take in....especially about this guy....

Paul Revere.

His home...

 and the North Church... remember " One if by land and two if by sea" ? Well, this is the place where it all went down.....

All in all, it was a fun trip. I heard "You have the funniest accent, Are you from the south? " about 50 times.  Wayne never could find a Waffle House and it rained the whole time, but being with the one you love makes it all worthwhile!

Deer Dash

I love this race! I have run it many times over the year. It is a great 5K, challenging, cold and just the right amount of people.  This year I had some great girls to run it with me:

my pal Michelle, who is way better shape than I am, but hates to run. I know that she loves me if she'll train and run a race with me. She is a trooper and finished in less than 30 minutes!
Thanks for running with me Shel, just because you know it makes me happy!

These two little whippersnappers ran with us and placed in their division! Ahhhh, to be young again.

Thanks for running with me girls and making me feel like I still got my mojo! :)

Angie and Cason ran their first race and did so great! I'm hoping they are hooked on racing so we can rock the Will Robinson 5K in two weeks! Way to go girls!

*PS* I unashamedly ripped all these pics off Lindsey's FB page becasue she is the only one who brought a camera!**

Saucony

I've always been and Adidas girl. I have really high arches, so after trial and error, I have worn Adidas cushion response for about 10 years. Well, I think I have a new favorite........

I'm excited because......

........Wayne killed a deer last week and we are having venison meatloaf (When I type that why does it make me think of Jacob and Esau?) pinto beans, corn bread...Yum Yum!

......I not only filled out my app for my birthday marathon, but wrote out a training schedule (if you know me, you know planning and orginzation gives me a rash), and bought some brand new Saucony's this weekend. They are quickly becoming my favorite.... move on over Adidas.

.......Wayne and I are headed to Boston on Sunday. I have a nursing conference next week. Never been to Boston and Wayne, who is a history lover, and I  cannot wait to do a little exploring, eat lobster, and ride in the yellow duck boat!

.......I am on the ball with Scripture memorization again. It's been a long time and I've been lazy, but I am back on track.

.........Finished my actual first knitting project that is just for me! An awesome little denim colored bag. I have to put a liner in it and I will post a pic. It's going to Boston with me.  Now working hard on a scarf for a friend. I wanted to give it to her before I left this weekend, but I have a feeling it's going to Boston with me too.

Sunday afternoon naps

Sunday afternoons were made for naps---

Naps for big boys

Naps for silly sweet girls

Naps for good little doggies

 

And naps for bad little mutts who are spoiled by their big sisters,

bad little doggies that have chewed up two of my shoes this week,

bad little doggies that I cannot, for the life of me, help but loving.

Grace

I recently read this excerpt from an interview with Andy Stanley:

The church, or should I say, church people, must quit adding the word "but" to the end of our sentances about grace. Grace plus is no longer grace. Grace minus is no longer grace. We are afraid people will abuse grace if presented in it's purest form. We need not fear that, we should assume that........of course grace will be abused. But grace is a powerful dynamic. Grace wins out in the end.  It is not our responsibliity to qualify it . It is our responsibility to proclaim it and model it.                      
Andy Stanley.

It is so much easier to accept God's gift of grace, yet so difficult to extend grace without reservation.  What if they hurt me again?  What if they take advantage of this gift? 

Thank you God for not qualifying Your grace to me.  I don't deserve it. I've taken advantage so many times. Even now, I think of how I accept salvation yet stubbornly refuse to model the same gift to others. God save me from myself and let grace flow out of my life without reservation.

Happy Birthday Lauren

This picture is the same one I posted last year.  You would think if she's that good of a friend I'd have a recent picture huh?  Today is her birthday.  I hope she celebrates in high style. I hope all her students were extra good today.  Maybe they remembered to sing "Happy Birthday Ms. Brown"  I hope her husband Chris does something extra fun for her. I hope her sweet baby Gage, hugs he and tells her he loves her.  I hope she knows that I love her too!   I hope that this year brings laughter, tears, (the good kind) and joy.  I hope next year at this time, she knows and loves God more.  I love you sweet girl!

You are for me

I just got back from our annual SBC ladies retreat in Blue Ridge, GA. Powerful and life changing. This song sums up what God whispered to me this weekend.

19 years

Tomorrow marks 19 years I have been Mrs. Welch.  Alot has changed about me in 19 years. When I met Wayne, I was a city girl.  Had no desire to tromp out in the woods, sit in a deer stand, or worse, sleep under the stars....that all has changed quite a bit.

Wayne has taught me:

how to walk softly in the woods so I won't scare the deer
that trout like to swim in the deep cold pools of water in the stream
that pure happiness can be found sitting beside a moutain stream and listening to the water run over the rocks

sleeping with the camper(or tent) windows opened under lots of blankets is the way to go
nothing smells better than frying bacon on a chilly fall morning
you won't melt if you get caught in the rain
he loves me most, when I make "his" world "our" world



I love you Wayne Welch!

 

Senior Pictures

Oh. Wow. Just got home and got to sit and really look at Leslie's senior pictures. They are fantastic! Go here and let me know your favorite.

Go to photo gallery and then Leslie Welch senior pictures.

What I'm taking camping.....

We are leaving in about an hour. I am sooo ready. I have never just taken a week off in the middle of the year to get away. I need it. Celebrating 19 years with Wayne. Love him.  So here's my stash:

1. denim colored yarn, knitting a cross body bag.
2. mint green, cornflower blue and white cotton yarn...washcloths with intials in them..my newest project
3. Ipod with lots of Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler and Kari Jobe loaded.
4. Hiking boots...lots of walks
5. puppy chow...a camping must
6. lots of coffee.
7. my fleece red camping jacket. It's really pathetic but I can't throw it away.
8. "The Jesus Way" my newest read.
9. A fishing pole, as if.....makes Wayne happy...I'll give him an obligatory cast or to before I settle in my chair to read.
10. Perhaps the most important thing of all...... this guy:

Sorry Ginger, You gotta stay home this trip.

A girl and her dog

She's got a way about her.

Willow loves her.

But not as much as me.

So how's the runnin' goin'?

You may remember from this post, I was toying with the idea of running a marathon.  I had decided that the Atlanta marathon was a great goal to shoot for. It's fr enough away to give me plenty of training time away, plus it is on my birthday weekend so I figured it was perfect timing.  After consulting with a couple women who have already run the 26.2, I decided to use the Runners World training guide.  First goal was increasing my mileage. I'm not even really able to follow the plan as I can't run 8-10 miles right now. I have been running with some young girls and it has really helped me.  I can run farther and longer than I could a month ago.  So small incremental goals is the important thing. I decided that for the month of October I am going to increase my long run to 6 miles, or one hour.  My November goal is long run at 10 miles.  From there, I'll be ready to start the 12 week program which should have me ready for a marathon by March.  Oh, and I also need to lose about 25 pounds in the process.  Maybe one of these days, I'll run a marathon with my cross country super star nephew Clinton, who is destroying records on a weekly basis. He is doing awesome! So proud of him!

Happy trails!

The great thing about Facebook....

..........is finding long lost friends.  Last week I went to check the mail and found a package from an old college friend.  Inside is a wonderfully cute book "The Yarn Harlot". I have so enjoyed reading a few chapters every night before bed.It's a book all about knitting, my new love. But better than that, was the sweet memories that this unexpected gift awoke inside of me.  I've chatted online with Wendy, seen pictures of her precious children, remembered she loved flowers and has gorgeous jet black hair, but when I opened the book and saw the sweet note she left me, I recognized a signature from my college days.  Seeing her handwriting tripped a switch in my mind......so many memories...

I sat in my rocker on the porch and closed my eyes. I thought about a girl with a loud giggle and wide smile, with big brown eyes and jet black hair.  We had on hair nets and were singing Debby Gibson songs in the huge college kitchen while we chopped vegetables.  We were running through the Florida rain on our way to Miss Hatfield's med surg class.  We were clueless scared nursing students in the hall of a nursing home, desparately trying to figure out how to bathe a ninety year old man or figure out what in the heck Lasix was for.  There were so many church services we giggled through, so many study sessions on her bunkbed with Rachelle.

Thanks Wendy for the book, I will enjoy it, but thanks more for the memories....they are part of me.





Differences

Sometimes it's the one who is the most different from you, that makes the best friend.

My little photographer

Tonight Leslie has her first real photography job.  Since she never reads this blog, (she's way too cool) do you mind if I brag a little?
Leslie has always been the exact opposite of me. Quiet, thoughtful, moves through life at her own pace. Stubborn, very stubborn.  Takes a while for her to process everything.  This had led to tears, from both of us, frustrations, and me wondering what to do with her, while she was wondering, how she got stuck with a mother like me.

Somehow we have managed to make it through, and I was thinking today how much I like her. Of course I love her, but I really like her. She's everything cool I am not.  She has got incredible style, a creative eye, and the deepest sense of loyalty, good Lord she's loyal.

About two years ago she developed an interest in photography. This, after I had forced her to try everything from piano to cross country.  When I finally let her be her, she blossomed.  My computer is jammed packed with all sorts of pictures. Good pictures. Incredible pictures.  It makes me so proud to see her do her thing.

Tonight, friends of ours, that own their own media company, invited her to help out at a wedding.  I told her as she ran out the door, red hair flying, "Have fun!" but what I was really thinking was this...."tonight is where it all begins.  You are gonna be a spectacular photographer and this is your first gig!" 

Then I heard the words of her sweet daddy in my mind. He has said it to me so many times I have every word memorized...."She's gonna be fine, just let her be who she is."  Good advice Wayne, she is who she is and I love her so!



The devil is fighting with his wife

When I was a kid....whenever it rained...and the sun was shining

My Dad would look up at the sky and say,

"Well, the devil is fighting with his wife."

We would laugh and laugh.

After all, everyone knows the devil doesn't really have a wife.

                   

When it rains through the sun, the angels are crying

or

true science tells you....

It will rain at exactly the same time tomorrow if the sun shines when it rains today.

Behind every cloud

Rain, rain beautiful rain! So glad to see it.  Last night we opened the window and fell asleep to the falling rain.  Woke up this morning about 3:30 to the sound of pouring rain outside my window, realized it was only 3:30 and snuggled up next to Wayne and fell back asleep.

It rained all day, and finally this evening, I saw this from off my deck:

Just behind those clouds is a brilliant sun.  The edges of the cloud tell the secret to what is behind in the silvery ribbon.  I always love to think that God is smiling at me from behind the clouds.  Don't let the cloudy days fool you....God is never far away.

best part of my weekend was.......

Prasie4U concert tonight.  I think praise band is one of my most favorite things I do at SBC.  The last few months, we have kinda come together as a band.  Daniel is probably the most talented musician I've ever met. He has a keen sense of music. He can hear notes and combine sounds that just amazes me.  Add to that Nathan. Wow! I'm just saying Wow!  He plays by ear, I've always been jealous of people who can do that.  Will plays the drums like nobody else I know, oh yeah, and he writes songs and music..and plays guitar.  Pretty good for a kid his age I might add.  I don't complement him too much, I don't want him to get a big head, but I do love to tease him.  Kenny is my pal.  He plays the bass, and I happen to know that he also sings along in his beautiful voice. He and I threaten that we are gonna let loose one day and have a shouting/running fit. Especially on days like today, when we sing "Days of Elijah." There really is no God like JEHOVAH.  Worth plays piano, and we are like peas and carrots.  I know her so well, I can usually read her mind.  We love to laugh and sing together. I love her.

The praise singers are a mix of beautiful voices.  The sound team, well they just work magic.

But God really is the star of the show.  He smiles as He hears our praise to Him. He's so worthy of it.   I think tonight He was pleased.  As Daniel said, He is most pleased when we are most satisfied in Him.  Tonight, I am satisfied in Him.  He is enough, more than I need.

fall y'all

This week fall officially began.

Someone forgot to tell this pretty girl.....

The key to success

I have run for as long as I can remember. Sometimes I stop for months at a time, usually in the dead of winter, but always come back to it.  This summer was crazy and after I got back from Kenya, I was way too wiped out, and way to overwhelmed. So I just stopped for about a month or so.  Then my sweet friend Courtney came back to town, and got me up and back on the horse so to speak.

The key to success in running, or whatever, is to find someone better than you, and try to keep up.  Courtney is half my age, so keeping up with her gives me a good workout.  I can just barely stay at her pace.  In fact, after I get up the last hill, she usually breaks away from me the last half mile.

I've always wanted to run a marathon.  I've said I was a dozen times and have never made it through training to get there.  The older I get, the less likely it seems I can do it.  I turn 42 this year. I kinda feel like it's now or never.  Maybe I should just go online today, plunk down my money for this race and just do it, as Nike says.  It could be my birthday present to myself......



Happy homemakers

As I sit here, wondering what I could post, my sleepy red headed beauty stumbles to the laundry room with her arms full of what appears to be her chapel skirt.  She slams it in the dryer, turns it on and stumbles out. 

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"Ironing my skirt.", is her groggy answer.

She learned her homemaking skills from the best.  Now excuse me while I run my roast through the dishwasher to thaw it.

Things that make me happy...

1.Airplane rides to faraway places.
2.Bible study with my peeps
3.Catching Wayne smiling at me
4.Dessert....my absolute favorite is Cheescake Factory.Godiva chocolate.
5.Eggs...organic ones...from my new chicken
6.Friday nights with no plans
7.Grilling steaks when we are camping
8.Heather...so many in my life I love...Schulze...Caddell..to name a few.
9.Invitations to birthday parties
10.Jesus Way...my new nighttime book I stole from the church library
11.Kool and the Gang..I found an old CD and I've been loving it..and reliving some great memories
12.Leslie. We are as opposite as day and night. I love her so!  She always makes me think......
13.Moccasin Creek Campground. Favorite place to be with my favorite man!
14.New running shoes
15.Opals...glittery but not too flashy. My first ring was an opal.
16.Piper, John that is..the author. I love every book he's ever written.
17.Quacamole. My dad makes the very best, I love it on everything.
18. Running. I figured out that I have been running for the last 27 years, off and on.
19.Sipping cofee, sitting on my rocking chair.
20.Telling secrets
21.Ugly dogs...Willow for one.  She's ugle and naughty, but I love her.
22.Virginia... my baby..full of compassion, witty, funny and beautiful.
23.Wayne Welch. After 19 years together, so much makes me happy.....no regrets.
24.eXplaining  Scripture to my Sunday school girls, and listening to them explain it to me. I love them.
25. Yarn: alpaca, cashmere, worsted wool, fingerling, sock weight..and needles and pattern too.
26.Zebras, on the side of the road in Kenya, as if it were the most normal thing you would see.

Sunday thoughts

This morning, after I finish my coffee, I'll get a shower, dress up in my best cothes and make my way to church.  I go to one of several baptist churches in my town, where our building displays a huge cross on the front.  The music will play loudly, people will raise their hands, sing their hearts out, and then our pastor will open his Bible and preach.  His words will be broadcast all over the building from a microphone.  We will make a recording of his message, and pass it out so others can hear.  Part of his message will be a plea to believers, it always is, to be faithful, hang in there, keep on going for Jesus.  Because, after all, we need the encouragement, we have it so hard following Jesus.

Pastor Luspida in Indonesia was hit in the back of the head with several rocks during his message last Sunday.  Naesha Saedi an Iranian pastor who is in prison this Sunday morning. His house church will pray for him this morning.  He won't be there, He's being faithful when it gets hard.  Last month over 132 Christians in China "disappeared"  when the communist governement disbanded thier churches.

Do you ever wonder why you were born where you were?  It's not so we can enjoy our luxuries...like ipods..and cars...and vacations.  God put us here, to help our brothers and sisters around the world. 

I'll be thinking about them this morning while I worship. I'll pray for Pastor Saeedi's wife...who really knows what it's like to suffer for Jesus.

Saving my pennies....

For THIS:

Clip and run....can't wait!