1. I am always amazed (I don’t know why) at the providence of God in seemingly small things. The way He prepares me and equips me for circumstances I couldn’t have anticipated. As my grandparents age they are dealing with failing joints and hard decisions about their care.  My heart aches for them and the inevitable loss of independence. In the last months I have watched acquaintances cope with the loss of children – young and college aged. One, a mother of five, now dealing with cancer . . . just weeks after her son’s death. Sometimes life is like this, with tragedies falling thick and fast around you. I am physically fine yet sometimes I feel like I am in the center of a snow globe with everything around me falling and shaken up.  I stand frozen, untouched and yet broken by the brokenness I am helpless to mend.  At the beginning of the school year I planned verses to memorize and hymns to learn.  Naturally they are all fabulous, but I am frequently struck, surprised even with how appropriate they turn out to be.  This last week as two of our grandparents were hospitalized the Sugar Plum was learning James 1:2-3 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” To hear that every day on the lips of a six year old was an incredible encouragement. And the hymn we are working on this month is What E’er My God Ordains is Right. My lesson plans often seem random or haphazard – who cares when we learn which verse, hymn or poem!? I am so thankful for these reminders of God’s mercy and grace during a time when I would “naturally” be questioning His goodness.
  2. Running is about the same.  I’m slowly improving, still carrying on a love/hate relationship. I really need to download a few new songs to keep me motivated.  I got some new pants and chose very unwisely – they are the noisiest pants EVER.  Seriously! I am scaring the neighborhood dogs as I swish past! Not to mention scaring myself because it always sounds like someone is following me!
  3. I don’t think I ever mentioned all the things I hate about running.  Did I? I’m sure I’m entitled to repeat even if I did.  First: The Sweat.  My goodness, the sweat is disgusting. Second: the impact.  Ugh, running is so jarring.  Please don’t tell me I’m doing it wrong. Which reminds me of one of the reasons I never ever wanted to run.  I have this feeling that I look silly.  Don’t ask me how, just silly.  Sillier than normal people running.  Maybe it has to do with being around six feet tall.  I always feel silly even if I’m just standing there.  I feel like a blinking sign: “Taking up too much vertical space!” Or, “Unable to make a horizontal motion without using up disproportionate vertical space! Warning, warning, tall load!” Whatever.
  4. On the plus side of running, the endorphins are addictive.  I don’t think I’ve ever done another physical activity that gave me such a rush.  It’s just a pity that the effect is so short lived.  I”m trying – at least temporarily – to extend my run time and I run out of steam every time, no matter how well or promising the first 3/4 of the run goes. I am not a natural, that much is obvious.
  5. I have this crazy thought that maybe I should pick a different sport/athletic pursuit each year and run it into the ground.  You know, one of those “before I turn 40″ kind of goals.  You see, another part of my taking up running is a desire to be physically fit (not necessarily skinny though that sure would be nice!) without a need for major equipment or space/location.  So basically, stuff I can do in my own neighborhood/backyard/living room.  So power walking and biking are my other ideas. But my bike is a little bit crippled (it runs on one, maybe two speeds) and Mr. Oddly Genius is skeptical about power walking or racewalking.  Any suggestions?  Once Mr. Oddly Genius graduates I am SO determined to take up ballet or some crazy class at the community center.  But for now I need some ideas for what besides running I could really challenge myself with.
  6. We had a family over for dinner tonight and it was nice.  Sure I cooked way too much and the girls stayed up too late but it was OKAY. I stress too much, right? Hm, what else was I going to blog about our visit? It is now midnight so I guess my brain shut down. You are stuck with 6 crummy takes, haHA!
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