Gratitude Challenge Week 1

I saw a list on Pinterest. It was called 52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge. I have no idea whether the challenge was related to blog writing, but I miss writing. 

Week 1 - Why Start This Challenge

I thought this would be a great way to prompt myself to write every week and also to encourage thankfulness. Everyone has something to be thankful for. And if we look for the things that are a blessing to us, we will be more likely to not only notice them, but have a more positive attitude. 

I didn't really want to leave the challenge with just why I wanted to start. If it's truly 52 weeks of gratitude then I need to start today. So today I am thankful for the Sabbath. It's God's way of helping us take a break and relax.

Good, Bad, and Ugly

This post is getting ready to have some serious TMI. So if you have a weak stomach or do not care to hear about vomit, you might want to skip this blog post. You've been warned! =)

Pretty flower tree is here to give space to the weak stomached people who are now exiting my blog. =) We wouldn't want them to accidentally read something gross!

We had an AMAZING time in Florida. It was wonderful to spend time with our family. The warm weather was a welcome change from the icy temps at home, and the race was perfect. 

But there is a negative to this little story. And since it played so much into this week, I thought I'd share. My stomach felt a little strange on Sunday night. But I hadn't eaten anything after the race until 3pm (long, boring story) and then only had a milkshake for supper. So I attributed it to that and went to bed. The next morning I was really feeling nauseous. But if my blood sugar gets low, I feel icky. So I ate a little bit for breakfast while we loaded up the truck to head home. About 30 minutes down the road I was really sick. Jon stopped for some caffeine and I knew my breakfast was coming up. My sweet husband spent the next 12 hours listening to me puke in a bag. He would wait till I was finished, pull off the interstate, throw my bag in the trash, and go into the store or restaurant to get me more puke bags. He did this the entire way home. He bought me medicine and pop. He took the kids into a restaurant without me for lunch so I could have a mini nap. He kept rubbing my shoulders while I threw up.

That poor man deserves a medal!

By the time we arrived home - hours after we should have, I was finally feeling like I could keep something down. Jon made me some jello water ( a trick my mom used growing up) and I went to bed. The next morning I was sore, dizzy, shaky, and alive.

I spent the day on the couch eating in very small increments so I could get my strength back. It completely wiped me out. I had my plate piled so high with things I HAD to accomplish. But I just didn't have it in me.

So Wednesday morning when I woke up and felt normal again, I knew it was going to be a whirlwind rest of the week. I hit the ground running and haven't stopped. To complicate matters, I am getting ready for the semi-annual consignment sale next week. I typically make $400-500 per sale in addition to working the sale. So this was a bit of a big deal. Jon and I also started a business and are in the process of getting things finalized and off the ground.

Usually my house is clean or almost clean. It stays in such a way that if you are my friend and stop by unexpectedly I'll let you in. It might be a bit cluttered, but I figure you'll love me anyway.

If you had stopped by this week I wouldn't have let you in. I don't care who you were. My floors were crunchy, my counters were sticky, my laundry was mountainous, my kids were probably smelly, and meals consisted of whatever you could find. It wasn't pretty.

So this evening when the sun went down and my house was semi back in order, I gave a sigh of relief. It's now Sabbath! I can rest, re-charge, and relax for 24 hours with no guilt. 

What a blessing! What a privilege to be a part of that wonderful plan God had for us. He's an amazing God and I have thanked Him all week for seeing me through.

Ugly - vomiting for almost 12 hours straight

Bad - how crazy my week was

Good - being sick on Monday, instead of Sunday during my race

my family who helped me so much this week

my amazing, awesome husband who is an absolute angel

God's plan of rest that gives us a much needed reprieve from our work

Sabbath

I ran for me, too!

Yesterday I did something I've never done before. 

I ran 10 miles on a Saturday for a lady named Meg, that I've never met before.

First of all I don't run on Saturday. It's my Sabbath and I don't work or do things for me on Sabbath. Sabbath is a time spent with God, family, friends, and for helping others. As a family, we don't work, do chores, go shopping, or do anything that we would normally do during the week. This is so we can focus on God and others without the normal daily distractions. Since I run several times each week, I don't feel comfortable running on the Sabbath.

But on Thursday a friend sent a facebook invite to a run that was happening all over the world. The story was sad. A young women was killed on Monday morning while out running. A drunk driver hit and killed a mom out on her training run. She was a marathoner and belonged to the local running club. So her friends and family put together a race of sorts. Each person who signed up was to print out the racing bib and run on Saturday. When finished we would log in our miles so we could help Meg "finish" her miles. Several people also mentioned raising awareness for runners.

My usual long run is on Friday. So I planned to do that as normal and just run a few miles on Saturday so I could run for Meg. But Friday morning was freezing (literally), high winds, overcast, and snow coming down a bit sideways. Just getting gas in the car froze me almost solid. But Saturday morning was supposed to be sunny with no wind. I can handle the cold if the sun is shining. 

So Saturday morning I woke up way earlier than normal and bundled up. It was 15F, but I needed to do this. I'm a mom and a runner and I just couldn't get this lady off my mind. I needed to run!

I headed out as the sun was just beginning to poke it's head over the horizon. It was a beautiful sunrise. Tiny piles of snow and ice were all along the road and my breath hung in the air and fogged up my sun glasses. It was so cold, but so calm and beautiful.

And this run was so different than any other. I started out by praying for Meg's family. I added other victims of drunk driving and other runners to my list. 

But on Friday night I read a blog that really spoke to me. The author wrote it in response to Meg's death and the race on Saturday. Clink here to read the whole blog post. I believe that Meg is sleeping in Jesus. And the next thing she'll see when she opens her eyes is Jesus. So while sad, she wasn't the one I felt so burdened for. I couldn't get her precious children out of my mind. And clearly the blog writer was thinking along the same lines. I detected a bit of humor in the post and it also brought me to tears. But mostly it made me think. What type of legacy do I want to leave behind? Where would my family be and what would comfort their hearts? So I prayed for my family.

I ran for Meg, but I also ran for me. I needed that time of prayer and reflection to get my focus back on what was important in my life. So while I probably won't run again on a Saturday, I'm so glad I did yesterday. I returned chilled to the bone and red and puffy in spots from the cold. 

But I also returned with a clearer sense of my purpose as a wife, mom, and friend; my purpose as a Christian in today's world.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Meg Menzies as they deal with the loss of their wife and mom.

Photo A Day Challenge Day 21

Lunchtime

I'm cheating a bit here. But lunch was a hurried affair at a pizza place. Not very picture worthy.

So I took a picture of our supper.

It's Friday night so we always make it really special.

We use candles, wine glasses, and cloth napkins. 

The kids love the special food and the feeling of being all grown up.

I enjoy the relaxing meal with my family.