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Women Encouraging Women to Follow Christ
Confessions of a Peace Lover...
A couple of weeks ago our friend Missy asked those of us who check out these blogs each day to be thinking about women who have impacted our lives. And Missy, your question didn't fall on deaf ears, I have a feeling I'm not the only one who has been pondering your request. And I also have a feeling I'm not the only one who is wondering where to begin!
If I begin at the "beginning" I'll be writing something about Ruth Schrock, Clare Raber, Sue Yoder, Edith Marner, and other Sunday School teachers I distinctly remember from my elementary years. And let's not forget those two ladies who led Bible Adventure at the Berlin Baptist church each year!
If I skip to somewhere in the middle I'll write about Libby Pacula, my wonderful mother-in-law Esther, Suzanne Wherley, Mim Gause, and my sister and best friend, Julia, to name a few.
If I look at my life now, I'd be writing about all of the aforementioned women along with...oh where do I begin...Lisa, Cheryl, Linda, Denise, Andrea, Tammy, Faith, Corkey, Janet...you know where this is going eh? It is truly a "where do I begin?" with a "and where would I end it?" tagged on.
I am blessed to be in the midst of an ever expanding circle of friends (hey, what a great name for a ministry!) who are constantly impacting my life. All those names, and more, are people who have impacted the way I live, the way I love, the way I relate - to God, to my family, and to all those I come into contact with. And those are just some of the names I know, I am confident that there were faithful prayer warriors along the way that I am not even aware of.
Speaking of "faithful prayer warriors" - this week is our week to meet with the great folks at the Walnut Hills Retirement Home. This week is the week that a child you love will be lifted up in prayer by this precious group of seniors. This week is the week that educators, parents, coaches, aides, bus drivers, janitors, and cooks across our nation will be lifted up to our Lord and Savior by a group who is dedicated to God and committed to the privilege we have been given thru the mighty power of prayer. This week is the week that I will get to meet with a faithful crew who have, and are, impacting my life.
If you are interested in joining us or in getting a prayer group like this started in your community please contact me at beth@circleoffriends.fm
Until next time...BethLabels: Beth
Don't You Hate That?
Nothing tastes more sour than eating your own words.
I spew them forth, pontificating sage advice, only to have those same words reverberate - ricocheting off everyone around me - and smack! hit me right between my eyes. Ouch. It's especially bad if I write them. There they are, scripted in stone, or maybe cyberspace, ever ready to come back to haunt me. Did I say that? That's what I said I believed - now that I'm where the rubber meets the road - am I going to live by those words, or peel out in the opposite direction leaving tread marks - not just on the pavement, but possibly on someone's heart, including my own?
God surely must be laughing (with me not at me) at how I stumble along this path of life, thinking I have it all worked out, that I know the direction I'm headed...
Don't you hate it when you have to admit you're wrong? Especially to your children. It's not so bad when you're the one to point it out - but when they nail you - ouch. Double ouch.
I remember standing in our kitchen with my husband years ago. I don't remember what insignificant thing we were "discussing" (read "arguing about") but things were heating up when our teenage son walked into the middle of it. He grabbed a drink from the refrigerator and paused a moment in the doorway to take a swig, then said, "You guys know how stupid you sound - right?" and turned and walked out the door. My husband and I looked at each other a moment, then busted out laughing. Sometimes a verbal sledge-hammer (especially 'out of the mouths of babes') works wonderfully well in stopping us in our tracks - or words, as it were.
What we say is important. Matthew 12:36 tells us that for "every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment." In this age of reality tv, websites and blogging, there are a lot of idle words out there...
Perhaps "I'm sorry" or "I was wrong" are some of the most important words we should practice saying. All for Him Missy Labels: Missy
Friends Spotlight on Beth Beechy and Jocelyn Hamsher
Every team needs cheerleaders and these two special friends are COF's! Both of their personality tests showed they were 'Encouragers' - and they have certainly been that to me.
 Meet Beth Beechy - I don't think I have ever seen her without a smile! She describes herself as 'up-beat' and all who know her would immediately agree that she's bubbly from head to toe. It's one of the many things I love about Beth. If you have ever been to one of our events and seen her on the worship team you'll understand when I say she knows how to worship the Lord. Oh, I'm not talking about her singing voice (which is lovely) or upraised hands or whatever posture comes to mind when I mention worship. It's not about form or function. It's about passion. A life lived for the Lord. A love that permeates every area of life. That's our Beth!That vibrance carries into her life as wife, mother, and bookkeeper. If you are a regular here on our website I'm sure you've enjoyed her as she shares her heart in a regular blogging post called "Confessions of a Peace Lover". She's one of the founding members of Circle of Friends and you can also hear her often on the radio with other members of COF at ten a.m. on WNPQ 95.9 the Light. Little known facts about Beth: Her childhood nickname (I love it!) was 'Betsy Brutle Broat'. She set her sights on her husband when she was in sixth grade (I don't want to give away ages here - but it was the year I graduated from high school!) and will celebrate twenty-six years of marriage this year. She wanted to be a teacher or nurse when she grew up - and as a mother of five she is exactly that!If you see her at one of our functions (or even 'out and about') say hello to her. I know she'll bless your life as she has mine, and many, many others. This is Jocelyn Hamsher. Doesn't she look like she could have been a cheerleader? (I don't know if she was - I'll have to check that out!) She's our Event Hostess and Bible Teacher for many of our conferences. She's also a Registered Nurse, Chaplain, and Board Certified Biblical Counselor. Mother of 3 boys, she is also a Pastor's wife. She is one gifted lady! But I think one of her greatest gifts is her compassionate heart. Joc's heart is to touch the lives of women with God's love - and God is using her to do just that by her example and her teaching, by living whole-heartedly for the Lord she serves so well. In all of this, I have found one of the things I most appreciate is her authenticity. I love that she is vulnerable and transparent enough to share her struggles, and that her foundation in the Word is strong enough to lead her to obedience even in the hard circumstances. In the short time I have known her she has encouraged me again and again. I know she blesses many others with that same encouragement. She describes herself as 'fun' and I couldn't agree more! When you're with Jocelyn you are sure to be laughing. She always looks so lovely and put together, you might be surprised to know that her favorite day includes lounging around in her PJ's. What doesn't surprise me is the rest of her 'perfect day' includes a cup of coffee and some serious study time in God's Word. She loves hanging out with her family - and her husband's flirting still makes her blush!
I think Colossians 2:2,3 describes the heartbeat of these two lovely ladies, and the heart of Circle of Friends ministries as well. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. It is their passion to serve, their deep love for other women, and their willingness to sacrifice their time and talents that help COF to minister to the needs of the women of our community. I thank God for their friendship and for the opportunity and privilege to serve along side them. Labels: Missy
Musical Moments
Spring seems to be the season of musicals, and my family and I have enjoyed several experiences this year. I think the unique challenge of a musical is to be able to convey a story (believable or not doesn't really matter!) in a way that develops the characters and the plot through the various elements of music and staging more than the spoken word and dialogue among the characters. This is both tricky and challenging. The most recent musicals I have seen have been a high school presentation of "Beauty and the Beast", a community theater production of "West Side Story", and the Broadway touring company's production of "Sweeney Todd". Although these were certainly three different levels of production, each was done extremely well...and so worth the opportunity and privilege of experiencing them.
While each story is unique, the more I pondered the journey of each one, the more I found a common thread connecting them. In fact, the more I thought about so many productions I have experienced, the more I see that common thread woven somewhere into the story. Let's take a brief look at the three stories I have mentioned. "Beauty and the Beast" is filled with comedic moments amidst the tragedy of an entire castle living under a curse from which they are desperate to be free. "West Side Story" portrays love and loyalty amidst prejudice and assumed betrayal. There is so much tragic miscommunication abrew. "Sweeney Todd" is completely tragic. It is filled with heartache and vengeance born out of envy and covetousness. Again...so much miscommunication going on, which leads to sorrow and suffering. While being tragic, it has absolutely hilarious moments and is written and staged with such genius.
All three musicals are the products of genius minds, and all three focus on the element of human suffering as a result of just plain bad human choices, both self-inflicted and other-inflicted. So...here is the common thread I have found.. IT IS AS IF THE STORY ITSELF IS CRYING OUT FOR SOME KIND OF REDEMPTION...FOR SOME KIND OF A 'SAVIOR'. As I thought about this, I was reminded of Scripture. In Ecclesiastes 3:11 we are told that "God makes all things beautiful in His time, and that He has placed eternity into the minds and hearts of man". Imagine that...God, Himself creating each one of us with a 'sense' of His eternity inside of us; and He doesn't even abandon us to search for that fulfillment alone. He desires to guide us right to 'it'...which is, of course, HIM!
Let's look at Acts 17 beginning in verse 22... "So Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus said: 'Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, "TO AN UNKNOWN GOD". What you therefore worship as 'unknown', I will now tell you about.'" And you really need to read 'the rest of the story'! Paul gives the Greeks a beautiful account of who the one, true God is and what He has done for all of mankind.
My point is...and I know I can RAMBLE ON...is that God loves us SO MUCH that He places a need for Him in each one of us. He does not play 'Hide and Seek' with us, but rather 'Follow the Leader', and HE is the Leader! He desires to be found by me...by you...by everyone. He knows the impending tragedy of NOT finding Him; so...He makes it completely possible and do-able!
Now, I don't know where the hearts of those people are who had anything to do with writing the musicals of which I have spoken...whether or not they had/have a relationship with Jesus Christ, but I do know this... The stories that they have written seem to be woven with the imagery of "TO AN UNKNOWN GOD...HELP ME...SAVE ME...REDEEM ME..." Call on the name of the one true God, the Lord Jehovah, the Christ Jesus...and yes, He will!!
Thanks for reading,
Libby Labels: Libby
Acknowlege Me!
My friends recently posted this video online to share with friends and family of their beautiful six month old girl. It's hilarious. Go check it out and then come back to me...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtF63gkkW6g
Okay, for those of you too lazy to click on the link, I'll give you a little synopsis. Basically, every time the camera is off of Lyla, she cries. As soon as the camera points back to her she stops. They also show her on the floor and her dad at the computer. She literally cries until he looks at her. The second he looks away she starts crying again. It's one of the funniest things I've seen in a while. (You wanna go watch it now, don't you? Go ahead...I'll wait...)
My husband often wonders if this is what I was like as a child, because, well...let's just say I definitely don't mind being the center of his attention. I'm pretty needy, and just like Lyla, the moment he looks away I cry. It's now become a little game between us. He's pretty good at ignoring me no matter how much I pester him, so we see how much poking, prodding, whining, and other random things I can do before he actually responds to me. One time I was so frustrated with how well he was able to ignore me that I yelled (jokingly) "Acknowledge me!!!" to which he broke down laughing.
There are so many people around us that are crying out for attention, but we've gotten so good at ignoring them we don't even notice. Screaming at us, "Acknowlege me!!! I have needs. Can't you see I'm hurt, I'm hungry, I'm broken?" We simply turn our heads, look away, and let them cry.
I was reminded of the great need around me when I recently helped prepare and serve a meal at a ministry center in the heart of the city. As I looked around those who came my heart was broken. I too often find myself in my comfortable little bubble and forget about those who need the things I never think twice about having - food, clothing, shelter. What am I doing to help these people? Why am I so okay with living my life without giving a second thought to the men, women, and children who are struggling to survive?
Matthew 25 talks about Christ sitting on His throne, sorting out people like sheep and goats. It says He will say to those on His right to enter the kingdom. He says, "I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me." When the sheep reply that they don't know what He's talking about, His response is, "I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me - you did it to me."
I no longer want to look away when I see the cries of those needing attention, love, and basic human necessities. I want to acknowledge their needs and do what I can to meet them because when that day comes and I stand before my Lord,
I want to be on His right.EmilyLabels: Emily
Confessions of a Peace Lover...
A couple of years ago my sister told me about a book that had a really intriguing title, "Eat This Book", by Eugene Peterson -you may recognize his name as the man who gave us The Message translation of the Bible. I often refer to the title when I talk about the One Year Bibles that Circle of Friends Ministries LOVES to give away! (Do you have a copy? If not, just fill out the "contact us" section on this website) I mean, it makes sense; we NEED to have God's word in our daily diet.
Well this week, when I again found myself saying "We need to 'Eat This Book'!" I was rather convicted. You see, while I do read from my One Year Bible every day, I've never actually read "Eat This Book"! Oh, I have a copy, I just haven't taken the time to read it...I am simply assuming that I know what it's referring to...and you know what assuming does! So this morning I started reading this book that I keep referring to, and while I'm finding that I was "kind of" correct in what I thought it would say, I'm also finding that it has so much more to say about the banquet that God has prepared for us in order to nourish and nurture our souls.
"Christians feed on Scripture. Holy Scripture nurtures the holy community as food nurtures the human body. Christians don't simply learn or study or use Scripture, we assimilate it, take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water, missions into all the world, healing and evangelism and justice in Jesus' name, hands raised in adoration of the Father, feet washed in company with the Son."
Yeah, that's what I'm talking about...eating God's Word and allowing it to nurture and grow our souls into healthy working bodies of, and for, Christ.
At Circle of Friends Ministries we call our One Year Bible Ministry the "Andrea Project" so named for our friend and accountability partner who encouraged, (and possibly even demanded, lovingly of course!) that we make the One Year Bible a part of our daily reading, as well as a part of our accountability discussions. Back when she "made" us do this, I confess, it was a challenge. I had read parts and portions of the Bible, but never with an intentional daily plan. Andrea kept us on task (she has a degree in education, and while she didn't "grade" us, we knew we had to do our homework!) and I am so glad she did. Reading the Bible on a daily basis has changed me - from the inside out.
I don't know where you're at in your walk with Christ, but if you're at a place where God's Word isn't part of your daily schedule please consider taking advantage of the reading plan the One Year Bible offers. Start today and go from there! When I first started it was May 1, 2001. The first year it was simply a discipline I knew I needed, I was eating just to get healthy, but now I CRAVE this daily banquet!
Until next time...BethLabels: Beth
Sam-I-Am
My husband finds it enormously amusing that I love to golf. Considering the fact that when I found the golf clubs he bought me right before Christmas (and no, I wasn't snooping - he just needed a better hiding place than the closet!) I thought "What was he thinking?" and envisioned what I could have done with all that money - even a gift certificate somewhere would have been better than these...these - I didn't even have words to describe them! I think he probably has every right to chuckle. Because, after he very thoughtfully bought me lessons and didn't try to teach me himself (oh, yeah - that could have been bad!)...
I absolutely love to golf!  Like Sam-I-Am's friend in the top hat whining about not liking green eggs and ham 
or the reluctant child in the old "Try it - you'll like it!" commercial, I'm not too fond of this picture of me with folded arms refusing something without giving it a chance first. I wonder how often I do the same thing to God? "I don't want that present! I want this other blessing." Only to find out that God knew me best.  I like them, Sam-I-Am - I like green eggs and ham!
 What about you? When your life's expectations don't add up to your everyday reality do you 'taste and see that the Lord is good'? (Ps. 34:8) That His ways are not our ways (Is. 55:8)- and that He delights in giving us good things (Matt. &:11) - including the desires of our hearts (Ps. 37:4) Even when we aren't sure what that is! All for Him Missy
Labels: Missy
Daddy's Hands
Joy, amazement, 'I can't be old enough to be a grandma!', surprise, tears of happiness, and even sadness that my baby now had a baby - I have run through a gamut of emotions since my oldest son became a father last summer. I was in the delivery room at my granddaughter's birth and from those first few moments of watching my son lovingly tend to his wife through each increasingly difficult stage of labor to watching him hold his little girl for the first time - I was enthralled. It was one of those stand-back-and-be-struck-with-awe-moments in life. It was too big to really comprehend. How thankful I am that my sweet daughter-in-love allowed me, along with her own mother, to experience those precious moments with them.
In the nine months since our baby girl was born, I have watched with this same awe as my son has taken on this new role of "Daddy". There have been a few awkward, "what do I do now?" moments, but for the most part he has embraced being a dad with all the wonder, joy, and enthusiasm that makes this mama proud.
One of the things that strikes me most as I look at pictures of him holding his daughter are his hands. He's a big guy (I've been looking up to him since he was in fifth grade!) and his hands are especially big.
 I love these pictures of him holding his little girl.  Hanging on to her.  Keeping her safe.
Strong, confident hands, secure in their hold and love for his little girl.
I imagine the years ahead - of her running to her Daddy and being scooped up into his arms or snuggled on his lap, of her holding his hands to cross a street, or just swinging her arm and giggling beside him.
I longed for that kind of relationship with my own dad, who passed away a number of years ago. I knew he loved me, and I loved him, but there were walls between us that hindered any freedom I might have felt to run to him with problems and concerns, or even just to get a reassuring hug. I mourned this void in my relationship with him for years until I realized that my heavenly Father could make up for all the ways I felt my own father lacked.
It's tough being a parent. You try hard to be the best one you know how to be - but inevitably you'll make mistakes. I'm so thankful that God gave me my own 'not-so-perfect' parents - because I'm certainly a 'not-so-perfect' kid. And I grew up to be my own version of a 'not-so-perfect' parent. (I've told my children 'if you end up in therapy - I'll help pay for it!')
Maybe you come from a 'not-so-perfect' home. I think every family is 'dysfunctional' in its own way, even the best of them, but God can, and will if you let Him, fill in those cracks and patch up what's been broken.
His hands are strong, secure in their hold and love for me. I can run to Him, and sometimes I even imagine that He draws me up on His lap. I reach for those Hands - whenever I'm afraid, or need reassurance, or whenever I just want to let Him know I love Him. And sometimes, just because I want to swing my arm and skip beside Him and enjoy His presence in my life.
All for Him Missy Labels: Missy
Friends Spotlight on Peg Beechy and Dee Ann Gerber
We thought you might like to get to know some of the special ladies who are part of the Circle of Friends leadership team. Periodically I'll be introducing you to friends who are key figures in making COF a dynamic ministry.
 Meet my friend Peg Beechy. If you've come to any of our Circle of Friends events you probably haven't noticed her. She's not likely to be front and center with a microphone - either speaking or singing. She might be in the lobby greeting you as you come in, but in most cases she's somewhere behind the scenes making sure everything is running smoothly. And let me tell you, there's a myriad of little things that can go wrong at a conference, a concert, or an event - and Peg is prepared for every one of them! Without her, we would fall apart. Seriously.
Her personality test showed that she is a "deep thinker" with an "analytical mind". To me, she is a rock. An anchor-in-a-drifting-boat kind of friend. One you can count on. One you want beside you and can rely on. I've heard her described as a "genuine servant". Someone else has said she's "a worker, a server, with a huge servant's heart, loyal, faithful, ever ready to help." I think they've described her to a T. I know the Lord delights in her wonderful attitude and giving ways.
Listen to how a close friend puts it: "She loves to bake so holidays with Peg are a joy to be a part of! If you ask for a pie, she'll bring 5. If you ask for a dozen cookies, she'll probably make 10 dozen! She is generous, tender-hearted, and a first-responder in times of need. She is always prepared...and I'm not kidding! Whatever it is that you think 'Oh, I forgot' Peg will have remembered - a phone book, a paper slicer, a box of kleenex, a heavy duty mixer, whatever! Peg thinks thru the possibilities and has everything ready."
Peg is a wife, mother, friend, and co-worker. But most of all, she's God's girl, true-blue to the end, and an integral, indispensable part of the ministry here at COF.
And here's my friend Dee Ann Gerber. Another one of those ladies you won't see much of in front of the crowd, but busy helping somewhere. She's someone we depend on at COF to help get things done and would be lost without her help in so many areas of the ministry. A transplanted California girl, Dee Ann's friends have described her as "a classy lady...with an amazing, huge, loving and caring heart that is filled with wisdom, grace, and mercy."
One of her friends puts it this way, "her wisdom, graciousness, and depth of character have kept her on the path of integrity." I like that. It's a good description of this special lady. She's quiet, and is probably shaking her head about now at all this attention thrown her way, but she, like Peg, is indispensible to the ministry of COF. I'm so thankful for ladies like Dee Ann who are willing to use their gifts and talents for the Lord. I have learned much from her in the short time I've known her. I think of her as a deep, quiet pool. She's a devoted mother, friend and co-worker. Dee Ann doesn't talk a lot, but when she does I've learned to listen! Her personality test revealed she is a 'detailist'; she thinks things through and catches what others may miss! There's a verse in 1 Peter that comes to mind when I think of these two wonderful women. While their outward beauty is evident for all to see, it is their inward beauty that really makes them shine. They are, indeed 'very precious in the sight of God' - and very precious in our sight as well!
Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:3,4
And now I've introduced you to two of my favorite friends on the board of COF - and I've got a whole bunch more to share with you! I can't wait for you to meet the rest of the gang, so be watching...
Labels: Missy
The First Day of Spring
It was the perfect day. If I close my eyes I'm right back there. Laying on the cool grass, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin, a gentle breeze kissing my face. Well, the breeze and my two dogs kissing my face.
We spent the day at a local state park over the weekend. Out in the wide open, enjoying a big blue sky and trees just waiting to burst with all the leaves that are budding. Friends, family, and all of our dogs soaking in the beauty of the day, throwing frisbees, playing catch, and doing our best to toss the bean bags in the hole (we call it "cornhole" here in Indiana, otherwise known as "baggo"). An absolutely gorgeous day with some of the people I love the most. "It can't get any better than this, can it?" I asked my husband multiple times throughout the day, and he couldn't help but agree.
I love spring. I love waking up to the sun shining, digging out a pair of one of my many (and I mean many!) flip-flops to slide on, and stepping outside to discover that it really is warm for a change. I love the first time of the season you can throw burgers and hot dogs on the grill and eat out on the back porch while watching the neighbors play outside with their kids or hang the laundry out to dry. To me, that is perfection.
There really is something about the first truly beautiful spring day you get to enjoy. After a long, cold, harsh winter you feel refreshed, you feel renewed. It's an experience our friends in Florida and the like don't quite get. I almost feel like they are a little cheated. Sure, they get the majority of the year with sunshine, but us Mid-Westerners know the true value of a spring day. We've had it rough for the last few months! There's no way they can appreciate a day like that the way we can.
We all go through "winter" seasons in our lives. Periods of darkness, coldness, hopelessness. Days, months, maybe even years where we're trapped under the heaviness of circumstances in our lives, praying for the sun to shine again.
But nothing compares to the sweetness of that first day of spring. That moment when we realize what God has brought us through, and that for the first time in a long time the day seems hopeful, promising. We feel new; it is as if everything that was dead inside of us is now alive. And we know the days to follow are more of the same.
While at times I wish every day was a "spring" day - light, easy, full of fun and laughter - I know that I must go through the winter to get to the next season. As difficult as the winter may be, at the end I'm better for it, stronger, more prepared for the next time it comes around.
And I'm so thankful that after the winter, God brings that first spring day.
EmilyLabels: Emily
Confessions of a "Privileged" Peace Lover...
I had the privilege of attending a "Secret Keepers Conference" with our 10 year old daughter, Megan, and 12 year old niece, Mariah. What a delightful experience! I knew the conference would be all about modesty, and aimed at the 8 to 12 year old age group, but I wasn't quite sure what all they would talk about. Wow. They covered so much in an age appropriate way, AND they kept the 8 to 12 year olds engaged the entire time. My thanks to the women of Martins Creek Mennonite Church for doing all that they did to bring this event to our area! For more information log onto www.purefreedom.org
Another "privilege" I got to participate in this week was the parents' meeting for the State Tournament bound Lady Hawks! I've been out of this loop for a couple of years but had not forgotten how much fun the tournament trail is, especially when you've got a child involved. The camaraderie of the parents is a very special thing - and since hubby and I have four daughters we've been able to experience this wonderful ride several times...and are looking forward to more! I must give a shout out to our lone senior, Karli Mast, she was a freshman when our second daughter, Krista, was a senior. Now our 3rd daughter, Emily, is in that freshman status...but one of the great things about Hiland ball is the respect that each class has for each other. Before this season started big sis Krista told Emily "your class needs to give it all you've got for Karli - she NEVER gave up, always gave her all and left it all on the court, she deserves the same effort from all of you!" That's Karli, when you watch her play you know this is one young lady that never gives up! She is a leader on, and off, the court.
Both of our college daughters have graduated from the Lady Hawks basketball program, and both are still using the lessons they learned in their four years. Our oldest, Leah, didn't play basketball in college, but her incredible work ethic is, without a doubt, shaped by the years spent in the gym. Krista is still playing college ball, but again, the lessons she learned in the Hiland gym are benefiting her on, and off, the court. Our coaching staff is a great model of respect, hard work, preparation and maintaining a good attitude through it all. Those are the life lessons that have great reward whether in sports, school, work, or living life in a family!
And then there's the "privilege" of raising a little boy after devoting many many years to the interests of girls....none of them ever needed a terrarium to keep all their frogs/toads in; none of them ever really wanted to watch programs about bulldozers, giant squid, or any "extreme" animal behavior...we have no pictures of our daughters with a frog on their head...  oh the privilege of being a parent!
Until next time...BethLabels: Beth
Forgiveness
I'm no gardener; not a green bone or drop of blood in my body, thumb or otherwise, but even I know that weeds are no good for a garden. When we moved to Nebraska, the parsonage had a long flower bed in front of the house. Most of the flowers and bulbs planted by the former pastor's wife had been removed, but there were a few tulips and other plants left. Eventually, the bed became over run with weeds. When they got about knee-high I decided it was time I had to do something with them.
The soil was sandy and dry and pulling the weeds seemed an easy thing to do. I got about four feet along the house and felt like things were going fairly well, until I looked back to check on my progress. While I had removed most of the big weeds, there were dozens of little, tiny sprouts left just poking through the soil and there were too many to get them all. Further, although most of the weeds came out easily there were weeds that I had grasped right at the ground level and still left the roots deep in the soil when I pulled on them. They were sure to return and choke out any flowers that remained. I doggedly continued on, thinking that it would at least look better for awhile, and doing something was better than doing nothing. My determination failed moments later when my hand ran into a snake. I jumped back and screamed for my husband, letting him know that he would be finishing the weeding!
Later that afternoon I came out to check on his progress and found not only a clean flower bed, but a wet walk. At first I thought he had simply watered the flowers after he had weeded, but then I looked a little closer and discovered that he had taken the hose and soaked the soil before he began pulling out any weeds. The difference in the job he did and my own attempts were quite obvious two weeks later when those weeds I missed began to grow. Because he had taken the time to wet the soil he was able to fully remove the larger weeds by the roots, and the small weeds were easily scraped out as well. My area was once again full of weeds, while his was blooming flowers!
I've found forgiveness to be a lot like that flower bed. When we try to pull out the weeds of pain inflicted on us by others we often leave the root of the problem deep within the soul. But if we soak our lives with the Word of God we are able to remove the root from which the seeds of bitterness spring. As the Word seeps deep into our hearts and lives and we begin to apply it in practical ways of obedience, so it softens the soil for God to remove those things which have wounded us and are choking out the blossoms of His grace and mercy that He so wants to see bloom in our lives. Left undealt with those wounds will begin to fester and grow and soon crowd out the love and forgiveness that display God's handiwork in our hearts.
Forgiveness is a process and just like weeds keep coming back we often have to deal with another sprout or area of resentment in not letting go of our hurts. If we try pulling these things out of our life ourselves and not allow the Holy Spirit to soak the soil first, we simply delay the inevitable. They will rise up in our lives again as surely as those roots left in the soil grew back to crowd out the flowers. Forgiveness is authored by God. It is His forgiveness of us that enables us to forgive others. It is His grace, His mercy, His love and only by allowing Him control of our hearts and yielding our emotions to Him will we be able to pour out those things to others. Forgiveness, like love, is not an emotion or feeling; it is an act of our will, yielded to God in obedience to His Word that allows His love to flow out to others.
When we fail to forgive the seed of bitterness grows like a silent cancer within us. Clinging to our hurt becomes more damaging to ourselves than to those who hurt us. Somehow we think that if there is no visible punishment they are 'getting away with it.' No one 'gets away' with anything! God will judge everyone -every deed. So - give it up! Let God do what we can not, because loving your enemy is the ultimate in Christ-likeness.All for HimMissyLabels: Missy
A Picture is Worth...
I found myself sitting at the computer, doing some work which involved 'think time'. I didn't realize just how long I had been 'thinking', but when I looked up at the monitor, the screen had returned to screensaver mode to reveal the scrolling collage of family pictures that my husband, Mike had selected quite some time ago. I am so used to seeing these pictures; they rarely capture my attention anymore. Tonight, however, they did. I sat and just looked at them. I began to reminisce over each one and soon realized that we really DON'T take pictures of 'bad' moments and memories. Of course not! Now I will admit, I do take BAD pictures (I don't pretend to be a great photographer), but generally, I don't capture BAD moments. We all love to capture the good, even borderline, unrealistic 'Leave it to Beaver' or 'Ozzie and Harriet' family moments.
As I thought through and enjoyed each picture, I also realized that some of the GOOD memories were intertwined with sadness... a picture of my son, Darian, playing a game; a new houseplant in the background serves as a reminder that my father-in-law had just died. A picture of Darian, Mike, and my dad lounging in chairs beside an open fire at our favorite camping spot reminds me that we will never visit that spot again. It was in Dad's best interest to sell the motorhome and boat. The tents have been rolled up and put away somewhere. No...I know we won't go back. A happy picture of my sister with her husband and family...now reeling and suffering the effects of a very difficult divorce. A picture of much of my extended family playing games together in the large home of my parents; a home that is really the only one their 26 grandchildren have ever known; a home that truly was our only vacation spot for most of my married life. Now this home will be cleaned out and sold...the 'physical' memories will either be given away, sold, or thrown away. They won't even be moved to a new home with my parents. Only the things that are truly necessary will be able to go this time. Mom will move into a facility where everything will be new and strange...but then, dementia has its own cruel way of making even the most loving and familiar things new, strange, and very unwelcome. She will get to keep her cat, and she wants her piano. Ideally, Dad wants to stay in that big empty house until it sells. We will see. As soon as possible, he will move into a small, manageable home close to the facility.
All of the pictures scrolling by on my computer are so full of life, love, and smiles; but each one carries with it "the rest of the story". As time rolls by, looking at precious memories remains such a blessing. And yes, as time rolls by, those same, sweet memories tend to mingle with sadness as our circumstances change. I have often thought about how I will look at pictures with my dad, and wonder what it will be like to look at those same pictures after he is no longer living here on earth. And so, I choose to relish the beautiful memories of all of my photographs, knowing that beauty is so often a mysterious blend of joy and sorrow...sorrow that comes from loving someone so deeply, and recognizing just how little control I have over the changes that life brings. I will continue to love to capture as many beautiful memory moments as I can through the lens of a camera.
When I pick up my camera, I do so with passion and anticipation of creating a legacy of love. Our heavenly Father is like that. He is the Master Photographer. With each picture that He gives us...through nature, through His Word, through the gift of friends and family, and through any other means, He longs for us to see life through HIS lens. He longs for us to experience life filled with His passion for us and His legacy of love for us that turns our sadness to joy; our mourning into dancing. He gives purpose to certain events of life that we may never understand while on this earth. So...may we all continue to snap those pictures of beautiful memory moments...and to be willing to share "the rest of the story". God is good...all the time!
Thanks for reading,
LibbyLabels: Libby
Growing Up
Babies are adorable.
 Don't you wish you could still do this?
It would no longer be cute, of course, but still...  Really, don't you just want to kiss this face, drool and all? Much less attractive in an adult! 
Look at these rolls! My rolls? Uh, no.  Babies get away with things that adults never could.
And this is good. We expect babies to be absorbed in their own wants and needs exclusive of everyone around them. They're babies. They don't think of others because they simply can't. They need all our time and attention and how adorable is that - when you're a baby. Babies, in the natural course of events, will grow. But spiritual growth is another matter. 1 Peter 2:2 tells us that we should be like 'newborn babies' and 'crave pure spiritual milk' so that we might 'grow up' in our salvation. We are not meant to remain as children (Eph 4:14) but spiritual growth is not automatic like physical growth. We have to want to grow, we have to decide to grow, and we have to make an effort and persist in growing. As God calls us to follow Him, we must leave something behind - our childish ways, our own way of thinking, our self absorbtion, our pacifiers, our diapers, our bottles, our doll babies... Change starts with your mind. the way you think determines the way you feel and the way you feel determines the way you act. If we're to have the mind of Christ and think the way Christ thinks (Phil 2:5) then we must stop thinking immature thoughts and start thinking maturely. Because the core of the Christian lifestyle is thinking of others, as Jesus did, instead of ourselves. All for Him, Missy Labels: Missy
Being Known
You know how you have those CDs that you've practically worn out? Where you know every little run the singer sings, every oo and ah and oh in the song? I like to stock up on those for road trips to help make the drive a little easier. My favorite music usually makes being alone and bored slightly more bearable. So when I packed up for a four hour car ride to my parents' I made sure to grab a couple. The first one I popped in was Nichole Nordeman, and before I knew it I was belting out track 4, and I realized that I didn't remember singing along to every word on the three previous songs, even though I knew I had.
I thought that was pretty cool, how the mind can work and that it was just automatic. I knew it so well I didn't even have to think about what was coming out of my mouth, and so of course all that thinking about how I wasn't thinking made me start actually thinking about what I was singing (does that even come close to making any sense?? LOL). since I was pondering this profound (or at least at the time what seemed to be profound) thought, I began to actually listen to the words I was singing. And a line I've heard countless times before made me stop singing because it was like I was hearing it for the first time.
"You know how many hairs are on my head."
It's one of those phrases that is probably tossed around so much that it starts to lose its significance and its impact. At least for me it has. I know I've heard the verse in the Bible plenty of times, or sang it in that particular song and others, but in that moment on that day it struck me. God knows every single hair on my head. God knows everything about every single hair on my head. He knows which ones are gray (yes, at 22, I have found at least 3 of them!! Yikes!!), which ones have split ends, which ones will come out in the shower tomorrow. Not because He has some weird obsession with hair, but because He knows ME.
When I think about moments I have felt so overwhelmingly loved, they're moments where I've felt known. Like when I was a kid and my dad bought just the right brand of cheese puffs because he knew the ones I didn't like, or when my mom tells me she's praying for me to have patience with others because she knows how black and white I see things, or my when husband automatically grabs my hand without me asking on icy parking lots or skinny stairwells because he knows how klutzy I am and how easily I fall - these are moments where I know I'm loved because of how well they know me.
God knows more about me than anyone ever could because He made every part of me. It's not just the number of hairs on my head or the number of cells in my body. It's my hurts, my hopes, my failures, my triumphs, my strengths, and my weaknesses.
And being that known means that He loves me like nothing else I'll ever experience.
Emily
Labels: Emily
Confessions of a Peace Lover...
What makes you smile? I've had so many things to smile about this past week!
I saw a friend I hadn't seen for a while...and it thrilled me, to say the very least. I smiled all day long and into the next day too. The memory still makes me smile!
We drove two hours to a ballgame knowing it was a win/win...if they won, they would get to continue on in the tournament, and if they lost, our daughter, and her teammates, would get to enjoy the college's spring recess. When our son heard the news that losing would bring his big sis home for a few days he started cheering for the other team. That made me smile! (but I still made him stop =)
I love to follow my nieces' blogs. The updates on their kids are priceless. I'm sure glad my sister has grandbabies for me to enjoy! They always make me smile.
My mom has Alzheimer's - that in and of itself does not make me smile - but in her pleasantly confused state she says some of the funniest and dearest things. (Like asking why her name is on the door of her room but my sister's isn't? That made me smile AND laugh, and it made my sister laugh too =)
Watching our 10 year old play defense like her big sisters brings a big smile too. She is such a feisty little competitor! Off the court she may have the biggest heart of anyone I know. That makes me smile even more.
Seeing our kids make decisions that are brave, choosing "right" over "easy", setting and working hard to achieve goals - all these things make me smile, and give me great hope for their future.
I love living in a community that is small enough that you're sure to bump into a friend when you're out and about - seeing my friends always makes me smile.
Going to a high school musical, the students put so much into the production. Seeing them do so well made me smile. Bravo!
Perhaps the best smile came the day our oldest daughter called to tell me she'd had a revelation...and let me tell you, her revelation was my answered prayer!!! I smiled all day long at the memory of her words. And it reminded me of all the times I prayed "Lord, help us not to grow weary in doing what is right, help us to remember that in due season, at the proper time, YOU will supply the harvest." I first prayed that prayer about 8 years ago. Wow!
Answered prayer...now THAT makes me SMILE!!!!
Until next time...
BethLabels: Beth
On My Knees
I was flipping through the pages of one of my old journals today and came upon some prayers I had written for my children. Suddenly I burst into tears - literally great, heaving sobs - as I realized how God in His faithfulness had answered those prayers.I should make something clear here. I don't pray surface prayers - "Lord. give them health, wealth, great success, and happiness" kind of prayers. Of course I want those things for my children but I want more - so much more - for them than that. I want a deeper spiritual walk, a greater passion for Christ, a hunger for God's Word, a consuming, compelling love for unbelievers, a compassion for their brothers and sisters in the Lord. I want them to have perseverance and strength for the long haul. No, my prayers for my children go far deeper than the surface circumstances of their lives. Which, of course, is asking for "trouble"!My son called me the other day and said, "Mom! Stop praying! I want you to send me your prayer list - don't pray anymore until I approve what you're praying for me." He was kidding (I hope). While I ache for my children as they encounter trials and challenging circumstances of life, on another level I also rejoice, and pray harder that they will learn the lessons God has for them in each situation. It's a little like praying for patience - you just know God is going to send opportunities for you to practice walking in the Spirit and producing that fruit - which of course means life is going to get complicated and quite likely frustrating! It also teaches us that we can't rely on ourselves and must rely on God.So - Sorry, Son. No censoring of the prayer list. Call it love - or 'knowing what's best for you' or maybe - 'payback'?All for HimMissyLabels: Missy
Friends Spotlight
I went back to my hometown for a family reunion and while there I saw a woman I hadn't had contact with for many years. I was there to catch up with family and friends, but seeing this precious lady made me even more nostalgic for my youth and the people who impacted my life and helped me become who I am.God has gifted me with a number of wonderful women to call friends, who have loved, encouraged, and even 'nudged' (I use the term loosely!) me in the right direction, but there are also women who have been my mentors. Who have taught me, mostly by example, what it is to love and follow the Lord, to stay the course no matter the obstacles, and to win the victory through Christ by perseverance.A lady named June was the first of these women in my life. I was college-aged and she was married with young teens. Her love for me was unconditional and her example of godliness life-impacting. She was truly a 'gentle, quiet spirit' found in 1 Peter 3:4. She taught me effortlessly, molding and helping to shape me without me even being aware of it. Not by preaching or lecturing (which I surely would have ignored!) but by simply listening to me and loving me regardless of the choices I was making in my life. She lived without compromise - for herself - and non-judgement of me, while always, always pointing me back to the Word of God. I loved her dearly, and called her my spiritual mother. Her life and example of fully trusting God through even the most difficult of trials has been life-altering for me. She would be astounded to know this - because her heart was truly humble. She served the Lord with everything she had and made me want to do the same.How about you - have you had a friend or mentor in your life that has led by example? Oh, we know all the 'famous' ladies and are oh, so thankful for the ministries God has given them. But I think the ones God wants to honor are those who don't recognize how great they really are! So here's your chance to honor those who have impacted your life. Email me at missy@circleoffriends.fm describing your friendship and how that has encouraged your walk with Christ and I will feature your friend or mentor in "Friends Spotlight". Stay Tuned! All for HimMissy Labels: Missy
Three Little (Big) Words
Okay...what are those three little words that moms LOVE to hear? Hmmm... "More money please?" "You're getting fat." "You're getting old." "You're getting gray." (I'm sure there are many more adjectives that could fill in those blanks!) Alas...those three words are, of course, "I love you!". My daughters have always seemed to be more comfortable at expressing those words than my son is. Especially now that they are well past 'grown', that beloved phrase comes readily and seems to hold with it a new meaning of seriousness. When I hear my girls say it, I know they absolutely mean it, and they are not simply reciting it much like one would say "God bless you" after someone sneezes! It's as if they are implying, "I hope you truly believe me, Mom, when I say 'I love you'; because I really do with all of my heart!" Their profession of love toward me at this stage of their lives is kind of like the amplified version of the Bible! Believe me...I LOVE IT!!
However, did I mention my son? Oh yes...Darian. I suppose being thirteen...and a boy...makes it pardonable that he does not utter that precious phrase as often as I would like to hear it. Suffice it to say, I will take what I can get, when he wants to give it! I have learned that he shows his affections toward me in his unique ways, and that those ways change as he changes. One of his traditions, STILL, is his bedtime routine. Even at the mature age of thirteen, he HAS to have either me or his dad tuck him in bed each night and say prayers with him. If it happens to be his dad, Darian still doesn't want to go to sleep without me saying good night as well, and then his final THREE WORDS to me as I go out the door are... "Check on me." And I do. Each night that I possibly can, I tiptoe back into his room and 'check on him'. Even when he is sound asleep, he has faith that I will do as he has asked. This is one precious memory!
Before I leave his room, and before he says "check on me", I always say to him, "I love you"...to which he responds, "...Love you, too". His response is without fail, but it is always triggered by my saying that much needed phrase to HIM first. I'm very okay with that. I have never said anything to the contrary about it to him. I just love to hear him say that he loves me...no matter what the motivation.
The other night, I needed to run a quick emergency errand for my mother-in-law. It was nothing major; it just needed to be done in a timely manner. Darian opted to stay home while I was gone. As I was ready to leave, I noticed that he was in the bathroom, so I just said my good-byes through the closed door. He asked me to call him when I was on my way home. I said I would, and then I said 'good-bye'. He also said 'good-bye'. Then, with my back already turned, I heard his voice through that closed door as he said, "I love you, Mom". I responded with "I love you, too", and then I was gone. Now he doesn't know what transpired next...and you, dear readers, may think I am an emotion-filled quack...but that is okay. (I probably am!) I cried. Do you know how my heart felt...no...how my WHOLE body felt...just to hear him say those words with such conviction? And to say them without his phrase being a 'necessary' response to my phrase? That is pure joy! Honestly, I am still cherishing that memory. Don't get me wrong...Darian has spoken that beautiful phrase purely by his own intrinsic motivation before; it just isn't as frequent as that of my girls.
As I thought about how I felt when he spoke those words to me, I found myself thinking about my heavenly Father...Abba Father...Daddy. I know He loves me, and I know that I desire to do the 'right' things to show my love FOR Him TO Him. But, does He get an extra charge when I spontaneously blurt out to Him, "I LOVE YOU!!" Oh, I want Him to! I want Him to know that my love for Him comes from deep within me, and it is not merely a response to His love for me. It is also a response that CAN'T BE HELPED OR SILENCED. I don't think Darian planned to say "I love you, Mom" in that moment. In that moment, his love spilled out of him because he could no longer contain that emotion...and it splashed all over me! That is what I want to give to Jesus. I want my 'uncontainable' love for Him to just spill out...unplanned...and splash all over Him!
Thanks for reading...
Libby Labels: Libby
Open Arms
I recently got to spend time with some very close friends. We don't get to be together a whole lot since we're now in 3 different states, but they're the kind of friends that we pick up right where we left off. It wasn't too long before we started bringing up old stories, one of which was my infamous car wreck.
My best friend Stephanie and I spent time together shopping and hanging one summer day before our senior year started, and decided to go to a Christian bookstore. We were in a city that I normally didn't drive around in, but I thought I was pretty sure I knew where I was going. We weren't in a huge hurry, so even after 45 minutes of not finding it, we weren't too worried. Then, suddenly, I found myself in the middle of a wreck. I apparently had run a red light (I still don't remember seeing it) and a car (who had the right of way) turned into me. Stephanie often likes to remind me that I "almost killed her," since it was the passenger side that got hit. And I kindly remind her that she "almost killed me" once as well, since we had our own incident due to her driving, but that's a story for another day.
We laugh hysterically about it now, because by the time the excitement of it had died down and our car was safely off the road and the other driver (who was way too gracious to me) was on his way, we found ourselves in the parking lot of none other than the bookstore we had spent so much time driving around to find, and had I managed to stop at that red light, we would have been there moments later.
I still remember calling my dad to let him know I had wrecked the car. Never for one second did he sound upset but simply asked if I was okay and said he'd be there as soon as he could to see if he could get the car home. I was so nervous when I saw his car pull into that parking lot. But when he stepped out of the car his arms were outstretched as he walked towards me and embraced me in a huge hug.
I often remind myself of that moment when thinking about approaching my Heavenly Father when I've done something wrong or stupid. When I call on Him, admit what I've done, His response is like my dad's. He longs to embrace me and fix the mess I've made. Sure, there are consequences for my actions, just like I had to spend my senior year driving a car with proof my accident on the side, we often bear the scars of sin. But we have a Father who is loving, and who is faithful and just to forgive us our sins when we confess them to Him.
I've imagined what it would have been like had I tried to hide the accident from my father. There's no way he wouldn't have noticed the damage to the car. As ridiculous as that would have been it's just as ridiculous to try to hide my sin from my Abba Father, for He knows what I've done and longs for me to come to Him when I've "wrecked the car." There's no reason to approach the throne of grace afraid, because it is a throne of GRACE.
And when we find ourselves there broken over our sins, we are met with open arms.
Emily
Labels: Emily
Confessions of a Peace Lover...
A couple of weeks ago I talked about the accountability group I've been a part of for the past nine years. While our group has seen many changes thru the years one of the things that has remained (pretty much) the same is the list of questions we can, and do, ask of each other. These questions have been part of the glue that has held us together.
Giving someone permission to ask questions we'd often rather avoid can be quite intimidating! But part of setting up healthy boundaries in our lives is having a healthy support system to, well, support us! That's what loving accountability will do. It will support you thru a storm, thru a valley, and even thru a graduation party (or two...or more!...I hope =)
The questions keep us focused on what it really important - on the big picture - in our lives. And often the stuff that is making us crazy is doing so because we've gotten out of focus.
So what are these questions that "bind us together" like glue; set healthy boundaries; support us; and keep us focused? I'm glad you asked!
Questions for Accountability: 1. Have I been a verbal testimony to Christ?
2. Have I spent adequate time in prayer and reading God's Word?
3. Have I seen any sexually explicit material that will damage my relationship with my husband or Christ?
4. Have I spent money recklessly? Have I demonstrated good stewardship?
5. Have I intentionally honored my husband and children?
6. Have I damaged another with my words?
7. Have I given in to an addiction in my life?
8. Have I remained angry towards another?
9. Have I wished misfortune or hardship on anyone?
10. Have I been totally honest today?
I've added another one to my list - "Have I allowed any person or circumstance to rob me of my joy?"
Fortunately these questions are not a test, it's not pass/fail, but they are a healthy reminder of what matters most. And isn't that what we all want in our lives? To take care of the things that matter most, to enjoy all that God has blessed us with, to, as the sign in my house says, "Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much".
Until next time...
Beth
Labels: Beth
A Walk In The Park
I ate too much at lunch today.
I hate when I do that. I've doing pretty well, watching my calories, eating what I brought and not spending money on eating out at work on food I know is not good for me. But today...I gave in. When a co-worker said she was going out and asked me if I wanted anything, I didn't have the will power to say no for the third day in a row. Not only did I eat this unhealthy lunch, I ate way too much of it, because, well...I paid for it, right? There's starving kids in Africa, right? Mom always said to clean your plate, right?
Since I ate at my desk while I worked I still got to take my 30 minutes, and I decided the best way to fix my mistake was to take a brisk walk. There's this park down the road (which is really just this random section of trees the town has decided not to chop down) that I thought had some trails. It's nestled in between some housing developments and an elementary school. I parked at the school and began my walk.
It was a pretty comfortable temperature for the season; the snow had melted and it felt nice out. Not a bad day for a walk. My first discovery however was that these paths weren't paved like I had thought, but they were covered in leaves and the ground didn't seem too wet. The first few moments of my walk were nice. Birds chirping, my mind in a pretty quiet state. Then the leaves seemed to disappear and I realized I was pretty much walking on wet, sludgy, sloppy mud. Not yet discouraged I walked on the leaves next to the path, which worked for a while until I realized that this wasn't just a patch of trees, it was woods. With broken trees to jump over and rocks and thorns and twigs scratching my ankles and snagging my coat.
I found myself at the end of the "park" and in a housing development which I decided to walk around. When I realized that it didn't quite end up at the road I thought it would and I was getting short on time, I came back around to the woods and thought I could cut back through until I met up with the path and found my car. As I cut through the woods it quickly became apparent that probably wasn't the best idea, as I was once again trudging through the mud and brushing branches from my face.
Finally, I made my way back to the path. As I sighed in relief, I felt something wet. And then a few more somethings wet. Rain. It was raining. Perfect. Too far to really run at this point, I had no choice but to bear it until I found my car.
As I climbed into the driver's seat I swear I could hear God chuckle, and I quickly learned my lesson. There are no shortcuts in life. When you do something stupid, there's no easy way to fix it. That little adventure didn't burn off all the extra calories I knew I consumed, and I had only got myself in further trouble every step I took. Though I was wet, tired, and muddy, I was thankful for the reminder to have patience along the way and for the knowledge that God is with me on my crazy journey...Wherever it takes me.EmilyLabels: Emily
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