Beware of rambling...

Well...the sleepless nights are here. I know because I'm in the middle of one right now. It happens every summer. After taking a week or so to sleep off the school year, then I'm ready to play...and apparently not just in the daytime.  And the wonky thing is that I will be in this mode for a few weeks and just as I am getting used to my new sleep schedule it will be time to set the alarm for school again. I know...this really is a problem that people in the corporate world really don't want to hear about. 

So I will change the subject. 

How is that for transition?  

I would have made the students in my English class revise that because you aren't suppose to tell your audience you are transitioning...you're just supposed to do it. Tales from an 8th grade English teacher. 

Ok...so...

I was in Hobby Lobby the other day. I love that store by the way. And what to my wondering eyes did appear but pumpkins and other fall house decor! What?  And guess what was on the top of those shelves? Yes...Christmas stuff! Now...that doesn't really bother me like it does other people...I just don't remember seeing it out this early before. It kinda made me want a pumpkin spice latte!  But then I went to the pool and I no longer wanted a pumpkin spice latte. 

I wanted a big tub of ice. 

But that was not feasible, so I just sat on the side of the pool and dangled my legs in the water. 

Which leads me to my next tidbit. Actually my next tidbit has nothing to do with dangling my legs in the water. But it sounded good...and clearly this post is just a big rambling session. 

But anyway...I ran 3 miles on Tuesday. That's really not a big deal except that I did it without stopping. And because I haven't run in several weeks, not stopping and gasping for air is a big deal. 

You see...when you run and train for a race you have to do it consistently for months before the race...so that you can run the race without stopping and gasping for air. If you don't train, it makes it incredibly difficult to endure the race. 

I haven't been running, but I have been strength training hard and consistently for the last 10 weeks.  And because I have strengthened my muscles, I was able to run my 3 miles easily without being physically exhausted.  

It's the same principle in my spiritual life. When I strengthen my spiritual muscles daily, this race I run does not exhaust me. Instead I can endure...hardships, disappointments, conflict, the mundane. Whatever life has to offer.  

Strength starts on the inside and works its way out. 

Goodnight y'all. 

Ziplisty Doo Dah...

I'm so bummed. My other half stole the remote on Sunday and therefore controlled it all day. As a result, I took in 486 hours of The U.S. Open and after that was over I was made to take in the 243 hours of NBA Finals. And do you know what that means?  Yes...It means I missed the Miss USA Pageant. Durn! And it's not about all the pageantry and big hair and beautiful dresses. It's about all the sports I had to endure. And it was two of the most boring sports of all.  And you would think that I would - with all the watching of it - actually get the game of golf and basketball, but I still don't understand the game of golf or basketball other than the object is to get the ball in the hole or net.  The calls like 'icing' and 'fumble' confuse me!  Haha...just kidding. I know golf pros aren't called for that...only basketball players are!

I guess I will get over it since that was two days ago and I have other more important things to think about today.   Like what I'm going to do since I have the whole day to not watch golf or basketball.  I love summer!

Oh oh...I found the coolest app for people who go to the grocery store.  It's called Ziplist!  It will change your life.  You can search for recipes and when you find one you like you have two choices. You can add the recipe to your recipe box so you never have to search for it again and you can add the ingredients to your shopping list!  Oh my and here's the best part...the recipes are the same recipes you find on Pinterest. Oh my word I was so happy when I saw that because I use a LOT of recipes from Pinterest. And now I don't have to go back and forth between my shopping list app and my Pinterest app to add items to my grocery list. It's all in one place!  Joy!!  Here is what it looks like...

Another highlight of my summer so far is my new bible study I've just started. It's called Gideon: Your Weakness God's Strength.  It was written by Priscilla Shirer and it is a great study so far. And I am personally connecting to it because...well...I have a lot of weaknesses!   So it's now time for me to sit and learn before I get too far into my day!

See ya later!!

My Dad...

I remember as I was growing up walking in the kitchen in the mornings to see my Dad sitting at the table reading his bible and drinking coffee. "Well, good morning, Baby Doll" was always his greeting.  I don't remember what my reply always was, but I'm fairly certain it was more like a growl than anything cheerful like his greeting.  Mornings have never been my time to shine, but that never once affected his happy nature and decision to love me anyway. 

I remember watching my Dad as he dedicated his life to the Lord by serving as a pastor.  I've heard many who were under his shepherding thank him on countless occasions for leading them well.  And I've witnessed a few who weren't as gracious.  That career is by no means an easy one, but that never once affected his happy nature and decision to love anyway. 

I remember watching as he faced a cancer diagnosis that was scary and uncertain.  As all the women in his family fell apart, it never affected his happy nature and decision to trust God anyway. 

I've watched as he has embraced his kids when faced with some really tough stuff.  I'm sure that the dad in him wanted to tear into those who messed with them.  But he didn't. Those situations never once affected his happy nature and his decision to instruct us to love anyway. 

And I've watched him in his retirement. A time when a lot of people take off and do the things they never got to do while they were in the midst of their career and raising a family.  But my dad has never once been affected by what he is entitled to and has every right to do.  He is busy in his retirement helping others to paint their house, install sprinkler systems, re-stain old furniture, change light bulbs, or whatever else others might need.  But most importantly gifting the greater OKC area with his peanut brittle crack!  He is busy...still...serving, giving, and loving others anyway.  

I was privileged as recent as last week to hear his morning greeting because he and my mom got to stay at my house for the weekend.  And as I've thought about him this last week, I've wondered how this gentle giant has been able to remain unaffected by the hardships of life and make the decision to love anyway. 

And then I see vividly in my mind the picture I saw every morning during my growing up years...him sitting at the table reading his bible. 

Makes perfect sense.

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful Dad. I love you!!