Race day.

On July 5, I ran my very first 5K. Actually, they marked the route wrong so it was not really a true 5K. Which, by the way, is a pretty discouraging thing to hear at the end of your first race. I didn't feel very good about it. I was hot and slow, but I finished. I ended up getting first place in my age bracket (30-39) which is completely ridiculous. Seriously, the only people I finished in front of must have been the 4 or 5 other people in my age bracket. So, I got a medal and had to bite my lip from busting out laughing when they handed it to me.

I am not a runner and I have always been pretty terrified of running in front of people. In elementary school I was made fun of all the time for the way that I ran and it has really stayed with me. I can still feel the pain of that awkward 10 year old being ridiculed by her "friends." And that's why I did it. I felt as though I needed to prove to myself that I could. Which makes the whole "it wasn't a true 5K" thing kind of sickening.

In the grand scheme of things this is all very silly and insignificant because I know that my identity and my worth is found in Christ. Yet at the same time I needed to stop making excuses for myself that I just was not built to run. I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). There are so many references in God's Word to life in Christ being like running a race. He made me to run. I cannot just "opt" out. So I ran. And I wasn't very good in my own eyes, my pride was crunched and I didn't perform excellent by the world's standards. What a good lesson for me. My life should be one that is running (sometimes slow and hot), but persevering toward the prize of Christ. It won't often look like success by the world's standards, but the reward is eternal, a crown that will last forever (1 Cor. 9:24-27). I want desperately to come to the end of my life and have the Lord say "You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith." (2 Tim 4:7-8), "Well done, my good and faithful servant!" (Matt 25:21)

I have got a lot more running to do.
May it be to His glory and not my own.

Princess Party update

The party went great by the way. I think the girls had a wonderful time, sipping tea and dressing up. Hopefully they walked away challenged to behave in a manor that is fitting of a daughter of the King - not because it saves them, but because it brings glory and honor to Him. Here is a silly photo of all of the leaders and helpers from the night.

Jesus is the King!

Door County

My parents put in an offer on a beautiful condo in Fish Creek, WI! Door County has a very special place in our hearts as that is where Steve and I honeymooned and where we have visited for many anniversary get-aways. It is a 3 hr. trip for us that we look forward to making. The location is amazing. It is right across the road from Peninsula State Park where we love to hike, bike and take long walks together. We also enjoy the restaurants and window shopping in Fish Creek. Within the complex, the condo also happens to be right across from the recreation center where the indoor and outdoor pools, hot tub, tennis courts and playground are located! Primo! :) The condo itself is wonderful. It is a 4 bedroom that is beautifully furnished and immaculately maintained. It has everything in it anyone could imagine from tennis racquets, to flatware, a grill and a vacuum and everything in between! We literally only need to bring our clothes, food and toothbrushes. Seriously.

My dad has been especially stressed over the decision. I can understand. It is a huge commitment with on-going expenses, but I really believe that this will be a wonderful retreat for them and our whole family. My dad has always been incredibly conservative with his money. He has been very responsible and I appreciate that. His example of financial responsibility has been a huge blessing to me and has taught me endless lessons. I certainly have benefited from his generosity on countless occassions. I fully believe that we need to be good stewards of the resources that the Lord has entrusted to us. We need to make wise financial decisions. We also need to remember that it all belongs to the Lord. Every penny. Every possession. He never intended for us to be controlled by it.

I truly believe that money can control us in many ways. Some struggle with never having enough, always wanting more or coveting the next latest treasure believing that it will somehow bring happiness or fulfillment. Others worry about every little penny, every dip in the market as if security comes from an account balance. Still others spend so irresponsibly that they become slaves to debt. None of these scenarios are God's will for our lives. His intention is that money be just another means for us to demonstrate our faithfulness to His Word and bring glory to His Name. In 1Timothy (6:17-19), Paul writes to command the rich to not be arrogant or put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Further he commands them to do good, to be rich in good deeds and to be generous and willing to share, for in this they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation in Heaven, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

God's Word is very clear about the dangers of the love of money (not money itself). I know one day I will have to stand before the throne of God and account for all that I have done. Because I have trusted Jesus Christ alone as my Savior, confessed my sin and by faith believed in His death, burial and resurrection as the sole payment for my sin, His Word tells me I will stand blameless and pure having been washed by His blood. There will also be a time for reward and loss of reward based on the choices I made in Christ. Were they ones to bring glory and honor to Him or to me? I pray that I will be found faithful. It is a daily struggle.

I pray that this condo will be one that brings glory and honor to the Lord. I pray that it is something that can be used to build family relationships, to minister to others, to be generous with for God's glory. I pray that we will find a good church there in which to serve, to fellowship and to study God's word. I pray that this will not be a vacation spot where we fall away from our Bible reading and devotion and service to God, but instead be a retreat where we can slow down and focus even more on Him. Where we can have family devotion time, unending growth and dependence on Jesus. Oh Lord, let it be.

Baseball moments

I have been spending so much time working on enjoying the moments with the kiddos. You may wonder why that would be work. Why do I feel guilty just playing? I shouldn't, but I do. It is hard to just play and enjoy them when I know that I could be cleaning, doing laundry, organizing something or making dinner. But the fact is there is ALWAYS something else that needs to be done and I can quickly waste the day doing those things instead of loving on my kids. I find at the end of those kind of days when I reflect on how I spent my time, I cannot think of any significant time that I just cherished my moments with Caleb, Luke and Chloe. And I hate that feeling. None of us knows the end of our days. There are no guarantees that I will have them tomorrow. But I do know that God has blessed me with these children for today and I need to live in TODAY and love them today. The floor can always be cleaned tomorrow. And I know my kids will never grow up wishing the house had been cleaner when they were young.

I have been praying fervently for the Holy Spirit to help me overcome my tendency to need to get something tangible accomplished. Because tickling, reading books, coloring pictures and playing catch together is HUGELY important. Spending precious time with my kids may not be tangible to me, but it sure is to them. And the time is going so quickly. Chloe is already 3 years old, Luke is 5 and Caleb is going to be 7 in less than 2 months! How can that be?

So, today we spent the whole afternoon together. We went to a picnic at VBS, drank soda and had way too many treats. Then we went to the park where we went on train rides and carousel rides and got free ice cream (which we didn't need - and my nature would say, we've had enough- but why?) Then we came home and did some chores together (which my nature would prefer to do alone, more efficiently and effectively) and quickly headed outside for more fun. We played catch. The boys improved SO much in such a short time. We caught grounders and pop-ups and practiced hitting. Even Chloe worked on her throwing and hitting. We all had such a good time. And the floor can still be cleaned tomorrow and who cares if we have french toast and eggs for dinner tonight - we'll be together.

Thank you God for helping me cherish them today.
Praising Jesus,
Karen

Procrastinating

I should be working on a talk that I am giving to the jr. and sr. high girls on Thursday night, but I am a girl who works best with a time pressure....or maybe I just procrastinate. Actually, I am really looking forward to it. It is a for our 2nd annual princess party for the G180 girls. Last year it was all about being daughters of The King, Jesus Christ. Our focus was on purity and it was a lot of fun. This year we are talking about conduct becoming of a princess. All that said, it will be a good time, but for whatever reason I am procrastinating. And I mean serious procrastination. I have done laundry, cleaned my toilets, scrubbed my kitchen sink, filled out & updated baby books, and started a blog. Now I am trying to make the blog look pretty. :0) I don't know how to add all of those fun embellishments that other blogs have, but I am enjoying trying to figure it out.

Okay, now I have to get the boys in who are beating each other with noodles with the neighbor kids and somehow got wet from head to toe. And every ball, bat, frisbee and sand bucket is in the yard. Gotta love it.

The blog world

Well, today seems as good a day as any to start a blog for our family...so here goes. First off, it is likely that I (Karen) will be doing the posting since Steve isn't much into writing down the ins and outs of our daily lives. :o) Don't get me wrong, he will love to read it and enjoy it (and laugh at me for being so into it -LOL), but contribute? Probably not high on his things to do list.

So why a blog? You know I have become very interested in following many different blogs over the last year or so and seeing the way the Lord is working in others lives. I have been journaling quite a bit ever since we began our adoption process in October of 2007 so that I can do the same. It is funny how writing things down and re-reading them helps me to remember the wondrous works of God in our family. So we'll see how this all plays out...it may just be my new on-line journal since I am fairly certain that we won't have all of kinds of people running to check our blog on a daily basis.

That's it for today...my first official post. :0)
Holding fast to Jesus,
Karen