A Closer "Run" With Thee

A tall, familiar man stands on the sidelines. I reach out to touch him. Yes, I know those hands and that touch -- my husband. I long to be pulled off the stretch but the current pulls me back. Bumping along I fall over a pile of laundry, break my toe on a baby gate and load the dishwasher. I see two mirror images of myself in differing heights amused at my break-neck speed. They applaud and begin to yell a name I should always be honored to answer -- but it rings in my hears today -- a piercing ring that shatters my senses. I toss one to bed and the other a book. I continue the pace -- babysitters, work, babysitters, home, supper, play, baths, bed -- collapse -- oh... kiss -- goodnight, babe.... Thunder. Baby's cry. No electricity. Candles. No alarm. Cell phone "Tools" -- now we have alarm, no snooze. Late. Rush. Babysitters. Rush. Work. Babysitters. VBS. Dinner (late). Baths. Crash into bed, oh.....kiss blown across the pillow -- goodnight, honey. With the exception of loosing electricity the 2 days that followed were pretty much the same as the aforementioned. Then on the fourth day, after work I drove along with the girls up to youth camp. I so enjoyed seeing the place swarming with kids. We stayed all night and I helped out with some volleyball game refereeing. We made it back that evening in time for the VBS program. The next morning it was off to work again, but without one set of wheels! Wayne was taxi driver -- dropping me off to work and taking the girls to have a fun day with Aunt 'Chele. After working it was a nice evening with friends at Out Back and then to the house for cards. Sunday morning -- relax, enjoy the day of the Lord -- should be, but in reality.... That familiar taller mirror image speaks -- "I 'm supposed to dress up like a dog Sunday" -- she had reminded me the night before, but too tired to be creative -- I thought I'd sleep on it. And, yes, at about 6 am I was inspired. She had a white T shirt. + I have black paint. = One adorable Dalmatian. She won 50 pts for that -- Way to go Lauryn!
The start of my week was just a continuation from Friday minus VBS. Monday evening was a nice break -- I had a friend over and we had plans to relax at a favorite little coffee house. We found the sweetest little sign on the door -- CLOSED SUNDAYS and MONDAYS -- pure joy. Despite the disappointment we found a replacement and enjoyed the night 'midst Brookie's rice art on the floor and occasional squeals of delight and dismay.
Tuesday, yes, I worked again and after picking up my cherubs from my angelic sister-in-law (thank you Buffy!) we headed to soccer practice. Back home it was the dinner, bath, bed combo for Brookie. For Lauryn and I - we had to do chores. Chores done, I, along side Lauryn on the 4 wheeler, ran. It was heavenly. Ten o'clock at night, stars, the smell of fresh cut hay, cool air -- it was just what this worn out mom needed. Sleep came easy and I hardly noticed when my man kissed me goodnight at 2am as he was just getting in bed! Can't leave hay out for the rain to ruin. He's my hero! Such a stud!
Oh, well, I said all of that to say this..... I am crazy! No, and I can hear you now, but really hear me out. I am my worst enemy some days. I didn't even mention that I locked my keys in my truck this week. In reality, Wayne locked them in, but I failed to remove them before they were locked in. Wayne was just getting ready to leave work to unlock it for me so I could go on to work when I found the long lost spare set of keys. These keys have been missing over a year -- a miracle. So back to the reason -- I get crazy, emotional, worried and sometimes tormented, but today I sat down at the piano and I came across a song that has been on my mind lately. This is the way I feel and this is what it is all about. This is survival.

I am weak but Thou art strong,

Jesus keep me from all wrong;

I'll be satisfied as long

As I walk let me walk close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea;

Daily walking close to Thee,

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Walking with God makes my life worth living and not only that but enjoyable. Some days are rough and we forget He's there beside us, but there is a better day around the bend. Some days it is not a walk, but did I mention I love to run....

I have a friend to thank. We were standing in the bookstore at camp and she pulled a rather over sized paperback book out of the shelf and asked if I had ever read it. I told her no and she told me I should and that it is very good. That was understating it by quite a bit, but keep in mind I'm the excitable sanguine and she's rather cool and collected. So it is no surprise that I have told most everyone that has even cast an eye in my direction for the last two days about this book. Thank you, Heather for recommending it. Now I'm doing you all the same favor. The suspense I can feel it.... First, the things I learned from this book or maybe I should say how this booked changed my life.... I was brought to tears over the love of God. It never hit me that way. God takes us in His arms blesses us over and over again with gifts we hardly even recognize as such when we don't deserve them. Are you listening -- reading? We don't deserve them! We are self centered little punks (pioneer woman you are wearing off on me) who think we are entitled to a good life. When we are not even deserving of the air we breathe. But back to the love. Then I am faced with the love we are to show others. The love God gives us in our hearts to show others that they may see Him through us. This is where I'm spellbound. I find myself blurry-eyed often lately thinking about this. I want to love someone to God. I have been so miserably inadequate at this. Me, who hasn't read a novel probably in a year, took a book about discipline on vacation with me (very weird I know), but who is constantly looking for insight -- finds it in a novel. Thank you God for speaking to me through this. Now go beg, borrow or buy Francine Rivers ~ Redeeming Love off of someone and let me know if I am just being my excitable self of did it hit you the same way.

Love, wl

P.S. I took this picture several weeks ago. It doesn't quite do the evening justice. It was beautiful and after writing this it just seemed to be the right one to post. A gentle reminder of a loving God who gave us a quiet evening in the country with a thin blanket of fog above a flourishing hay field -- depicting such artistry. And reminding us that God sends blessings to enjoy sometimes in unsuspecting places and times -- we just need to open our eyes. (Oh, and I can't forget Luck -- another blessing. I am blessed to have a childhood dream come true -- my own horse.)

Fourth of July

Happy Birthday USA!

In case you haven't taken the time to realize, this is the greatest nation on earth. I am proud to be among the brave, free, and "in God we trust". We are a blessed people.

Thank you God for the privilege of being born, living, and raising my children in the United Stated of America. May I never take such a blessing for granted.

I along with many others will show off my patriotic spirit today. We'll sport the red, white, and blue. Say go USA! And wave the Flag, but I am going to try and see it through different eyes today: the patriot that is on foreign soil seeing the price that is paid for freedom first hand, the Christian imprisoned for living his Faith, the child that is born into slavery.

I hope you all have a wonderful Fourth of July and experience a renewed sense of appreciation for our country and our God.

My country 'tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty,

Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, Land of the

Pilgrims' pride. From every mountain-side Let freedom ring!

My native country, thee, Land of the noble, free,

Thy name I love. I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and

templed hills; My heart with rapture thrills Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees

Sweet freedom's song; Let mortal tongues awake: Let all that

breathe partake; Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong.

Our fathers' God, to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing.

Long may our land be bright With freedom's holy light:

Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King!

She did it!

My "Wild" did it. She took the hand of her timid groomsman and gracefully made their way down the long aisle. Bamboo adorned with Wisteria, a soft breeze whispering and one hundred strange people watching their every move -- they did it! My mother's heart swelled with pride as a very unlikely miniature bride proved her daddy (and others - I'm sure) wrong. Thank you, Jesus, for small miracles. And thank you all, who said a prayer in her behalf.

We (Shannon and I) gingerly sat them down at the back of the outdoor sanctuary. We gave them a little pep talk - ever so careful to maintain absolute calmness. I gave them both a Skittle and instructed Brooklyn to go see Daddy. "Daddy will give you more candy. Play wedding with Michael. Hold his hand. Good girl!" Two big, trusting, blue eyes looked adoringly at her mama and sat forth to make her proud. Then to Michael -- with John Deere tractor in hand, Skittle in chew -- I said go see Mommy and Daddy. His sparkling eyes seem to take me up on the offer. Then joining hands they started down, looking like two angels in the midst of a fairytale setting - a perfect outdoor, country wedding.

AND THEN... my Wild came in contact with her natural instincts and dropped the hand of her handsome beau, whirled on her heal and ran back to mama.

Left standing was a bewildered miniature groom. I breathed...and then I calmly took the hand of the runaway miniature bride. Walked her back to the jilted miniature groom and said "Daddy is right up there. Go see Daddy. Play wedding with Michael." Catching a glimpse of daddy -- courage restored -- wild suppressed -- she took Michael's hand and resumed the march. And then, I knew, she was really going to do it.

I felt like doing a victory dance and high-fiving the usher! Brookie, you and Michael rock.

The show might have been for Sarah and Mark, but you stole it..... we won't tell them. I am so proud of you both.

I want to say a big "thank you to Grammy - my mom for allowing Brookie to have a non complicated morning the day of the wedding. She was oblivious to most of the last minute hustle and craziness her mama was attending to because "Grammy" was there. And Aunt 'Chele - thank you for keeping Brookie entertained and out of the wedding cake up until she was to do her part. (My apologies to the bridesmaids whom Wild might have driven crazy from the derby she was participating in on the squeaky rocking horse.) You two are the best. Thank you !

On a more serious note. The wedding was storybook quality -- and not because I helped -- but because God was smiling on us and blessed us with a warm summer day laced with gentle breezes followed by a breath taking sunset. God is good!

God bless you -- Sarah and Mark! And may this be only the first in a lifetime full of happy days.

For some great pics of the whole day go to (where I stole these pics - thank you K & J) visit Katie and Janella under my Family and Friends.