tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48666599828203710972024-02-23T00:50:45.913-06:00joyfulmomofmanyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.comBlogger338125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-13231964892170378892015-06-29T07:18:00.000-05:002015-06-29T07:19:27.288-05:00I've moved!I am super-excited to announce that after eight years of blogging here, I have designed and built <a href="http://susanemoore.com/" target="_blank"><span id="goog_620811195"></span>a new website<span id="goog_620811196"></span></a>. I will now be blogging at www.susanemoore.com.<br />
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Please stop in and visit me there! I can hardly wait to show you <a href="http://susanemoore.com/" target="_blank">my new web home</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-25062959956094799222015-01-09T13:55:00.004-06:002015-01-09T13:55:40.700-06:00Happy 2015!!<br />
<span style="color: #aad977; float: left; font-family: times; font-size: 100px; line-height: 80px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 1px;">H</span>ello friends! Coordinating schedules with the 11 children who live nearby is a monumental challenge, but we pulled it off once again! I just might get all fancy and figure out how to switch Josh's head in this picture with one where he was looking at the camera, but since I don't know if or when I'll make that a priority, I thought I'd share this one with you.<br />
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Left to right: Hannah, me, Josiah, Timothy, Micah, Joshua, Abigail, Jacob, Caleb, Jonathan, Daniel and Gabriel. Sadly, Nate, who is in the Army "suffering" in Hawaii, couldn't make it back home this year. <br />
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And, just for fun, a few outtakes!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-18457980219914746662014-10-04T21:43:00.000-05:002014-10-04T21:43:14.051-05:00My story- part 2Hello friends! I can hardly believe that it has been almost 6 months since I last wrote here in this place. I never would have anticipated that it would be so difficult for me to simply show up and write here. I have been thinking about this post and reconnecting with my friends here for several weeks now, and I do think that I am finally ready.<br />
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So friend, please, come in! Let's sit down and spend some time getting caught up, shall we?<br />
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In <a href="http://www.joyfulmomofmany.com/2014/04/in-which-i-share-my-story-part-1.html" target="_blank">"Part 1" of my story</a>, I promised that I'd share about the past almost 2 years now since I was forced to flee with my children to escape a very abusive 27 year long marriage.<br />
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It has been hard for me to decide how to summarize all that has happened since we left. There has been so much! I could tell you about the physical trials that I've had: falling and shattering my right wrist, about having a hysterectomy, or competing in my second half-IronMan triathlon competition this past spring anyway. Swimming, biking and running has played a *huge* role in helping me cope with stress, recover from the trauma in my past and be brave about facing my life now.<br />
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I could write about how incredibly overwhelming it is to single parent the 9 children who are still living here with me. I could tell you how hard it has been to give up homeschooling after 20 years and of the challenges of helping children adapt to public school (I will tell you that it's <i>not </i>been the Evil Empire that I was led to believe though!).<br />
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I could share with you about the absolute gut-wrenching heartache of watching and trying to help as older children navigate the deep waters of the emotional fallout from having lived with an abusive father for so many years.<br />
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I could tell you of my own personal losses: my beloved farm home and animals, my large gardens, my <a href="http://www.joyfulmomofmany.com/search/label/Kitchen" target="_blank">huge kitchen</a> that I planned and had built.<br />
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I could tell you about my own emotional struggles... and honestly, "struggles" isn't a strong enough word. I didn't know it was possible to be as overwhelmed, flat-out broken and emotionally destitute as I have been the past 2 years (and even that description falls short of explaining my emotional state). There were many days when it took everything within me to simply get out of bed and care for my children, but God has shown up and given me the strength to get up and keep putting one foot in front of the other until it was time to fall into bed again at the end of the day.<br />
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I could tell you about my struggles spiritually: How for so long, I couldn't even pray for the children and me; I simply had to trust that the Lord would honor the faithful prayers of those who love us. I could give you a glimpse into the incredibly confusing and painful fallout from years of spiritual abuse; the tremendous level of panic I battle now simply attending church, and the fact that I still can't even read my Bible. God has met me me here too and continues to do so, through grace-filled, truthful words from friends, through praise and worship music and other simple means.<br />
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I may or may not write more about those things in the future, but for now I want to say this: God is good. He is faithful. He has so gently carried me when I could not even stand on my own. He has loved me even when I have not been able to do or be or bring anything to Him, other than my very broken self.<br />
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He has shown up and met us at every scary turn in this dark path I am treading; this path that I never would have chosen on my own. He has provided faithful friends, some of whom have been willing to walk alongside me and hold my hand even when I was crying out in despair, convinced that I couldn't take another step.<br />
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In spite of the tremendous amount of heartache that I am dealing with, and the overwhelming nature of my job now as a single parent, it is not all gloom and doom here. We laugh freely, no longer afraid of random acts of violence... no longer living, cowering in our own home. Those of us who were most injured emotionally are recovering. It is a slow process, but we are all headed the right direction now.<br />
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It is easy to assume that once a woman is out of an abusive marriage, the worst is behind her. Certainly in many ways that is true, but that minimizes the recovery process. This process, of owning my story, and admitting all that actually went on, of choosing to believe truth rather than the distorted perspective that I had to believe in order to simply survive for so many years, is more painful, and at times, debilitating, than I can yet articulate.<br />
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Do I regret leaving? Absolutely not. I regret not being able to see the abuse for what it was, and I regret not rescuing my children sooner by standing up to my then husband, and demanding that he get the help that he needed. I have learned this: It is loving to steadfastly demand that the one you love get help. And if that person refuses to admit their sin and get help, the most loving thing that you can do is to leave, and stay gone.<br />
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I have apologized to the children for not seeing things for what they were and getting out sooner. They are so sweet. They have reassured me that they harbor no grudge against me, but have even reminded me that had I left years ago, we wouldn't have some of the youngest children. "And what would we do without Dan or Tim?" they have asked me. Point well taken. <br />
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And since you are probably wondering, I'll share a few additional details with you. As you may have figured out, I had to leave my beloved farm home. The children and I are settled into a home which is, in so many ways, perfect for us right now. Here too I see the Lord's hand. I do miss my farm, but honestly it takes a lot to run a farm (I had not only large gardens, but also a herd of Nubian dairy goats, plus we raised chickens for eggs and organic meat) and there is no possible way that I could have taken care of those responsibilities during the past two years.<br />
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A little sketch of our new home!<br />
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The house we live in now, while *much* smaller than my farm home, is lovely. It is on a quiet cul-de-sac in the back of a subdivision. Our neighbors couldn't be more wonderful and we back right up to a park with a beautiful paved exercise trail! I have spent so many hours running and cycling there during the past year-and-a-half, both by myself and with my children.<br />
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Our back yard is so steep and heavily wooded that it has never been cleared. It is not only lovely but also makes it feel like I am in my own personal tree fort when I look out any of the windows on the back of the house. Plus, I don't have to worry about maintaining or mowing it! Our front yard is so small that I actually purchased an electric lawn mower and weed eater to care for it. The small yard wouldn't work for a larger dog, but my little Corgi Jasper thinks that it is just fine.<br />
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I will also tell you that all of the children are now in public schools here. I homeschooled for 20 years and never, never thought that I'd put my children into public school, but for us, here, and now (and we do live in a good school district), this was most certainly the right decision. It was a tremendously emotional and hard decision for me to make. Are there negatives about public school? Certainly. There are, quite honestly, negative things about homeschooling as well. Public school has been an overwhelming positive experience for my children.<br />
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Many of their teachers and academic advisors are Christians and almost without exception, everyone that we have worked with there have been incredibly helpful, kind and supportive of the children.<br />
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Additionally, I have been so proud to watch my children make good decisions about friends and how they choose to respond to the negative things that they have been exposed to.<br />
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There is so much that I don't understand; that I'll likely never understand about why God allows and has even ordained this very hard, dark and rocky path for me. It is enough for me to know that He loves me and that He cares. Well, some days it's enough, some days, not so much! :)<br />
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The truth is that I don't want this... this story for my life, it's not at all what I would have written, but I do want Him, and I want to follow Him with my whole heart. That's the hardest thing, isn't it? Following even when the story of our lives, this path, isn't the one we would have chosen.<br />
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And friend? You may be walking a hard path now, or you may be in the future. Almost all of us will have hard trials of one form or another before we die. Please know this: A dark and rocky path does not mean that the Lord is against you. It does not mean that He is disappointed in you.<br />
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I hope to be able to meet you here in this place more frequently now. There is still so much that I can't verbalize and that I won't be able to write about here, but I will share encouragement and things that I am learning as I am able.<br />
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I've had caring friends ask what they can do for us. Honestly, the thing that I most need right now is your continued faithful prayers. Knowing that I do not walk this path alone means so much to me. Sometimes, when I'm really struggling I will withdraw from people and can't even articulate the depths of my pain, confusion and despair. What I really need are patient friends who are willing to come alongside me and listen, with an occasional hug thrown in for good measure.<br />
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Are you overwhelmed or despairing? If I were there with you, I'd cry with you, I'd give you a gentle hug and I'd sit with you. I'm not even going to try to offer solutions or advice, because I certainly don't have simple answers. This life is at times so hard, so unimaginably hard. <br />
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Are you familiar with the song <a href="http://youtu.be/YNqo4Un2uZI" target="_blank">"It is Well" by Bethel Music</a>? Oh! How that song speaks to my soul!<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Through it all, through it all, my eyes are on You,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and it is well with me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Far be it from me to not believe</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">even when my eyes can't see...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So let it go my soul</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and trust in Him</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the waves and wind still </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">know His name..."</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YNqo4Un2uZI" width="560"></iframe>
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yes. The storms will rage, but the waves and wind do still know His name.<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" Mark 4:41b</span></div>
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Hugs to you, my friends! To those of you who have so faithfully kept checking in here to see if I've posted, and to those who have contacted me, to let me know that you miss me and that you've been praying, <i>thank you</i>. You are deeply appreciated. I've missed visiting with you here.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-76271129220861049532014-04-09T20:12:00.000-05:002014-10-08T08:20:39.235-05:00In which I share my story- part 1<span style="line-height: 1.3em;">I have hinted about some of the challenging things which have transpired in my life during the past 2 years, but have now decided that it is time for me to be a bit more honest here, in hopes that I can be an encouragement to others who are walking a similar path.</span><br />
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It is so much easier for me to avoid blogging when I am struggling, to not share the messy parts of my life. For that reason I have only posted 5 times in the past year. And honestly? This is really scary for me to publicly tell my story. It's a pretty messy story, but this is also true: God specializes in redeeming messes and bringing beauty from ashes. This I do know. I know it even when I am crying out in despair because I am in the thick of it all right now. He always meets me in those dark, dark places. Every time. <span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzRDGhnYgOs3X24EJR4M9PEDKo1a46rrnaD9av25BwLXuEF9Z0d85SRXnA1iCVLpb8roIyfTW27acnaftSF9DY8Yqw5DSG5xnjCJi4MYhj9jnIoFMnK2V3uLGUbhOxYhIrA9oiV4HnAQ/s1600/_MG_7576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" class="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzRDGhnYgOs3X24EJR4M9PEDKo1a46rrnaD9av25BwLXuEF9Z0d85SRXnA1iCVLpb8roIyfTW27acnaftSF9DY8Yqw5DSG5xnjCJi4MYhj9jnIoFMnK2V3uLGUbhOxYhIrA9oiV4HnAQ/s1600/_MG_7576.jpg" height="426" id="blogsy-1397087620980.416" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the hope of new spring growth</td></tr>
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First of all, let me just get this out of the way. I am now divorced. I can't even tell you how much I hate even typing that word. I was married for almost 28 years and divorce was never something that I considered or even thought was an option.<br />
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I will tell you this: divorce stinks. It's as bad as I had been lead to believe, and even worse. This is true as well though: living in a peaceful home, without fear, without the drama, without the abuse (yes, not only am I using to use the "d-word", but also the "a-word") is something that we are all deeply grateful for. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spring daffodils dancing in the breeze</td></tr>
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For 26 years I was silent about all that the children and I were subjected to. I was afraid. I was terribly confused about what was "normal" and mistakenly believed that if I would just ___________ (fill in the blank - read my Bible more, pray more diligently, submit better), things would improve.<br />
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During all of those years I did not tell my best friends or even my parents about anything that happened. I know, it's really difficult to understand, unless you have been in an abusive relationship. (It's difficult to understand even when you <em>have</em> been in an abusive relationship!) When I began to realize how wrong many of the things were that had happened in our family, at the hand of our abuser, I realized that I needed to be brave and reach out to a friend.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTNee50btyjngHAfyfK42XVmPGoUCmLfy31Om4ITufR-lmuNfxceFbKDZIO3c-weIgipNUG2KPN_ae4eiM99kqe_vydlB9nKJuifVC6cNRDFS0SPMCUZgM-RHwtx9jAucdjhYFG8oUoc/s1600/_MG_7579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTNee50btyjngHAfyfK42XVmPGoUCmLfy31Om4ITufR-lmuNfxceFbKDZIO3c-weIgipNUG2KPN_ae4eiM99kqe_vydlB9nKJuifVC6cNRDFS0SPMCUZgM-RHwtx9jAucdjhYFG8oUoc/s1600/_MG_7579.jpg" height="426" id="blogsy-1397087620997.3438" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.3em;">I initially chose an out of town friend, that I had known for many years (since my college days... which is, ahem, a </span><i style="line-height: 1.3em;">few </i><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">years ago!). I trusted her and knew that she loved the Lord and would give me conservative, truthful counsel. I was afraid that I was overreacting and that the events which had so wounded the children and me were actually "normal."</span></div>
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She was going to be in town and we had already planned to meet for lunch, just to chat and catch up on life. As we talked I timidly began to share some of the things which had happened and, if anything, tried to downplay each of the very few events which I bravely shared. She was aghast and cried and prayed with me as we talked. In hindsight, I am so grateful that she responded so passionately and truthfully to my disclosure. If she had minimized what we were living through, I probably would have been even more hesitant to call my marriage what it was... an <em><strong>abusive</strong></em> marriage, and seek help for the children and me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaX9mozRYEVYfa-Nqm4edtXorE7w0Rc8QE3MGrIj4mxR5GCHV2uONwRHPPg6XPGYeLbPmpfK3vndkDl_Qfj8RlXn0v-tohBdznNScnOEPYj_hA3XKdTZ80kfOWgD0qsX55h_nrHDLy1HM/s1600/_MG_7583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaX9mozRYEVYfa-Nqm4edtXorE7w0Rc8QE3MGrIj4mxR5GCHV2uONwRHPPg6XPGYeLbPmpfK3vndkDl_Qfj8RlXn0v-tohBdznNScnOEPYj_hA3XKdTZ80kfOWgD0qsX55h_nrHDLy1HM/s1600/_MG_7583.jpg" height="426" id="blogsy-1397087620927.8452" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Part of the reason that I am choosing to share this here, in this venue, is that I now know that of all of the readers that I am addressing, there are, most certainly, others who are living what my children and I lived for so many years, and oh (!!) how my heart goes out to you. To my remaining readers who are not in an abusive marriage or relationship, the odds are great that at some time you will have a friend or acquaintance who is in a situation similar to mine.</span></div>
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Let me pause for a moment here to share a definition of abuse, which I first read on the excellent website <a href="http://cryingoutforjustice.com/" target="_blank">A Cry for Justice</a>:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Very few people know what abuse really is, though everyone seems quite ready to give advice to its victims. If you believe that abuse is physical battering, you have some learning to do.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Garuda, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Abuse is fundamentally a mentality. It is a mindset of entitlement. The abuser sees himself* as entitled. He is the center of the world, and he demands that his victim make him the center of her world. His goal is power and control over others. For him, power and control are his natural right, and he feels quite justified in using whatever means are necessary to obtain that power and control. The abuser is not hampered in these efforts by the pangs of a healthy conscience and indeed often lacks a conscience.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #38761d;">While this mentality of power and control often expresses itself in various forms of physical abuse, it just as frequently employs tactics of verbal, emotional, financial, social, sexual and spiritual abuse. Thus, an abuser may never actually lay a hand on his wife and yet be very actively terrorizing her in incredibly damaging ways.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Abuse in any of its forms destroys the victim's person. Abuse, in the end, is murder.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #38761d;">* Sometimes the genders are reversed.</span></span></div>
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Additionally I have begun <a href="http://www.joyfulmomofmany.com/p/domestic-violence.html" target="_blank">a page listing resources</a> which have been helpful for me. The link is at the top of my blog. <br />
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Back to my story: Once I stood up to our abuser, things became exponentially worse. I finally was forced to take my children and flee. I don't even know how to express how grateful I am that my parents have been so supportive and helped us escape.<br />
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The past 17 months since we left have been the hardest, darkest times of my life. I am now a single parent to the ten children who are still living at home and in school. (I also have 2 adult children who are out on their own) Single parenting so many children is more challenging, and at times overwhelming than I will even try to explain right now. But we are safe and now have our own peaceful home. How wonderful it is to feel safe! <br />
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In part 2 I will share a bit more about the past 17 months of our life and what it has been to walk this path and gradually begin to heal from many, many years of abuse.<br />
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<span style="line-height: 1.3em;">This I will say: God is good. He is! He has so gently and faithfully walked with us down this path ~ a path I </span><i style="line-height: 1.3em;">never </i><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">would have chosen, which has so often been very dark. He has provided for us through faithful loving family and friends. As challenging (and honestly, many days "challenging" is an understatement) as this is, I am confident that He will continue to lead and care for us.</span></div>
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Next, <a href="http://www.joyfulmomofmany.com/2014/10/my-story-part-2.html" target="_blank">part 2 of my story</a>, in which I will tell you a bit about the past year-and-a-half and about how the Lord has met us and cared for us in so many ways.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-17405663341196504332014-02-04T20:48:00.000-06:002014-02-04T20:48:56.650-06:00Hello there!My dear friends, after many months I am finally nearing a place where I can actively post here on my blog. I hope to frequent this spot on a more regular basis in the near future, but I did want to at least stop in briefly to say "hello" and let you know that I have missed visiting with you, my online friends.<br />
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The children and I are doing well. God is good.<br />
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Thank you for praying for us and for your loving support us as we have walked a challenging path this past year. <br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-56745759020760933152013-09-07T14:48:00.000-05:002013-09-08T09:09:54.531-05:00This is my Father's World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #aad977; float: left; font-family: times; font-size: 100px; line-height: 80px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 1px;">T</span>his is my Father's World,<br />
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and to my listening ears,<br />
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All nature sings, and 'round me rings<br />
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the music of the spheres.<br />
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This is my Father's World,<br />
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<br />
I rest me in the thought,<br />
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<br />
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;<br />
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<br />
His hand the wonders wrought.<br />
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<br />
This is my Father's World,<br />
<br />
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<br />
the birds their carols raise,<br />
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<br />
The morning light, the lilly white,<br />
<br />
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<br />
declare their Maker's praise.<br />
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<br />
This is my Father's world:<br />
<br />
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<br />
He shines in all that's fair;<br />
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In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;<br />
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<br />
He speaks to me everywhere.<br />
<br />
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<br />
This is my Father's world,<br />
<br />
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<br />
O let me ne'er forget<br />
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<br />
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,<br />
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<br />
God is the ruler yet.<br />
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<br />
This is my Father's world,<br />
<br />
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<br />
The battle is not done.<br />
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Jesus Who died, shall be satisfied,<br />
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And earth and heav'n be one.<br />
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<i style="background-color: #fcfcfc; text-align: -webkit-center;"><b>"This is My Father's World"</b></i><br />
<i style="background-color: #fcfcfc; text-align: -webkit-center;"><b>Text:</b> Maltbie D. Babcock<br /><b>Music:</b> Trad. English melody; adapt. by Franklin L. Sheppard </i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-38323186364328318812013-09-03T15:33:00.003-05:002013-09-03T15:33:40.007-05:00Riding out the stormsSunday I awoke to this:<br />
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Remember the old adage "Red in the morning, sailors take warning. Red at night, sailor's delight."? It held true Sunday. A short time after I took the above picture we were happy to be warm and dry in our home as a late-summer thunderstorm raged outside. </div>
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I don't think that I have shown you my little bedroom "haven" here in our new home, have I? Not only was I able to squeeze my beloved work area into one side of the room (photos coming soon), I also have this fabulous cozy chair which overlooks our backyard. It is the most relaxing place to sit and read. When the children are home there is almost always someone sitting there, visiting with me. I am so grateful.</div>
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Can you see the trees whipping in the rain-lashed wind? Oh! It did blow! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIRv9kxsevXdrL7zJVszkSeLBzSfpamzdOfdDTJ_3U7QJKKJ6UUAvyFkBkHcrCr6KbIWZCCvaoo2QiuA6dtTr0NtFKdqShZNrQQ8n6SvKSxZFw30KvQjJq4FKqEs64KaAXUCD6j4vJ-M/s1600/_MG_6004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIRv9kxsevXdrL7zJVszkSeLBzSfpamzdOfdDTJ_3U7QJKKJ6UUAvyFkBkHcrCr6KbIWZCCvaoo2QiuA6dtTr0NtFKdqShZNrQQ8n6SvKSxZFw30KvQjJq4FKqEs64KaAXUCD6j4vJ-M/s640/_MG_6004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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One thing I am learning: God is still God, even in the storm. And He does provide peace even in the midst of it all.<br />
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Also this: The storm does pass.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBFkBdjXDCIYLTYZtSf7NDVnlySTYdFmVPBsZYKTCrFvlB5GiogvzPM_3KMynFaTVkXMH_ef7VjkcnRa1TJnqdBdCJcxlyZxavijLBOg7snn3Kegs47Or8VzTRGq9oggwshEbxB7PBos/s1600/_MG_6015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBFkBdjXDCIYLTYZtSf7NDVnlySTYdFmVPBsZYKTCrFvlB5GiogvzPM_3KMynFaTVkXMH_ef7VjkcnRa1TJnqdBdCJcxlyZxavijLBOg7snn3Kegs47Or8VzTRGq9oggwshEbxB7PBos/s640/_MG_6015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So loving Aaron Keys song <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPkMbhydU9I" target="_blank">"Sovereign Over Us"</a> right now.</div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"Sovereign Over Us" by Aaron Keys</span></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">V1 </span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">There is strength within the sorrow, There is beauty in our tears</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">You meet us in our mourning, With a love that casts out fear</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">You are working in our waiting, Sanctifying us</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">When beyond our understanding, You're teaching us to trust</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">CHORUS</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Your plans are still to prosper, You have not forgotten us</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">You're with us in the fire and the flood</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Faithful forever, Perfect in love</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">You are sovereign over us</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">V2 </span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">You are wisdom unimagined, Who could understand your ways</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Reigning high above the heavens, Reaching down in endless grace</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Youʼre the Lifter of the lowly, Compassionate and kind</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">You surround and You uphold me, Your promises are my delight</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">BR </span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Even what the enemy means for evil</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">You turn it for our good, You turn it for our good and for your glory</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Even in the valley You are faithful</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Youʼre working for our good, Youʼre working for our good and for your glory</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Words & Music by Aaron Keyes, Bryan Brown, and Jack Mooring.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: blue;">Copyright (c) 2011</span> </span></span></div>
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He has not forgotten us....<br />
Faithful forever, perfect in love,<br />
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So grateful that He is sovereign over us, aren't you?<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-35600304354325393952013-08-31T13:00:00.000-05:002013-09-06T10:41:49.545-05:00Things I learned in AugustInspired by <a href="http://www.chattingatthesky.com/" target="_blank">Emily</a> I am going to take inventory at the end of each month and talk about "Things I have Learned" during the past month. Only very rarely will this list include anything very educational or earth-shattering, mostly it will just be random bits of quirky things.<br />
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Ready? Here we go!<br />
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<ol>
<li>I miss the children during the day now that they are in school, but I'll admit that the (occasional, with college students in and out) quiet is pretty nice. And I'm trying not to feel guilty about that.</li>
<li>Painting my toenails is fun in an artsy-rebellious sort of way. Rockin' me some blue nails right now. Teal green, sparkly pink, all pretty awesome!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNGOKENWIObLaA2AT_SUWtqccmt5rixmDHIJdbfJrwmF8XqxJw6K4WhfldOP1zxwWPC7BDcSNcEe60IUf5JUyh3qArwSmg3MaQ5Rd2t1LpYPbhllMhdSi9rPLVYCOW00Xrh2Dj3AbQsE/s1600/IMG_6889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNGOKENWIObLaA2AT_SUWtqccmt5rixmDHIJdbfJrwmF8XqxJw6K4WhfldOP1zxwWPC7BDcSNcEe60IUf5JUyh3qArwSmg3MaQ5Rd2t1LpYPbhllMhdSi9rPLVYCOW00Xrh2Dj3AbQsE/s640/IMG_6889.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: center;">I am always officially ready for autumn a good 6 weeks before it actually arrives here. Today's forecast? 98 degrees with 537% humidity (and no, that was not a typo). Totally lovin' this little yellow renegade leaf that I found on my run the other day. You go, dude! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6Op-JIMWKJ2V51tmju2EzuNk5h7rTcgOem_yeQQYuxjeMPQQ5sKMwfJWh3xrg4qMphMvONbyQnnNf7b_S-hi_Fmg4Pvej5Su4cQN5xf5RPVbhU5NKwmXu9NSEqyoTY4rVjudwN8XIos/s1600/IMG_6741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6Op-JIMWKJ2V51tmju2EzuNk5h7rTcgOem_yeQQYuxjeMPQQ5sKMwfJWh3xrg4qMphMvONbyQnnNf7b_S-hi_Fmg4Pvej5Su4cQN5xf5RPVbhU5NKwmXu9NSEqyoTY4rVjudwN8XIos/s640/IMG_6741.jpg" width="478" /></a></li>
<li>My office chair recently began to seriously drive me nuts, squeaking, sitting somewhat lopsided and just being generally worn out. In a spur-of-the moment decision, I started using my stability ball. My abs were actually sore for the first few days and yes, all of the boys want to work at my computer now. And being able to bounce along to whatever tunes I'm currently playing? Well, that's just priceless! You do need to be careful when re-sitting down after getting up briefly. This "chair" does move. Just sayin'.</li>
<li>Yes, I know, I'm probably one of the last 7 people on the face of the earth to have just seen this video of a cover for Pitch Perfect's Cup song. The children and I had so much fun doing this in the week before school started. We laughed *so* hard! And just for the record, I think I am going to pursue a new career as a cup-tapper-and-flipper person. It's a calling.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYVFccO3CqxEAP6MCiV0Xz7cPnP5VsV__OeBIDv_uwjluvW_mV3Nj__OeYhDUn5FIcyUxrBLNWOVZGjzxMHr5SjdRu12XKCjWj8WK10y7QLHvuMEmbtD4M9boXzeRlyezRNia6soj-5s/s1600/IMG_6816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYVFccO3CqxEAP6MCiV0Xz7cPnP5VsV__OeBIDv_uwjluvW_mV3Nj__OeYhDUn5FIcyUxrBLNWOVZGjzxMHr5SjdRu12XKCjWj8WK10y7QLHvuMEmbtD4M9boXzeRlyezRNia6soj-5s/s640/IMG_6816.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<li>Sharing the load is good.</li>
<li>God always comes through. always.</li>
<li>FaceTime makes being a long-distance Nana sorta' ok. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-QwMQ-PzSfu9xVZpSQEkpbzD6Hv4IS3Oawv5s3HAwJs1wOu5Q55RfvafyNoQYw4mRj6CfQ1B30THv8wK1WK3844ZpwWcjWtzJZyWbSWicTZTxqyPmFgNW3ILbCvaDrpcp2_plfw2PVs/s1600/IMG_6626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-QwMQ-PzSfu9xVZpSQEkpbzD6Hv4IS3Oawv5s3HAwJs1wOu5Q55RfvafyNoQYw4mRj6CfQ1B30THv8wK1WK3844ZpwWcjWtzJZyWbSWicTZTxqyPmFgNW3ILbCvaDrpcp2_plfw2PVs/s640/IMG_6626.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<li>Corgis are the most adorable. (Other than grandsons, that is!) The end.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIh5mHGHE0HvB7qdUqJ146X_RHj1bSMd1kXKRVpDZdrw8_90f_-83Px1CP2yLxh1Uvl7qRjtqzcpsG4-W6gsbNc951EG9ChwE8WuNo6EagdRUWcGX0xwpEaMuFIM0BQ806Bw3EgYYk20/s1600/IMG_6651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIh5mHGHE0HvB7qdUqJ146X_RHj1bSMd1kXKRVpDZdrw8_90f_-83Px1CP2yLxh1Uvl7qRjtqzcpsG4-W6gsbNc951EG9ChwE8WuNo6EagdRUWcGX0xwpEaMuFIM0BQ806Bw3EgYYk20/s640/IMG_6651.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10y4RHLcpYebmxfbhujzD332uevFa4OA_O0-jaVUsI0T26FPeZfeMFF3B7yJsB4liDEtEg3Tof6JAiYsZNLZGdAeDDNSoZMzFaECgfK82xPz1zXMrxENtueIINMIdaozYIGIzpl-CVLU/s1600/IMG_6886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10y4RHLcpYebmxfbhujzD332uevFa4OA_O0-jaVUsI0T26FPeZfeMFF3B7yJsB4liDEtEg3Tof6JAiYsZNLZGdAeDDNSoZMzFaECgfK82xPz1zXMrxENtueIINMIdaozYIGIzpl-CVLU/s640/IMG_6886.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<li>Running with cows is the *best*!!. And yes, I refrain from "moooing" when I pass these guys. Usually.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48kq5kFrfLb0c7Z0eJT-Z5s0XsUl8vrd-x5XOZdnjHWHFa8fc5Sr8TLkC7jSDB9iB7M4uVEpZZ82tzrMxyfkeFmNVReCkhH7om-DWGr9WS9CwMP5Fqu-JRPd0inZrZ3joRqVN0CTxK1M/s1600/IMG_6376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48kq5kFrfLb0c7Z0eJT-Z5s0XsUl8vrd-x5XOZdnjHWHFa8fc5Sr8TLkC7jSDB9iB7M4uVEpZZ82tzrMxyfkeFmNVReCkhH7om-DWGr9WS9CwMP5Fqu-JRPd0inZrZ3joRqVN0CTxK1M/s640/IMG_6376.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmdo1hX8Re8HHSrLpLMiG6R7hzbBQrcqptalyjpQ3P9jiTPb6SEPdxRFNW5d_smHCm59MwsUQd-yPbbxnRNFQQoqxwcIecdJopM3HPFTAQiF4N-x7RKJIyzXWaoPVcWM8d4M52OHKGXE/s1600/IMG_6875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmdo1hX8Re8HHSrLpLMiG6R7hzbBQrcqptalyjpQ3P9jiTPb6SEPdxRFNW5d_smHCm59MwsUQd-yPbbxnRNFQQoqxwcIecdJopM3HPFTAQiF4N-x7RKJIyzXWaoPVcWM8d4M52OHKGXE/s640/IMG_6875.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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</li>
<li><a href="http://www.culvers.com/" target="_blank">Culver's</a> concretes are my favorite. Tall chocolate with cookie dough and MandM's please. And yes, that would require approximately 13.8 hours of working out to "pay" for that. It's ok. Totally worth it.</li>
<li>Now that autumn is on the horizon, at least theoretically, I've begun to think about some autumn-ish projects and cooking. I'm thinking some crock-pot meals and soups, <a href="http://posie-rosy-little-things.myshopify.com/products/miss-maggie-rabbit-softie-sewing-pattern" target="_blank">a certain adorable bunny</a> that I'd love to make, maybe <a href="http://lydiastreasures.blogspot.com/2011/10/tilda-sew-along-doll-part-1.html" target="_blank">a doll</a> or two, <a href="http://thecottagehome.blogspot.com/2010/09/fall-fabric-pumpkin-tutorial.html" target="_blank">some burlap pumpkins</a> that need sewing and perhaps a quilt to start. Then there's the friendship bracelets that I want to experiment with and I'd really like to crochet or knit some new kitchen washcloths. </li>
<li>I'm a total <a href="https://www.spotify.com/us/" target="_blank">Spotify</a> addict. So fun to be able to create endless playlists and change them up when the mood strikes, plus I can listen to music that is recommended to me... all without having to purchase the music! What's not to love? I have two playlists that I use when I'm running. The <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/joyfulmomofmany/playlist/5tuYTbjegDyGZ63rOmWIFA" target="_blank">"Workout"</a> playlist is just fun, upbeat music, but even for running or cycling I almost always gravitate toward my <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/joyfulmomofmany/playlist/2lqjmVA3WYsD6yanbQgjT0" target="_blank">"Heart Encouragement"</a> playlist. Praying and listening to praise and worship music while I run is a highlight of my day so, so necessary for my soul. I've recently added some new music to my running playlist. A few Imagine Dragons tracks. "Wake me up" by Avicli. Phillip Phillips' "Gone, Gone, Gone" (and of course his song "Home" is awesome). I'm almost always up for some Mat Kearney. "Runaway" and "Learning to Love Again" are on my running playlist now as well. And for my "Heart Encouragement" Spotify list? Just added several tracks from Keith and Kristyn Getty's album: "Hymns for the Christian Life." So many good songs there. I am especially loving "The Perfect Wisdom of our God" right now. Just this:
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"Each strand of sorrow has a place</div>
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within this tapestry of grace</div>
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so through the trials I choose to say</div>
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Your perfect will in Your perfect way."<br />
Also, the Getty's version of "In Christ Alone" is really, really good.<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qLy8ksqGf9w?rel=0" width="640"></iframe> </div>
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2013/08/30/lets-share-the-things-we-learned-in-august/" target="_blank">Emily here</a>.</div>
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Have a wonderful weekend, friends!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-37709689943209667232013-08-29T17:24:00.001-05:002013-08-31T21:45:25.695-05:00Well, hello there!Reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. Apparently <a href="http://oupacademic.tumblr.com/post/48310773463/misquotation-reports-of-my-death-have-been-greatly" target="_blank">a Mark Twain misquote</a>, but still a great way to start off a post when I have been absent here for so long, don't you think?<br />
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And yes, I am fine. Well, let me rephrase that: God is good and He sustains and cares for us so well~ so for that reason, I <i>am</i> fine. The children are all doing so very well, so happy now. <br />
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How about some photos from the past few months? So much has happened here!<br />
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First off... and let me just get this out there to begin with, I have the. most. awesome. family. ever. The children planned this phenomenal Mother's Day surprise party for me. And I really had no idea. They are the best.<br />
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Little boys grow up *way* too quickly! Can you believe that Daniel is 9 now?<br />
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Flowers grow lots of places, if you know what I mean. Love finding and cultivating beauty here at our new house.<br />
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We have this super-awesome pair of owls right in our backyard! Tim (now 6!) came one morning to me and told me to bring my camera so I could get a pic of them. I had to get this shot from some distance away, but is that not cool?! I sometimes get to hear them at night too.</div>
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The girls and I went to see Despicable Me 2 and had a blast! </div>
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Aren't the minions adorable? And yes, I do have a few at my house.</div>
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What, oh what, would I do without so many good and faithful friends? The Lord has been so good to us and blessed us abundantly with friends, including new friends in our neighborhood here.</div>
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We love our huge deck and spend so much time there. It is shady, quiet and relaxing.</div>
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Still very much rockin' the running trail behind our house. I'm always finding things to photograph while I'm out.<br />
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Such fun to have children who like to take pics as well. Tim took this one of Jasper and I with my iPhone, just before I left to go run.</div>
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I wish I knew how much money we have saved by me cutting hair at home. One of the boys was sneaky and caught this pic of me trimming Timmy's curls.<br />
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And the biggest news here... might as well get this out there. Yes, the children are all attending public school this year. After 20 years of being very committed to, and basically *loving* homeshcooling and having my children with me all day long, this was a *very* difficult decision for me. As I prayed about it, it did become clear to me that public school was what the Lord wanted us to do and is the best option for our family now.</div>
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And guess what? The children are all *loving* school! There has been adjusting to do, for sure, and we will continue to have to rely on the Lord as we tackle new "adventures," but, surprise, surprise, God is there too and He is faithfully leading and caring for us.</div>
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Timothy and Daniel checking out their new classrooms/desks:</div>
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Waiting for the bus, the first day of school. Super-excited to ride on the bus!</div>
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So now my afternoons and evenings are very full of driving children here and there and helping them with homework, but we are adjusting to this new normal. It's all good.<br />
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I've been working a bit more in my art journal....</div>
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And a few days ago I did something that I don't think I have done in 27 years... I sat and read *by myself* at Culvers. And yes, that is a concrete that you see sitting there. I've *got* to grow up and start drinking coffee one of these days. It would save me a bunch of calories, wouldn't it? <br />
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Looking forward to spending more time with you, my faithful friends, here in this space. I so appreciate all of your prayers and concerned emails. <br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-5323603523042694582013-03-02T23:25:00.000-06:002013-03-18T08:46:38.909-05:00In which I find Him faithful here too...Life goes on here, and I continue to search for beauty, as confirmation of God's loving care for us, even during dark and challenging times. And guess what? He comes through every time! Every time. I thought I'd post a photo-heavy documentation of His faithfulness these past months as we have tread this rocky path.<br />
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First though, I'm so proud of myself! I figured out how to embed a Spotify playlist of music which has ministered to my heart in the sidebar of my blog. It is my "heart encouragement" playlist, and I thought that you might enjoy listening to it as well. 'Cause all of us need heart encouragement some days, right? If you are reading this in an email or in a reader, you will need to go to my blog to see and listen to the playlist. <a href="http://www.joyfulmomofmany.com/">www.joyfulmomofmany.com</a> I do hope that it blesses you as it has me. For some reason, music has a way of speaking to my soul in a very deep and profound way. You too?<br />
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First up in photos: my "word" for 2013. Courage (purchased <a href="http://thevintagepearl.com/bracelets/" target="_blank">here</a>). Because I can always use a reminder.<br />
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The children and I are all gradually adjusting to life in our new home.</div>
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I love the windows and light here! Our new home backs up to a park/greenspace which has the most fabulous running/biking trail. So the children and I can simply walk out of our door and run or bike! Incredible!</div>
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A few weeks ago on an unseasonably warm day, Jake and I were able to go for a nice long ride together on that trail~ what a blast! I *love* having adult children who are such fun to spend time with!</div>
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And get this, not only is there a running trail, but a river (a small one!) runs through this park, right behind our house!</div>
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Check out the frog that the boys found there! He's *huge*!! It was still pretty cold out, so he wasn't very active. Isn't he neat?</div>
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Caleb very kindly agreed to go running early one morning with me several weeks ago (very kind of him because I run *so* much slower than he does!), and we came across evidence of one of the most ambitious beavers around! Check out the size of the tree that he was attempting to fell! And it wasn't going to fall towards the creek, either! So funny!</div>
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Really, the biggest news around here, by far though, is that I am a grandmother now! Our oldest son Nathaniel and his sweet wife Jamie blessed us with "little" Stephen Nathaniel a few weeks ago! Is he not adorable?!</div>
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Stephen had to spend a few days in the NICU, mostly precautionary, it ended up. He is doing just fine now. Is that not the *cutest* baby?!!</div>
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We can hardly wait until April 1 when Nate, Jamie and Stephen come visit us! We are all so excited to hold little Stephen!</div>
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Caleb and Joshua are involved in Civil Air Patrol and actually got to fly a few weeks ago! They were even able to take over the controls of the plane once they were up in the air! How cool is that?!!</div>
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And, since you know that I love sunset (and sunrise) photos, I had to include these! I get to see the prettiest sunsets right from our house here!</div>
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We are continuing to homeschool. I *love* the privilege of investing in my children's lives this way.<br />
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So fun when I catch them reading to each other as well.</div>
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My mother recently purchased the devotional <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Calling-Enjoying-Peace-Presence/dp/1591451884/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362284921&sr=8-1&keywords=jesus+calling" target="_blank">Jesus Calling</a> for me. Highly recommended! I am seriously suspicious that the author Sarah Young has been spying on me because so many of the daily devotionals seem to be specifically targeted to my current circumstances/challenges.</div>
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And of course, I had to include a cute Jasper photo! Oh how I missed my little corgi! I think that he missed me too because he pretty much follows me around the house and plants himself at my feet whenever I stop walking. Last week I was cooking in the kitchen and looked down to see this!</div>
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The big, big story around here the last few weeks is snow! Initially we received a smallish dusting of snow... so pretty!</div>
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That turned out to just be a warmup for the two huge snows that we received this past week! The first one was 14" and the second, on top of that was 8"!! So fun!<br />
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We now live in a subdivision, so the boys loved getting to go shovel driveways for our neighbors! And I loved watching them work together like that!<br />
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Isn't this a sweet picture that Abbie took of herself out in the snow? I can't believe that she is 16 already!<br />
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The most recent snow was a very, very wet and heavy snow! Look what I awoke to see out of our front door!<br />
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I helped the boys shovel our driveway that day. What a workout that was, moving such heavy snow! We had so much fun, raced to see who could shovel a path to the street first, threw a few snowballs, etc.<br />
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The chairs on our deck looked like they had snow cushions on them!<br />
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Joshua, Jon and I got to go take a super-fun walk in the deep, deep snow that morning! It was *way* over the tops of my boots! Hard to tell in this photo, but it was almost to my knees!</div>
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It is not easy to see in this photo, but there is the most lovely stone fence right behind our house! Here it is, quite frosted with snow.</div>
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And here it is, with just a small amount of snow. I *love* considering the history of something like that stone fence. Who made it and when? The labor that went into that fence was a part of somebody's story. It intrigues me.</div>
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I'd be lying if I didn't tell you how very, very difficult this path is to tread some days. I am grieving and broken in so many ways, but I will tell you this. God is good. He hasn't changed and He continues to meet us at every turn, faithfully providing for us, continuing to show Himself faithful. So I will continue to look for beauty, for evidence of His loving care for us and will document His faithfulness here.<br />
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Thank you for praying for us, and for your loving emails and notes. You are each deeply appreciated.<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-83110164889094058672013-01-01T14:58:00.003-06:002013-01-01T15:13:59.632-06:002012- Facing Fear and New Beginnings<br />
<span style="color: #aad977; float: left; font-family: times; font-size: 100px; line-height: 80px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 1px;">L</span><br />
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ast night I spent a few hours looking through photos from 2012, reviewing the past year. What a year 2012 was for me! I chose some favorite photos from the past year for this post. Just reviewing these floods me with emotions, both happy and sad, but overall I am super-grateful for the Lord's faithfulness in our family's life.</div>
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No doubt about it, 2012 was a year of facing fear for me. First I had the glorious opportunity to face my fear of heights and go sky diving~ for real! That was *so* fun... if I ever have opportunity to do that again, I'd jump at that chance (so to speak!). I actually think that it'd be even more fun the second time around, now that I know what to expect.<br />
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Soon after my skydiving adventure, I was diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia problem, called ventricular tachycardia. In spite of that, I was able to continue to swim, bike and run in preparation for my first half-Ironman triathlon, scheduled for September. This ended up being another opportunity for me to face fear as I trained because I never knew when the VTach would randomly act up.</div>
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We were blessed to vacation in Colorado as a family...<br />
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September arrived and I did successfully complete IM Branson 70.3. I loved training for, and competing in the half-Ironman distance.</div>
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I hardly know how to finish this post. The final 3 months of 2012 have been extremely difficult for me. On November 20, I faced fear yet again when I was forced to make a decision to leave home with the children. We are safe now, staying with my parents. Can you imagine them taking so many of us in? I can't even tell you how very, very blessed I am by my family. So many women are left with no options; I am grateful that I did have options.<br />
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I am broken and sorrowing in ways that I simply cannot express. I will not share details here, but we all would deeply covet your prayers as we embark on a very new (and at times terrifying) chapter of our lives. <br />
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This I do know: God has not changed. He remains faithful, and I am choosing to look to Him and rest in His care for us.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-27515848165498895672012-10-06T16:45:00.001-05:002012-10-06T16:45:25.393-05:00Life by DesignDo you love <a href="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/" target="_blank">Lisa Leonard jewelry</a> like I do? Not only is her jewelry my favorite, but <a href="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/blog/" target="_blank">her blog</a> is fabulous as well. She loves the Lord and as the parent of a special needs child, her attitude about dealing with unexpected adversity is so encouraging.<br />
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Lisa was recently approached by a production company about being part of a reality tv show! Here is the trailer~ I think it looks fabulous! (If you are reading this in an RSS feeder and the video doesn't show up, you can go <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JJXJq4-2YDE" target="_blank">here</a> to see it.)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JJXJq4-2YDE?rel=0" width="853"></iframe><br />
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In reference to dealing with the birth of her disabled son, at the end of this trailer Lisa says: (and I *love* this...) " I know God is God and He is going to do what He is going to do. And I just need to be willing to journey through. Just letting it be what it is. This moment I can handle. This moment works... " <br />
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The concluding tag line? "Embracing the unexpected and designing a life of joy." Seriously love this.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-26959721867630623622012-09-30T17:53:00.000-05:002012-09-30T19:11:09.964-05:00Apple Pie in a JarSo excited for autumn here! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmL3TZUETNSEETWzMBJKOFsHv0xSwxLv6HTjRQOo_i2U_5PtMAnvOIWrSR5tcJsLvuTQVAcyYQ0lR4Xlts8rnL6TbeWaJhlipmDNs02oq1r6kU3K-jc39HS5TORQj5Y5aEBdq4e3ln_s/s1600/_MG_4445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmL3TZUETNSEETWzMBJKOFsHv0xSwxLv6HTjRQOo_i2U_5PtMAnvOIWrSR5tcJsLvuTQVAcyYQ0lR4Xlts8rnL6TbeWaJhlipmDNs02oq1r6kU3K-jc39HS5TORQj5Y5aEBdq4e3ln_s/s640/_MG_4445.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My good friend Justine gifted us a bunch of organic apples last week and I made this yummy treat! Apple Pie in a Jar! It's a healthy, yummy favorite around here, for sure.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Apple Pie in a Jar</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">yield: 7 quarts</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Syrup:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">8 c. water</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">2 1/2 c. honey</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">1 Tbsp. cinnamon</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">1/4 tsp. nutmeg</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">1 tsp. salt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">2 c. cold water</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">1 c. cornstarch</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">3 Tbsp. lemon juice</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">7 quart canning jars filled with peeled, sliced cooking apples</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Instructions:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">Combine the 8 cups water, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Heat on medium heat. While it is heating, combine the 2 cups cold water and cornstarch and stir until well blended. Whisk into the mixture that is heating on the stove. Cook and stir until thick then add lemon juice.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">Add the syrup to the apples in jars that have been heated. I like to put the empty clean jars into the water which is heating in the pot that I will use for water bath canning. (Your pot for water bath canning needs to be deep enough that you can add water to 1-2" above the lids of the jars.) Pack the hot jars with peeled, sliced apples. Pack those apples in there pretty tightly since they do shrink some when they cook. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">Fill the jars to within 1/2" of the top with the syrup. Be sure to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the top edges of the jars before adding the lids and rings. Tighten and process in water bath canner for 20 minutes.</span></div>
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Here's what the jars look like before I put them in the canner. They already look yummy, don't they?</div>
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Don't the jars look lovely cooling on the counter?</div>
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To use the apple pie in a jar, simply make your favorite pie crust then dump the contents of the jar in and bake as you normally would. Sometimes we like to use them to make an apple crisp as well. To do that, you would dump the apple pie in a jar into a pan... I would guess 2-3 cans would be needed for a 9"x13" pan, then top with a mixture of butter, sucanat and rolled oats cut together. Bake at 350 degrees until the topping gets nice and lightly browned. Yummy and easy-peasy!</div>
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Happy autumn, friends!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-65059568213005252762012-09-26T20:57:00.003-05:002012-09-26T20:57:53.547-05:00Around here....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Autumn,<br />
<br />
I am so glad that you are here. It's been a long hot summer here. We are ready for your crisp woodsmoke mornings, apple butter simmering kitchens, new sewing and quilting projects, colorful foliage and cozy sweaters. Stay and visit a while, won't you?<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-87505048875875412022012-09-25T21:22:00.001-05:002012-09-28T16:14:36.920-05:00IM Branson 70.3 Race ReportAfter months of anticipation and a roller-coaster ride of issues with my heart, Sunday, September 23, 2012 <i>finally</i> arrived and with it, IronMan Branson 70.3! For those not familiar with triathlon, a 70.3 refers to the distance covered on race day consisting of a 1.2 mi swim, 56 mi bike and 13.1 mi run.<br />
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The race expo (which was seriously very small and underwhelming) and packet pickup (which was somewhat of an unorganized mess), were held on Saturday, the day before the race. In order to arrive by the 10am start time, my very indulgent husband got up super-early (after working late the night before) so we could make the 4 hour drive to Branson, MO. (Yep, just Tom and I went on this trip. We left the children at home with my *very* sweet parents! Thanks Mom and Dad!) </div>
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We ended up arriving earlier than expected, checked out the vendors set up for the expo and then left to explore the area for a bit since packet pickup wasn't scheduled to begin for 40 minutes. When we arrived back at the hotel at 9:50, the once vacant lobby was now full with a long line of athletes waiting to pick up their race packet.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ironman-703-Branson/115987058484920" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
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Me, waiting in line... *so* excited (and nervous too!)</div>
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After picking up my race packet Tom and I attended the mandatory athlete's informational meeting... Tom loves playing with my iPhone! </div>
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At this point, it was lunch time, but I was getting pretty nervous, really not interested in eating anything. We did have some really good fruit with us, and I was just able to eat a peach before we took my bike over to T1, the first transition area. For those not familiar, in triathlons, since there are three sports, there are two transitions, from swim to bike, and from bike to run. This triathlon was a bit unique since T1 and T2 were in two totally different places. </div>
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T1 was at Moonshine beach on beautiful Tablerock Lake. This is where I needed to rack my bike on the day before the race, so it would be ready for me on Sunday morning when I exited the water after my swim. </div>
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My friend Nikki took this great shot of T1 on Saturday, as athletes were racking their bikes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YU8036LhyphenhyphenpSIo5kN_sE1qOZiU7dTSYLf48nlOlkcPP9S2GUMRq1VMMVAWu-mbffBRbM9TKymvjxEyFstmXJWUvXm563LgVd9jvs4kGqivRbHNmSD6-tqELzWY7U0d0XtFAfc1njB_Mk/s1600/383398_4636641480371_433160192_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YU8036LhyphenhyphenpSIo5kN_sE1qOZiU7dTSYLf48nlOlkcPP9S2GUMRq1VMMVAWu-mbffBRbM9TKymvjxEyFstmXJWUvXm563LgVd9jvs4kGqivRbHNmSD6-tqELzWY7U0d0XtFAfc1njB_Mk/s640/383398_4636641480371_433160192_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once my bike was dropped off, we left to drive the bike course. IM Branson 70.3 is known for being one of the toughest bike courses on the 70.3 circuit (there are 63 70.3 races worldwide). I really, really *love* riding my bike, but during the past few months I have questioned my decision to tackle Branson as my first 70.3 a *bunch* of times! I think during the past months those "hills" in Branson grew in my mind until they rivaled the Swiss Alps in size.</div>
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It was with some measure of relief that Tom and I drove the bike course on Saturday. Yes, I decided, it was definitely "hilly," but mostly the hills were long grinders. I decided that I could certainly do this. </div>
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This photo was taken during the 2010 IM Branson competition~ our race didn't end up being *nearly* as hot and hazy as that year, but it will give you an idea of what a portion of the bike course on the "High Road" looked like.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This bike course is somewhat unique in that the vast majority of the course is held on a beautiful highway which is totally closed to traffic for the duration of the race! You can get an idea from the above photo what that was like ~ smooth pavement, and so much room for passing (or, as you will read, in my case, being passed!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Next up for me, a 15 minute open water swim in the lake with my wetsuit (which I am still getting used to) and a short 20 minute easy run.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My friend Nikki snapped the following photo of the beach at Tablerock Lake on Saturday~ so pretty, isn't it? You can tell how nervous I was because as much as I like to photograph things, I didn't take a single photo this past weekend!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Note the porta-potties lined up in the front of the photo~ never, never enough porta-potties for race day... just sayin'....</span><br />
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Knowing that we'd be getting up at 4am, Tom and I were asleep by 8:30 on Saturday night. The weather forecast was for the low that night to be 40-42 degrees! Yikes! I wasn't so worried about swimming in that temperature, since I would be in a wetsuit and the water was still in the low 70s, but getting on my bike, wet from swimming to ride 56 miles when it was 42?!! <i>That</i> I was worried about!<br />
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As with so many things in life though, my worries were unfounded. When we awoke at 4am, the temp was "only" 50 degrees! It felt fine, actually. Whew! Tablerock Lake is in a bit of a valley, so the sun didn't even really crest the horizon before I began my swim.<br />
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In a larger race like this, the swim starts are divided up into "waves" based on age group. The pro men and women started first, then it was my turn! I started with the "men 55 and up and women 45 and up" age group.</div>
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There was a bit of a problem with shuttle services the morning of the race, and Tom almost missed seeing me start. So glad that he made it just in time though. He took some pretty fun video with Gabriel's GoPro and I was able to save a few pics from that video. At the start of the race he walked up on a levy which overlooked the lake. It was a pretty neat vantage point. The little people that you see out in the water? Yep, I was in that group. I'm the one with the black wetsuit and blue swim cap on... Can you pick me out? I know, me either!</div>
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Here we are, just starting our 1.2 mile swim~ whoo hoo!!<br />
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While I don't consider myself to "be" a runner or cyclist, I most certainly am *not* a swimmer, by background. My parents wisely had me learn to swim as a child and pass the Red Cross certification. I don't know how far I had to swim to do that, but I am pretty sure that it didn't require me to go any further than from one side of the pool to the other and perhaps required me to be able to tread water for 5 minutes or so. I never swam on a swim team or anything like that. <br />
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When I decided to pursue competing in triathlons I quickly realized that my feeble attempt at freestyle swimming wan't going to make it. Tom ran across an advertisement for<a href="http://www.perceptionmultisport.com/p/group-training_1.html" target="_blank"> a "master's swim class" </a>at a local YMCA and encouraged me to attend. Me?!! Attend a group swimming session with "real" athletes?!! I am a mom of a dozen children, not an athlete! I wanted to, *so* badly, but was was incredibly intimidated. After considering this for a week or so, I decided to "take the plunge," so to speak and attend. I don't even know how to tell you how very nervous I was about attending that first class. I was sick and couldn't eat for at least three days before attending my first class! Seriously! <br />
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I was greatly relieved to find that everyone was actually quite nice and super-encouraging, and guess what? I really did learn how to swim! I went from June of 2011 having trouble just making the 25 yards to the other end of the pool, to where I am now, comfortably swimming 1.2 miles! (Thanks <a href="http://www.perceptionmultisport.com/" target="_blank">Ryan</a>!) Trust me, I am not anything special, perhaps bit more persistant than most, but most certainly *not* some sort of gifted athlete. Would you like to learn a new skill? Let me encourage you to do it! What a tremendous sense of accomplishment this has been for me!<br />
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Wasn't the sky lovely as we began our swim? In the photo below, you can see some of the yellow buoys that marked our triangular out and back course. Swimming in open water is certainly much different than swimming in a pool. It can be difficult to see where you are going, you tend to get knocked around a bit and there are is no comforting black line to follow like in the pool. But once you figure it out, what fun it is!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6A1Z4cvY2YkdYnecC6TRVkdlcR6RgdmRa_SJhNxo6UptxdtUZ8HY9ypwsx0DTz-fL1dLTdH4XC3emGI7fi8MeNaZCk9tiGExoVunceRCZ7jxJPefuJL7GnMrfQfC3I-BJANyVHLaosw/s1600/vlcsnap-00009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6A1Z4cvY2YkdYnecC6TRVkdlcR6RgdmRa_SJhNxo6UptxdtUZ8HY9ypwsx0DTz-fL1dLTdH4XC3emGI7fi8MeNaZCk9tiGExoVunceRCZ7jxJPefuJL7GnMrfQfC3I-BJANyVHLaosw/s640/vlcsnap-00009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Every few strokes I would quickly "sight" and look up to check that I was still on course. Each time I lifted my head to breathe or sight, I caught a glimpse of this sky! *So* pretty! Plus, as I mentioned before this was a wetsuit swim. If you have never worn a wetsuit to swim in, you have most definitely missed a good time! You are *so* buoyant in a wetsuit. Serious fun for me. </div>
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Going into this race I already knew that I was working with some significant limitations due to my crazy heart. During all of the training that I did this summer I identified two main "triggers" that tend to cause the<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vtach" target="_blank"> tachycardia</a> that I have been dealing with. The first is super-hard interval training (especially if I haven't warmed up adequately) and the second is if I get overheated. So armed with this information I knew that my swim needed to be a steady swim... absolutely no "sprinting" or working so hard that I was gasping for air (which is probably a good idea anyway, considering the additional distance that I had to cover that day!).</div>
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I really, really wanted to finish this race, so I went out steadily swimming~ and found myself totally surprised at how much fun I had in the process. Honestly, I think that the swim was my favorite part of the race in many ways. Amazing for non-swimmer me! I wasn't sure what time I would get for the swim with my slow and steady approach, but hoped to hit 45-50 minutes. The time on my stopwatch when I stood up to exit the water? 42:45! Sweet!! </div>
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As you can sort of see in the above photo, there was a short hill from the beach up to T1 where I would get on my bike (you can see the "bike start" up there) and I knew better than to sprint up that, lest I give my heart an opportunity to act up, so I walked and started unzipping my wetsuit (I had my tri suit that I would wear for the rest of the race on under that, if you wondered! LOL).</div>
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Tom managed to get a bit of video of me as I finished my swim and I snapped a few pics from that... I'm the one in the back, waving in this pic...<br />
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Me, in the back, regaining my "land legs"... it's hard to walk after swimming and bobbing around for that long!<br />
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Next up, a super-challenging bike course. I was pretty warm from swimming and knew that I tend to get hot pretty quickly, so I opted not to wear the windproof vest that my coach generously lent me or the arm warmers that I brought. In hindsight though, I probably should have worn those gloves. That was a decision that ended up costing me later in the race.<br />
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Here I am, just leaving T1 and beginning my ride....<br />
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I am almost at a loss for words to describe this bike course... almost. We left T1 and pretty much immediately began climbing. I seriously think that the only level section of the whole 56 mile course was the last 3-4 miles. The Ozark mountain views were breathtaking up on the "High Road" that I mentioned earlier, and the downhills were super-fun. It was relentless though.<br />
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As fun as the screaming downhills were, I began to dread them after about 30 miles, since I knew that I'd soon be climbing that same elevation that I had just zipped down, and not nearly as fast! In order to keep my heart in check, I had already determined that I could do absolutely *no* hard climbing of hills. This made for a super-slow bike ride since some of those "hills" were almost 2 miles long. I am pretty sure that you could have walked faster up those hills than I was riding! But my conservative strategy worked and I never felt like I was on the verge of having any heart issues. So that was a win, for sure. I *so* did not want a DNF (did not finish) due to heart issues on my results page!<br />
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Other than the relentless hills, the only other thing that irritated me about the bike portion of this race was the rude competitive guys that were racing. You saw the photo of the "High Road" above, where the majority of the race took place. It was incredibly wide... two huge lanes each way, plus shoulders, totally closed to traffic. I would say that there was at least 80 feet available to pass, but so many guys with fancy bikes, felt compelled to pass me going super-fast, missing me by only inches to a foot. This happened over and over. Seriously guys?!! Not only that, but at least 5 times I had guys pass me on the right when there was a good 60 feet open to my left with no one there, and not even announcing that they were about to pass. Good grief! <br />
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Nutrition in a longer race like this is critical, and I felt that in order to stay on top of my heart issues, it would be especially important for me. I am *so* grateful that my coach had me going on numerous long rides this past summer, so not only did I have opportunity to develop the endurance necessary for a longer race like this, but I also had plenty of opportunities to practice my nutrition strategy for racing. Even though I had been warned about the potentially dire consequences of missing some of my planned nutrition, I ended up doing just that. <br />
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In hindsight, I probably should have used a gu in T1, before even leaving on my bike, but I didn't, planning to ride for a few miles, get settled in and be sure that my stomach was ok, then eat. Unfortunately I didn't plan on the almost complete lack of somewhat level ground. It seemed like I was constantly either climbing or in the midst of a super-fast decent. Neither time was very convenient for eating. So I ended up putting off the nutrition that I had planned on a bit longer than I should have. <br />
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As I alluded to earlier, I also made a slight tactical error in not wearing gloves on the bike. My hands didn't actually *feel* very cold (unlike my feet which stayed totally numb and frozen until at least mile 45!), but when I finally attempted to open my first gu for nutrition on the bike, my hand was so stiff that I couldn't hold it tight enough to bite and tear the top off. It took me several tries before I was successfully able to open the gu and then, to my dismay, I dropped it! Yikes! I had carefully planned out how many gels I would need and could only fit the required # on my bike. So now I was late on my nutrition, but also was short as well.<br />
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I didn't realize it at the time, but I think that this affected me, even on the bike more than I was aware. I should have just stopped at an aid station and regrouped/refueled later in the bike portion of the race, but I got to the point where I simply wasn't thinking clearly. All I could think about was *finishing* the bike portion. I thought that I used the remainder of my gels before finishing cycling, and *thought* that I had only missed the one gel that I dropped, only to find out when I was unpacking my bike at home later that there were two unused gels hidden under the empty packets. So I ended up missing almost an hour-and-a-half of nutrition. Definitely not a good way to finish my bike and start running.<br />
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Here I am, getting ready to dismount, super-glad to be *done* with those hills! (and totally wondering if my wobbly legs would hold me up when I dismounted! ) My official bike time? A ridiculous 3:52!! Just for comparison, when I would ride 56 miles on more "normal" terrain near our house, with a few larger hills I average about 18-19mph and can finish in about 3 hours. This was crazy-hard!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpQsRzfOULaWBvrDcgd-Cu8iy9d0j5vfah8iYuaksI1EizTDexSgsapDzplb_cNuw0dyvq2EmXgGUpBED0f_hFBx1LPoKgiD3IMM0dNEUeIX-xKL7PcHjo2eUz7TlK6gVcOIcIrWMJQU/s1600/IMG_5369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpQsRzfOULaWBvrDcgd-Cu8iy9d0j5vfah8iYuaksI1EizTDexSgsapDzplb_cNuw0dyvq2EmXgGUpBED0f_hFBx1LPoKgiD3IMM0dNEUeIX-xKL7PcHjo2eUz7TlK6gVcOIcIrWMJQU/s640/IMG_5369.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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Racking my bike and getting ready to run 13.1 miles!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEB5NZ8LmLnTdUlWW64gphLRhJ7beH9zL_k7DmZqQrmUJyl-kK8QUVuWvHeKPwKDtyQ18IvIROPDWqmVuDDSbCBTKdDwaBr6ANmUR-rFdMJVRCDHMRfiZJb2glfHNeN02mB54588WwOM/s1600/IMG_5371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEB5NZ8LmLnTdUlWW64gphLRhJ7beH9zL_k7DmZqQrmUJyl-kK8QUVuWvHeKPwKDtyQ18IvIROPDWqmVuDDSbCBTKdDwaBr6ANmUR-rFdMJVRCDHMRfiZJb2glfHNeN02mB54588WwOM/s640/IMG_5371.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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And after walking a bit and taking a few minutes to regroup I was off on my run (and in search of the first porta-pottie that I could find!)<br />
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Thankfully, the run course was almost totally flat... a three loop route which went through a shopping area in Branson, called "The Landing." Other than there being almost no shade, it was a fun place to run, since so many people were cheering and encouraging the athletes, plus I got to see Tom and my triathlon friend Tina (who finished way before me!) numerous times on the run. Tom was so sweet and encouraging, telling me that I looked "strong" even when I'm sure that I didn't!<br />
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The first lap was fine for me. I was tired, but still steadily keeping with my run/walk strategy. Here, in the photo below, Tom has just asked me how many laps I had to go... I'm telling him "two"... not flashing the "peace" sign to the dude who is about to pass me! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZrWaIv0lyyDm2GNepmQbLLoSqKc6xXZjMqMKhksa_1x8JXMydv6XNI52gdRlo0NFaZe1Qr3pCSCKVaphBeR1YL_2XI023SiSXBATvhrHKwsyjAnL2ZLvMnIO67h4roiW9q_T9z6YdHw/s1600/IMG_5381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZrWaIv0lyyDm2GNepmQbLLoSqKc6xXZjMqMKhksa_1x8JXMydv6XNI52gdRlo0NFaZe1Qr3pCSCKVaphBeR1YL_2XI023SiSXBATvhrHKwsyjAnL2ZLvMnIO67h4roiW9q_T9z6YdHw/s640/IMG_5381.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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Unfortunately, my race significantly began to fall apart on loops 2 and 3. First, I began to get too hot and my heart began to warn me of potential problems with a bunch of arrhythmia. I had already planned for that and began to walk more in order to cool off and hopefully avoid a major tachycardia incident. That was successful, but since my run was now taking longer than I had planned, I used up all of my gels that I brought and unfortunately the aid stations were totally out of fruit and gels at that point! Super-frustrating, but I was determined to finish the race. So I doggedly continued to run when my heart rate was low enough and when it wasn't, I just walked.</div>
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And finish I did. My final time? A super-slow 7:36:20, 16th in my age group (of only 25(!) lest you think that I am something cool! LOL!)</div>
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Unfortunately I don't have a photo of me finishing. Poor Tom was pretty distracted I think, with how long it was taking me and worried that I was having trouble with my heart. He didn't think to take a picture when I finally finished. I'm sure that there will be photos available for me to purchase soon from IM Branson. (Update... the photos are available, but $25 for each digital image? Seriously?!! I don't think so!) Either way, I did it!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfRRd4lAtAgDbA-T56GA8vh24Gtpz08pL4kBqNeA5jZzbnGfPyQD9kQ372zm_CWRgg3yxuai1JUUoMRzpipO3OQcqGzNW8TnDr3_LUcXaAyAarsfY_PcAIctkdjJrIySl5W3cmX5RQWc/s1600/_MG_4395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfRRd4lAtAgDbA-T56GA8vh24Gtpz08pL4kBqNeA5jZzbnGfPyQD9kQ372zm_CWRgg3yxuai1JUUoMRzpipO3OQcqGzNW8TnDr3_LUcXaAyAarsfY_PcAIctkdjJrIySl5W3cmX5RQWc/s640/_MG_4395.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super-cool Finishers Medal!</td></tr>
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In the final analysis, my race plan worked. I finished the race set before me and accomplished my goal of completing my first half IronMan! I am a bit disappointed with the nutrition mistakes that I made and wish that I could have biked and run faster, but in the final analysis I know that I did what I could with the physical limitations that I am dealing with right now. It is all a learning process and I am super happy that I have accomplished what I have, slow as it was. </div>
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I am already looking forward to getting to work on improving all three disciplines this winter in preparation for next racing season. I am also optimistic that my cardiologist can help me get on top of the heart issues that I am still dealing with.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTN9z6OP8gCNGXj5BpDg5QGhaCb9N4vhAoGkzOgiRf9VkErZHf1OCMP-WsSZZJVrf4Qvs4F_kjKjleeaSd_oeaoJbmNIdN-duyaWfe7jnvnebl9SUuPOsKwvrqIt8dKEffgzTUES0KQ8Y/s1600/_MG_4394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTN9z6OP8gCNGXj5BpDg5QGhaCb9N4vhAoGkzOgiRf9VkErZHf1OCMP-WsSZZJVrf4Qvs4F_kjKjleeaSd_oeaoJbmNIdN-duyaWfe7jnvnebl9SUuPOsKwvrqIt8dKEffgzTUES0KQ8Y/s640/_MG_4394.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the fun race bling...</td></tr>
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In conclusion, I simply must give credit where credit is due and express some thank-you's. First of all, I am *so* grateful to the Lord that I could even compete this year. There were so many times when the problems that I was having with my heart should have totally sidelined me, but God was gracious, and enabled me to continue. What a privilege... I spent so much time during this race simply in awe of the fact that I was actually there, competing. Thanks God!</div>
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In addition, my family has been the *best* throughout this whole process, cheering for me, the children ran with me or even biked with me on my long runs and doing everything possible to help me succeed. Tom, especially, has done so much to help me. I never could have completed this training and race without him assisting me, believing in me and cheering so loudly! I love you Sweetie! </div>
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In addition, my parents have helped in super-important behind-the-scenes ways~ primarily praying. I think that they kept me going in ways that I'll never fully know. In addition, they graciously offered to stay with the children while Tom and I had our little "romantic" getaway to Branson this past weekend~ I am *so* blessed by my parents. Thanks *so* much, Mom and Dad! </div>
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Finally, I must thank my coach, <a href="http://www.perceptionmultisport.com/" target="_blank">Ryan</a>. He most certainly went "above and beyond" the call of duty. There were numerous times when I would tearfully email him to let him know that due to a new issue with my heart, I wouldn't be able to continue. Inevitably, after a good night's sleep, I would find new resolve and be back at it, trying to figure out a way to make this happen, in spite of my silly heart. He hung right in there with me. There is no possible way that I would have arrived at this race as ready as I was to complete the distance (uninjured as well!) without his help. Thank you Ryan, from the bottom of my heart.</div>
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And to my dear readers who have so faithfully read all of my triathlon-related posts, when I am pretty sure that most of you don't care at all about such things, and most likely think that I am a few bricks short of a load, *you* have been fabulously encouraging. Thank you!</div>
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I have a few additional thoughts pertaining to things that I have learned throughout the training/racing process this year that I will share in another post since this one has become a short novel....</div>
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Here's to persevering, facing fear and running the race set before us!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-86355944334452582422012-09-06T21:59:00.001-05:002012-09-07T07:27:37.698-05:00My drs appt....<br />
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So overall the appt with my cardiologist went well today, I think.</div>
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He was confident that my diagnosis of <a href="http://www.joyfulmomofmany.com/2012/09/an-eventful-training-week.html" target="_blank">the problem this past week</a> being caused by the testosterone cream was correct. So that is cool. Also, he reassured me that my heart is very healthy and also since I have never passed out from one of these tachycardia events I am not at risk for cardiac arrest. He also felt like once the testosterone got out of my system I would probably be back to where I was before with some limited "events." So that is good.</div>
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He was pretty unhappy that I am doing <a href="http://ironman.com/events/ironman70.3/branson70.3#axzz25jwMcSpQ" target="_blank">Branson 70.3</a> though. </div>
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Our conversation went something like this:<br />
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me: So you are good with me continuing to do the workouts that I have been doing?<br />
Dr.E: Absolutely! <br />
Then he looks at me suspiciously.</div>
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Dr E: You aren't planning on doing one of those IronMan events, are you?</div>
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me: Um, well it's not a *full* IM…</div>
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Dr. E: WHEN? In 2015? 2014?….</div>
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me: …. actually, in three weeks….</div>
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Dr. E: Didn't we already have this discussion? You know what I think about endurance events! I don't recommend them for *anybody*! Now, you are not particularly at risk, but I don't think that anybody should do those events. Tell me again how far you are going? </div>
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me: 1.2mi swim, 56mi bike and 13mi run...</div>
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Dr. E: All in one day?!! I can't understand why *anybody* would want to do that! I mean, it'd be different if it were your job or something... (I'm thinking, seriously?!! People get *paid* to train for IM events?!! I want that job when I grow up! LOL!)</div>
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Well, you get the idea. sigh. He said that "Of course, you can do what you want to do," (Um, yeah, I guess he doesn't know me, but that's a given. : ) ) He also said that he would be "much more comfortable" with me doing this if I had already successfully done that distance. I tried to explain how the training gradually builds me up to that point and that while I won't have actually done that complete distance in advance, I will have come pretty close, with no problems.</div>
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In addition, and understandably so, if I do continue to have events like the ones that I had this past week, he does want to implant a heart monitor. It would automatically be triggered if my hr went above a certain point. And so certainly I'd do that if this continues. I am pretty sure that it won't though.</div>
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So there you have it. I've quit using the testosterone cream (with the added benefit that I get to quit shaving my face~ *joking*!!) and Tom is good with me continuing to train/race. Obviously, if I can't get past these tachycardia events in the next week or so I'll have to skip Branson this year. I am optimistic that I'll be able to get past this and compete though.<br />
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ok... enough of this health stuff!<br />
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Since the unwritten rule is that every blog post must have some photos....<br />
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I was uploading pics from my iPhone and found this funny picture.... The children *love* to take pictures with my phone and I think that they catch some pretty funny ones. I must have had a hard workout this day....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCHfSkaFLe9SDyFfu3JIrcp-Iv_CJ-RIcKy21VOrSzlN0KBw5aMRYa5juYHfpFmfkmvvlJ6P0SDfSc3TF-S4CHR4Scr-rO93uu1mpWR_kaARbwgjBb7deNnP4XTRH_s5JrVfPnaj1JVA/s1600/_MG_3985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCHfSkaFLe9SDyFfu3JIrcp-Iv_CJ-RIcKy21VOrSzlN0KBw5aMRYa5juYHfpFmfkmvvlJ6P0SDfSc3TF-S4CHR4Scr-rO93uu1mpWR_kaARbwgjBb7deNnP4XTRH_s5JrVfPnaj1JVA/s640/_MG_3985.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And, just 'cause corgis are utterly adorable...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSY9XEjbqGGooNyC1Jew509FE9FKr9xrXYs5Z91wMd-jThn9OZ2DUDAE62K3x32O1Q1mdZhe60rlvX4UK3NfwV7GOrwsZkSGmmHpI8VAKxt5TSt8h91oMiMAoUSF2kK01WH4mzK9WE-Q/s1600/_MG_3991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSY9XEjbqGGooNyC1Jew509FE9FKr9xrXYs5Z91wMd-jThn9OZ2DUDAE62K3x32O1Q1mdZhe60rlvX4UK3NfwV7GOrwsZkSGmmHpI8VAKxt5TSt8h91oMiMAoUSF2kK01WH4mzK9WE-Q/s640/_MG_3991.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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And finally, I don't think that I have shown you me fancy-schmancy wetsuit yet! It looks funny since the legs are draped over my bed (I was washing the sheets that day, in case you were wondering~ I have this thing about *always* making my bed! But anyway...) Isn't it *cool*? If you have never swam in a wetsuit, they are really fun. Imagine yourself as buoyant as a cork... well, imagine yourself as a superhero-in-lycra cork! LOL! I can hardly wait to "officially" use it. The boys wondered where my cape was when I tried it on! : O</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kkfbGZImhq-M_-huvzK2aIL3HmvSqF66A5PNElGBAbB4bYbOSgrDs7wPDyv_bt9G_Oan8Um4RkTWuTZwBqq6akfNJXJSqVeYdkw07eEyRTYIhd_eD-XLXPhWGT4m_XUdMaXC4kUZ8S0/s1600/IMG_5264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kkfbGZImhq-M_-huvzK2aIL3HmvSqF66A5PNElGBAbB4bYbOSgrDs7wPDyv_bt9G_Oan8Um4RkTWuTZwBqq6akfNJXJSqVeYdkw07eEyRTYIhd_eD-XLXPhWGT4m_XUdMaXC4kUZ8S0/s640/IMG_5264.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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Thanks for praying and following along here, friends!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-60435143266202935732012-09-06T06:00:00.000-05:002012-09-06T06:00:13.629-05:00Love this!For your encouragement/enjoyment:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UxWayfx3p2s?rel=0" width="853"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-50284650308992512422012-09-05T16:05:00.002-05:002012-09-07T02:46:40.057-05:00An eventful training week...<br />
<span style="color: #aad977; float: left; font-family: times; font-size: 100px; line-height: 80px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 1px;">I</span><br />
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am now nearing the end of my training for my first Half-IronMan triathlon race this September 23! Some weeks are definitely more eventful than others, training-wise. This was one of the more eventful ones, for sure. Be forewarned, this is a long post!</div>
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If you have been reading here for a while, you know that I have been battling some seemingly random problems with a heart arrhythmia problem called <a href="http://www.joyfulmomofmany.com/search/label/V-Tach" target="_blank">tachicardia</a>. Tachicardia is basically just a really fast heartbeat. When this all began this past spring I had a myriad of tests run and thankfully none of them indicated any heart disease, the only "abnormality" being a super-cool slightly enlarged "athletic heart."</div>
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I guess you could basically say that I have "bad wiring" which at times really gets in the way of my best-laid plans, training-wise. Ever since my ablation this past spring this whole thing has pretty much been under control. I have had a few scary instances of my heart racing when I least expected it, but gradually I have learned particular things that seem to trigger the tachicardia (super-hard intervals, not warming up before beginning my workout, exercising in the extreme heat, etc) and I do my best to avoid those things.</div>
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On Mondays and Fridays I attend a masters swim class which is basically a group swim workout. The one I attend is specifically for triathletes, so we only swim freestyle. I *love* attending this class! Not only do I tend to work harder in a group, but I also get helpful feedback on technique that I need to improve on.</div>
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Last Monday I was almost done with the assigned sets that we were swimming when I suddenly went into tachycardia. When this happens to me I have to quickly make my way to the end of the pool and stop until my heart returns to a normal (sinus) rhythm. Thankfully I have never passed out from one of these episodes, or even felt like I was going to, but the fear is certainly there, especially when I'm swimming.</div>
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I was super-relieved that this particular episode only lasted 2-3 minutes before returning to normal. Whew! At that point I finished the swim set, grateful that things were back to normal.</div>
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Tuesday I had a simple hour long bike workout on my trainer plus a 15 minute run... no prob.</div>
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Wednesday I had a challenging and fun "iron distance simulation." Early in the day I swam for 30 minutes. At lunch time I rode for 2 1/2 hours on hills since that's what I'll be majoring in at Branson. Then late in the afternoon, I ran for one hour. This was encouraging for me. I'm still not very fast, especially running, but I did finish this strong, with no problems. And my heart didn't act up either!</div>
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Thursday was a rest day.</div>
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Friday I swam again for an hour. No problems with my heart then either.</div>
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Saturday I was scheduled to run 10 miles. It rained and rained here Friday into Saturday (We ended up getting 6+ inches to appease our drought-stricken land, finally!). I waited to run until it began to clear up on Saturday afternoon. It was still cloudy, but super-humid when Caleb and I left to run. Our plan was for him to run with me for the first 4 miles, then he was going to get on his bike and ride with me for the final 6 miles.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain outside my kitchen window!!</td></tr>
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We had just finished the first 4 miles when I went into tachycardia. Darn it! At least we were already at the car, so I sat down, hoping to wait it out then finish my workout. I changed my super-muddy socks and waited, and waited. After 5 minutes I decided to try running again, since at times that has forced my heart back into a normal rhythm. That didn't work this time so, somewhat dejected, I walked back to the car and drove home, praying that my heart would return to a normal rhythm so I wouldn't have to go in to the emergency room. After a total of 45 minutes, just before reaching our house, my heart suddenly converted to a normal rhythm. </div>
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Sunday I was scheduled to ride 35 miles. This went off without a hitch~ no heart problems at all. </div>
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Encouraged by Sunday's workout, I again attempted my 10 mile run early Monday morning. Silly me, I decided to run by myself that morning. Tom had worked late the night before and Jacob had a cold and couldn't run with me. Rather than run with Tom later in the day since it was forecasted to be quite hot (mid 90s), I opted to run early by myself. </div>
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The run started out much better than Saturday's run. I use a run/walk plan, running for 6 minutes, then walking for one. I can keep going a long time using this method. This particular day I did great until I reached mile 8.5. At that point, while walking for my one minute, I went into tachycardia. </div>
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Running wasn't an option, and I was a mile and a half from my car, so I just kept walking and praying that I wouldn't pass out. I was wearing the heart rate monitor that goes with my Garmin, so I kept glancing my Garmin to see what my heart rate was. It kept hovering around 220. Yikes!</div>
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I made it back to my car and reluctantly called Tom, who was still asleep at home since he had worked late the night before. I *hated* waking him up, but wanted him to know what was going on in case I had trouble making it home.</div>
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Here's what my heart rate looked like, when I uploaded the info from my Garmin to my computer later. The heart rate is at the bottom left of the page. You can see my heart rate would rise to the low 160s while I would run for the 6 minutes and then fall as I walked for the minute. Then check out what happened when I went into tachycardia! Yikes!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-Wv-YQzBshoevM0cLU-vXwv0o2xrrl0ZmiZ3mI-GN3qRWja319PdfRZpiZd1Ry8rNV2ZspvSbZFOU_CFfVyyvlGyZHYC-aE6CFUj-AmipS7ZqiY7DlGJyG-QoXaBHCEtcZofkvaFaN0/s1600/Yikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-Wv-YQzBshoevM0cLU-vXwv0o2xrrl0ZmiZ3mI-GN3qRWja319PdfRZpiZd1Ry8rNV2ZspvSbZFOU_CFfVyyvlGyZHYC-aE6CFUj-AmipS7ZqiY7DlGJyG-QoXaBHCEtcZofkvaFaN0/s640/Yikes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I know that this is silly, but my fear as I drove home was that I would have to go to the emergency room and that I would have to have a defibrillator used on me. Now I know that most likely defibrillators aren't used on people who are conscious, but that was my fear. <br />
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I made it home just fine, well, as fine as I could and just as Tom and I were about to leave for the emergency room, my heart returned to a normal rhythm... after a grand total of 55 minutes this time. Good grief! At that point I tearfully decided that training for an IronMan competition simply wasn't in my future. I was really desiring to trust God with this (either way, IronMan or no), but feeling quite heartbroken and honestly super fragile.<br />
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By Tuesday though, (and predictably enough) I was already contemplating if there was *any* possible way that I could get back to training. Thankfully, I already had an appointment scheduled with my cardiologist for this Thursday. I called his nurse Tuesday morning and told her what had happened. She knows my health history and my desire to compete in triathlons and honestly didn't seem very concerned about what had happened. She said that I should continue to do my workouts, but avoid long workouts in the heat.<br />
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So, I went from thinking that I was about to die on Monday morning, to swimming again Tuesday afternoon. : ) I abbreviated my swim workout somewhat since I was honestly not anxious to repeat Monday's drama. As I swam I prayed, about a variety of things. Somewhere around my 47th lap, the Lord revealed to me what was causing my heart to act up so badly this past week! <br />
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I have mentioned here in the past that I am battling <a href="http://www.joyfulmomofmany.com/search/label/Osteopenia" target="_blank">osteopenia</a>. As I have researched this I have been really committed to avoiding prescription medications as they have a wide range of super-bad side effects. One thing that I came across in my research though was that bioidentical testosterone is commonly prescribed in Europe for premenopausal women who are battling osteopenia. This is not a synthetic form of testosterone, but a form that is natural and easily recognized and utilized. </div>
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At that point, this past January, I requested that my dr put me on a small dose of testosterone. Interestingly enough, I had only been using it a week when I began to have a problem with my heart racing during masters swim. At that point I had no idea that I had any other heart problems and initially assumed that I was just having trouble coming up to speed again after I recovering from my hip surgery. </div>
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On the outside chance that the testosterone was causing my problems I quit using it and the problems with my heart racing quit pretty quickly. </div>
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A few months later I again considered the testosterone and thought that surely it must have been a fluke that I had experienced the heart racing issues in January and again used the testosterone cream. Within a week I was having the same problems! So I immediately stopped using the testosterone again.</div>
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Fast forward to two weeks ago. I began seeing a different doctor who specialized in using bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for women. He again put me on a bioidentical combination of progesterone and (silly me!) testosterone cream. And here I am, two weeks into that having a crazy amount of heart arrhythmia problems! (I've been using the progesterone for some time, with no adverse effects) </div>
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Needless to say, I won't be using that cream any more! I am guessing that it will take several days to a week (based on past experience) for it to get out of my system. </div>
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And yes, I certainly do have something else going on with my heart (I have intermittent heart arrhythmia problems, even when I haven't been using the testosterone cream), and I will be curious to hear my cardiologist's take on this, but I think that I was staying on top of everything until this past week, so I am really hopeful that within a few days I'll be back where I was. Time will tell, but I pretty sure about this. : )</div>
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So, if you made it this far, you made it to the "happy ending" of my crazy training week. I've got about two good weeks of training left, then taper week, then race day!<br />
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Oh! I almost forgot! Our oldest (and newly married!) son Nathaniel is a chaplain's assistant in the army at Ft. Benning, GA. He has been blogging a bunch lately <span id="goog_240840586"></span><a href="http://nateblow.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a><span id="goog_240840587"></span> about some of his experiences there as he serves the Lord and his country. I *love* seeing my children love and serve the Lord! I thought you might like to see too. : )<br />
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Rejoicing in His goodness, in the good *and* the hard times,<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-70465702798283229432012-08-31T22:34:00.000-05:002012-08-31T22:34:12.323-05:00Cross Country Meet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This year, for the first time, three of our children are participating in a homeschool cross country team. When I was their age I would have considered it a fate worse than death to have to run long distance races. As a basketball player and sprinter on our track team, I stood in awe of my classmates who actually *wanted* to run long distances, and now I have three children who are doing just that.</div>
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Actually, come to think of it, even I have taken a liking to running long(er) distances... who'd-of-thunk-it?</div>
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Yesterday was a red letter day here... it was Tom's birthday *and* the very first cross country invitational meet for our children. </div>
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As it would turn out... the weather was super-hot yesterday~ all of 95 degrees. I was hot just watching them... as I stood in the shade! Wow!</div>
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This was such a large invitational meet (14 teams, I believe) that there was a separate race for the 7th graders. That meant that Joshua could compete in this meet. He was *so* excited! (He's #704)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG6ymQS0s8jXl7ScgOk2t4Yd7jP4OVid3FgbWpZO2sbBXJhrMLF9bg4P5VSFEH0ZpfPO_sTxWirN14oDbKvzv8Wlz8Z-d6Yl3DzxnRZN9QS1zDWJMkJ7WxaX6BoxYLIzv1lbFDSGmOZ4/s1600/IMG_4023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG6ymQS0s8jXl7ScgOk2t4Yd7jP4OVid3FgbWpZO2sbBXJhrMLF9bg4P5VSFEH0ZpfPO_sTxWirN14oDbKvzv8Wlz8Z-d6Yl3DzxnRZN9QS1zDWJMkJ7WxaX6BoxYLIzv1lbFDSGmOZ4/s640/IMG_4023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I was younger, we'll just say a *few* years ago~ my parents sacrificed their schedule to attend every basketball game, volleyball game and track meet that I participated in. While I was certainly grateful for their support, I never really "got" how much fun it was to cheer for your children as they worked and competed in sporting events. I get it now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIybekIQ_BQpxbbR3_pbyv0nIwX49XHPVLCxKtmyRAxy4iy-yynJk-K36ti-hXjmCx0abgIf7QxDv0mq9vuJ35Y6q66qtzkigJWs7u59snXQrttqL3R-vh2sElr_D-g2_k6mbT4mbubBE/s1600/IMG_4032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIybekIQ_BQpxbbR3_pbyv0nIwX49XHPVLCxKtmyRAxy4iy-yynJk-K36ti-hXjmCx0abgIf7QxDv0mq9vuJ35Y6q66qtzkigJWs7u59snXQrttqL3R-vh2sElr_D-g2_k6mbT4mbubBE/s640/IMG_4032.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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I would have been bursting-with-pride either way, but it was especially fun to see Joshua win a medal in his 7th grade race!<br />
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Caleb was next up, running with the 8th graders... (#709)<br />
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Silly boy... I think he had too much energy left at the end of the race!<br />
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And finally, the senior high girls were up. Abbie next! (#700) She is on the far right in this pic.<br />
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It was interesting for me to watch the children and cheer for them and also think about the big half IronMan triathlon that I have been training so long for. It struck me that possibly, just possibly the Lord is pleased with me and is proud to "cheer for me" just because He is my Father. Just like I am *so* proud of my children for simply being them. They don't have to be olympians or win medals for me to enjoy watching them compete....<br />
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I don't have to win my age group or qualify for national championships in order for Him to be pleased with me. It is easy for me to see that with my children, but harder for me to view myself that way. Certainly I want to strive for excellence in all of my triathlon training, but the fact is that there are limitations to what I can do. If I am able to stay injury-free and continue to train and compete next year I anticipate that I will improve in all three sports. <br />
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I can rejoice in what I *can* do now and enjoy this whole process and most likely my precious Savior is happy with watching me as well~ even though I may never win anything.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZoIXwHJBpNxogvVE5UPG-_ur0hnqelcQY8fldu5O9fzmolFYsno32kvfZjzEYww9gPG2CPpzb4uk5ivcZ9pi9GAZL3pyNvrCl01PldJngWkjmClg0GJIiKxUkUoFhzJBQHgsOkCmSDs/s1600/IMG_4116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZoIXwHJBpNxogvVE5UPG-_ur0hnqelcQY8fldu5O9fzmolFYsno32kvfZjzEYww9gPG2CPpzb4uk5ivcZ9pi9GAZL3pyNvrCl01PldJngWkjmClg0GJIiKxUkUoFhzJBQHgsOkCmSDs/s640/IMG_4116.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Abbie was such a trooper! The senior high girls had a longer course than either of our boys did~ and on such a hot day. I was inspired just watching all of my racers!<br />
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Aren't you glad that the Lord shows up for all of your "meets" and is cheering for you?<br />
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"running the race with endurance..." Heb.12:1<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-53002237787155697092012-08-28T21:08:00.000-05:002013-02-27T06:43:10.860-06:00Coming up for air, and a vacation recap....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Did anyone ever tell you that homeschooling gets easier as the children get older? They lied. I'm smiling (now!) as I type this, but being honest that as committed as I am to investing in our children it's just plain hard sometimes. But this I do know, God is good and sufficient. His grace is enough.</div>
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After a week and a half of grinding away at our new routine in a new school year, I do think that today went better. </div>
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On to a photographic recap of our recent family vacation to Colorado. What a trip it was! Almost every day I got up early to squeeze in my Ironman preparation workouts before we left to spend the rest of the day either trail running or hiking with the children. </div>
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Here's our 15 passenger van all decked out and ready to go. Have you ever seen a vehicle with two car-top carriers? Me either! Pretty funny! </div>
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In the interest of saving a bit of money, we decided to get up early and drive the whole way in one day. The adventure of traveling is one of my all-time favorite things to do. Tom likes to drive (or more accurately doesn't like to be a passenger), so that leaves me with nothing to do for the whole drive. I *never* have nothing to do in my "normal life"~ what fun!</div>
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The sunrise viewed in the rearview mirror as we traveled West. </div>
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I love even "boring" Kansas~ the big sky out West captivates me.</div>
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Gabriel brought his GoPro~ *love* the wide angle effect of that lens!</div>
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So yeah, that's me taking photos of.... tree bark... : )</div>
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Gotta' love me some flare....</div>
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One of the best things about this trip was that not only did we get to spend time with my parents, but my brother and his son were with us as well. The children had *so* much fun with their cousin.</div>
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A self-portrait Gabe took with his GoPro (and me with my iPhone in the background...)</div>
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So many pretty rocks and so little pocket space... </div>
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Not only did we maintain a break-neck pace the whole week that we were gone, but we also had the dubious honor of making not one, but two trips to Urgent Care. First Jonathan had to get 12 stitches after a carving accident, then later in the week he ended up getting some sort of stomach virus and got pretty dehydrated. Once he was given 2 liters of IV fluids he was a different boy. Poor kid! I snapped this pic once he felt better~ check out that popsicle! <br />
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Tom being silly with something that we found while hiking. I think a goatee might look pretty good on him!</div>
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So yeah, there's that super-cool bark...</div>
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*Love* this photo of Tom and Tim!</div>
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We saw so much wildlife on this trip. I posted a bunch of those photos <a href="http://www.joyfulmomofmany.com/2012/08/hope-deferred.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Boys and water... they just couldn't stay out. It didn't matter that it had been snow only hours before. Brrrrrr.....</div>
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Tom and I</div>
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Dan checking out the view on Trail Ridge Road.</div>
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Pretty much the whole crew... including Nate and new wife Jamie + cousin Brenden.</div>
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This little guy was obviously used to getting handouts!</div>
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The younger boys carefully filled out booklets to become "Junior Rangers." Here they are taking their Junior Ranger oath. Pretty fun!</div>
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So many memories made... so much fun crammed into one week. My heart wells with gratefulness as I review these photos.<br />
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Tom chauffeuring us home...</div>
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Rejoicing in the good memories, but getting back to work here....<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-21245589334336641632012-08-20T09:47:00.001-05:002012-08-20T09:47:37.535-05:00Bless the Lord....<br />
<span style="color: #aad977; float: left; font-family: times; font-size: 100px; line-height: 80px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 1px;">O</span>n my heart and mind today....<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DXDGE_lRI0E?rel=0" width="853"></iframe><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-75145637504407001282012-08-19T17:16:00.000-05:002012-08-28T21:09:14.578-05:00Hope deferred....... makes the heart sick."<br />
~Prov. 13:12<br />
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As I mentioned yesterday, today was my first triathlon of 2012. I have a race report for you, but I'll be honest... I was super-disappointed. So, to appease my guilt over complaining here I am going to post some scenic photos from our recent trip to Colorado. Which, by the way, was a fabulous trip, the first family vacation that we have had with our lovely new daughter-in-law, our oldest son Nate's wife, Jamie! More photos and details about our adventurous trip will be posted here soon...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEbYDpIzrGiSMREK8422l8gncorcyhTFOxYEVGInJC-tJDLd7j3O4GYFUZkFoVz0PRSjqU7iqMg3YydbhLVZG5Z_aAVUfi5-WRfs6IoXwmypTw6bSZW_oj00k5hwYJMM9s5aD8e5te9g/s1600/_MG_3580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEbYDpIzrGiSMREK8422l8gncorcyhTFOxYEVGInJC-tJDLd7j3O4GYFUZkFoVz0PRSjqU7iqMg3YydbhLVZG5Z_aAVUfi5-WRfs6IoXwmypTw6bSZW_oj00k5hwYJMM9s5aD8e5te9g/s640/_MG_3580.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nate and Jamie</td></tr>
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Back to my race report...<br />
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The weather was fabulous this morning for a race... low 60s and in spite of the extremely hot and dry summer that we have had here, the more temperate weather of the past week allowed the lake to cool off enough that it was actually a wetsuit-legal swim. Unfortunately, the wetsuit that I had recently ordered was not here yet. I *never* would have guessed that it would have even been an option to use it today or I would have tried to order it sooner, but the race that I really need it for is my upcoming half-IronMan in September.<br />
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The swim was two 750yd laps. Once the first lap is finished we had to get out of the water, run along the beach and then enter the water to swim the loop again. The distance actually didn't intimidate me at all since I have been swimming so much, but there was a somewhat amusing start. Due to the extreme drought conditions here, when the race started, we swam about 75yds before having to stand up and walk for 25 yards or so due to the low water levels in the lake! It was really crazy.<br />
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I'm so grateful to report that I didn't have any issues with my heart at all during the swim. I was able to steadily swim both loops without having to stop at all. That was a huge improvement from last year. I honestly don't know if I could have completed that distance last year. Frustratingly though, I was still one of the last to exit the water. It frustrates me because, while I am still somewhat of a new swimmer (I've only been swimming for a little over a year), I am not super-super slow in the pool. Definitely not one of the fast swimmers, but I can hold my own.<br />
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I think that, in my caution over my heart issues, I held back quite a bit. That won't happen again.<br />
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I exited the water after my two laps, slipped on my socks, bike shoes, helmet and sunglasses and ran to the "bike out."<br />
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The bike course on this triathlon is a two loop course as well. There are a few good hills, and one bridge that is a bit tricky. The bridge has a solid floor, but there are two strips of raised boards for cars to cross. While the width of the boards are close to two feet wide, it is still a bit scary crossing, knowing that a wobble could cause a wreck.<br />
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There was one disabled athlete competing today. He was a bit in front of me as we neared the bridge on his handbike. I watched cautiously from behind him. "Oh my! I think that his tires are wider than the boards on the bridge crossing!" I thought. But he didn't even pause and raced toward the perilous crossing. "He must know what he's doing." I decided. <br />
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His tires were too wide and he completely capsized at the far end of the bridge! I was so afraid that he was hurt! I jumped off of my bike and ran across to check on him. Thankfully he was able to right himself and his bike was ok. With a wave of thanks to me for stopping, he was off. I remounted my bike and raced off as well.<br />
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A few weeks before we left to go on vacation I had the chain replaced on my bike. The new chain ended up requiring a new sprocket as well. I decided to order one that would be a bit better for all of the hills that I will be climbing when I compete in Branson. The new sprocket arrived yesterday. Rather than take a chance on racing with a new sprocket I decided to wait to have it installed until next week.<br />
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I don't really know what precipitated what happened next, but I shifted when climbing and somehow my chain kinked in two places. I immediately unclipped and walked my bike to the side of the road. Actually, I assumed that I had thrown my chain, which is easily fixed. When I saw those two kinks, my heart sank. I do know some basic bike maintenance.... can change a tire, get a thrown chain back on, etc. This though, could not be fixed. My hands simply weren't strong enough to unkink that chain.<br />
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I stood there on the side of the road, racers passing me and tears of frustration welling up in my eyes. I had no option but to accept a ride back to the start and call it a day. There were three of us who rode back in that truck. Both of the other riders were on their second flat tire of the day. I felt so embarrassed because I simply couldn't contain my tears. I am typically a very steady person, but for a variety of reasons, this DNF (did not finish) brought about a level of despair in me that I never would have anticipated.<br />
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Just being honest here, I have cried off and on all afternoon. That also frustrated me. I mean, my goodness, it's not like someone just died or even that I was injured or that my heart acted up. I think that my deep, deep frustration stemmed from the fact that this is the third year that I have tried to compete in triathlons. This was the first race in which I was not injured. The simple fact is that I care *way* too much about this for my ability level.<br />
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It also frustrated me that my response was *so* intense. Do you ever do that? Just cry out of frustration over crying and caring *so* much? sigh.<br />
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It's ok. This too will pass and I do know that in the whole scheme of things this is really less than super-minuscule. To me, right now though, the truth is that it does matter... a lot. So, just being honest... that's the real me.<br />
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Life goes on though. I'm headed out to run tonight with Abbie and Jacob and tomorrow morning I will get up at 5am to swim again with my masters swim group.<br />
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I did learn some things today... I learned that my heart can take the excitement of the start of an open water swim... I learned that some smoke-lensed goggles would be helpful when swimming into the sun and trying to sight buoys.<br />
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I also learned that I care about this more than I realized. <br />
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Thanks so much for praying for me, friends. I am deeply grateful. Next time I think that I need to ask for prayer for my bike as well as my heart! <br />
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Tomorrow we officially begin school here and my training will only intensify the next few weeks as I finish preparing for IM Branson. So with a full heart ~ grateful and yet sorrowing,<br />
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I will close this post. Hopefully I haven't been too depressing as I have honestly shared from my heart.<br />
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God is good and His ways sure. I'm regrouping and going forth.... I've got a bunch of swimming, biking and running to do in the near future.<br />
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Getting everyone settled with school will take me some time this week~ we have *bunch* of new things that we are taking on this year, but I am planning on checking in soon with additional stories and photos from our Colorado adventure soon.<br />
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{{{{{hugs}}}}} my friends....<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-21859457609013719472012-08-18T19:30:00.001-05:002012-08-18T19:30:09.401-05:00on being brave...<br />
<span style="color: #aad977; float: left; font-family: times; font-size: 100px; line-height: 80px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 1px;">T</span>omorrow is my first triathlon of 2012 after my heart problems this past spring. I'm embarrassed to tell you how nervous and excited I am. <br />
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On one hand, I totally count it a privilege that I have even been able to train and now compete after the somewhat dire diagnosis of <a href="http://www.joyfulmomofmany.com/search/label/V-Tach" target="_blank">VTach</a> that I was branded with last February. On the other hand, I have to keep remembering that being able to compete is just that, a privilege, and have fun.<br />
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I have a chalkboard in my front room/studio that I enjoy decorating with quotes and Bible verses that are meaningful to me. This past week I erased it and began to redecorate it. <br />
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And yes, I am a shameless copier... Pinterest gives me so many great ideas. These came from <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/126734176984944555/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/126734176984944552/" target="_blank">here</a>. After writing the Bible verse from Hebrews I decided to add the "Be Brave" banner as a reminder to me. I left home to run some errands and returned to find that one of the boys added the "little Piglet" sentiment to my "Be Brave." So funny!<br />
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So here I am, pretty much like "Piglet" from Winnie the Pooh~ somewhat timid and fearful of what "could happen." Ok, to be quite honest, sometimes I *really* fearful of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vtach" target="_blank">VTach</a> rearing its ugly head when I'm swimming. <br />
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So I've been thinking a lot about what it means to "be brave."<br />
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<ul>
<li>First of all, being brave does not imply an absence of fear.</li>
<li>I am not alone in being fearful. Some super-cool people in the Bible were fearful.</li>
<li>Choosing to joyfully trust God is my best plan, no matter how I feel.</li>
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Source: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizzylee/5489565246/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">flickr.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/debduty/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">deb</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://quotebites.com/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">quotebites.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kaylalamoreaux/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Kayla</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/2011/05/tutorial-how-to-become-a-dentist.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">craftyscrappyhappy.net</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/joyfulmomofmany/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Susan</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net/2011/05/tutorial-how-to-become-a-dentist.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">craftyscrappyhappy.net</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/joyfulmomofmany/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Susan</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://observando.net/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">observando.net</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/clickinmoms/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">ClickinMoms</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://witanddelight.tumblr.com/page/7#18" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">witanddelight.tumblr.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/gluestickgirl/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">gluestickgirl</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Here's to new adventures, even if they are a bit scary!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-77068556123254847912012-08-02T20:54:00.000-05:002012-08-02T21:24:43.619-05:00And then it rained....<span style="color: #aad977; float: left; font-family: times; font-size: 100px; line-height: 80px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 1px;">I</span> awoke to this today...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EZP0SGadciDRHrc4Kf3WUBRBJiYPhuSy4WEKSqVjP1rr5NKedckuzgoPGiSpSiILKClV8oBDbgcBR0feFLI728qctOR5U5FdXEfuCQVRlynxPGChyphenhyphen-ooGu1L2gcFnjVfIohjISi82Bg/s1600/IMG_5077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EZP0SGadciDRHrc4Kf3WUBRBJiYPhuSy4WEKSqVjP1rr5NKedckuzgoPGiSpSiILKClV8oBDbgcBR0feFLI728qctOR5U5FdXEfuCQVRlynxPGChyphenhyphen-ooGu1L2gcFnjVfIohjISi82Bg/s640/IMG_5077.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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Yep. That was my view on the way home from master's swim this morning. What <i>is </i>that wet stuff anyway?!! It didn't end up being very much rain, certainly not enough to really help in our drought, but still... oh so nice!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxfrbToo71iIgVBbpWnuW_aMshThpnGlN8PDfpE0ZH8vGbPAeKAp06pi4K501TECSocQWLOrTUCUYHz4pCNG9izr7oYc8bTWu7MrX8EGxnf_hry0DvU3sR_GVv4TvQJGXFufiMabVZow/s1600/_MG_3446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxfrbToo71iIgVBbpWnuW_aMshThpnGlN8PDfpE0ZH8vGbPAeKAp06pi4K501TECSocQWLOrTUCUYHz4pCNG9izr7oYc8bTWu7MrX8EGxnf_hry0DvU3sR_GVv4TvQJGXFufiMabVZow/s640/_MG_3446.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Raindrops on our deck... so, so refreshing! And then it was back up to the upper 90s this afternoon, but still I was so grateful for the sweet gentle reminder from the Lord... Oh! How He loves!<br />
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Thanks so much for your encouraging comments and emails yesterday! My friends are the <i>best</i>!<br />
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This year, for the first time, three of our children are running cross country with a homeschool team. This, my friends, is some serious fun! So proud of Abigail, Caleb and Joshua~ love watching someone (other than myself!) sweat and work hard! : ) I can hardly wait to cheer for them at their first meet!<br />
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On the way to pick them up from practice tonight "Let the Waters Rise" by Mikeschair was playing on KLOVE. Good truth, that.<br />
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"Let the waters rise if You want them to. I will follow You, I will follow You."<br />
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So nothing has really changed here, except my perspective. I'm embedding the video for those who'd like to watch and be encouraged. (If you are reading this via email or in a reader, you may need to click through to my blog to watch...)</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KIkQ7YVys_A?rel=0" width="640"></iframe><br />
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Headed to bed... I've got a super-sweet 50 mile bike ride scheduled tomorrow morning...<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866659982820371097.post-16096258112357882022012-08-01T22:28:00.000-05:002012-08-01T22:28:48.157-05:00Looking for beauty...<span style="color: #aad977; float: left; font-family: times; font-size: 100px; line-height: 80px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 1px;">S</span><span style="text-align: left;">ometimes I have to search really, really hard for beauty. The hot weather and drought drag on and on here in the Midwest. For a variety of reasons for the past several days I have felt as parched as my poor yard.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6un7PnwR0DYLsfDe_-U4YzgiU5N3edo7uzFAfVVxj47N0ssEVX9OhkX1mAy6w3DXgyHDQdc1nUMmCyc2cWCxC6O9modVf5PiJV5ubRMYsRt0PR0qA271_zL2fp6Sc6Yc27QapycWctec/s1600/_MG_3378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6un7PnwR0DYLsfDe_-U4YzgiU5N3edo7uzFAfVVxj47N0ssEVX9OhkX1mAy6w3DXgyHDQdc1nUMmCyc2cWCxC6O9modVf5PiJV5ubRMYsRt0PR0qA271_zL2fp6Sc6Yc27QapycWctec/s640/_MG_3378.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When difficulties buffet, I fight to focus on truth.</div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">"Finally, brethern, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Phil. 4:8</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOBYzbIGR-swPzuCSS-YPxe-J6j6susw9j44WACU4oFl7Ppob9pdOmNWSMUcGNlNKMf69Fr1mXxFXmb89eEDlATQFyTh44B43EOESSwhZX4affKdx5o0akleKXYk0-Vntje7f3IMh6bA/s1600/_MG_3385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOBYzbIGR-swPzuCSS-YPxe-J6j6susw9j44WACU4oFl7Ppob9pdOmNWSMUcGNlNKMf69Fr1mXxFXmb89eEDlATQFyTh44B43EOESSwhZX4affKdx5o0akleKXYk0-Vntje7f3IMh6bA/s640/_MG_3385.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have recently been saddened by concerns for some of our children, financial stresses, the added workload of getting our large family ready for a vacation, a new school year looming and me not feeling prepared. In addition, we have been counseling older children as they prepare for college and careers, and I have spent what feels like an inordinate amount of time encouraging good attitudes as the children relate to each other here.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MtS95sU1pnyUFm_CgW9mtQgz69VZbme-94_fSGAKB5eLmt06bRzGvkwAOIscfAD71sIfbjWEsvdUnSdq_Pg4MEV_-vJ0sInB6DUZ7aHodDNmLeE0jHJ-FdcYjv9opZTnhlAj9QT0oF8/s1600/_MG_3386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MtS95sU1pnyUFm_CgW9mtQgz69VZbme-94_fSGAKB5eLmt06bRzGvkwAOIscfAD71sIfbjWEsvdUnSdq_Pg4MEV_-vJ0sInB6DUZ7aHodDNmLeE0jHJ-FdcYjv9opZTnhlAj9QT0oF8/s640/_MG_3386.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On other fronts, my beloved bike needed a new chain and, as it turns out, new rear cassette as well. Now I actually <i>like</i> math, but even after reading and studying the math involved in determining what cassette would be best for me as I prepare for my half-IM race in Branson this September, I felt like a complete idiot. This particular bike course is known to be the most difficult one on the 70.3 circuit, so I wanted to be sure to make a good choice 'cause I'll need all the help I can get climbing those Ozark mountain "hills" in Southern Missouri.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2fXOtCvl0-4upekqaSRapXH24Qq_ZaEqXcg6Ct3mSMR5Hygs6d9Xk6hyphenhyphenMfNyf4Ii2tqT9t6oimAWYW0HSoxN0HZQd2vBfe6UmLcuSC6YiO8rKHlD61z4UoXx1j2Oqtms9189tnrm4fM/s1600/_MG_3390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2fXOtCvl0-4upekqaSRapXH24Qq_ZaEqXcg6Ct3mSMR5Hygs6d9Xk6hyphenhyphenMfNyf4Ii2tqT9t6oimAWYW0HSoxN0HZQd2vBfe6UmLcuSC6YiO8rKHlD61z4UoXx1j2Oqtms9189tnrm4fM/s640/_MG_3390.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Jacob is currently working part time in a local bike store, so I took my bike in there to see if they could explain to me what would be my best option. Now there is the possibility that I was simply having a bad day, but the explanation given to me made me feel, if possible, even more stupid than I did when I went in. sigh. It is at times like that that I feel like anyone who is watching me train for this triathlon is shouting "Poser!" and snickering at me for even wanting to <i>try</i> to accomplish this goal. I mean, seriously, an almost 50-year-old mother of a dozen children training for a half-Ironman triathlon?!! What on earth could I <i>possibly</i> be thinking?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2xBOVrHbQAJblFyovQb90wH7VU7sB8K7DwlkyBBFAGSrOMDKa3mP_G2xwCutvUZhXjiAskMD6dJxERH2gSHDQDYqMWYk_3oRctULNvR6Jq2WLpUyRiO2rZlW_ChZZEYRSQI8CXePXxA/s1600/_MG_3393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2xBOVrHbQAJblFyovQb90wH7VU7sB8K7DwlkyBBFAGSrOMDKa3mP_G2xwCutvUZhXjiAskMD6dJxERH2gSHDQDYqMWYk_3oRctULNvR6Jq2WLpUyRiO2rZlW_ChZZEYRSQI8CXePXxA/s640/_MG_3393.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have realized though, that I can't <i>not</i> do any of these things. The homeschooling, caring for children, triathlon training, etc are not things that I <i>do</i>, they are who I <i>am</i>. I can no more turn my back on those things than I can forego eating or breathing. The day will come when I will be "finished" home educating our children, or when I will no longer be able to swim, bike or run, but that day has not yet arrived. For now I am compelled to do these things~ to God's glory. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL3OIXi6ny6wv_RGPNCBPxPYkdeJ9MFYIHnXPlZyfe5dHg0X4Sw2G836XWRoLJGJ-0ojPiV3d8EQsX6IM3xbSt-ulHNYgPt4S9JDnIBVW2dZSQfNEUsDsEI66vcioUNWVqChKUe_QVlE/s1600/_MG_3394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL3OIXi6ny6wv_RGPNCBPxPYkdeJ9MFYIHnXPlZyfe5dHg0X4Sw2G836XWRoLJGJ-0ojPiV3d8EQsX6IM3xbSt-ulHNYgPt4S9JDnIBVW2dZSQfNEUsDsEI66vcioUNWVqChKUe_QVlE/s640/_MG_3394.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Eric Liddle, who won the gold medal in the 400 meters at the 1924 Paris Olympics said, "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel his pleasure." (If you are reading this in an email, or reader, click through to my blog to see the following clip from the 1981 movie "Chariots of Fire")</div>
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To be quite clear, I am not fast, but I am persistant and I am committed to doing, with excellence, all that God calls me to do. </div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the price? run in such a way that you may win."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">I Cor. 9:24</span></div>
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What things are you called to do... what things, when you do them, do you feel God's pleasure?<br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">"Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">I Cor. 10:31</span></div>
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I battle discouragement, just like everyone else, and I too must consciously choose to focus on truth. Some of my favorite tried and true weapons in the discouragement scrimmage:<br />
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<li>listening to God's Word (<a href="http://dailyaudiobible.com/" target="_blank">Daily Audio Bible</a>)</li>
<li>listing the many ways that I am blessed (adding to my <a href="http://www.joyfulmomofmany.com/search/label/Endless%20gifts" target="_blank">thankfulness journal</a>)</li>
<li>taking camera in hand in search of beauty</li>
<li>playing with the children</li>
<li>laughing</li>
<li>wearing myself out with a nice long bike ride (or run or swim!)</li>
<li>singing to the (at times loud) music in our kitchen as we cook</li>
<li>working in my garden</li>
<li>taking a nap!</li>
<li>adding photos to our <a href="http://www.joyfulmomofmany.com/search/label/Project%20Life" target="_blank">Project Life</a> album~ visible proof of God's faithfulness and goodness in our family's life</li>
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How about you? What do you do to battle discouragement and stay persistently faithful to what you are called to do?</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/114/BA4D2E2F7F607B129E1B673AA13B98C9.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732627354378250003noreply@blogger.com10