My First Race

I have always wanted to be a runner. I would see people running and wished I could do it. My confidence was what kept me back. I felt like I couldn't do it. I wouldn't know how to breathe right, blah..blah...blah. Finally, this past January, I made up my mind and was determined to start running. I set my goal as a 5k on March 22 here in Ocala and started training. Then, finally, March 22 came...It was so fun. I loved the feeling while I was running in the race. I loved the feeling that all these strangers were running this race together, yet still remains a personal sport. It was exhilarating and my adrenaline was pumping. So much so that I beat my normal time by almost 4 minutes!!!!!! Woo Hoo!  I will be doing these again....

My family rocks. My husband made signs for my boys to hold at the finish line. On the last leg of the race, I could hear them all yelling "Go Mommy" and it kept me going when i was so tired. My youngest son hugged my neck and said, "mommy, i am so proud of you, but how come you took so long?"   Nice.   My oldest has now informed me that he wants to run races now too. 

Pre-race. I did NOT eat those donuts. They were for the boys.

Here I am dying...almost there, almost there... :)

My cheer crowd!!!

God is GOOD!

Biker Mama!

As some of you know, me and my honey are BIKERS. That is right...bikers. It was one of the things that attracted me to Shane in the beginning....not necessarily him having a motorcycle, but what it symbolized. For me, it symbolizes a hobby that is about living. Having fun. Not living in fear. But, actually living. And i love that. My first motorcycle ride was on our first date and I still enjoy being on the Harley with him.  This past weekend we went to Bike Week 2009 on the beach and got away for a night. It was an awesome time together in many ways.  I am so thankful that we have so much fun together.

I promise we took this pic without our helmets, on purpose! I promise we normally wear helmets, but I was getting all camera savvy and wanted to take a pic in motion. So don't get all worried about us! :)

my prayer

One of my BEST friends sent me this and I really can't express how much I need to read this EVERY MINUTE of the day! I hope it will touch you right where YOU are at today in your struggles as well.

If we are willing to admit our lack of confidence in Him, Christ is more than willing to help us overcome our unbelief. Unlike people, Christ is never intimidated by the depth of our need and the demonstration of our weakness. Faith is not believing in my own unshakable belief. It is believing in an unshakable God when everything in me trembles and quakes. The only thing we absolutely could not survive would be the loss of God's love and that is a loss we'll never have to try. (Beth Moore, Praying God's Word)

Mark 9:24 "immediately the boys father exclaimed, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'"

3 down, one to go...

The 3rd family had their Kaz Supreme Court hearing this morning and they have been denied. 

Now, we are the only ones left.  We don't have a date yet.

We are preparing for the worst.

This week

As you know, we are 1 out of 4 families that have been fighting for our children in Kaz. In the previous post, I had to share the heartbreaking news that 2 of the families were completely denied their adoptions. After years of bonding and loving these children, the court system in Kaz denied the ability for them to be a family. 

This week, the 3rd family has their court hearing. Please be in prayer that they can go in peace and have the strength they need. Its going to be a hard week for them. Their hopes aren't too high at this point, given the news the other two families had a couple of weeks ago.

It is very hard to understand WHY these judges are trying to prevent these precious, innocent children from being with their families. And they don't understand that we are already bonded to our children. We have spent time with them, loved them, kissed them, fed them, talked about them, etc... They are OUR children. Not the government. Not anyone else. They are ours. And to strip them from us in this way is.... pure evil.  

However, there are things that happen that we may never understand.  But, i do know that without the peace, strength, joy, and contentment I have in Christ, I wouldn't be able to do this.

Please say a prayer for all four of us.