Sweet Shot Tuesday...on Wednesday!

Make me walk along the paths of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. Psalm 119:35

This picture of my sweet friend makes me smile. We were scoping out places for a photo shoot. We parked the car and simply began to walk down this dirt road/path. Funny thing is, we walked and didn't run. She loves running even more than I do! For us to slow down and walk was huge. It's the same way with the Lord. When we run ahead of Him, we tend t0 miss out on His wonderful plans and blessings for us. We think that we have all of the answers, when we truly don't. This Scripture has been whispering to my heart all week. I want the blessings of His happiness. In order to receive that, I need to slow down, spend time in His Word to hear those commands and pray.

Slowing down a bit....and enjoying each moment!
Join me at Sweet Shot Tuesday for more photos...I am running/walking a day behind!!

Sweet Blessings!

Sweet Shot Tuesday

I just love surprises! A hug from my boys when I least expect it. A phone call from a friend that felt a gentle nudge from God to call me. A compliment from my hubby when he's talking to someone and doesn't realize that I can hear him!! A package from UPS! A great sale at my favorite running store! The shadow of movement from my kitchen window that made me grab my camera and fly outside to watch one of my favorite creatures...butterflies!



Butterflies are so graceful. I love watching their flight...one flower to the next. They know where they are going. They need no guidance, no one to teach them. On the other hand, I DO!!!



"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:4-5



Join me at Sweet Shot Tuesday for more inspirational photos and precious shots!



Sweet Blessings,

Friends...love them!

Marathon mommies get out of the house!

Last night, I had the wonderful opportunity to eat out--not at McDonalds or Chic-fil-a(which are yummy!)--at a restaurant with cloth napkins and real tablecloths! No plastic on those tables! Whoohoo! Fine dining does occur every once and awhile. We went to Larkins by the River downtown. And, we all smelled good and had on make-up and had cute shoes and jewelry!! No smelly Nikes adorned our feet. And, we were not sweating--oops, I mean glistening!


All of these gals and I have spent time together on the roads or trails training for various races. All of these gals and I have spent time together encouraging each other through the...

the loss of a job

the pain of losing a parent


the anxiety of being diagnosed with cancer--again and again


the fear of having another stroke


the stress of not being able to have a child


the worry of having a special needs child


and the list goes on.



But, the joy that we have in our relationship with the Lord and with each other surpasses those losses, pains, fears, anxieties, and stress. We have seen the Lord do a work in each of us in that is amazing...more than we could have imagined.


Please don't get so wrapped up in your own lives that you leave no time for your friends. Family is so important, but we need those friends just as much. And, make sure to let your friends know that you love them. We take it for granted that we know the love that we have for one another. When was the last time you told your friend that you loved them and appreciated them? Four years ago, a friend and I were talking at church just like we had done for a "million" years! Laughing and cutting up about life, our kids, and "stuff"---like we did each time we were together. Three days later, Kelly was mowing the grass at her home, and her heart stopped. I never saw her again. My eyes are filled with tears as I type. I really miss her. But, the last we were together, she said, "Susan, I just need to tell you that I love you! I love how God has blessed our friendship!!" Y'all, I am so thankful for that moment. Take nothing for granted. Live and love each day to the fullest.


If you hop over to Melanie's blog, you can read a little more about my running under her See My Mom Run blog section. She was so sweet to ask me to share about my running. Melanie is a dear friend who has a powerful testimony. I love her dearly.

Sweet Shot Tuesday

My soul finds rest in God alone,

my salvation comes from Him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation;

he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Psalm 62:1-2

This shot was taken across the road from a beautiful mountain, Table Rock. It was such a bright and gorgeous afternoon! So peaceful, so quiet. I could have rested in Him there for quite some time, but...supper time was calling! What are some of your favorite quiet places? I would love for you to share them with us.

Join me at Sweet Shot Tuesday for more great photographs! Lots of beautiful 4th of July shots. Y'all have a great day and try to stay cool!


Sweet Blessings,

God Bless America!

God bless America,

Land that I love,

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with the light from above

From the mountains, to the prairies,

to the oceans white with foam

God bless America, my home sweet home!

A local 5k race this morning started with a beautiful tune that we all know and love, "God Bless America." I did a little research on it, and wanted to share it with y'all. It was composed in 1918 by an immigrant from Siberia. Any ideas as to who this was?

Irving Berlin! He wrote the lyrics and then put them aside. In 1938, he was asked to write a song to promote peace before we entered World War II. Berlin remembered the lyrics and revised them. Kate Smith sang them on her radio show in remembrance of Armistice Day 1938 (when the Allies signed the armistice with Germany at the end of World War I).

Berlin established the "God Bless America" fund from the royalties that he received from the sheet music sales. He dedicated the fund to the Boy and Girl Scouts of America. Pretty cool!

As we celebrate the birthday of our nation, I pray that you will continue to ask God to bless America...now more than ever before! Enjoy your special time with family, friends and fireworks, but please cover the US in your prayers each and every day.


Happy 4th of July from my family to yours!!

Sweet Blessings,

Serving the Lord

Last Monday, child #2 texted me from mission camp. I had asked what he had done on his site that day. "We're chopping down bamboo, Mama." Well, ok, that shouldn't take too long I thought. On Tuesday, I asked the same question. He responded the same way! Another day of chopping down bamboo! Mercy! I thought to myself...how much bamboo do these people have? On Wednesday, I got the same response! By Thursday, I had stopped asking!

Then, clarification arrived via another mom whose child was on the same site. They were clearing out the field of bamboo to get to the door that leads under the house. After many years of growth, the bamboo had surrounded a side of the house. No one could get under it at all.

Once the door could be opened, the kids climbed under and helped to tear out a bathroom floor that had rotted. Then, they helped replace the old floor with a new one.

But, it all started with the removal of the bamboo forest! I think of the old statement that "you can't see the forest for the trees!" When I saw this picture that hubby took ( I was on college visit #2 with child #1 who left the camp at midnight the night before!!), I was amazed at all of the trees. I had no idea how many child #2 was talking about!

Once we remove strongholds in our lives, God can show us His perfect plan. He will lead us step by step down His path if only we will let Him. We tend to want to do it all ourselves. Letting go and letting God is what I need to practice each day!

These are some of the kids ( their site leader behind child #2) that worked on the bamboo site. Each group had to leave a cross for their family using materials on hand at the site. I loved this! All bamboo! The crosses reminded the families of God's great love and sacrifice for them. The kids sacrificed a week of their summer vacation and endured temps in the upper 90's. But the kids received more than their families that they served. They saw God at work using their hands and feet to plant seeds of love and hope for those less fortunate.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.--Galatians 6:9

Sweet Blessings,

Sweet Shot Tuesday

Jesus said,"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." --Matthew 19:14

This is a little brother. There were lots of little brothers running around a high school on Saturday. Little brothers were telling big brothers and friends good-bye for a week. Big brothers and friends are spending a week of their summer doing mission work for those a little less fortunate not too far from where we live.


This little brother just melts my heart! I remember when he was born. He and his family are good friends of ours, and we attend church together. His dad and my hubby coach basketball together. His mom and I have planned parties and activities for the kids over the years together. Now her oldest and my youngest will begin high school in just a few months....where has the time gone?


As hubby and I dropped off our boys for mission camp, we prayed that our boys will stay close to the Lord so He can help them share their gifts and talents to accomplish His purpose (Praying the Scriptures for your Child--Fern Nichols). This makes year 4 for child #1 at this camp. His faith has grown each time. I love watching Christ work through him. And, this is year 1 for my little one! Praying that he drinks a ton of water and gatorade and just stays hydrated so God can do a good work through him too!!

Join me over at Sweet Shot Tuesday for more great picutres!


Sweet Blessings,