Running the Race

Last week can be summed up in one word....busy!  I don't believe that much of anything around housework was started much less completed!  I had deadlines, meetings, appointments, etc.--all good stuff! Then, I left before the crack of dawn on Saturday morning for a half- marathon (13.1 miles) in Columbia.  It was a beautiful but windy day all over the south! The gun sounded and away we went. The first seven miles were amazing! I was running faster than I needed to be, but that was ok--I knew that there were hills and lots of them coming up around the corner.  Hills are not friends to most runners!  And, Child #1 was going to meet me with a few miles left and run me in over the hardest part of the course--if he remembered to set his alarm and roll out of bed! The race course finished a few feet away from his dorm at USC.

Several hours further south in Savannah, Ga., many of my friends were toeing the line for a marathon (26.2 miles).  One of my closest friends and running partner, Phebe, was there as well. She was going to be running with a dear friend of ours, Tom, from church. Phebe's husband and Tom's wife were going to meet them at mile 25 and run with them to the finish. 

My race finished up, and we had gone to grab a sandwich and tea for lunch.  While my friend, Ginnie, and I were eating, my cell phone rang. I saw that it was Phebe.  I knew that she had finished the marathon and would give me all of the details.  But, these were details that I never expected to hear.....ever. It's really hard to even type this a few days later.  Phebe was sobbing when I answered the phone. Trying to process what she was saying, I heard "Tom," "collapsed" and "not good."  Tom had been running with her and pacing her throughout the race. Tom is a faster runner than both of us.  He was not struggling with the pace.  He had prepared for this race.  He is a great athlete--runner and cyclist.  Tom is 58 years old and in amazing shape. At mile 23, he stopped to adjust his knee brace, and Phebe kept going. She turned to see if he was coming and watched him collapse to the ground. She rushed to him shouting for help....paramedics were 50 feet away. A nurse running the course stopped and stayed with her and prayed with her. They took Tom to the hospital in one ambulance, and Phebe rode in another. She called Tom's wife and told her that Tom had collapsed and was on the way to the hospital. 

Deep prayer filled our table at lunch miles away. I called my husband and our minister. I texted a friend who was at the race in Savannah waiting on her husband to finish. She was able to go to the hospital to be with them. Then, the phone call came from Phebe. Tom didn't make it. While running the longest physical race he had ever run, he completed the spiritual race of life. He literally ran into the arms of Jesus. Jesus was waiting for him at the finish line.

Y'all, we are all still in shock. All of our community. We know that God is good and has a plan and a purpose for us all. He also has a kingdom calendar. Tom has a new birthday on it now....November 5, 2011.  Enjoy every minute that God has given you here with your family and friends. We are not promised that all of our time here will be easy....we live in a fallen world. But, we have hope in Christ!  I would simply ask that you cover Cindy, Tom's wife and my sweet friend, and her family in your prayers. Also, please, please keep Phebe in prayer as well.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on the day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."  2Timothy 4:7-8

Sweet blessings,
Susan

De-cluttering My Heart

I went to the hall closet the other day to search for wrapping paper. When I opened the door, several items came tumbling down....a single glove--no mate in sight, a winter hat from Peru, tissue paper for gift bags, etc.  You get the picture! I had to pull out the vacuum cleaner and look into the deep dark depths for my cute polka dot paper.  It wasn't there!

How many times have you been on the hunt for something, and due to your lack of not putting things where they belong, could not find the item needed? Any hands out there?? Mine shot up before I even finished typing that sentence! Mercy!

All of this to say that our hearts can become cluttered just like our closets, our mini vans, our garages.  Today in our Bible study, our teacher shared some insights as to this matter. We are studying With All Your Heart by Brenda Blankenship which is based on The Beatitudes and the Fruit of the Spirit. It's an amazing study that ties these together. I want to highlight a few points from today and get your opinions.

• Our hearts can become cluttered just like out closets.  If they stay too cluttered, we tend to forget the sight and sound and fragrance of Jesus.  We're too busy to spend time with Him.  There's no room in our hearts for His presence.
• We must learn to make Jesus the center of our attention, the focal point of all we do, the object of our concentration if we want to maintain a healthy heart.

I don't know about you, but I need, I desire a healthy heart!  "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8.  If my heart is not pure, de-cluttered, not focused, then I have a big problem! I will not see God!  I want to see Him everyday! I need Him every minute of everyday whether I realize it or not.  Do you remember that beautiful hymn, "Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus?"  It's one of my favorites! It is a great reminder of focusing on Him--on His goodness and righteousness.  He is the ONLY one who can clear our cluttered hearts.

Running to Him now for some de-cluttering!

Sweet Blessings,

New Reads

Hellooooo bloggyland friends! Praising Him for some much needed rain this week. Also made interesting the laundry pile filled with muddy running clothes from my family and me! Can I just say that "Shout" is a great product?

With a little bit of photography money that I had saved, I merrily went online the other day and did some shopping!! Since I am a professed "bookaholic, " Amazon is on my "favorites" list! I received a nice little box in the rain yesterday, and it has felt like Christmas ever since!

There were four books that have been on my heart lately.  I personally know two of the authors--you might too!  I received {W}hole by Lisa Whittle.  She is just precious and so real!  Lisa spoke at our church a few years ago when we did one of her many Bible studies.  We all just fell in love with that gal!

Another book is Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman.  Emily is just darlin'!  I met her and her sister, The Nester, at She Speaks a couple of years ago.  Put those two together in a conference room, and it's soooo much fun!  Emily is an amazing writer and photographer.

If I Perish by Esther Ahn Kim is one that I heard about.....somewhere! I cannot for the life of me remember where!  Sad getting old girls!!!  This is a true story of a Korean woman who was imprisoned during WWII.  She remained true to Christ and shared God's love to so many others who were in prison with her.  She reminds me of Carrie Ten Boom.  Can't wait to get started on this one.

The last one is by a 22 year old girl from Tennessee who is now living in Uganda!  Kisses from Katie is an amazing story of trust and obedience from a Titus 2 woman who happens to be years and years younger than I am!  I have started this book first simply because a sweet little girl that I know and love will be meeting Katie Davis on a mission trip to Uganda after Christmas.  We may think that the world in which we live is huge, but friends, it is not.  It continues to grow smaller and closer together each day through technology!

Deep into a couple of great Bible studies for a few more weeks.  Then a moment of breathing and then delving back into the deep waters of His Word.  I love this.  I am in a good (but very busy) place. Glad that He is sitting right beside me each day.

No pics today. I have some senior shoots coming up, and cross country is winding down. Fall break from high school is this week, and we will do it again for my college child next week. I'll need to add a few more items to the grocery cart.  God is good.

Sweet blessings,

New Season

It's really sad.....so sad....when you have been away from bloggyland for so long that you have forgotten which email and password you use!!! Have mercy!!
I am here. I have a few minutes to share with you before I start the rice to go along with the roast beef for supper. I have a list a mile long of things that I need to do this week....but most all of us do!  So, what can I share with y'all this evening that's a bit different? Just a little bit of my heart.

I am digging deeply into His Word these days. I am making appointments with Him so that I don't get caught up in the busyness of life and forget about studying a little more of His grace and peace. I am in a thirsty time in my Spiritual Life.  I am taking a Bible study written by a friend of mine. I knew that she was an amazing prayer warrior, but I had no idea that she could write! She writes and speaks so that I understand exactly what He is trying to tell us.  We are comparing the Beatitudes (Matthew) with the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians). I can feel the spiritual water that I do so desperately need in this season of life quenching my thirst. He is there....I just need to obey and join Him. The other can wait.

I have been busy with my photography business! I love the joy that it gives me --seeing His beauty through the lens of my camera. And, I can share this with my clients. He has allowed me to capture some special moments this summer. From our mission trip to Peru to a beautiful and fun wedding to taking our oldest to college and seeing it through his eyes.  God is good!

So, with a full week ahead, I pray that you will take the time to spend with Him and see what He has in store for you this season.

Sweet blessings,

Image of the Maker Retreat

Mercy. Runnermom truly did much running last week--on the highways! I was home a total of two days! First week of summer, and I did major traveling up and down the roads! But, that's ok! Had an out of town photo shoot (so MUCH fun!!!), then college orientation (so VERY expensive!!!), and then....a retreat! Just for me! I had no idea how much I would need one by the end of the week. My soul needed much filling, and the Lord was willing!

The retreat took place in a small community tucked in hidden mountains not far from Asheboro, NC. I actually did not get lost driving there. Amazing! And, I worked in a trip to Mary Jo's fabrics along the way! I have NEVER seen so much fabric in one location as was in this warehouse! I'll show you some pics of my next project--when I have a chance to work on it.

I went not thinking that I would know anyone....wrong! As I was checking in, my sweet friend, Lisa Whittle, met me with a hug! What a beautiful heart she has. I met so many lovely ladies with hearts so full of love for Christ. My precious roomie was also a runnermom! Some ladies were local; others came from as far as Texas and Michigan. We worshiped along with Christa Wells and Nichole Witt--they are SO incredibly talented!  We sang, prayed, and heard from the Word with author and speaker Ann Voskamp. Her message was for us to search our hearts and see what God was creating within us.  Are we using our talents in a way that glorify Him? Are we embarrassed with the gifts that He has given us? Do we have the courage to use and share the gifts that He has blessed us with to the best of our ability?  God gives us beauty each day---how do we attend to it?

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion a the day of Jesus Christ."  Phil. 13:12

Friends, Ann touched on so much more....things that I still need to ponder and reread in the Word. But one of the things that He stirred in my heart was my photography business. Am I using it in ALL the ways He desires? I have been struggling with trying to discern His will in one specific area. It's a scary place for me! It's not a moment where I can tell my client, "Wait a minute, let's do that shot again!" When a wedding is taking place, you have to  be ready and focused at all times! Friends, He has been placing opportunities in my path--which I have really tried to skirt around! But, God will continue to whisper to my heart until I answer Him. As Ann put it, am I willing?  Two years ago, He placed a precious friend in my path to encourage me to shoot photos for others--not just my family and friends. She even went as far as to ask me to contribute photos for a book of hers---her first. Scared?  Yes, m'am! Obedient?  Most definitely. Am I willing to say yes again? Praying....

Hope y'all enjoy some of the shots from the retreat! New faces and new friends! Many more pics--I'll share more later!




Me, Jess--the other runnermom and my roomie, TJ, Kristi, Carrie, and Lisa

Nichole, Christa, and Ann

Broken pieces that will become whole

Lisa Whittle and me! Just love this gal from Proverbs 31 Ministries!

 My other Lisa--I think I have met my match with the camera!! Too cute!

Sweet blessings,

Texting and Sweet Tea

Before graduation last week, Hubby's parents came up to celebrate. I figured that mine were having their own celebration in Heaven :). They came bearing gifts for the graduate, little brother ( they always bring them both something--too sweet!), and yours truly---my belated birthday present.

They brought Child #1 a new Bible for graduation. It's a beautiful leather Hebrew and Greek Key Word Study Bible (NASB). I love his new Bible! Runnermom may have to ask for this one at Christmas!!  My father-in-law is a retired Methodist minister, so seeing him in this picture flipping through the Scriptures is a familiar sight.

I collect Fiesta china! Love this stuff. I got hooked on it when we did a marathon in West Virginia at Marshall University a few years ago. It's made in that state, and it's sold at the WELCOME center as you leave Virginia to enter W. Va.! It's colorful and heavy duty.  We've not broken any yet! Plus....they make a gi-normous bowl that Hubby uses for his cereal each morning! Received another place setting for my collection.

For dinner, we took the family to a really cool restaurant in downtown Greenville. It was a Brazilian grill. We had a lovely cold bar and salad bar first. Then, the wait staff began to bring out a huge variety of meats on skewers that ranged from flank steak to pork tenderloin to bacon wrapped chicken (my favorite!) to fillet! Yum!!! The above red button would show that we were full and needed no more. On the other side, the green meant 'bring it on!" Runnermom's family walked out of there completely full!  Mercy!

Child #2 wasn't sure what piece of meat he was about to try!  Love that expression!

I looked down the table and saw this! Do they ever stop with the texting?? Granted, he was through eating, and we were waiting on the check,but....! Anyone else have this issue? Of course, my other one was gulping down as much sweet tea--which was very good!----as he could!

My mother-in-law is a hoot! She saw this huge motorcycle and had me make her picture beside it. I don't think she's quite a Harley woman---but you never know!!

Join me over at Sweet Shot Tuesday for more fun pictures.

Sweet Blessings,

The Day After

Sweet friends, as I sit and type, dark clouds threaten over the horizon. Thunder has been around for an hour. Child #2 is doing a happy dance---the first swim meet of the season may be cancelled before it starts! An opportunity to stay at home tonight? Be still and watch a movie? I would SOOOoooo love that!

Yesterday, Child #1 graduated from high school. It was a bittersweet moment. As "Pomp and Circumstance" played, I was a little teary-eyed and had the lip quivering thing going on.  But as the next wave of 100 children marched into the Bi-Lo center followed by the next 100 (500 kiddos, y'all!), the tears stopped, and I began watching the faces of the graduates. They had no tears--just smiles of joy and excitement! How can a mama be sad and lost in the 18 years of memories when the guests of honor are grinning from ear to ear! So, I joined the smiles and took a gazillion pictures!

After lunch, Child #2 began to ask (beg, actually!!) his daddy to take him to the DMV to try for his driver's permit. In SC, you can get a permit at the age of 15--I think that's crazy, but no one asked me! Either Hubby or I have to be in the car with him at all times. And, right now it's going to be Hubby! My little child makes Runnermom nervous!!

He practiced backing up and down the driveway first! He did not take out any shrubs or trees. Good!

Hubby was not nervous at all as he let Child #2 chauffeur him down the street. Total confidence in that baby boy!

So, what have y'all been up to?
Sweet blessings,