How far?

Whew!  It's been quite the week!  It started off with my last certification test... and yes... I PASSED!!!  On Monday I took the ESL Certification test, on Tuesday I finished my 4th GT online class and passed that test, yesterday we had a school function for Jordan, a T-Ball game for JP and in between those to events, I went to a visitation for a student's family member who passed away.

Oh!  And did I mention this has been TAKS testing week at school?  I'm quite weary to say the least.  One day as we were coming or going (who can keep up?) with the kids... JP was looking up to the sky and he asked me how many miles was it to Heaven.

Then later in the week, I heard this song on my way to work.  It was just too fitting for me to put it on my blog.  The song talks about how weary we sometimes get in this life.  And how we just "gotta know" - how far is Heaven.

I told JP that we can't get there in a plane - or even a rocket ship - but it only takes a second to get there - when God's ready for you to be there.  Until that day.... like Judges 8:4 says, I'm "exhausted yet pursuing."

Have a great weekend!

His Word Sunday

What is your desire?

Yesterday the Lord allowed me to reach yet another goal - to run a 10K!  I have an even bigger goal - to run a marathon... but this was one of those pitstop goals that I still needed to conquer.

Many of you cheered me on through Facebook as I ran - I heard all of those cheers through my phone as I ran - thank you so much!!!

I read a verse this morning that speaks of accomplished desires.

Proverbs 13:19 (ESV)

A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul.

As I had my prayer time this morning, I thanked the Lord for helping me to fulfill this minor desire of mine.  An even greater desire to show others just how great my God is - and what sweetness it is to my soul when I am found obedient to His ultimate desires for my life.

What is your desire today?  I pray you find sweetness in your soul when it is fulfilled!

One Foot

Have you ever had a weekend that was over-scheduled?  I'm pretty sure the Pickard-Franklin Family is really close to this mark for this weekend.

Today is actually quite manageable.  JP's Field Day is today and I even get to attend!  However, tomorrow is going to be the fun one!  Here's what we've got from 8am-2pm:  Me & the kids are running in the CASA Race, Jordan is performing in the LHS Drill Team Spring Show at 1pm, then JP has T-Ball game at 2pm. (oh!  I almost forgot!  I'm taking another certification test on Monday!  I'm no where near ready for it - so I've got to study this weekend... sometime...)

Whew!  I'm super excited about them all!

The race though... I'm nervous and excited!  I'm running in my very first 10K.  (6.2 miles - and yes, I can run the whole thing without stopping!)  This is all part of my new journey to train for a marathon!  I have thoughts like, am I totally crazy?  Can I even do this at age 41?  What am I thinking?!

But in this new life that God has allowed me participate in - I've learned several things.... but one is, to put one foot in front of the other.  I know on some days, that's all I can do.  And for this race, (that seems super challenging) - I'm going to do the very same thing - one foot in front of the other.

How can you help?!  Yes - you can by the way!  Send me messages on FB during the race.  I have this app that turns your comments into cheers!  I listen to a ton of upbeat Christian music while I'm running.  This one here is one of my favorites!  I listen to it every time I run!  It reminds me that I can do this task and so many others that are difficult & challenging!

I'll see ya at the finish line!

What's the good word?

Have you ever noticed how contagious a smile can be?  Same goes for laughter.  Every now and then (usually when I'm super tired) someone will say something funny and for some reason - I continue to laugh... far beyond the normal limits of what was required.

Don't you wish you could lose weight laughing?  Wouldn't that be wonderful?!

Well... you might not lose weight - but hearing good things makes us feel lighter.  Check this out...

Proverbs 12:25 (ESV)

Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, 

but a good word makes him glad.

"Weigh him down"... I don't need anything more making the scale numbers increase!  Therefore I need to get rid of anxiety in my heart and in my spirit.

Anxiety is normal... I think about providing for my children, remaining financial stuff left over from John's move to Heaven, crazy schedules, commitments, the health of my family, so on and so forth.

God wants me to have a good word about all of these things instead of letting anxiety rule.  Almost every time John would call me on the phone I would answer in this way, "What the good word?"

We all love to hear a good word.  Instead of letting these things "weigh you down" - lift them up!  Lift up these burdens and concerns to the Lord.  We should never underestimate the power of prayer in our lives.  He is so much stronger than me!  He can take care of my burdens way better than me.  When we pray we should ask the Lord, "So, what's Your good word for me today?"

So - for this morning... I'm going to change my perspective on these "anxiety" issues and see them as good words - so my heart will be glad.  

One foot

I woke up this morning - early... because I've trained my mind and body to do so... but then just laid there - doing nothing, because I could!  No school today!!!

I love No School Fridays!!!

Ok... school is winding down, my certification is almost complete.  As most of you know, I've always got some kind of goal in front of me.  I now have a new goal.  It's going to require quite a bit of training and will be a huge physical feat for me.

Last Saturday, as I was running, beginning the very first steps of my brand new goal - I was listening to a song on my iPod.  I loved it!  It fit so perfectly with running - and yet fits so perfectly with my life in general.

When we see HUGE obstacles in front of us - the only way we can attack them is just one foot in front of the other.  Not necessarily huge leaps!

Yesterday I did a Physics Lab with my students.  We were calculating Work & Power based on data collected while running up a flight of stairs.  The students asked if they could skip steps.   The answer... NO!  It was important for our data for every student to actually step on every step - one at a time.

We are to do life with God the exact same way.... taking every single step with Him & no skipping steps!

(Caution!  This song is perfect for running -
 so it's kind of a rock song!  

Not my typical smooth easy listening ballads.  
I'm just warning you!)

His Word Sunday

It's quite common to look at others and wonder why you can't have what they have.  Sometimes we want the simple things... sometimes we want the big things.

I was reminded this morning by a wonderful Psalm to not set my heart on other people's "things"  but to keep my heart totally devoted to the Lord.  He alone knows what's best for me.

Psalm 73:1-3, 16-17, 25-26, 28  (ESV)

Truly God is good to Israel, 

to those those who are pure in heart.  

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, 

my steps had nearly slipped.  

For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw 

the prosperity of the wicked.

But when I thought how to understand this, 

it seemed to me a wearisome task, 

until I went into the sanctuary of God, 

then I discerned their end.

Whom have I in heaven but You?  

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You.  

My flesh and my heart may fail, 

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

But for me it is good to be near God; 

I have made the Lord God my refuge, 

that I may tell of all Your works.