Meet Chime!

 

 

Is that not the sweetest puppy you have ever seen?!  Her nickname is Chime, but her full name is Carillon Belle Chime!  She is an Australian Labradoodle from Mountain Park Labradoodles. 

 

This past week has been one full of blessing upon blessing.  It literally has felt like God reached down and wrapped His arms around me in the warmest most loving hug.  And compared to all the heartache over the past 8 months I have to say it was a very needed hug! 

 

I have never been a dog lover...EVER!  The idea of me being a dog owner was not anything I ever aspired to be.  But when you have kids, most likely you are going to have them begging for a dog at one point or another.  Of course my girls begged, and begged, and begged but my answer was always a big, fat, "NO!!!!" Towards the end of 2013 I began to take a small interest in the idea.  Of course it was, "Someday when we move and get more property, then we'll THINK about getting a dog." 

 

That all changed the first time I met my sweet friends Australian Labradoodle, Jack.  I had never been excited about a dog until that point.  I loved the feel of his fleece coat and could literally sit there and pet him forever.  That wasn't normal for me.  He had such a sweet temperament which really got my attention.  My idea of dogs were those who bark incessantly, shed abundantly, smell incredibly, and are non-stop energy.  If I was going to give into this whole, owning a dog thing, it would have to be an Australian Labradoodle.  They are dogs bred specifically to be a companion dog, low to non-shedding, don't have the typically "wet" dog smell, and are great dogs to run with!!

Jack

 Then summer of 2014 came, and our family went through a major crisis and it seemed that getting a dog would now be an impossible task, considering the average cost of this breed is $2500.  But I have seen the Lord do the impossible before in my life and knew I had to pursue this.  I was a mama on a mission to make our "doodle" dream a reality!

 

A few things I did in my efforts included, starting an online fundraiser and applying online for several guardian family programs.  The guardian program allows families to bring a puppy into their home at no cost (or a small refundable deposit), however, the breeders have all breeding rights to the dog until she is retired from breeding.   

 

In the meantime, the girls and I spent lots of time reading about dogs, talking about dogs, praying about getting a dog, and watching online videos about training a puppy!  But neither of these two efforts, online fundraising or the guardian program applications, seemed to be getting us any closer to actually getting a dog.  It seemed that every door for the guardian program just kept shutting in my face.  It was discouraging but I just surrendered it before the Lord.

 

Several months later, on Saturday, February 28th, I received a very unexpected email from Debi at Mt Park Labradoodles.  She was inquiring to see if I was still interested in the guardian program because they had a puppy, whom they had named Carillon Belle Chime, needing to be placed in a guardian home.  She had gone to live with a VERY sweet family, who unfortunately, after one week of having her had to return her due to unforeseen circumstances in their lives.  She needed someone as soon as the following afternoon!!!!  There was a refundable $500 deposit, which would be reimbursed after Chime is retired from breeding (about 3 1/2 years).

 

I was beside myself!  In fact I kept saying, "God are you serious?  What in the world is going on here? Is this really happening?"  The reason I was so amazed and bewildered is because that whole previous week had been already full of some amazing blessings and now this was the cherry on top!

 

And so it was on Sunday, March 1st, I drove to Debi's home and picked Chime up.  The best part was my girls had no idea and later that evening I was able to give them the biggest surprise of their lives!

 

Moments after meeting Chime!!

 

The blessings have continued pouring in even after receiving Chime. 

• The notice to get the dog was so short I literally had nothing for a puppy.  However, the previous guardian family chose to bless us generously with everything they had purchased for Chime: a crate, bed, shampoo, ear cleaner, carpet stain & odor eliminator, a comb, treats, dog food, toys, Nyla bones, a leash, and puppy spray. 
• In addition to this, remember the online fundraiser I mentioned?  Well I raised $170 through it, plus another $150 given to me, for a total of $320 which I used toward my $500 deposit. 
• A dear friend wants to take the girls and I shopping for any remaining smaller puppy items we need as a belated birthday present.  
• Another friend messaged me and wants to send a small monetary gift to help out as well!

I am so incredibly grateful and soaking every bit of it in.  God sees, He knows, and He cares about every detail of our lives....even our silly "doodle" dreams!  What a testimony to my children that miracles do happen when we put our hope and trust in the Lord.  He is a God of the impossible and His timing is always perfect!  I won't go into specifics but there is major significance to the date of March 1st, which is also the day I picked Chime up from the breeders.  Just another way God was giving me a huge hug and reminding me of His love for me. 

 

Chime has brought so much laughter & joy, giggles and slobbering kisses.  I've always heard dogs can be therapeutic but now I am living proof that they are.  She is a sweet companion for all of us!

 

As a guardian family we are required to do dog obedience classes, purchase a specific high quality dog food, and transport Chime multiple times a year to vet appointments (pertaining to breeding) and to the breeders home, which will be about 1 1/2 hour drive each way.  I also have the remaining $180 deposit to pay the breeder and need to fence in one side of my back yard.  I know God will provide for these extra expenses one way or another, but if you feel led to donate please go to: Go Fund Me 

 

Trip to the pet store

Chime's favorite spot in the car!

Enjoying the sunshine!

 

 

 

 

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Run with Perseverance!

The evening of October 26th I laid out my very important outfit for the next morning...my black & pink ensemble for my very first marathon! 

My alarm woke me up at 6:00 am on the morning of the 27th.  Ok not really I was awake way before my alarm went off, laying there thinking about the day ahead.  I had 3 hours before my race began... a race of 26.2 miles to complete with over 2200 feet of elevation.  Not necessarily the best choice for a first marathon but getting to experience this race with my dear friend Rachel (and the breathtaking scenery) was worth it!!  I had quinoa with bananas, blueberries, almond milk, and brown sugar for breakfast!  Then another banana and a bar in the time leading up to the race.  I drank coconut water too!! 



at the starting line!

 

As we gathered at the starting line I had this moment of fear..."can I really do this?"  I reminded myself of how hard I had trained and prepared for this moment and that everything was going to be fine.  So much about getting to the finish line is being mentally strong.  I had a strategy to go out at a 12 min/mile pace for the first 5 miles, then increase to 11:30 pace up to mile 13, 11:00 pace to mile 20, and then 10:30 pace for the last 6.2 miles.  This would give me an overall average pace of around 11:00 minutes per mile and a finish time of around 4 hours and 48 minutes.



Waving to my family!



My supportive friends cheering me on and holding up signs!



A photo at the turnaround point (mile 11.8)

I was so blessed to have several friends, my parents, and my girls all there to cheer me on.  It was so beautiful out but after the turn around the wind started to pick up, the sun disappeared behind the clouds and it started to rain.  I just kept pressing on and on but as I approached the 18 mile marker I was beginning to feel tired.  I also knew once I passed the 18 mile marker I would be going further than I had in my training.  I passed my group of friends cheering me on and asked them to pray.  It was an uphill climb for several miles and I knew it was going to be tough.  Later they shared with me that they gathered and prayed immediately, then looked up and saw me running up towards the top of that portion of the hill. 

Between miles 18 and 23.5 I was on a paved trail with no through traffic, so I was without any support from my family or friends.  It was raining rather hard at this point, I was running uphill, and my phone died so I had no music to help motivate me.  I had forgotten to grab more fuel/food from my friends the last time I had seen them and was out of my electrolyte drink.  Basically everything I relied on to help sustain me, motivate me, encourage me and keep me going was taken away from me. 

I remember calling out to the Lord, "You are the only one I have to sustain me and get me through this Lord.  Help me to stay strong and keep moving forward.  Give me the endurance, perseverance, and right mindset to make it to the finish line." As I continued running I was feeling like I needed to get some carbs in me quickly and suddenly I saw a wrapper on the ground that caught my attention.  I picked it up and discovered it was an unopened packet of gummies.  I couldn't help but smile..."Manna from heaven" is what I thought of in that moment.

I prayed for someone to be up at the top of the hill (mile 23.5) so that I could get more food/electrolytes.  Sure enough my family was there to greet me and give me what I needed.  Now it was the downhill and final miles to the finish line!!  As I came down the winding road around mile 24.5 I suddenly heard clapping, cheering, shouting...and saw my entire group of supporters cheering me on.  I was filled with such emotion and began to cry.  It really gave me that boost to keep going and finish the race.

My biggest fans!!

What an amazing feeling it was to cross that finish line!!  Victory!!  Success!!  Perseverance!!  Relief!!  Joy!!  I was overwhelmed by so many emotions and so so so thankful to be done!  I crossed the finish at 5 hours, 13 minutes, and 27 seconds.  A little slower than I had hoped but taking into consideration all the hills I was very proud of my accomplishment!

And Rachel did amazing...finishing in 3 hours and 51 minutes!  I am so very proud of her and how well she did!! 



A few photos after crossing the finish line!



 

Every gal in this photo is a homeschooling mom!! 

 

 

I am so thankful to have had this experience.  It. Was. Hard....but so worth it!  Running has so many comparisons to our Christian walk.  I didn't just go out and run a marathon.  I had to train & prepare my body, mind, and spirit.  I had to be disciplined.  I had to push through even when it was hard.  As a Christian, it's a growing process and requires discipline.  We train ourselves to trust God, to lean on Him, to walk in our spirit and not in the flesh, to be humble, to forgive, and so much more.  In our life we experience hills, obstacles, rainy seasons, fatigue, and hard times.  But there is purpose in every step we take.  We can not give up...we must keep moving forward...we must press on and run with perseverance the race set out before us!

 

 

 

 

I am so thankful for everyone who has supported me, encouraged me, and prayed for me during the past few months of training and on race day!  A very special thanks to Rachel, Sarah, Anna, Sandi, Mary, Bob, Gracie, and my girls!!

 

 

 

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My failure is not final!

Today I failed miserably.... 

I failed to speak kindly.  I failed to have self control.  I felt to show love.

I acted impusively.  I acted selfishly.  I acted immaturely. 

I was left with regret.   I was left with remorse.   I was left wondering if I will ever get it right.

 

The reality is I have failed many times over, in one way or another, and that is not going to change.  Isn't that so encouraging?  Not really, I know. 

 

But we don't need to remain in that place of failure....it doesn't have to have the final say.  It simply leads us right back to the best position we can be in...at the feet of Jesus!   He went to the cross for our failures.  He paid the ultimate price for every single one of them.  So that we can move forward and be set free from the weight of our failures.  Now that is encouraging news!!!

 

In those moments, when I have failed to say or do the right thing, I question how God can use me?  How can I be effective for Him, when I am so...defected?



  

Was Abraham a defect?  How about King David, did he ever fail?  Was Moses without mistakes?

 

Abraham lied.  David committed adultery.  Moses murdered.

 

In Psalms 51, after David failed miserably, He cries out to God.  He humbles himself before His maker.  He turns his eyes upward.  He bends his knees downward.  He allows the sin to come outward.  His heart is made new.  He doesn't remain in his failure.

 

 

I may walk into the throne room before my King feeling like a big ol' failure,

but I walk out forgiven and clean....a brand new creation!  I walk away feeling so loved. 

 

Thank you Jesus that my failure is not final!  There is always hope in you!!  My life is full of amazing success because you are at the center of my life!

 

(P.S. - I am so thankful for friends who know me, know my heart, and point me right back to Jesus on days like today!!  What a blessing to have friends who know my failures but even more importantly know my successes!!) 

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Giving Thanks!

Happy November everyone!  It's been a while since I have posted on here and I thought I would check in and say hello.  I love to write blog posts out of inspiration not just out of a duty...so I have been considering what sort of series to do next on my blog.  I haven't had anything come to mind, at least nothing that I got extremely excited and passionate about sharing.  So I continue to wait.  But I wanted to share some highlights of things I am so THANKFUL for!

School is going really well this year.  It is a very low-key, laid back year.  We are thoroughly enjoying the non-stressful work load.  Everything is in nice daily bite size chunks that does not feel overwhelming for myself or my girls!  My oldest, who is in 3rd grade, has really stepped up this year and taken more ownership over getting her sit down work done every day.  These are just a few of the many bonuses of the Queen homeschool materials...they are very open and go and set up for independent work study!!  I'm so THANKFUL to have my girls home with me and to have access to curriculum that falls in alignment with my homeschooling goals and philosophies!

Our fall session at our homeschool co-op has one week left.  I usually teach a class but this session I chose not to teach and instead got to be a floater, this means I am placed in different classes, wherever there is a teacher/helper absent.  I have enjoyed the chance to interact with and get to know different parents and different children.   My girls have really enjoyed their classes this fall, with "Calling all Detectives" being my 3rd graders favorite and "Messy Concoctions" being my 1st graders favorite!!  I am so THANKFUL for a co-op to be apart of, it has been such a blessing for my family!

I have my first half marathon race coming up in less than 2 weeks.  I started this crazy running adventure back in July and have completed a 5k (3.1 miles) and a 10k (6.2) mile race so far.  I have put in a total of 250 miles since I started running!!  Of course with running comes the risk of injury and over the past few weeks I have been really set back in my training due to some issues I was having with my lower left leg.  After seeing a physical therapist I was advised to get different shoes that offered more stability and support for my arch.  I had just purchased brand new shoes a month before and paid over a $100 for them.  I was bummed to know I'd have to fork out more money for a new pair of shoes...but THANKFULLY, the place I purchased them at was more than willing to make an exchange.  Yay!!!  So since running in my new shoes my leg has been doing alot better.  I thought for sure I'd have to drop out of this upcoming race...but am so THANKFUL that things are looking hopeful for me to run!  This race means alot to me and I will share more about the reason why next!

I am so very THANKFUL for how running has allowed friendships in my life to blossom and grow!  One particular friendship is my dear friend Rachel!  Rachel is a homeschooling mom of 3 girls just like me.  She took me under her wing in regards to running back in the spring.  I was not in running shape at all...and she put up with my walking and my huffing and puffing!  Once I was able to start running we have met consistently and ran together since summer.  Majority of our runs have ended with arms embraced (sweat and all), heads bowed, and a word of prayer for one another.  It has been so encouraging and brought a greater bond to our friendship!   Rachel's husband recently accepted a pastoral position that will take their family about 3 hours away.  They are moving at the start of the new year.  So this upcoming race means so much because it is one Rachel and I have trained for together and will be running together (though she is going to whip my behind...that girl can run!).   I am going to miss our regular morning runs and time just hanging out laughing and chatting.  But I am so happy for her family and know that the Lord has good things in store and THANKFULLY she is only going to be a hop, skip, and a jump away!!   She is a remarkable friend and I am so so so THANKFUL for her (and the countless other amazing friends the Lord has put into my life.  I love each and everyone of you!)

I hope that each of you have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving with your close family and friends!  We live in a world of sin and darkness, chaos and uncertainties...but we can find hope, joy, peace, and THANKSGIVING when we put our eyes on the Lord.

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