Blessed with Full hands: January 2013

Created for Care

This weekend I went to Created for Care, a retreat for adoptive moms. The retreat took place in Buford, GA on Lake Lanier. I must admit, I was both excited and nervous for the weekend. I was really looking forward to learning more, meeting moms that have already gone down the road that I hope to go down this year, and just take some time specifically hear what God is saying to me.

The retreat started Friday afternoon, so I flew out early Friday morning. Once in Atlanta I met up with 5 other women who were going on the retreat. I hopped in the car with complete strangers to take a 1 hr ride to the retreat. But there is something bonding about having a heart for orphans, and I immediately felt as if I were among friends.

A quick version:. I went to great talks. Amazing talks.

Jan

Pray and Stand for Life today

I know most have seen this video already, but I wanted to share here, today. Please pray for LIFE today. Pray for our nation and our nation's leaders that they may truly protect and defend EVERY life.

Jan

A race after my own heart . . .

I think I have found another race I really want to run this year!! A race after my own heart . . .

Chosen Marathon and Half Marathon

Check it out here.

Jan

Food Favorites

Since completing the BeachBody Ultimate Reset Detox, our eating habits have changed even more around here. I love that we seem to be getting closer and closer to what I envision for our family. We still indulge in junk more than I would like, but overall I like how we eat.

Some of my new "go to" favorites are:

1. Roasted Cauliflower

Can I tell you that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this? It is probably the most surprising newest addition. I have not really been a fan of Cauliflower until now.

Jan

Standing in the Gap

Warning: "Soap Box Post" that is a little disjointed ahead.

I keep fairly silent on topics of current events, politics, etc. It is not that I do not care or do not have an opinion. Actually, it is the opposite. I get very worked up when it comes to what is going on in our world, our nation. We all know that things are not good. Abortion has been legal for 40 years now. Our Nation is drowning is debt, as so are many American families.

Jan

7 Quick Takes

1. The storm that wasn't

So all the talk around the DC area was the "big storm" we would get yesterday. Yes, we were supposed to get a major snow storm about 1" of snow. And we did not even get a flake. I really wanted to it snow. And snow lots. This Buffalo girl needs some white!!

2. No neighbors

Our neighbors on our right have moved to Florida and are prepping their house for rental. The neighbors on our left have put their house on the market and are moving to Houston.

Jan

The Gift

This past Tuesday I took my youngest to his music class at a friend's house. Several of us were standing in the kitchen and, as one of my friends was rummaging through her pocket for money to pay for the class, she pulled out this smaller cellophane bag and handed it to me to show me. She quickly mentioned that she had gotten it at the retreat this weekend that many friends went on (I did not go). As I turned the bag over, I noticed a pretty, oriental looking bag and a rosary.

Jan

Wordless Wednesday: Homeschool

Jan

Seven Quick Takes: What kind of mom are you?

I was recently driving somewhere and was stopped behind a car that had a "Soccer Mom" decal on the back. I looked at it and thought, "I will never be a soccer mom." I have NO desire to trek my kids from practice to practice and soccer field to soccer field. I cannot sit on the sidelines for hours, watching my kids kick around a ball. That is just not me. I do not begrudge moms that do that. I think each family is different and each family is called to move in different ways.

Jan

Staging a Comeback

I have a vision for 2013. And, at some point, I am going to put it into words. But for now I want to talk about running. Before 2013 began, I looked back at my old 2012 goal post and 2011 goal post. And I saw MANY running goals. Many races to be run. A couple PRs to get along the way. And, for the most part I hit most of the goals.

But, this year you will not see a long list of races to be run and PR goals from me.

This year, I only have one goal.