Beautiful Rain

It's raining and it's downright beautiful. It reminds me for some weird reason of when we lived in the Philippines. We were in the Air Force and were stationed there for 3 years. We only had 2 seasons....hot season and rainy season. This is what rainy season was like....raining buckets. It makes me think how God uses times of isolation to grow and strengthen you because those years were so awesome! No tv, phone, car, etc. We had Ben during that time and I got to spend a precious hassle free year with him. It is what solidified my desire to be a stay-at-home mom.

So, guess what? I am slated to run a 5k Midnight Run tomorrow. Did I mention MIDNIGHT? Yep, you heard right! I ran my first 5k last fall (Susan B Komen 5k) and have become addicted. In case you don't know, I love running!! Yes, it's sickening. I have NEVER been athletic. I am a 100% egghead so sports and being kinesthetic has never appealed to me. Well, running doesn't take coordination (put on foot in front of the other...I can handle that!). Running doesn't involve winning or losing. Running doesn't involve others so you have no guilt about not performing well or disappointing others. Running doesn't care if you have the "latest" sports outfit (especially at 5:30 a.m. which is when i run and NO ONE can see that I have an orange tshirt, blue shorts, sleep in my eyes, and hair in a haphazard ponytail!). I am excited and will let you know how it goes.

Here's a scripture I wrote down in my journal today. With my "empty nest" jitters, etc. I felt like God was lovingly whispering this to me. Just gave me goose bumps!

"Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know." jeremiah 33:3

I think God has great things in store for me!! In fact I *KNOW* He does!!

sunday lunch

So today I got to fix Sunday lunch for Ben, Anna, John Mark, and Bobby. Just the small group of us but God is so, so, so good because it was such a gift to my heart. Laughing, conversing, and discussing various topics . Sweet times together. Yes, I am in a melancholy and reminiscent mood. Knowing that Ben and Anna will only be home this week is what causes me to feel this way. But also that God shows himself to us in so many ways and blesses us with wonderful relationships and shows that he is the God that redeems also causes me deep joy. Happiness, fulfillment, and sense of purpose despite heartache and sadness (divorce).

So, this weekend was great. With school beginning this week, for teachers, this past weekend was my last "hurrah". Went to see Texas (drama in Palo Duro Canyon) on Thursday night with Bobby's family which was so enjoyable. Then on Friday, Bobby was off so we spent the day hiking in Palo Duro Canyon. If you haven't done this...I highly recommend it! Pure awesomeness!!! Yesterday, I went shopping for a new car (with my 2 kiddos taking the only reliable cars I own to college...I will be in dire straits!). I fell in love with a 2005 Nissan Altima. We shall see if this works out or not.

I also went to a workshop this past Monday in Levelland/Lubbock. It was geared toward Foreign Language teachers which you don't find very often. The other 2 Spanish teachers that I went with were crazily *FUN*. I haven't laughed so much in a very long time! The workshop itself was 100% excellent and we all left totally rejuvenated, full of ideas, and on fire to teach another academic year! What more could you ask from a workshop?

So maybe I should name this blog "happiness" or "thankfulness" or something like that? Whatever the name, I will end with a quote from my 1 movie of all time (1940's movie, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn) which is also a Bible verse........... "My cup runneth over..."