I grew up watching Nascar and continue to love watching it still today. There are some that think it's a redneck sport and it's boring to watch as all the drivers do is take 4 left hand turns all day. I have to admit that there are some races that are pretty darn boring. There are others, like today's race, that definitely carries some excitement. I'll also admit, that there are drivers that I root for...for them to be wrecked! lol Does that make me a redneck? Maybe.
However, there is one thing that happens at every race that keeps me watching for years on end. It's what football, basketball, baseball, golf, wrestling, and every other sport does not have. What is it, you ask. It's prayer. Yes, there is a prayer spoken at the beginning of EVERY race. The Nascar powers-to-be are not concerned with offending people. There are tens of thousands of people that watch the race on tv and in person that could be offended. If they are, well, oh well. I'm not one to go out of my way to offend someone, but on the other hand, I truly feel that there are many things in this country that are done "to not offend someone." But when that happens, you are going to offend someone... Oh how I digress...
We, as Christians, are called to "pray without ceasing" and that's what Nascar embodies for me. With the prayer at the beginning of the race is a reminder that it doesn't matter what you're about to do, but we are to pray and invite God into the space. These men are working and invite God in. Today's winner, Trevor Bayne, shared his is victory lane: "
Thank you, Nascar...
Blessings,
B~
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Living in the memories or the present?
I was chatting with a friend earlier today and she mentioned that she had read my blog and when she was finished reading, her first thought was that I was living in the memories, the past and not in the now. When she shared this with me, I found myself getting a bit defensive inside. Then as I was driving home, I thought more about this and came with to the conclusion that she may be right.
I realized that if I'm getting defensive, it's probably true. I truly believe that your history is what makes you who you are. Your experiences, the good ones and the ones that you want to forget, shape your life. However, we can't stay living in those moments. We need to remember to move on, learn from those, and heck, let's make new memories!
New memories is what moves us forward. During the past year and a half, we have been living in the memories of what was. Nicole was in ballet...Jared was in a scholarship bowling league...Both kids were in a Saturday morning league...We were part of a wonderful co-op...The kids had wonderful friends...Our church had a wonderfully active youth program... Everything here is past tense...
Both kids are still bowling...We have wonderful friends...We are 1/2 the church youth group...We are a part of a wonderfully active support group... We live 30 minutes (14 miles) from Walt Disney World... We are living in the present while holding on to the memories.
We are....waiting for the next chapter in our lives. Thank you, for opening my eyes!
Are you living in the memories or in the present?
Blessings,
B~
I realized that if I'm getting defensive, it's probably true. I truly believe that your history is what makes you who you are. Your experiences, the good ones and the ones that you want to forget, shape your life. However, we can't stay living in those moments. We need to remember to move on, learn from those, and heck, let's make new memories!
New memories is what moves us forward. During the past year and a half, we have been living in the memories of what was. Nicole was in ballet...Jared was in a scholarship bowling league...Both kids were in a Saturday morning league...We were part of a wonderful co-op...The kids had wonderful friends...Our church had a wonderfully active youth program... Everything here is past tense...
Both kids are still bowling...We have wonderful friends...We are 1/2 the church youth group...We are a part of a wonderfully active support group... We live 30 minutes (14 miles) from Walt Disney World... We are living in the present while holding on to the memories.
We are....waiting for the next chapter in our lives. Thank you, for opening my eyes!
Are you living in the memories or in the present?
Blessings,
B~
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day memories...
We are on our 9th year of homeschooling. For the 1st 7 years, we were a part of an AWESOME homeschool co-op. It was this wonderful group of moms that helped me to grow, not only as a mom and wife, but also as a homeschooling mom. There were so many questions in the beginning and I had a wonderful support group to glean from.
Every year had had some kind of Valentine's Day party as well as a party through our county support group. There is one year, that I particularly remember. In 2004, I was helping to plan our county party. It was going to be GREAT! Well, at least in my opinion it was. lol But I had been suffering from endometriosis for several years and I was about to have total hysterectomy...the week of the party. Some would say that this was poor planning. I know was! I had a really, I mean REALLY hard time letting go of the party planning. I knew my friends that offered to step up and take over would do a wonderful job, but it was after all, my baby. Well, I did turn it over and all was good with the world. Chris was home from work to be with me during my first few days home from the hospital. He took the kids to the party while my mom came over to "babysit" me.
Well, the part that makes this Valentine's Day so memorable is because it was the very same group of friends from co-op that set up 2 weeks, yes I said two weeks, of dinners for our family. It's not that Chris doesn't cook, but it's was because that's what this godly group of ladies do. One mom specifically chose to bring us dinner on Valentine's Day. I still remember the menu, well at least part of it: lasagna, salad, bread, and brownies for dessert. She included heart shaped candles, paper lace place mats. It was an amazing dinner from an amazing friend. She didn't have to go through all of the trouble to make our dinner special, but she did.
It's days like today that can make me a bit of a debbie downer. It the memories that I must hold on to while I'm creating new ones. These are the days that I need to remember that my friends in Ohio are only a phone call, email, or text away. Jared and Nicole love their Florida friends, as do I. However, there's nothing like the friends that you have grown up with; those that you went to class with.
Happy Valentine's Day, dear Ohio friends!!!
Blessings,
B~
Every year had had some kind of Valentine's Day party as well as a party through our county support group. There is one year, that I particularly remember. In 2004, I was helping to plan our county party. It was going to be GREAT! Well, at least in my opinion it was. lol But I had been suffering from endometriosis for several years and I was about to have total hysterectomy...the week of the party. Some would say that this was poor planning. I know was! I had a really, I mean REALLY hard time letting go of the party planning. I knew my friends that offered to step up and take over would do a wonderful job, but it was after all, my baby. Well, I did turn it over and all was good with the world. Chris was home from work to be with me during my first few days home from the hospital. He took the kids to the party while my mom came over to "babysit" me.
Well, the part that makes this Valentine's Day so memorable is because it was the very same group of friends from co-op that set up 2 weeks, yes I said two weeks, of dinners for our family. It's not that Chris doesn't cook, but it's was because that's what this godly group of ladies do. One mom specifically chose to bring us dinner on Valentine's Day. I still remember the menu, well at least part of it: lasagna, salad, bread, and brownies for dessert. She included heart shaped candles, paper lace place mats. It was an amazing dinner from an amazing friend. She didn't have to go through all of the trouble to make our dinner special, but she did.
It's days like today that can make me a bit of a debbie downer. It the memories that I must hold on to while I'm creating new ones. These are the days that I need to remember that my friends in Ohio are only a phone call, email, or text away. Jared and Nicole love their Florida friends, as do I. However, there's nothing like the friends that you have grown up with; those that you went to class with.
Happy Valentine's Day, dear Ohio friends!!!
Blessings,
B~
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
A Busy Mind....
As always, my mind is racing. There are days that I really miss home. Ohio home. I see pictures of my nieces and nephews on facebook and I just wanna hug them and kiss them and squeeze them to pieces! I see posts of friends traveling and wish they were coming to see us. We are planning a trip back to Ohio in November for by brother's wedding. I'm excited b/c this will be the first time that Chris and the kids will be back since we've moved. It'll be the first time that they get to meet Sophia Anne...and she'll be over a year old.
High school. Junior High. These are on my mind. Jared will start high school this fall and I'm trying to make sure that we have a good plan in place for him. There are so many options: "normal" homeschool, AP courses, dual enrollment, CLEP, Florida virtual...oh my! Nicole starts junior high, 7th grade. There's not much change that will happen with her, but we are closing the door on the elementary years. I remember growing up and 6th grade was in elementary...We're leaving those years behind. They were good. They were fun. They were simple.
Well, I finally get to work tomorrow. It's been over a week since I worked last and I have missed it. I also have one day next week. Parks are closing early because it's considered the slow season, which it really is. Now is the time to come down and visit! But with the parks closing early, there are fewer parades which means fewer hours scheduled. I thank God every Sunday morning when I check my schedule and see at least one day. I know many that aren't scheduled at least one day.
It's getting late and my mind is still racing. Good night!
Blessings,
B~
High school. Junior High. These are on my mind. Jared will start high school this fall and I'm trying to make sure that we have a good plan in place for him. There are so many options: "normal" homeschool, AP courses, dual enrollment, CLEP, Florida virtual...oh my! Nicole starts junior high, 7th grade. There's not much change that will happen with her, but we are closing the door on the elementary years. I remember growing up and 6th grade was in elementary...We're leaving those years behind. They were good. They were fun. They were simple.
Well, I finally get to work tomorrow. It's been over a week since I worked last and I have missed it. I also have one day next week. Parks are closing early because it's considered the slow season, which it really is. Now is the time to come down and visit! But with the parks closing early, there are fewer parades which means fewer hours scheduled. I thank God every Sunday morning when I check my schedule and see at least one day. I know many that aren't scheduled at least one day.
It's getting late and my mind is still racing. Good night!
Blessings,
B~
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)