The Righteous Race

Friends, 

I am so grieved by what I see transpiring online and in our communities, among friends, and family. 

If you will allow me two paragraphs of your head space, here is my heart on the matter, from the mouth of Carly McClure. 

Christians shouldn't look to the 'left' or to the right' nor should we fall anywhere in that spectrum. 

We're running a different race. 

A different General in a different fight. 

A different mindset.

Our behavior should reflect that. 

Don't fall off into other fights or races. 

Stay the course.

Love well.

Be known for your love.

2 Timothy 2

1 You then my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrusts to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlists him. 

22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, and with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish ignorant controversies; you know they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. 

Guys, I was pressed to cut part of the text out. please go read all of 2 Timothy 2! The way we should see our friends and loved ones around us - it is all written out and dictated by God. Let's run a different race together. The righteous race. 

9

A few weeks ago Josh and I celebrated 9 years of marriage.

He has proven to be exactly who he was in the very beginning. He carries no pretense. He is patient and intentional with the kids. Every decision he makes is not made in self interest but in the best interest of our family. He can see the bigger picture for each of us individually and all of us collectively while also understanding the present circumstance.

Where would I be without him? He has provided me with stability, gentleness, acceptance, and a love without strings. 'Being his wife has been and continues to be the greatest honor of my life.'

8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. 

Graduation

Boy, it has been a year. Hasn't it?

I'm not going to address what is happening in our nation in this post. It's not because I'm insensitive or silent but moreso overwhelmed. I need time to process it before yapping about it. It's the same reason I have yet to share about my grandpa's death earlier this year. Too many emotions are often hard for me to deal with.

Sometimes, the greatest thing about young kids is how oblivious they are to the realities of the world. Today Landon spoke only about Mario (from Nintendo). Not once did his thoughts leave his beloved switch game and Emerson was still on a high from her 'graduation' yesterday.

About that. Our girl graduated from Kindergarten! I said at the beginning of the school year that I was ok with hard as long as it ended with her closer to Jesus. I didn't realize that 'hard' was going to include all of us! lol But, maybe we are all closer to Jesus. He always has His own plan doesn't He?

The kids school was very hands on during the time they did distance learning. While it held its frustrations, we were overall thankful for the instruction and effort. Especially Landon's preschool. They killed it. They killed it like, preparing, assembling, and providing daily crafts for parents to do with them, videos, daily zooms, pe, books, chapel, you name it, they were on top of it. I can't say enough about that program. Both kids had a drive by graduation celebration and then those we are quarantining with came over for a little family celebration afterwards.





At home the kids 'walked' in to Pomp and Circumstance, watched a video from their teacher, listened to a few commencement speeches (complete with karaoke mic), received some words of affirmation from their parents, and then were adorned with a beautiful lei made by my mother in law. We had dinner and talked about the best (and worst) thing about their school year.  Memorable for sure.

It was the strangest school year - fires, pandemics, distance learning, racial tensions, and rioting. But they did it. WE did it. Grateful.