Happy Thanksgiving

2 Corinthians 4:15
It is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:33–36)

I came across these verses while reading on a favorite site. May you be as encouraged as I was through the word of the Lord.
We have so much to be thankful for.

A race run by one but finished by many.

A few weeks ago I ran a half marathon, 13.1 miles to be exact.

It was the Santa Clarita Valleys yearly race. Which consisted of a full marathon,half,5k, and a kids race.

Although the actual finishing of the race is a great accomplishment that's not why I boast.

I share this day in my life to point out that we can not go through life alone.

Lets go back to the beginning. Saturday morning coffee with two amazing friends turned quickly into a coaxing of running the race.

I didn't sleep much the night before. I tried, believe me I tried. But my mind got the better of me, racing with all the what ifs and what was I thinking saying yes to a half marathon.

Before I knew it I was awake and dressed and now driving with my still amazing friends to the starting line.

We met up with several other friends. All of who were very surprised to see me there.

The race began and off we went.

I was quickly left behind not by any ones intentions just by the mere fact they had all been training for this and I had not.

I didn't mind the solitude of being out on my own Leandra had programed her Ipod with my favorite tunes(3 hrs worth).

I was set , me, God , the Itunes and the hard pavement.....well the other racers were there too but I didn't see them.

I just kept going.

And then it happened......

I looked up and there was my friend taking pictures, encouraging me and readily granting my request of a mint.

I was so blessed by her face at that moment.

And it happened again but this time it was my family. Scott had all the kids up and somewhere on the trail with signs cheering me on. My breath was taken away not from exhaustion but from the joy I received from their faces.

I pressed on and by mile 7 I had done better on my time then I thought I could do.

Into mile 8-9 I found myself starving and oh so very alone. Not wanting to let anyone down I tried to stay focused. Let me tell you that was a breaking point for me. My legs hurt, my heart was pounding and I found myself praying to God.

He answered.

"He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord"Deut.8:3

Coming up on completing mile 9 I saw my wonderful husband with a power bar and the rest of my family and more friends. The very vision of all of them yelling with such excitement I knew I could to do it. Rounding into mile10 I could hear Luke yelling "its all down hill from here Mom you can do it see you at the finish line"

Running into the home stretch I really couldn't believe that I had ran 13.1 miles. Luke met me just before I turned into the finish line and told me " They're all there Mom, everyone is waiting to see you" That beautiful group of runners you see in the photo plus,two husbands,one boyfriend,one totally cool friend and seven children all there at the finish line.

So although I may have been the one hitting the pavement I surly did not run alone that day.

There is no way I could have done it without all of the support,coaxing,feeding and cheering.

So as stated before I do not boast for myself but I boast and cheer and brag for the most amazing group of friends and family. Way to go!

"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."Heb12:1

Bursting with Pride!!!!

This is my attempt to be as humble as possible.

Not really.

Brookelynn entered a contest called the "Art of Healing"

It is a community based contest for the elementary age children of the Santa Clarita Valley.

Her picture is titled "My flower garden" She was one out of 110 entries. Although she might not have won the grand prize.

She along with several other entries were honored last night. Brookelynn's quote for the event was this" I am so proud of myself"

As her parents and family members we too are very proud of her. Because not only was she honored last night. Her art work is going to be used for a first ever Saugus union school district paper. The super-intendent had called our schools principle to ask permission to use her work.

So it is with great joy that we present our little artist to all of you and hope that she and her art bring a smile to all of you today.