Thursday, July 28, 2011

Thursday Latelies!

Hi everyone!

Click here for my Thursday Latelies video!

Can someone help me figure out how to embed this into this post instead of having everyone click over? Thanks!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

A call to prayer

Hi friends!

I could go on and on today about whatever I usually talk about on here on a Tuesday, my love handles, something about running, how I was rocking out to Beyonce and got caught (true story), but I won't. Because today there is a need to pray.

Some of you know my friend Megan, I call her Yenster. Not to be confused with my other dear friend Meagruuuuu. Anywho, I talked about Yenster here and what she means to me. That love that I have for her and now her family grows everyday. She is teaching me things daily, even when we havn't talked in weeks.

Yenster and her husband, "Safety Steve," are expecting their second little one. Baby Yen #2 will hopefully be born Thursday sometime. Megan is being induced tomorrow night and labor and delivery will hopefully take place Thursday but no longer then Friday.

Why is Yenster being induced you ask? It is a long story, with lot's of medical words I am not sure how to even pronounce, but the basic term is that Baby Yen #2 has cysts in his lungs and need to be removed. The doctors found these at the 20 week check up and to say it deeply saddened the Yen's would be correct. It also saddened and confused all of us? The questions of "why God" flew through everyone who knows them. The cysts are dangerous and serious and need to be dealt with in that way.

But what was the most amazing, was that Yenster and Safety Steve never once doubted the plan that God had for their lives. They knew this would glorify God and that this baby would be a testimate to the goodness and grace that God gives. As all of us are still trying to deal with our emotions in this situation, Yenster has been the one with the supporting words and encouraging prayers. When we should be there for them, they were here for us. Not surprising if you know them. To say we are blessed by their friendship would be an understatement.

So that is why I am calling all of you to prayer. Below is a list of prayer requests that can be lifted up for the next 72 hours or so. Please, I beg of you, if you think of it pray for the Yen family. As much faith as they have in Jesus and his plan, the anxiety and fear are still there. Some of these prayer requests are ones that the Yenster has asked for. Others are just ones I thought of. Please pass this along to anyone you can think of so they can pray too.

I love you and know what the power of prayer can do. God does hear and answer our prayers.

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)

Psalm 6:9
"The Lord has heard my supplication, The Lord receives my prayer."

Prayer Requests:
1. Pray that Yenster's body responds 'well' to the induction process.
2. Baby will be strong, healthy, have no breathing complications or issues upon his birth.
3. He will undergo a series of tests/x-rays after he is born to see how everything is going internally, pray those go well.
4. Pray that Steve and Yenster will be Spirit filled and led as they wait for results, talk with doctors/nurses, and walk through this time.
5. Pray for Grandma and Grandpa who will be there with Oli and that they will know how to best help.
6. Pray for the doctors and nurses to see a miracle this week and that nothing will explain it except for God!
7. Pray that their hospital stay will be quick because Baby Yen will be ready to go home because he is strong and healthy!
8. Pray for Oli, that you will give him a sense of calm and understanding
9. Pray for all of the Yen's family and friends to know how to best care for them.
10. Pray that God's glory will be revealed.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Matthew Monday!

It is already Monday again? I guess time flies when you are having fun right? This one is a shorter one but JUST as powerful!

Hereeeeeeee weeeeee gooooooo......!

Matthew 8: 18-22

What:

-There was a crowd around Jesus
-When he saw this he gave commands to cross to the other side of the lake
-A teacher of the law told Jesus that he would follow him wherever he goes
-Jesus told the man:
-Foxes have holes
-Birds have nests
-But the Son of Man has no where to lay his head
-A disciple came to Jesus and told him he needed to first bury his father
-Then Jesus said "Follow me and let the dead bury their own dead."

So what:

-The passage before this one there Jesus performs miracles.
-A teacher of the law was someone who was well versed in the OT and who were looked upon for scriptural traditions.
-"The Son of Man" was used 81 times in the Gospels and was considered Jesus' "favorite" term for himself. No one used the term but Jesus himself.
-"dead bury the dead" meant let the spiritually dead bury the physically dead. The time of Jesus ministry was short and because of that demanded full commitment. Jesus asking him to follow him now and not after the burial of his father stressed the importance of his ministry over the Jewish significance of children burring their parents.

Now what:

-What am I putting in first place in my life that I need to give to the Lord, so that not only He can take control of it, but so that he will be number one in my life?
-There are things in my life, Some idols that I have struggled with ever since becoming a Christian and some that I never knew I had an issue with, that sneak into that first place in my life. Things that can be good, and things that can be destructive. But isn't everything destructive when it is taking the number one spot in your life? I think so. I am a Jesus follower FIRST, then everything else comes after that. EVERYTHING!
-There are certain seasons in my life when I don't struggle with this as much as I do in other seasons. The seasons that I do struggle with this, are dark and at times scary. I try to reach for Jesus but there is a spiritual war going on. It is only because of the hope that Christ brings me, he is able to pull me out of that pit.

Do you struggle with this? How can I pray for you?

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Thankful

Jesus, today I am thankful for:

1. Your grace
2. The sun
3. The West Seattle parade and that you have called us to live in such a fun community
4. Being able to sleep in
5. Having a funny hubby who is "funmantic"
6. Avocados
7. What You are teaching me
8. That you don't think I suck, especially when I do
9. That there is nothing I have to be at today
10. That AA can break into his own car when he locks his keys inside :)
11. Upcoming trip to Disney

Thank you Jesus for who You are and what You do.

Amen

Friday, July 22, 2011

3 thing friday

Hello!! Here we go with three thing Friday.

1. I am reading a new book right now called "Prayfit." I am loving it! It has a daily new exercise to try, but more importantly it has a daily devotional to read and study. The book goes into why we, as followers of Christ, stay healthy. It is because we are stewarding the body God gave us. I love this, but I am LOVING the devotionals. I am reading parts of the Bible that I might have passed through before and it is teaching me so much. I have had a rule in my own life for awhile, "no time for prayer and Bible, then there is no time for the treadmill." This book enforces that rule as well! I would recommend this book so far. :)

2. We had our small group over last night. We take the summer off, so it is so amazing to see them. They are such answered prayer and I am so thankful, that for the last two years, they have been representing Christ and encouraging us!! We love them!

3. We are staying home this weekend! No weddings, no vacation, nothing. All I have to say is, "thank you Jesus."

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Race Report...plus things to come!

Okay okay okay, here we go with the race report! I haven't been too excited about doing this race report but I also am so excited to have another half marathon under my belt. I am going to do this a little different..."the good, the bad and the ugly."

The Good:

1. Running in an all women's race is sooo much fun! Everyone was supporting, loving and complimenting each other! It was GREAT! Seeing the leaders come by, and it was all women...oh man, I mean woman, I mean man, whatever....IT WAS AWESOME! :)
2. Running a race with my best friend since third grade is always so fun. She had a smile on her face the whole way, especially when she passed me with a mile and a half to go! :)
3. AA, returned as official race photographer and supporter, so it was so nice to see him every couple miles.
4. My second, third and forth miles were right on pace which felt great.
5. Running into Mel and her sister, who was running her first half marathon was really fun!

The Bad:

1. My GU exploded all over my shirt in the last 2 miles. Ugh!
2. The finish had a last little up hill which was not so fun.
3. The course could have been so much better. It was through so many trails and industrial areas and so packed at times.
4. I couldn't get into the pace I wanted to in the last few miles which was really disappointing. I was on vacation for the last couple days so that could have had something to do with it. Who knows.
5. The expo was not so good. So small and not very many vendors. This could be huge, so I bet in future years they will expand it.

The Ugly:

1. The start was HORRIBLE! There was no wave start, there was no time starts and it started on a trail. I couldn't hit my stride and had a really bad start. I ran a little over a 10 minute mile on the first mile, because I couldn't get it going.
2. The hills on the course. WAY TO STEEP of downhill, in comparison to the gradual LONG up hill.
3. My disappointment at the end. I am a little sad I didn't break two hours, but really, who cares? All of yesterday I contemplated where to go from here. "Why should I keep running if I am not improving all that much." Can you tell I am a competive person? I was continually comparing myseld to others (more on this later and what Jesus is teaching me) and beating myself up. But that is so stupid!! Where am I going from here? I am going straight to the treadmill and the road to continue training for Disney! I need to get my booty out there with a smile on my face and get to movin'! No more of this whining, crying stuff. I am truckin' it now and will continue to run and be so thankful and joyful that I have the opportunity and ability to run. And that I can share my faith while running and through running. I need to focus on the GOOD STUFF!

Next up...I am running with this girl...in this place! OH MAN AM I EXCITED!

And it will be my 10th half marathon! We might just wear a tutu and crown! :)

Monday, July 18, 2011

Matthew Monday!

Here we go again! Matthew Monday....

Matthew 7:7-12

What:
-Ask and it will be given to you.
-Seek and you will find.
-Knock and the door will be answered
-For everyone:
-Who asks, receives
-Seeks will find
-Knocks, the door will be opened
-Who will give a stone instead of bread?
-Who will give a snake instead of fish?
-If you, who are evil, give good gifts to your children who do you think God is doing?
-So in everything you do, do things that you would like and how you would like to be treated.

So what:
-The real words in Greek for knock, seek and ask are implied to be CONSTANT
-Persistent prayer is being emphasized
-Jesus is urging boldness and constant prayer
-God assuring us He answers prayers (yes, no, not now)
-"Good gifts" = spiritual gifts
-The work of the spirit is one of the best and greatest gifts God has given us
-Don't bargain with God....ask what you need!

Now what:
-I need to be more direct in my prayers
-I need to be CONSTANTLY in prayer
-My prayers need to be bigger. God is a big God who does BIG things. I need to be a BIG prayer warrior.
-I need to continue to learn how much to Holy Spirit is a gift.

Jesus,
Thank you for coming to this earth and dying for my sins. Thank you for making it possible to have a relationship with God, in which I can ask, seek and knock, and I know He is listening. Lord Jesus I ask you continue to fill and transform my heart, for I now, that is one of the biggest prayers I can ask. I love you Jesus.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Neglected

Oh hello blog,

I am so sorry I have neglected you for the last week. You see I was on vacation the second part of the week and when you go on vacation, unfortunately you have to get ready to go on vacation...aka....more working, laundry, running, ect.

But I am back to love on you.

PS....I ran a half marathon today. I wanted it to be my "A" race, and to break two hours. But guess what? I didn't. I am sad, disappointed and not quite sure where to go from here on the running side of things.

But here is what I am happy and joyful about...that the Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to run, people to run with, the freedom to run, time for prayer with Him and a healthy body to be able to run 13.1 miles. For that, dear blog, I will be forever grateful to Jesus. So what if I didn't break two hours. I was moving forward one step at a time, just like I am with Jesus everyday.

Love,

Shelbs

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Matthew Monday #3

Hi peeps! How are you? If you read this blog, I probably know you, aka pray for you. Please please please let me know how I can pray for you. Anything big and small matters to God, and matters to me, so I want to pray for YOU!

We are now in our third week of Matthew Monday. Can you believe it? I am still loving Matthew and all it is teaching me. This week was something that hit my heart pretty hard and has a great everyday implications. Also, this is just a little reminder that this is how God spoke to me in this scripture, and what is so awesome about God's Word is that it speaks to so many people is so many different ways. I am no Bible scholar, this is just what I felt like God has been teaching me. So here we go....

Matthew 5:21-26

What:

-People were told that you shouldn't murder and if you do you will be subject to murder
-Jesus telling something that even if you are angry at someone you will be judged
-Jesus saying if you have an offering and you remember that someone has something against you, you have to make the effort to go and make up
-You need to settle it quickly
-Jesus telling is that we will not get out of punishment until you have paid the last penny.

So what:
-If you are angry with someone you are pretty much murdering them
-If you bad mouth someone you can find yourself being judged
-Simple moral fact is that words DO kill
-Go make peace then come to God
-We need to make the first move in apologizing
-If you leave it to the other person it could never happen

Now what:
-I need to stop bad mouthing people, talking about people in anyway that is not uplifting
-I need to being hyper aware of my thoughts, giving those to God as I would actual spoken word

Lord,

Please have patience with me. This is something, that at times I have no idea I am even doing. Help me Lord be aware of what I am saying, how I am saying it and how I can be more like you in my thoughts and spoken word. Lord I want the people around me to see YOU and not my disgusting mouth.

Thank you Jesus, I love you. Amen

3 things Sunday

Ugh I know people! I missed two days if my 30 consecutive days of blogging but sometimes, no all the time, family, husband, QT with the Big Guy, ect. win out over blogging. Sorry, but it's true. So without further rambling here is 3 thing Sunday!

1. I am currently on my way back from Spokane where we got to witness friends trying the knot! It was a great (short) trip to see college friends and hey, we even got to sneak in some pool time before the wedding. AA told me "just close your eyes and pretend your in Hawaii...not Spokane." hahaha!

2. I snuck in a run yesterday at o dark hundred hours before we left at 7:30am. I am practicing running "like I stole something" for the last half a mile or so on the way home, just in case I am crunched for time during my next race and I want to get to that finish line. Who knows what my face looks like in those last couple minutes...all I know...it ain't pretty!

3. We are officially a week out from what is supposed to be my A race. More on the "supposed" to be later this week. But I am excited to race again and do it with family and friends!!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Thursday Latelies #2

YAY! Here we go again! There have been so many things that I have been thankful for this week.
PS...I am a dingaling and forgot to tell you what kind of goggles I talked about! Ah! They are the blue women's Views. Here is a link if you are interested.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Matthew Monday...I mean Tuesday...I mean Monday...

Oh gosh this week has been so insanely busy and it is only Tuesday! But I am still loving learning so much from God and what He teaches through Matthew. These lessons have been eye opening, jaw dropping and just plain good. It is amazing what you can learn when you rely on the word...ONLY! I am such a Bible study book, devotional, ect freak. And yes those things are good....great at times! But I was becoming too dependant on them. So this study is helping me rely solely on what God has said and breathed.

Here we go...Matthew Monday (Tuesday) #2

Matthew 5: 13-16

What:

-Jesus is telling someone they are the salt of the earth
-Talks about losing your saltiness
-Poses the question on how it can become salty yet again
-The salt is no longer good
-Thrown out to be trampled by man
-Telling someone they are the light of the world
-A city on the hill cannot be hidden
-No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl
-They put it on a stand so everyone can see
-It gives light to everyone in the house
-Jesus telling someone to let their light shine to those around him
-And the reason is:
-So they can see your good deed
-Praise be to God

So what:

-God telling is to be the seasoning that bring the flavor of God out.
-If you lose "your salt" how will people taste God in you?
-If you lose your salt can you still be useful in God's story?
-You are here to be a light, so people can see the invisible God visible.
-We want God to be seen!
-God is telling is if He is going to make us light bearers, he is putting us on a stand...SO EVERYONE CAN SEE!
-NOW SHINE!
-Hospitality
-Bold sharing of the gospel
-Generosity
-Oh the list could go on and on!!

Now what:

I need to be a light, a light that God wants to put on a stand. I want people to look at me and automatically see Jesus, or to know that something is different about me, then other people. I don't want it to be legalistic in anyway, but in a true sense of the meaning. That God would be so intertwined in my life, so filling my heart, soul and life that it literally pours out of me. I so want people to come to know Jesus, and it is my job to be the light bearer, to bring them the Good News.

God I want to be your light bearer. I am Yours God. Take me, transform me and use me. I love you Jesus!


Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July!!

We are having so much fun this weekend, so Matthew Mondays this week will become Matthew Tuesday.

Happy 4th of July from AA and I!
A $5 Stabs card will be awarded for the first person to guess where we are in this picture taken today. If you were with us today you are disqualified from this competition. Sorry Linda. You also must be a follower of this blog to win. No entries past Thursday at noon. Winners will be announced Thursday evening!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

A little glimps into Heaven

Someone once told me that the wheat fields of the Palouse are the curtains into Heaven. After this weekend I was yet again reminded, like I am everytime I go, that he is probably right.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Bucket list...well at least one of them.

I have been thinking a lot about my athletic bucket list lately. God has blessed me so much in the last couple of years with just about everything, but I have loved our sweet times together while slugging out 3, 7, 20, ect miles. This week my mind has wondered "what's on the horizon?" And then I saw someone where a quote that said "what would you do, if you knew you couldn't fail?" OH WOW! I could go on and on about the things I would do. Failure is one of my biggest insecurities. Failure to be a good servant, failure to be a good wife, friend and family member. Failure to run, lead, and oh the list could go on and on.

But that quote helped remind me, I have an audience of One. I am not performing for anyone, but serving Jesus. So if failure is out, what's "in?" Here is my athletic bucket list. I will list my "life bucket list" soon. I just need to do some more praying on that one. :)

1. Half Ironman 70.3
2. Susan G. Komen 60 miler with my sister
3. Sub 2 hour half marathon
4. Sub 4 hour full marathon
5. Run Big Sur
6. Join a masters swimming class
7. Do a sprint or Olympic tri with AA's cousins who all did it last year
8. Run a race (or more!) for World Vision

I think that is all for now. I am sure the list will grow. You might have noticed a full ironman isn't on the list. I will chat about that more in weeks to come and the FAMILY sacrifice that comes with all of this. What's on your bucket list? What should I add to mine??

Friday, July 1, 2011

3 Things Friday...oops forgot to post this!! :)

1. Hello weekend! Well first we need to get through today. And when I say we I mean I need to get through 4 hours worth of class with 60 5-6 year olds swinging medal sticks, also known as golf clubs. Pray for me.

2. It's a double run day today. Yesterday I couldn't tough it out through my seven miler, so this morning I was up with the chickens to finish off the last couple miles. Then tonight after work I will do tomorrow's run, because we leave at o'dark hundred for....

3. SUMMER WEDDING TOUR 2011 starts with a wedding in Colfax! It's another summer on the road for AA and myself, as we pack the little red beep beep car and take witness to our friends and family making a commitment to each other and more importantly God. We feel so blessed to be able "to go on tour" this summer. Last summer we had 5 tour date stops, this summer we only have 4 on the schedule....so far!

Have a happy 4th! Thank you Jesus for America and the freedoms we get to celebrate because we live here.