Be Kind

Seems simple right?  But doesn't everything always seem more simple than it sometimes really is?

That was one piece of advice Isaac & I were given just before we were married.  It came from a dear friend to both of us; a woman who had poured into both of our lives individually.  And at the time, I have to admit, it was taken very quickly at face value -- yeah of course we'll be kind to each other, we love each other!  How silly were we....  Often times it seems as though it's the ones you love the most that you can be so unkind to.  Satan sneaks in & digs at the ones we care about THRU us because he is trying to assert himself within.

But get BACK Satan!  You have no place here....   He is powerless against the mighty power of my God!
For our God is one of unconditional love & forgiveness.  Our God is one of making new creations & clothing his children in white!  Our God is one who has the names of his children written in the palm of His hand & He works for the good of those who believe & trust in Him!  And he is kind...

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LOSIN' IT!

Today is one of those days where I feel like I'm losing it!  My brain is running to mush - Nothing feels like it's going to be accomplished, and everything is incredibly distracting...

THIS IS WHAT I FEEL LIKE! Yikes!
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Crossing My Fingers For That Little Blue Box!

I am crossing my fingers that we'll get selected again this year for the annual Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco, CA.  Last year I made my first appearance at the race (and at a half marathon!) and had the time of my life!  The theme for last year was to "Run Like A Girl" - and I guess that's what I did.  Primarily -- I finished, which was my ultimate goal.  Monique & I agreed very early on in our training that we wanted to finish together regardless of our time.  So we stuck thru it together and finished.

But now the time is here again where I am anxiously checking my bank account and my emails for the anticipated notification email saying that I've been selected!  Last year I was sitting on my living room floor hopping around with pure excitement when I saw that my account had been charged -- a sign that you're IN!  So tonight, I will again keep an eye on my bank account & email...crossing my fingers, toes, legs, etc that we get selected.

There are a number of pros to this race - there's the goodies at the expo in Union Square, getting your name up on the wall of Niketown, the ever coveted Tiffany's necklace for every finisher (which by the way, is REALLY cool to see limos FILLED with those beautiful blue boxes!), and of course the other race day niceties.  But for me - the most enjoyable part is getting to travel with great friends and finish something together.  That was my highlight; sure...getting up at 4:30/5am was tough come race day - but it was worth it when you got down in to Union Square and the whole place if lit up with excitement & anticipation!  And being surrounded by all that energy was intoxicating!  Not to mention being surrounded by so many different women (and some men too) who were running the same race that I was.  That was pretty awe-inspiring too.

So...cross your fingers for me (and my group - Nordhagen & crew as we lovingly call ourselves) that we get selected in the random draw tonight!
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Next March!

I am going on a cruise with great friends & my hubby....  I am beyond excited!  I think this will be our first "big" trip with friends.  We're definitely all looking forward to it!

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I Surrender All

I have a very distinct place in my heart for hymns...  and with good reason - they speak truth simply...

All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live

I surrender all I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken

Take me Jesus take me now

I surrender all I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender
Lord I give myself to Thee
Fill me with Thy love and power
Let Thy blessing fall on me

I surrender all I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all
Oh I surrender all I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all

Praying this now...
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Uncertainty Certainly is Annoying

Sometimes I know exactly where I'm going, exactly what I'm doing, and exactly what to expect.



And other times....not so much.  Today generally was a very good day, but with it winding down, I feel a little overcome with that ugly word & feeling -- uncertain.
I hate feeling uncertain.  Uncertain about what I'm doing in life.  Uncertain about where I am in life.  Uncertain about what to expect with the next week, day, month, year, etc.  I took one of my R/E tests tonight and sucked... not my norm.  But I think it just feeds the fear that I'm not heading in the right direction.  I'm not going to ever be as good as my mom...  And that's scary, because I think there are those who are fully expecting me to be just like her and to be incredibly successful at it right off the bat.  But me... I don't know.  I'm not so certain.  Urgh.

Isaac asked me once what I would do if I didn't do real estate or if I wasn't at my job...  And to be honest, I didn't really have a response.  Will I ever have a response?  Or an idea?  Or a plan?  Or a direction...

Lord I trust your guidance and know that You are perfect and your will is perfect.  Would Your love overflow in me so that I may find joy even in the uncertainty...

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Luau

Just got home from the Willamette Lu'au with Isaac -- definitely a fun evening.  I think it really lights a fire in the two of us to be more involved.  We'll see what things come together.

And I think if & when the time is right - and doors are open -- it would be a blessing to be able to raise our family for some time in Hawaii.  I know how Isaac would want our kids to experience living in Hawaii at some point.  So like I said - if the time is right and all the doors were opened, we'll explore that option.


But for now we'll just enjoy our lilikoi juice and catch up on today's baseball games!
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