on the same weekend in October, this time not together, but shared with different friends and competitors~ both incredible accomplishments!
Hannah successfully completed a half marathon in Detroit, and Jeff, another Spartan Beast in Collingwood. i held the fort~ and that sometimes deserves it's own medal honourable mention, right? ;)
i'm 51 and i finally got to Bayfield. and after visiting, i'm not sure why it took so long to get there. what a charming place! and so pretty in the fall...i didn't want to leave.
next time, longer.
been more intentional again these days to sit in the space of gratitude, as the season of fall has allowed me more quiet time to actually hear my own thoughts (translated the four year old who talks incessantly is now in school). grateful for loads of blessings, big and small, and being more intentional to count them as well...i've also been doing a bit of a deeper dive into the study of suffering, and the notion by many that a good God would never allow suffering to the extent that He does. to clarify, i'm not currently in a place of deep suffering, not at all, but i know that suffering is a part of life at one time or another, and if not now, it's coming. that is as sure as the sun setting this evening.
so many take aways, but i think i'll link my two favourite teachers who address the subject in a far more eloquent way than i ever could. so powerful. so countercultural and so true. trusting in a God who knows better than i. trusting His timing. trusting His nature. checking my unbelief that comes from a vastly limited human framework and not the mind of a sovereign, all-knowing and good God.
Jackie Hill Perry is such a gifted teacher, author, poet and theologian, and i will forever appreciate the way she teaches scripture in a way that is bold and convicting and courageous.
Jessie girl at my feet...another gift
Ann Voskamp...well, anyone who knows me knows i long to sit with her one day over lunch, and dig deep into her life experiences and wisdom. she is so open about her own suffering and life journey, and this transparency in her books and messages has pointed millions to the heart of Christ.
grateful for God's overflowing goodness, in easy times and hard. His good gifts, still there and always visible when i look carefully, even during the unexpected, the awful, the moments of agony.
"we give thanks to God not because of how we feel but because of who He is" Ann Voskamp
both messages linked above by these powerful speakers expand on the subject so well. i will revisit them for sure. i hope you enjoy as well...
our girl is there, in Kailua-Kona Hawaii, soaking up lots of sun and surf and beauty. God has undeniably brought her there for this season, and she is basking in new friendships, new challenges, and deeper levels of faith. she is courageous and strong, and leaning in to the chance to grow and serve and truly seek Christ for her next steps. God's grace and love is carrying her, uplifting her spirit and meeting her in a fresh way.
annddd, she's started a blog~ a pretty great one too! she would love to have you join her journey, so here's the link...
here are a few photos she's sent along of her early days at YWAM Kona:
keep shining Layla! already the ripples are far reaching...❤
