a life beyond running shoes.

almost amish by nancy sleeth (one woman's quest for a slower, simpler, more sustainable life) does that sound right up my alley or what?! it was.  she takes a look at a community that has be able to stay connected to each other while remaining somewhat "out of touch" with modern culture. sleeth a makes the case that current american culture [and even modern church culture] are the ones that are out of touch not the amish.  sleeth takes ten tenants of amish culture and in a way deconstructs it, finds the merit, and challenges her reader to see what they have that we don't.  her ten things: home, technology, finances, nature, simplicity, service, security, community, families, and faith.  the ones that i really loved:  homes - aren't cluttered. technology - serves as a tool and does not rule. [i have stopped checking my cell phone or email on sundays....so mom, call my home phone] finances - save more and spend less.  simplicity - small and local lea...

in sunday school class, little bit is known for being a willing participant. (who knew). they were learning the verse: "i am the way, the truth, and the life. no one comes to the father but through me." teacher : so we have life with jesus. does anyone here have life? little bit : WE ALL HAVE LICE! but we washed our hair, so the bugs are all dead. um....thanks, pal. we have been outed. here are we captured with our "treatment" on our heads:    we have done three different treatments: harsh chemical shampoo. a natural remedy. and a third more "natural" treatment using ceta*phil face cleaner. i have to admit i feel a bit like we have had the plague over here.... but include the general nit-picking all day every day....for the last month......and i think we might finally be victorious.  (there was a lot of bribing with halloween candy) i know what you are thinking: where did you get it? how...

okay.....not that old, but certainly not recent. a mother's heart . jean fleming (published 1982) i have been working on this book since january.... it took a while but it was worth it. i found her "dated-ness" refreshing, straight-forward, honest, and biblical. while, there were a few theological differences.... they were minor and did not deter from the heart of her book. a few good nuggest: "the single most important decision a mother can make is to develop her own life with god." (page 59) "the goal of parenting is not for us to decide what we want our children to become and then ruthlessly teach, train, squeeze, badger, and cajole them into that mold. instead, we must recognize that god has already designed them." (page 89) there were other good things that were just good reminders of thinking about my kids in term of their spiritual hearts. remembering to pray for them as individuals.....pray for myself as the mom of three individuals and the...

spring is here!!!! (photo from ditmasparkblog.com - photo of the day by nelson) this weekend's 10 mile run - 65 degree weather. spectacular! of course, everyone was out in the park.... i did get a bit testy. this morning it was 50. i get confused how to dress for this. i know thirty and below. i know 60 and above. 50 is just confusing. stef and i had a good, hard, quality run this morning. we did the hill.... that blessed, beloved hill three times. upon finishing the last hill and working our way around the rest of the loop our cloudy morning turned into spring showers. it wasn't a drizzle.... it was raining. like the sky opened up. adventure run - spring style. epiphany: i really do love this sport. there were not that many folks out there this morning.....nor a few weeks ago when temperatures were still hovering the 30s. i have trained and retreated now three times. that would be three babies later, i am still training hard for a race..... i don't have many moments ...

my last post of the year..... the last books i read. i'll have to go back and see if i read any of the books i had wanted to read this year and start my list for 2010..... supper of the lamb . this is my favorite book of the year. loved it. loved it. loved it. husband gave it to me for my birthday and it took me the fall to finish it. it is the most unconventional cookbook i have encountered. it is some recipes, some theology, some hospitality, some fun. he is a home cook, lover of food, and episcopalian priest. he tells the story of how to cook with some recipe entwined. some of it is just about the goodness of god's creation and sharing it with others. i highly recommend it for anyone, even if you don't think you like to cook. the hunger games . i have never been shy about my willingness to read just about anything. someone gave me this YOUNG ADULT fiction...... i devoured it. there is a sequel and i am plagued with the idea that my library may not have it and i ma...