Day 53 - Ketchup!

My husband told me over the weekend that we were out of ketchup so when I went to the store I bought a bottle. Today as I went to get something out of the refrigerator I found two bottles of ketchup!  I'm not sure where he was looking but now we have three bottles of ketchup! This picture reminds me that sometimes we miss the obvious because we're not paying attention for whatever reason! I surely don't want to miss any of the lessons and blessings that God is giving me on this adventure because I am not paying attention! This picture also reminds me that I have a lot to "ketchup" on!

Day 52 - Blessings

My sister is moving next weekend and she decided not to take some of her furniture with her. What a blessing for us to receive this beautiful hutch, a dining room table with six chairs and a ping pong table! Thanks sis!!

Day 51 - Vision

My trainer told me that as I train I should envision myself standing on the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro!!

Day 50 - Volunteers

I attended a delicious brunch today, hosted by the American Foundation for Children with AIDS (AFCA) to recognize their volunteers. This organization does its life-saving work with only 2 paid staff supported by countless volunteers!  It was very interesting to hear how each volunteer contributes to AFCA's mission. Are you interested in volunteering your time? You do not have to live in the Harrisburg area in order to help. Please check out AFCA's website at http://www.afcaids.org/ to see how you can make a difference in the lives of children affected by AIDS in Africa!

Day 49 - What faith can do!

Today is the first day of strength training. The rest of my family went to my in-law's house so I was home alone. I put on the latest WOW CD and started. By the time I got to the push ups I was lying on the floor crying and asking God "Why does this have to be so hard?" At just that moment a song by Kutless called "What Faith Can Do" came on. Thank you Lord for your encouragement because these are the lyrics I heard,
Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it's more that you can take
But you're stronger, stronger than you know
Don't you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It'll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

Day 48 - Training begins!

I got my official training program today!  Now I have to exercise because I am being held accountable by the yellow paper you see in my picture! Thank you Anne for being willing to help this out of shape, I don't like to exercise woman get to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro! Let the training begin!

Day 47 - A Puritan Prayer

I first heard Carlos Whittaker sing the song "We Will Worship You" at Creation last summer. Now I keep hearing the song on the radio. It is such a beautiful and challenging song!  Carlos said that the chorus is based on a Puritan prayer. The lyrics to the chorus go "Save us from these comforts. Break us of our need for the familiar. Spare us any joy that's not of You and we will worship You."  On Carlos Whittaker's website one man posted this about the chorus "It’s a prayer of Psalm 51. It’s a prayer for brokenness, and prayer of His sovereign nature. The last line “And we will worship You”, is not a statement of do this THEN we will do that. It’s more of . . . by nature we CANNOT worship until we are broken. How humbling that is. "  May I make this my prayer today and every day!

Day 46 - Fix my eyes

I have been feeling very overwhelmed with my "to do" list lately. When I get like that instead of springing into action I usually shut down and don't do anything which then makes matters worse!! I heard a song on the radio today by Carlos Whittaker called "We Will Worship You." The first two lines go "We fix our eyes on You. You are God alone. We fix our eyes on You. You're our only hope." It reminds me of the story of Peter in Matthew 14:22-33 who after seeing Jesus walk on water asked Jesus if he could walk on water too. We're not talking about a calm sea here but strong winds causing high waves! Jesus called to him and Peter obeyed by getting out of the safety of the boat and walked on the water! But, then he took his eyes off of Jesus and started to look at the big waves and he began to sink. Jesus rescues him and asks Peter, "Why did you doubt me?" God has called me to get out of the safety of my boat and I have obeyed by agreeing to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. But it is easy for me, just like Peter, to take my eyes off of Him and His promises and to focus instead on the "big waves" in my life which then causes me to feel overwhelmed and to feel like I am sinking! God says to me "Why do you doubt me? Fix your eyes on Me and trust Me to provide all that you need to accomplish what I have called you to do." 

Day 45 - The Best Valentine!

Day 44 - Operation World

I received a copy of Operation World today! This incredible resource provides statistics, answers to prayer and prayer challenges for each country of the world in a format that will allow me to pray for a specific country each day. I am excited to begin this prayer journey around the world!!

Day 43 - Hope

As I was setting up this shot today the angel fell and her arm broke off. This is the Angel of Hope and she was given to me by a friend so I was very bummed that she was broken. But then I realized that this "broken" angel has a story to tell. This angel reminds me that even if I am broken, whether it is physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually, there is always hope! "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Day 42 - Be a Popeye!

After supper on Friday night we watched some old Popeye cartoons. One of his famous lines is "That's all I can stands, and I can't stands no more!" Popeye would then eat a can of spinach and suddenly have the strength to right the injustice. This reminded me of a book I started to read a few years ago called "Holy Discontent" by Bill Hybels. From the back cover "What is the one aspect of this broken world that, when you see it, touch it, or get near it, you just can't stand? What reality is so troubling that it thrusts you off the couch and into action? This is what Bill Hybels refers to as a "holy discontent": a personal "firestorm of frustration" that, although sparked by that which is terribly wrong, can catalyze fierce determination to set things right. It is often during these eye-opening heart-hungering moments of engagement when you will hear God whisper, "I feel the exact same way about this situation. Now, let's go solve it together!"" Who needs spinach? With God's help, I can be a Popeye and be an unstoppable force for good in this world!!

Day 41 - Be flexible

Sometimes things happen that are out of our control. Instead of grumbling and complaining, I need to be flexible.

Day 40 - Subs = Life

On behalf of the kids, thanks to all who bought subs and pretzel sandwiches! Each sandwich sold equals another day of life for a child in Africa who has AIDS. Stay tuned! More fundraisers to come!!

Day 39 - Comfort each other

One of my sons helped me with this shot today. I love his idea! 2 Corinthians 1:4 says "He (God) comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others."

Day 38 - What do you believe?

We watched Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade tonight. After Indiana Jones' dad is shot, the villian says to Indiana "This is when you ask yourself what do you believe." Indiana needed to act on what he believed to be true in order to save his dad's life. This required him to take a "leap of faith" but he was rewarded for his courage by finding the Holy Grail. I need to ask myself the same question. What do I believe?

Day 37 - Priorities?

Need I say more??!!

Day 36 -"I have overcome"

Ephesians 6:12 reminded me today that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."  This is important for me to remember as conflicts in relationships arise.  More importantly is what Jesus says in John 16:33 "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Day 35 - Uncle Robert

February 4 would have been my Uncle Robert's 85th  birthday. I celebrate his birthday on my blog today because he is one of the most inspiring people I know! In his early twenties he was diagnosed with a disease called Friederich's ataxia. This disease slowly robbed him of his ability to walk, to take care of himself and in 2002 his life, but it never robbed him of his joy, his love for his family or his love of God! His unwavering faith helped him to face his many challenges without complaining and his example inspires me to do the same! Today in heaven, he has a brand new body free of this disease and I look forward to someday walking the streets of gold with him!!  Happy Birthday Uncle Robert!!  Love you more!!

Day 34 - Standing on the promises

Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Through eternal ages let His praises ring, Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God. Refrain: Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises I now can see Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me; Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free, Standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord, Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword, Standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises I cannot fall, List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call, Resting in my Savior as my all in all, Standing on the promises of God.

Day 33 - Sweet pea sisters!

I had a great conversation with a  "sweet" sister today (please see Day 29 for a definition of a "sweet" sister).  We discovered that we are like two "peas in a pod" because we are facing many of the same "mountains"!!  So, now she is my "sweet pea" sister!  I'm looking forward to conquering our "mountains" together with God's help!! Thank you Lord  for my sweet pea sister!!

Day 32 - You can do it!

I got this encouragement from a friend today. No matter what your mountain You Can Do It!!

Day 31 - Sleep

I tried so hard to stay awake but I just couldn't. I was helping one of my sons study for a test and I kept falling assleep. He thought this was really funny, but this reminded me that I need to make sure I am getting enough sleep. I've been "burning the candle at both ends" and as my husband told me "now you ran out of wax."  The easy solution is to get more sleep!!