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!