Table Rock Family Hike

From Oct2011

Terry's birthday is tomorrow, and he wanted to celebrate by going on a family hike.
We decided to try out Table Rock in North Carolina - about an hour and a half from our house.

It was a beautiful drive, but the curves made a few of the kids a bit carsick. We arrived and had a little picnic at the base.

From Oct2011

It was only a mile (but all uphill) to the summit. The view up there was great - probably the best I have seen in this part of the mountains.

From Oct2011

From Oct2011

From Oct2011

From Oct2011

From Oct2011

From Oct2011

From Oct2011

Legacy Quest

From Legacy Quest

This past Friday the whole family was involved in the inaugural Legacy Quest 5K - a race sponsored by TEACH, our homechool group, and the Tipton Haynes Historic Site.

The boys and I were all runners, Rebecca was a photographer (making pictures for the TEACH yearbook - called "The Legacy"), and Terry got to wear an orange vest and help block traffic.

The race was started by re-enactors with rifles:

From Legacy Quest

Noah meant to run the One Mile Fun Run instead of the 5K. Right after Rebecca snapped this photo, he handed her his jacket. She neglected to tell him that he was at the end of the one-mile run, so he just kept going.

From Legacy Quest

Caleb had his best time ever at 22:38. This won him 1st in his age group and 6th place overall.

From Legacy Quest

From Legacy Quest

Nathan was running his first 5K, and he did it in 24:43, which was first place in his age group as well.

From Legacy Quest

I haven't really been running lately, so this was actually my worst time ever. I sorta hate it that the clock has to be in the picture:

From Legacy Quest

But I did manage to beat Noah who was managing to smile even though he took that wrong turn:

From Legacy Quest

Michelle Dorr, the race director, did such a great job organizing the event! The trophies were cannons - very unique! We got three first place trophies - Caleb for age 0-15, Nathan for age 15-19, and me for age 45-49, an age group I will only be in for one more month. Sigh. All three of us benefited from lack of competition - most teens in the area that run were involved in a huge cross-country meet that day, and most of the runners in my age group must have been at another race as well.

But speaking of age, I met this very inspiring woman at the race. Her name is Eleanor. She is 75 years old, and she actually ran a half-marathon two weeks ago. She told me that she has MS and was in a wheelchair four years ago. The doctors told her she would never walk again. She said "I don't accept that" and started working out. I told her she was my hero.

From Legacy Quest

Fall Break

Rebecca had a four-day fall break from Milligan College, and we enjoyed having her home. Seemed like she spent most of the time making treats like Apple Cider Caramel Cookies (so good!) and Cracker Candy.

We had a fun shopping trip during one of her days home. Rebecca hates to spend money and almost has to have someone come along to give her the nerve (I, on the other hand, sometimes feel guilty spending money when I'm with somebody, so it's sometimes easier alone).

Rebecca didn't buy this hat but had fun trying it on. Baby hats are so "in" that I guess they decided to make them for big people. Somehow, I don't think the effect is quite the same.

From Oct2011

Seeing Red

I spent a week in Arkansas visiting Mom and helping out a little as she was being diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. This cancer originated in her breast but is now in her liver - so this is "breast cancer awareness month" for me in a big way! I'm so proud of my Mom's attitude - she has the faith of Job and doesn't complain. But please pray for her as she is in the battle of her life as she starts chemo and tries to put on some weight at the same time. And Mom, if you read this, please clean your plate! That's something you were never able to make me do as a kid, but I'm pretty good at it now.

I realize I didn't take any photos of Mom while I was there, but she probably likes it that way. Rebecca has the nicest camera at college with her, and the better of our remaining two Panasonic cameras is not currently working. But I have this little Panasonic that I keep with me all the time, and I did manage to take a few photos at my nephew's soccer game. I know I'm home in Arkansas when I see the red everywhere and little Razorbacks on all the clothing. And when I see my sweet sisters:

From Oct2011

The red is even more prominant than the orange in Tennessee, if you can believe that. I love the Vols (hey, I married one!), but red looks better on anybody, in my opinion! Here's my Dad in his red - my sisters and I love how his hair flips up in the wind. We still remember the crew cut he wore for about thirty years - and how he was always taking photos of us

From Oct2011

I really had fun getting to call the Hogs with him as they creamed Auburn in Razorback Stadium. I hadn't gone to a game with him since I was in high school.

Let it Snow?

Last year, Terry took Nathan on an overnight backpacking trip. This past weekend, it was Caleb's turn, and they had an unexpected surprise for Oct. 1st- SNOW!

From Backpacking

From Backpacking

They hiked up on the Appalachian Trail near Unicoi. They stayed in the Cherry Gap Shelter (the haze in this picture is from their fire):

From Backpacking

They got pretty cold, but they must have had a good time because Caleb came back totally enthused about backpacking - planning his next trip and hoping to get a new backpack for his birthday (so far they've mostly been borrowing equipment). As you can see from the photos, the leaves haven't really even turned yet - that's why the snow was so unusual.

From Backpacking

From Backpacking

From Backpacking

From Backpacking

From Backpacking

From Backpacking

Stained Glass Hearts

The subtitle of the book "Stained Glass Hearts" by Patsy Clairmont is Seeing Life from a Broken Perspective. I expected a book about what it is like to be broken, which has been a subject of discussion in our house since Terry was laid off a few years ago.

Instead, the "broken" subtitle of this book was more about the idea of a mosaic. With chapters like "Stained Glass Prayer","Stained Glass Books", and "Stained Glass Nature," Patsy explains how all these aspects in her life contribute to the themes of light and redemption.

I enjoyed the book, but like a mosaic, it did seem to be sort of random and rambly. She used the "stained glass theme" to tie together a lot of otherwise unconnected thoughts. It didn't really bother me, though, because she shared a lot of wisdom. Conversations are often quite random like this and can still be very inspirational.

I liked the way that she included recommendations at the end of each chapter for books to read, art to look at, and music to listen to. I'm going to add several of her literature recommendations to my book list.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Happy Birthday, Noah!

From For Blog

Today my little boy turns twelve! Noah's birthdays are somehow more bittersweet since he is my baby! He is my only child who still climbs in the recliner to snuggle next to me and the only one who reaches out to hold my hand when we're on a hike. And he's my only boy who can't sing bass! I know those days are numbered.

We celebrated Noah's birthday with a swimming party back in July (his idea). so today was very simple and low-key. He got some candy and a set of Lego Minifigures that he'd been wanting. We got an afternoon treat at Sonic and went out to eat as a family at his choice of restaurant - which turned out to be Burger King. Rebecca came over from college for the evening.

Today Terry's Dad also has a birthday, and he is turning 75! We'll be headed to Knoxville this Sunday to have a family celebration for him.

Lessons, Part 2

August 14, 2011

In Hind's Feet, when Much-Afraid reaches the heights, the shepherd asks her for her bag of remembrance stones, and he turns them into precious jewels.

Yesterday, Terry bought me a little bracelet entirely made with stones from Lake
Michigan - petosky stones, iron and copper.

From Michigan Favorites

It will be another reminder of lessons learned on this trip.

I want to be a polished stone - made beautiful by affliction.

"I am my Love's and he is mine, and this is his desire,
That with his beauty I may shine in radiant attire.
And this will be - when all of me is pruned and purged with fire."

August 24, 2011

After Much-Afraid reaches the High Places and has her name changed, she realizes the need to return to the valley to share what she has found. In this way, she is like the water - going always lower:

"From the heights we leap and flow
To the valleys down below,
Sweetest urge and sweetest will
To go lower, lower still."

She realizes she was brought to the heights just for this purpose.

How can I "go lower" today?

From Michigan Favorites

Lessons, Part One

This will be an unusual blog post for me. I don't know that I've ever shared excerpts from my spiritual journal before, but I had such a neat learning experience on our trip that it really was as significant as the fun time with my family (shared in an earlier post). If nothing else, by sharing it, I will help cement these lessons in my mind - I need lots of repetition.

August 5, 2011

This morning I had a precious experience - getting to read "Hind's Feet on High Places" from a very high place - a scenic overlook of Lake Michigan - deserted except for Rebecca and me. It was quiet and peaceful and seemed to be on top of the world.

From Michigan Favorites

I love the way the author rewrites the Song of Solomon in verse ~

"The Song of Songs, the loveliest song,
The song of Love the King,
No joy on earth compares with his,
But seems a broken thing.
His name is ointment poured forth,
And all his lovers sing.

Draw me - I will run after thee,
Thou art my heart's one choice,
Oh, bring me to thy royal house,
To dwell there and rejoice.
There in they presence, O My King,
To feast and hear thy voice.

Look not upon me with contempt,
Though soiled and marred I be,
The King found me - an outcast thing
and set his love on me.
I shall be perfected by Love
Made fair as day to see." Cant. 1: 1-6

August 6, 2011

Today I read about the song of the water in Hind's Feet. It says the water is singing of how sweet it is to go lower and lower. I know God calls us to humble ourselves, and He sets the example Himself.

I get to see lots of water "going lower" on this trip - just this morning I'll be going downstream in a canoe with Rebecca and Noah.

Lord, help me remember the song of the water when I see water, and let it remind me to humble myself.

From Michigan Favorites

August 11, 2011

The timing for reading "High Places" has really been a blessing in itself. As Much-Afraid takes her journey, it has paralleled many things we have seen on our trip. For instance, yesterday we took a beautiful hike along cliffs overlooking Lake Superior. It was very windy and the waves were powerful - but it was sunny and the water was a wonderful blue and aqua color. I lifted my hands to praise the Lord for such beauty. Then this morning, I am reading the chapter "On the Old Sea Wall," and here are some quotes that describe my experience ~

From Michigan Favorites

From Michigan Favorites

From Michigan Favorites

"The sun was shining brilliantly, and up there on the wall they could feel the full force of the great wind which was urging and lashing the rushing waters to flow swifter and swifter . . . Somehow the roar of the wind and the surge of the waters seemed to get into her blood and course through her being like a glorious wine of life. The wind whipped her cheeks and tore at her hair and clothes and nearly toppled her over, but she stood there,shouting at the top of her voice,

'And now shall my head be lifted above my enemies round about! Therefore I will sing praises unto the Lord; yea I will offer the sacrifice of joy and will praise the name of the Lord (Ps. 27:6)!'"

At first I was thinking that I don't really have enemies, but then I realized that I have the same enemies as Much-Afraid in this book - Pride, Bitterness and Selfishness. Now I have a new way of looking at these "enemy verses" in Psalms.

August 11, 2011

Today we went to Miner's Beach, and I got the idea to collect some of the rocks on the shore to make a little "altar" like Much-Afraid does - an altar representing putting "self" and "my will" to death.

From Michigan Favorites

It will also be a cool reminder of this trip (since we built a stone stack on Lake Huron to make a memory, too) and of the lessons learned from this book. I think having objects around that remind me of spiritual lessons is very biblical. God used items in the tabernacle and in the Passover meal to teach lessons. I wish I had started going this sooner - something that Joanne Heim inspired me to.

August 12, 2011

Last night Terry made a roaring fire. It was so big that we were afraid for a while that the tree above it was going to catch fire.

From Michigan Favorites

It made me think back to one of my favorite parts of "Hind's Feet" - when Much-Afraid is led to Egypt and learns lessons there at the threshing floors and at the furnace. The shepherd tells here that his rarest and choicest jewels are those that have been refined in the furnace.

"O Thou afflicted, tossed with tempest,and not comforted, behold I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones." (Is 54:11)

Another verse about rocks! I can't get away from them.

August 13, 2011

Another theme from the book that I can relate to on this trip is the little flowers that Much-Afraid finds growing in unusual places - places where there is only a trickle of water or very little soil.

We saw a mighty tree growing at the top of Chapel Rock - its roots stretched over to the mainland. It found a way to thrive in a difficult situation and became glorious in the process.

From Michigan Favorites

"I have borne and I have not fainted; I have not ceased to love, and love helped me push through the crack in the rock until I could look right out onto my Love the sun himself. See now! There is nothing whatever between my Love and my heart, nothing around to distract me from him. He shines upone me and makes me to rejoice and has atoned to me for all that was taken from me or done against me. I look up to him as a weaned child and say 'Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none upon earth I desire but thee.'"

Update on our House Flip

Terry and I bought a foreclosed house in Knoxville in May with the idea of "flipping" it to make some cash. It's a cute little Craftsman-style house (probably built in the 20s) with lots of nice features (my favorites are the large kitchen and porch). Rebecca and her brothers helped their Dad with demolition work back in June (she blogged about this here, here and here). Then several times during the summer one or more of the boys went to Knoxville with Terry to work on it.

Now that Terry has started contract work at Eastman four days a week, he has less time to work on the house. We took advantage of the long Labor Day weekend to all go down there and help out (sans Rebecca, who is now off to college).

A few days before we came, about $700 worth of power tools were stolen as well as the heat pump (stealing someone's AC in the summer ought to be a federal crime!). Terry suspected a guy that was working for him, and on Saturday he was arrested.

From Coker

Terry had grown to care for the guy and hoped to work it out with him without turning him in, but it just wasn't happening. We learned some things in the process. While we want to help out folks that need work, I think we're going to start doing background checks. Caleb was fascinated by the process, though, and has at least temporarily decided that he wants to go into law enforcement.

Here the boys are hanging out in the kitchen. I took the wallpaper down in this room this weekend. Don't worry - the purple color will not stay.

From Coker

Here Terry is doing some foundation work -

From Coker

While Nathan helps from underneath (he loves crawl spaces!):

From Coker

Noah helped me with the wallpaper:

From Coker

And Caleb helped with painting:

From Coker

When he wasn't goofing around:

From Coker

And Terry's Dad (aka "Papa") was a great help. Here he is doing some electrical work:

From Coker

Here are some views of the awesome front porch:

From Coker

From Coker

From Coker