Olympic Ice

OK, I'll admit it. I still dream of being an ice princess, and I'm a wee bit addicted to the Olympic Women's figure skating competitions. I absolutely love watching the women in their beautiful ice outfits, gliding gracefully across the ice, jumping triple-toe-loops and -lutzes, and landing back on the ice as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

I locked myself in my bedroom for a little alone time last night and was held captive by the figure skating short program competition. One thing I always enjoy is hearing the more-in-depth stories of the Olympic athletes. Their stories are incredible to me. I have never been the athletic type, but I can certainly relate to stories of triumph, perseverance, pursuing your dreams, growing up - many of the ideas that are talked about when the Olympics come around. And Sasha Cohen's story is no exception. Before she skated, they told a story of a girl who had fallen in pursuit of gold many times, a girl who was a prodigal figure skater of sorts - chasing down several coaches in pursuit of the magic she desired to bring to her skating, and of a girl who grew up and finally found her way back home to the coach who knows her best.

She was the last woman to skate in the short program last night. And, as she skated, I cheered her on (I know - I'm nuts. It's like my football. I scream, cheer, get excited, the whole bit) and held my breath. Every jump she nailed, a little bit more relief and a bigger smile. She was beaming by the time she finished her program and for good reason - she ended up in first place out of 29 and after a long pursuit - all her hard work, growing up, and perseverance paid off. It was a beautifully sweet moment.

It kinda makes me laugh to think how the Olympic stories move me. They have never moved me to think that I could truly accomplish anything athletic (I guess I'm just not geared that way). But, they do move me to think that I can certainly accomplish anything I set my mind to and that God at work in me can accomplish even more - not in a self-serving way, but in a way that is completely about Him, is incredibly humble, and always hopes.

update on my mom

I talked with my mom this morning and she gave me the great news that her tests had come back saying the abnormality they originally found and ran the extra tests for was benign. Praise the Lord! And because of what she has gone through, it has compelled my aunt to go forward with some recommended tests that she should have done over a year ago for some of the same issues. We will wait, hope, and see how hers come out. Thanks to those of you who have been praying for and thinking of my mom. This is an incredible blessing!

How I feel today.

How I wish I felt today.

on another note

Please pray for my mom. I won't go into too many details here (because for one, I don't have them), but what I do know is that for Valentine's Day my mom had some extra, uncomfortable tests done to investigate an abnormality in her breast. I am praying that the tests come back saying nothing is seriously wrong, but I know that she is concerned and even though she told me, she didn't want to talk about it too much. Pray that God would comfort her heart and help her not to worry. I know that no matter what happens, God is good and we will praise Him either way.

Happy un-Valentine's Day!

Happy, Happy un-Valentine's Day to you! I hope you all had a wonderful day yesterday on the annual "day of luhve!"

Not only did I have the joy of celebrating with my husband at a wonderful concert, I got to carry on a tradition which is probably not that uncommon among families. My mom used to always set out little treats for my brother and I on Valentine's Day and I always felt so very special. It didn't matter to me if anyone else did anything for me, but my mom always made sure we knew how much she loved us. (Thanks, Mom! I love you to the moon and back!) One year, I remember my dad sent me yellow roses at school and that threw me over the edge of happiness. :-) My husband, on the other hand, was not brought up in the same traditions as I was, so this is all a little new for him still. He definitely has issues with how commercialized Valentine's Day is and rebels nearly every year, much to my disappointment. I'm truly a sucker (maybe a slave) for all those beautiful red roses and cards - the very gifts which seem to elude me every year. Waah! OK, I'm off my pathetic, whiny box now......... So, anyways, I got to do a few things for my new roomates to carry on my mom's tradition of love and I really enjoyed it. (If you've ever read The Five Love Languages, you must know that my "love language" is that of receiving gifts. It's how I enjoy showing my love and how I enjoy receiving love.) We didn't go over-the-top, just a little something to say how happy my husband and I are to have my stepdaughter and her son with us. It was fun! :-)

Also, I just enjoyed reflecting on the love of God and what His word has to say about love, so I'll leave you with a few of His words on the subject -

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
~ Ephesians 3:17-19

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
~ John 13:35

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
~ Romans 8:35, 37-39

Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
~ Romans 13:10

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
~ I Corinthians 13:13

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
~ Ephesians 5:1-2

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
~ Hebrews 10:24

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
~ 1 Peter 4:8

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
~ 1 John 3:14

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
~ 1 John 4:7

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
~ Romans 13:8