Where are my Training Wheels?!?

So I hope that all my readers watched this sweet video of my nephew, Brennan, and listened very closely. The first thing I want you to notice that my super brave and cute nephew said was "I just can't turn." He successfully keeps riding without training wheels and catches the eye of my super observant and cute niece who states, "Here comes bwother." Brennan then gives himself a pep talk by saying, "Steady....steady." Oh and please notice my brother (Brennan's daddy) closely following the brave little boy. I think that is all the background you need for my post!

After watching this video, I began to think about how there are some large overall themes occurring that are issues in my life.

1. The minute that I heard Brennan say "Steady...steady" on the video, I began to think about the analogy I have in my life where I like to verbally state that I have it all together, but I am an internal disaster. My pea sized brain often tricks me into thinking that if I verbalize that I have it all under control...then I WILL have it all under control. These are horrible lies that set me up to tip my "bike" over because God is the ONLY one in control of my life.

2. Family and friends are wonderful at cheering me on in my life (note Ella's encouraging words to Brennan in the video), but ultimately God is the one who matters. Ella couldn't have saved Brennan from falling off the bike. Only Brennan's daddy (playing God's role in this video) was right there for Brennan to lean on if he needed to fall. God ALWAYS knows the balance I am maintaining in my life.

3. I realized that I am a total "training wheels" kind of girl. Like most Christians, learning to trust in the Lord has ALWAYS been a challenge to me. Poor Brennan states first thing in the video, "I just can't turn." How often in my life am I uncomfortable for God to call me to a new place to turn and ride?!? I pray that the Lord will give me the courage to learn to walk in faith to new places He is calling me to, and that I can learn to ride to these places confidently without training wheels. I want to rid myself of often just giving up, putting my feet down, and refusing to ride any farther. I must trust the Lord to help me master a new skill or new location that He wants me to pursue.

4. Although thankfully Brennan did not fall down in this video, I am going to fall down in all areas of my life. I just pray that I am honorable when I tip over while riding the "bike" of my life. I know that I will fall down when I act in a manner unlike Christ. Whether these "falls" happen to be pride, harsh words, jealousy, apathy, failing to forgive, laziness, or other horrible sins that permeate my life, I pray that I can dust myself off and learn from the scrapes and bruises from these falls.

Matt Redman's song lyrics of "You Never Let Go" came to my mind with the training wheels that I sometimes put on areas of my life.

"And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life

I won't turn back

I know You are near

Oh no, You never let go

Through the calm and through the storm

Oh no, You never let go

In every high and every low

Oh no, You never let go

Lord, You never let go of me"

Philippians 1:16

“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

OPERATION COTTON: Mission Accomplished!!!

So I really did it...I ran my first 5K on 10/21/10!! I had a wonderful time running in the Friends of the River race that started at Montgomery Plaza. I am sorry that I got a little busy and am just now posting about my fun adventure.

Here is the shirt from the run! Isn't it cute?! Some great cotton!!

For proof that I actually completed the 5K, you can view my run results at: http://www.clinesrunningcorner.com/results2010/friendsofheriver_oc21_2010.pdf

I am listed under "Ali Baker" which I have decided will be my running name...kinda like how actors and actresses sometimes change their names!

Group pic at the end of the race (I jacked it from the photographer's website!): Leland, Deva, Ali (aka me), Melanie, Mark, Julie

So I felt the need to write something like an Oscar speech about completing this run.

I definitely could not have accomplished this without the Lord. I never would have thought that I could go from couch potato to actually start running. Throughout the process I often was a weakling, whined, and would stop to walk. I have to be honest that sometimes I would stop and just focus on my pity party of how tired I was and how I could never accomplish anything that involved any shred of athletic ability. I was often reminded of the song, "You Are my All in All" when I was running and I was then motivated!

I need to thank my co-worker and friend, Deva, who got it in my head that I could actually complete a 5K...who knew?!? She is such a running speed demon now, and I am so proud of her!

I am also eternally grateful to my co-worker and friend, Mark, who encouraged me all along the way. If you had asked me a year ago today if I would ever run with Mark on a weekly basis ...I would have laughed hysterically at you! I was intimidated by his speed and ability to run long distances, but he was always patient and encouraging every step of the way. Mark is the only reason I kept pushing myself and didn't give up like I so often do. He ran at my snail pace and kept me going!

I would like to thank another co-worker and friend, Melanie, who went from couch to 5K in a day and blew me away on the day of the race by always being by my side. She kept encouraging me to kick it up a notch when we got to the end, and I wanted to throw up!

Oh, and I must not forget to thank Kung-Fu man who was always nice to look at on the Trinity River running trail. Also, I cannot forget to thank all of the ropes and sticks on the trail that always had me believing that they were snakes, so I ran a little faster!

I could not have completed the race without music, so I must give it up for my iPod.

Here is a list of what I listened to during the race:

• All of Creation by Mercy Me (hey if it works for Josh Hamilton when he gets up to bat...it can work for me!)
• Better is One Day by Kutless
• Collide by Howie Day
• Cowboy Take Me Away by the Dixie Chicks (aka Corps Boy Take Me Away when I was at A&M)
• Don't Stop Believin' (no need to expand on this awesome song!)
• Friday I'm In Love by The Cure
• I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas (my nephew loves and know this song!)
• Just Dance by I'm not sure...it is The Biggest Loser jazzed up edition
• Let's Hear It For the Boy by I'm not sure...also The Biggest Loser edition
• Party in the U.S.A by Miley Cyrus
• Today Was a Fairytale by Taylor Swift
• Time After Time...also The Biggest Loser edition
• Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell (I ended with this mellow song probably because I didn't have enough energy to reach up to my iPod to change the song. I'm not sure how this got on my running list, but I downloaded this song after watching the opening ceremony at the Vancouver Winter Olympics...so I guess it has some athletic qualities!)

What a fun memory to say that I ran my first 5K during my 30th year of life! I definitely want to beat my slow time this year, and I may (Lord willing) try to go for a 10K. I have been a slacker over the last month, so I need to hit it hard!

I feel so much better about myself, and FYI I did indeed reward myself with something from the Coach store!

Quit Complaining!!

During my quiet time today, I got slammed with the following questions in the book Called and Accountable: "Would you (or someone close to you) be able to describe your life as a life that abides in love? Have recent actions and attitudes toward those you relate to daily (your family, your neighbors, your co-workers, and your church family) been expressed in love?"

I began to think about how jaded, flippant, and harsh my attitude has recently become. It seems that I have turned into a person who takes anything and makes it into a sarcastic joke.

Right before New Year's Eve, I was talking to several of my co-workers about their resolutions for 2011. I was being silly as usual, and I just shot off the statement that I was "not going to be rude to another nurse again on the phone." Everyone kind of laughed at me because pharmacists are notorious for being rude to nurses, and a co-worker started to encourage me to read a secular book called "A Complaint Free World." She even brought me a bracelet that is to be used to remind me to quit complaining. Now I am not going to read this book and I may try my best to wear the bracelet at work, but it got me thinking that I am missing out on so many opportunities to enable God's love to be expressed in my relationships because I am too busy griping or being sarcastic.

I must admit that I initially was a little perturbed that she handed me a "Complaint Free" bracelet. I know that I do my fair share of whining at work, but I could name many other folks who beat me on the "complaint ladder"....oops...there I go whining again!

My pastor told the following story today that convicted me about this recent conversation in my life and my serious need to quit my yammering. John Hyde was as missionary who left for India in the 1800s. When he was on the ship headed to India, Hyde opened a letter from a friend who wrote that he would pray until John was filled with the Holy Spirit. He crumpled up the letter because he was so angry that his friend would dare say he lacked the Holy Spirit. He had yielded his heart to the Lord and agreed to go clear across the world for his life's work. But when he settled down, he realized that his friend was right and prayed for the power of the Holy Spirit.

I know that I will continue to stumble with my complaining while I am here on this earth, but I pray that the Lord continues to convict me and teach me that by getting rid of the grumbling, I will fulfill the call and plans that God has placed on my life.

It's Cookie Time!!

I just returned from Tom Thumb where the Girl Scouts have taken over...it's cookie time!! I saw a cute little Girl Scout who was rolling her eyes at her mother because she was being pressured to be a good salesperson, and you could tell her heart wasn't in it!

I quickly identified with this cute little girl and wanted to tell her my heartwarming Girl Scout story where I looked at my mom, threw down all of my Girl Scout calendars in my neighbor's yard when no one would buy one, and kept on walking. My mom was SO proud!! I thought her mom might frown at me though for my story...her mom looked like one of those people who could sell ice to an Eskimo!

It just got me thinking about how some of us just aren't salespeople! I definitely would fail selling ice water to people in the desert! Thankfully selling Girl Scout cookies was kind of like selling ice water to people in the desert, but the Girl Scout calendars were always unfortunate! No one wants to look at little girls in beanies for an entire month...that is unless you are related to one!

Anyway...no point really to my post...just buy some cookies to help certain poor little Girl Scouts who stink at selling things!

Woohoo for 2011 !!!!

It blows my mind that 2011 is upon us! I have been a very bad blogger lately, so I thought I would start off with some housekeeping thoughts for my blog!

I am not calling these resolutions but more like a list of what I would like to accomplish or continue to accomplish in 2011!

• Have a consistent quiet time with the Lord (I had an epiphany over the Christmas break about a theory I have about my walk with the Lord and Brennan and Ella's stretched out Slinky...watch for a later blog post on this!)
• Run another 5K and beat my time
• Run a 10K (most likely late in 2011!!)
• Continue with my weight loss (when hasn't this been on my New Year's resolution list or accomplishments?!?) Maybe I should quantify a number and say be 20 lbs lighter by 12/31/11
• Blog more often. 2010 was a bad blog year for me. I apologize to all friends and family who got cheated out of a birthday post. I just got overwhelmed and those folks who had a birthday from January-July got the short end of the stick!
• Become more adventurous. It wouldn't take much adventure for me to be more adventurous! I want to rid myself of the comments I have received previously in my life such as "I picture you driving a mini-van" or "I don't really see you doing much on New Year's Eve".
• Cook more. Make at least two meals a week...I am aiming low!

That's it for now! I hope that everyone is having a great start to 2011!!

Hymnology

Over the past few weeks, I have randomly been getting the words to some of my favorite hymns in my head at the most random times! I was placing IV piggybacks into the freezing refrigerator at work the other day and suddenly I kept hearing "On Christ the solid rock I stand...all other ground is sinking sand!"

I am very grateful that my parents raised me in the church and made sure that I was plugged into many activities throughout my childhood and teenage years. My mom was a choir mom and every Wednesday night during elementary school I was at Saint Stephen Singers Choir. During my fourth grade year, I earned my very own The United Methodist Hymnal after memorizing the first verse to twenty or so hymns. We had to go test in front of the choir moms to make sure that we really knew the words, but I am grateful that I know many of these verses still!!

Don't get me wrong....I do love the newer praise and worship songs that we sing every Sunday morning, but I really do miss singing some of the great old hymns. I have fond memories of singing hymns every Sunday morning with my mama in the pew (my Dad was usually still up in the choir loft!). She always seemed to tear up especially on Easter Sunday because the hymns would remind her of my grandma and grandpa. I do have fond memories of hearing my grandpa's booming bass voice sing a good ol' Southern Baptist hymn. He was never a very loud speaker, but he could sing loudly!! It used to entertain me during the 1.5 hour service when I thought I was going to die of boredom. I was a Methodist and we didn't know how to worship longer than one hour...haha!!

Growing up, I always dreamed that during my wedding the congregation would sing my favorite hymn and my groom's favorite hymn. It always got me thinking of what I would finally choose as my absolute favorite hymn!

Here are some of my favorites!



Up From the Grave He Arose (I loved this on Easter Sunday!!!)

1.Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior, waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain:

Up from the grave he arose; with a mighty triumph o'er his foes; he arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever, with his saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
2. Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior, vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord! (Refrain)
3. Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior; he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord! (Refrain)

It's Me, It's Me, O Lord (Standing in the Need of Prayer)

Refrain:It’s me, it’s me, O Lord,standing in the need of prayer.It’s me, it’s me, O Lord,standing in the need of prayer.
1 Not my brother, not my sister, but it’s me, O Lord,standing in the need of prayer.Not my brother, not my sister, but it’s me, O Lord,standing in the need of prayer. (Refrain)
2 Not the preacher, not the deacon, but it’s me, O Lord,standing in the need of prayer.Not the preacher, not the deacon, but it’s me, O Lord,standing in the need of prayer. (Refrain)
3 Not my father, not my mother, but it’s me, O Lord,standing in the need of prayer.Not my father, not my mother, but it’s me, O Lord,standing in the need of prayer. (Refrain)


Standing on the Promises

1. 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 Christ my Savior; standing, standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.
2. 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. (Refrain)
3. 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. (Refrain)
4. Standing on the promises I cannot fall, listening every moment to the Spirit's call, resting in my Savior as my all in all, standing on the promises of God. (Refrain)


My Hope Is Built (probably my favorite!!)

1. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
Refrain:On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.
2. When Darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. (Refrain)
3. His oath, his covenant, his blood supports me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay. (Refrain)
4. When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found! Dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne! (Refrain)


Blessed Assurance (probably my second favorite!!)

1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

Refrain:This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long; this is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
2. Perfect submission, perfect delight, visions of rapture now burst on my sight; angels descending bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love. (Refrain)
3. Perfect submission, all is at rest; I in my Savior am happy and blest, watching and waiting, looking above, filled with his goodness, lost in his love. (Refrain)


Here I Am, Lord (this one makes me tear up!!)

I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry, All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save. I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?

Refrain: Here I am, Lord. Is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

Preschool Brunch

I had a wonderful visit with my babies this weekend! This lucky aunt got to eat lunch at 10:50 AM with Brennan at his preschool. Those poor 4 year olds are basically eating brunch at that hour! Being the only adult at a table full of fifteen 4 year olds was a treat! Brennan and I sat across from Hannah and Julia who provided much comic relief for me. Hannah, I have decided, is Brennan's future wife. She passed the kind eye test, was wearing a lovely blue dress, and is hilarious. Hannah had the perfect combination of smarts and grace. She wanted to let me know that the fruit painted on the wall was a pomegranate and pointed to every item in her lunch as "healthy" or "not healthy." She did quite well until she got to her Hostess cupcake and just decided not to name its "health factor."

We then all had a great discussion on pickles! Poor Julia had quite an unfortunate lunch. I'm thinking that her daddy packed it for her as strawberries were sitting directly on her pickles in her lunch container. Hannah proceeded to let the whole table know that she hates pickles. Her sister, mom, and dad like pickles, but she thinks that they smell bad. One time her dad ate a pickle in her bedroom and she made him get out!! What a fun time I had listening to her stories!

So as I was eating lunch, I was looking out for a little boy named Will. Brennan told me before he left for school that morning that Will in his class said that "Lightning McQueen was for babies" after seeing Lightning McQueen on Brennan's lunch box. I'm trying to give Will the benefit of the doubt and think that he has a mean older brother who has told him the same thing...but he's treading on thin ice with this auntie. I actually pegged a poor little boy wearing a Texas Longhorns shirt as being Will, but his name was actually Trevor. I felt bad for giving Trevor the evil eye!

I know that we have to let our babies grow up, but I pray so hard that my sweet Brennan and Ella will have minimal meanness and teasing in their lives. This aunt can't handle anymore sad stories right now!