Cross Country Skiing

I have never been what you'd call an "outdoorsy" person. Instead, I usually prefer to sit on a comfortable couch inside and read a book, watch TV, or work on my scrapbooking. But I've noticed a subtle change occurring during the last several years. I've begun to enjoy being outside more: sitting on the deck in the backyard, working in my garden, walking and hiking through the woods (in nice weather) and even doing a little backpacking. This week I added a new outdoors first to my list: I went cross country skiing. I went with a friend from school who let me borrow some skis and boots and also showed me what to do. The weather was perfect - not too cold, nice snow on the ground, and the sun was even shining. Although I started out with a coat and hat, I soon took them off as we went along the trail. I learned what bindings are and how to hook my ski boots into the little holes in the skis. I also learned how important balance is in skiing and that the poles are extremely helpful in trying to keep your balance. And I found I was a little "off-balance" at times. :)



We thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful scenery at Riley Trails and I even made it down a couple of gentle hills with only a few falls. The hills seemed much bigger when I was standing at the top waiting to go down. And I never really did learn how to stop at the bottom of the hill. We also skied around a little lake and through the woods. I'm so glad I tried it and definitely hope to go again. It was also a wonderful way to end a rather stressful day at work. (Of course, sitting in the hot tub after skiing was also nice.)

A Heart For The Lost

A friend recently shared this with me: Her high-school age son is involved with an after-school Bible club for local public school elementary students partnered with their church. The high-school students were sharing the parable of the virgins meeting the bridegroom (Matthew 25). They updated the parable and presented it in skit form to the elementary children who had never heard the story before. In the skit, some of the people were prepared and able to go to the party while others were left out. My friend's son played the part of the person who couldn't attend the party. At the point in the story where he was turned away, a little 7 year old girl felt so bad that he couldn't attend the party that she began crying. They ended up stopping the skit; when asked why she was crying she said that she wanted him to be able to go to the party. They tried to explain that it was just a skit and everything was really all right and finally were able to move on with the lesson.

We initially thought this was just a cute story of a little girl caught up in a skit until we realized that the little girl was the only one who really understood: her heart was breaking for the lost. Do our hearts break; do we weep for those who are lost and not attending the party of eternal life with our Savior? All too often, at least for me, the unsaved are not on my list of priorities and I don't really weep for them. It took the example of this little, unchurched girl to remind me that Jesus' heart is breaking for the lost. If I want to live like Jesus, then my heart must focus on them too.

Snow Day!

Today we had a snow day - a wonderful, unexpected gift!! I enjoyed sleeping in until almost 9:00 this morning. It's been nice to play fetch with Tosca, check out the LOST message boards, work on school lesson plans, bake cookies, and even do a little "fun" reading. After a relaxing, stress-free day today, I'll be ready and eager to see my second graders tomorrow. (This is one day I'm glad I'm a teacher living in a "lake-effect" snow area.)

Winter Break

It was so nice to have a winter break day off from school yesterday. I spent the day in Indiana, visiting my niece and nephew. We played games together (a card matching game and Clue) and they taught me how to use their Wii. I tried bowling, step aerobics, and an activity that involved riding in a bubble through a river without hitting the edge of a canyon. The 5 and 7 year olds were better with their activities: skiing and playing tennis - but they've had lots of practice. It was also fun spending time with my mom and dad and sister. The best parts of the day, though, were the hugs I got from Joey and Amanda. I'm so thankful for my family!

Dogs & Kids

Just in case you were wondering . . .

Dogs can get just as muddy as kids outside.

The only difference is you can't take a dog's clothes off!

Thoughts on Self-Discipline and Love

I don't like the cold. I really don't like going for a walk in the cold. And yet I have a dog who loves going outside, in any kind of weather. One of the reasons I wanted a dog was to force me to go outside and get some exercise. I guess I forgot that included walking in the winter. We really don't go for walks that often in the winter. I'm very glad I have an overhead trolley system in the backyard that Tosca can use - she can stay outside by herself and I can watch from the (warm) comfort of the house. And yet, she is so excited when I pick up her leash and actually take her for a 20 minute walk that I feel guilty we don't go more often. She asks so little of me and provides so much love. I wish I could get over my selfishness and take her every day. Actually, I really wish that it would be 70 degrees and sunny every day - then I would want to go out walking! I really want it to be easy.

As I think about this, I realize that Tosca is similar to God, in a very small sense. As much as Tosca is thrilled when I actually spend time outside walking with her, how much more happy is God when I take out the Bible and spend time with Him in prayer. And yet, I'm so often selfish and lazy with God too. He provides so much for me and yet it's difficult for me to take the time I need and He deserves to spend with Him. I wish it was easy. I really wish everything I was supposed to do and want (at the heart) to do was easy.

I guess that's where self-discipline comes in. Maybe the more I do it, the easier it will become. But I'm also thankful that God (as well as my dog) gives me a second (and third...and fourth, etc.) chance. I'm very thankful for their unconditional love. And I'll keep trying to do better!

PS I'm going out for a walk now. :)