Happy Friday! The last Friday before school starts, say it isn't so. I have loved this summer and it has gone too fast. It's time for Five Things Friday, so here we go!
{one}
Stride for Life 5K. Last Saturday Chris, the boys, and I ran the Stride for Life 5k benefitting Rachel House Pregnancy Resource Center, one of our church's ministry partners and the premier pregnancy resource center in our state. I took 3rd place in my age group, taking home the bronze medal with a time of 25:56! That was a fun surprise.
{two}
Getting Away...Branson. We took a quick trip to get away for a couple days to celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary and enjoy time as a family as summer is quickly coming to a close. We had the best time soaking up the last days of summer together.
{three}
School Supplies and Popsicle Parade. For the second year in a row, I shopped for school supplies online. I used Target's handy school supply list tool, put in my zip code and the boys schools popped up. I clicked on their grades and added all the supplies we needed to the cart. It was so simple. I let the boys pick colors of notebooks, etc. Everything showed up at my door a few days ago. The boys had fun opening all the boxes and sorting their supplies. We didn't miss fighting the rush in the school supply aisles one bit. Thank you Target and online shopping for simplifying my life!
Our elementary school did a fun new thing this year. They had a popsicle parade and set up locations in all the neighborhoods that feed into our elementary school. One site in our neighborhood happened to be the on the corner by our house! Score. What a fun way to get the kids excited to find out their teachers today and head back to school next week. It was fun running into some of our favorite teachers.
{four}
Paleo Running Momma. Sweet Potato Hash with Kale and Bacon.Paleo Running Momma has a lot of recipes I love, but lately this Sweet Potato Hash with Kale and Bacon has been our favorite. I had passed over it several times on her blog, only because I thought I would be the only one in my family to eat it. However, when she answered a question one day from a reader who asked her favorite meal on the blog, and she answered this one, I knew I had to make it. I made it for myself, one night when Chris was not home for dinner. I loved it. So, I made it for both of us and he loved it to. Now, most of my boys enjoy it as well. We've had it at least five times in the last several weeks (it makes a great lunch). Give it a try, it's a healthy meal that tastes good too (Paleo and Whole 30 compliant).
{five}
Afraid of All the Things, by Scarlet Hiltibidal. I received this book at a Pastor's Wives Luncheon I attended this summer. I enjoy reading, but don't find as much time to do it, #momlife. However, I'm halfway through this book and can't put it down. I thought it would be a great one to share with you today. With school starting next week and entering a new phase of life, having one in junior high, and two in elementary school, I've been having some back-to-school fears creep in, and maybe you too are dealing with fears and anxieties. Throughout the book Scarlet shares about her fears and anxieties, but life changed when she learned to hold the gospel up to her fears. She realized that though she can't fix herself or protect herself, Jesus walking into this broken, sad, scary place to rescue, love, and cast out her--and--your fear. She says, "Seeing life in light of the cross will help you avoid fear, overcome fear when you can't avoid it, and live beyond fear when you don't overcome it. You don't have to be afraid of all the things."
The part of the book that has stuck out to me the most so far was "Single-Mindedness As a Remedy." "Our minds tend to focus on the ten million stressful things rather than the one singular thing we can put all our hope in. The opposite of anxiety is single-mindedness, and the opposite of peace is worry. God wants us to stop thinking about ourselves so much. He wants our thoughts to be singular. He wants us to think about Him. He tells us to think about Him in His Word, and He knows that if we are single-minded, if we are spending brain power thinking about Him, preaching the gospel to ourselves, reminding ourselves of the Father's goodness and our already approved status in Christ, only then will be live in freedom from fear."
Heading into the school year focused on Christ, keeping Him as my focus!
Heading into the school year focused on Christ, keeping Him as my focus!
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7
In case you missed it this week:
Have a wonderful weekend! What are you enjoying most these last days of summer?
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