Embrace the Journey... be strong and faithful!

I especially enjoyed Tim's sermon today. It was about running. He talked about running with a friend of his. This friend was a distance runner and Tim was not (is not) but this dude encouraged Tim to run farther. With that encouragement, he was able to push forward and he exceeded his original goals. He related this story to the race we run as Christians. The race that is not a competition but one made better with the support and encouragement of the body of Christ.

As I sat there in the pew, I couldn't help but directly relate the story and the sermon to my own life. I thought about how our race as Christians should be the type of experience that is not solo. We should encourage others to not only join us, but challenge us. I am so very blessed to have people who do just that for me. I have many Christian friends who have always encouraged me and I am so thankful for that. Beyond that, I am unbelievably thankful to have people who challenge me to grow spiritually.

Of course, as I was listening I was making more than just spiritual connections. I begin my new running class tomorrow. It is SO TRUE that I would NOT push myself, exceed goals or even meet them without the most amazing running buddy EVER! I sat in that pew next to Kelly knowing she is the one who is THAT friend in Tim's story for me. I am most grateful that she doesn't just challenge me in running but to faithfully run the spiritual race. If you are reading this, I pray you will be faithful in running THE race and encourage others along the way.



Kelly and I after the Oklahoma City 1/2 Marathon... THE most challenging physical thing I have EVER done!

The Fabulous Four!

Todd, Kristine, Kelly and David

Has your husband ever had a fabulous friend that had a wife so you all decided to double date? Maybe you have a great friend who has a husband so you thought you'd all hook up together and go out. Usually it works for the guys OR the gals but rarely both because of personalities or interests or opinions....there is always something that gets in the way of a perfect connection for all. The best match up Todd and I ever had was with our first neighbors, Mike and Denise. We all loved hanging out together and it was a fabulous good time every time we got together. In 2000, Mike and Denise moved to Houston. Since then, Todd and I have been out with other couples... usually my friends and their husbands. It has always worked for me but not supremely for Todd.


Kelly and David Parrott

Last March, Kelly and I decided we'd try the "double date" thing with David and Todd. WOW! We were so surprised at how well the boys hit it off. We actually had difficulty getting words in! It was FUN and we decided to do it again in April. We had a great time again so the first time wasn't just a fluke! We just went out for the first time in four months (just couples) last night and really enjoyed it. I feel like we have FINALLY found a "SWEET ACTION MATCH"! The best part is our families already eat together almost every Sunday after church and we worship together too. I feel certain we are building the closest couple friendship we've had in 10 years. It is awesome and I am looking forward to experiencing many fabulous adventures together...like maybe a couple cruise in summer of 2010! WOO HOO!!!!!!


Todd and Kristine Weyher

Let the FUN begin!

Well... another school year has begun! I was a little slower to get my room ready this summer, a little slower to warm up to the idea of school starting but my room got finished and I am ready for a tremedous year with 25 students! Yep! I said 25 students. Unless Broken Arrow Public Schools decides to hire another teacher, all 5 sections of Park Lane Kindergarten will have 24 or 25 kiddos. It will be hard to do all the things I usually do with this many students while still choosing to keep my priorities in line. (Church and Family before school and still have time for running 3 times a week!) HOWEVER... my priorities will remain in the correct order! I even went to church on Wednesday (THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL) after the longest and hottest first day EVER! I will choose to go, even when it is hard! The beginning of the year is always so crisp and clean, fresh and new with lots of repeating and practicing rules/procedures. My class is great with some challenges to keep me on my toes and lots of smiles looking right at me all day long! It is going to be a GREAT school year in many ways! :>)


First Day with Caden Brassfield

Summer 2009... one of the BEST EVER!

The summer of 2009 was the summer of WATER for me! It really was one of the best EVER! I had SO MUCH FUN with my friends and family this summer...wouldn't trade any of it!


Kelly, Micah and Me ~ Girl's Night Out in June


Teresa and I on the 4th of July!

Here is where the water comes in:

* After some intense studying and deep decision-making...yes and some water works (tears), I was baptized through complete immersion. There were some water works on that day too... and not me just being buried with Christ. It was THE most important day of the summer, hands down!





* Todd and I took our first cruise to Cozumel and Grand Cayman... we saw LOTS of water and it was an amazing trip! I am completely seriously about taking another cruise next summer so I hope Todd is too!



* THE POOL... we purchased pool passes and spent about 3 days a week at the pool in Broken Arrow. My girls LOVED it and I loved it... I have the best tan I have EVER had! I had some amazing and deep conversations at the pool this summer... and I am so thankful for that time with my family and friends!





* Today, Micah and Caroline, Kelly and her boys, Katherine and I drove to Muskogee to celebrate summer at River Country Waterpark. WOW! It was one of the best days of the summer! It was hot, sunny and the water temperature was PERFECT! Kelly and I had several "splash wars" in the lazy river AND IT WAS SO STINKIN' FUN!!!! I AM THE SPLASH MASTER!! HEHEHE I also had some good reflection time to think about what an amazing gift God has given me... TIME with the people I love and how I have grown in those relationships and in my relationship with Him.


Caroline, Griffin and Katherine on the way to River Country!