For the First Time

I just signed up for the Cooper River Bridge Run!  Already excited; already a bit nervous.  Hahaha.

Bustin' a move

How is it almost February?  Where does time go?  And also where have any semblance of abs I once had gone?  The (attempted) remedy:

Mom's cookies

I"m escaping to Caesar's Head this weekend with some of my old Bible Study when I lived in Columbia.  The house and the view are nothing short of beautiful.  I'm really excited to sit and catch up and hear what the Lord's been doing in each of our lives.  I'm also excited about the batch of home made cookie dough I made.  Mom's recipe really is the best.  You know the difference between home made and store bought dough/cookies?  Salt.  I can always taste the salt in the home made stuff.  So good.

• 3 cups flour (I ran out of white and used 2 cups white, 1 cup whole wheat; still delish!)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup margerine (not butter)
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspooons vanilla
• 12 oz bag of semi sweet chocolate chips

I've already taken a spoon to the container in the office fridge...too good to wait.  

So proud

and excited for Shannon.  The girls home she's spent months working on and praying for, opened yesterday.  Take a look at Puerta de Esperanza (Door of Hope):

Crown of Life

As I fought sleep this morning in between the snoozing of my alarm, I was wrestling with some of those pesky, "why" questions.  Why does my life look the way it does and the myriad of questions one can travel down in that train of thought.

It is rare for me to have images from the Lord, but I saw a black background and a brilliant white crown.  I kept being reminded to pursue the Lord above all else.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.  -- James 1:12

it's a girl...

That's what friends are for.

Via text

Me: are you going by the Nike outlet by chance?
Maggie: yes, to pick up laces for cbshelto
Me: haha, great.  would you mind looking for shoes for me?

Love that Courtney was mooching off Maggie's time before I had a chance to ask.  More so love Maggie's willingness to shop for us!  Such a good friend.