Life Changing Iowa Adventure: Day 2: Part 2: from a 5K to the wedding

Still with me?  If you have no idea we were in the middle of an adventure head back to 3 Summer Me's and catch up...then you'll be ready for what's in store.

My journey to Iowa was nothing short of life changing.  After the 5K and our community 5K breakfast I made a run to Walmart (the only store in this tiny town) for some panties.   In my mind's eye, supported by the fact that I don't have a watch, I figured there was plenty of time before the wedding so I took a farm road adventure in my little Fiat.  I've always loved back roads and since I learned to drive here I knew them pretty well.

I just love old barns.  It makes me sad when they're in this condition but it takes a lot of work to maintain a farm

As I stopped in front of this barn for a little

Life changing Day 2: Part 1: Iowa cold can't stop the 5K miracle

Day 2:  
8:15 AM:

Aubrey wakes me up....HELLO....the 5K starts in 45 minutes!!!  Are you serious!???  

I had planned on having at least an hour in prayer to prepare myself for this ridiculous challenge.  Why did I sign up for this thing again?

My look today: pig tails,  yoga pants, leg warmers (I bought 3 years ago and just opened the package) and a cute swimmers shirt and jacket I borrowed from Aubrey.  Despite the freezing Iowa wind I was sweating bullets.

Kneeling at the foot of the bed crying out (in a whisper) to Jesus for grace to do this thing...He gave me the scripture "you will rise up on wings like eagles, you will run and not grow weary and you will walk and not faint"  (wish I knew the verse to share with you).  Ok, that’s a good one God, thanks.

PEACE

I looked in the mirror before heading downstairs: lo and behold.....I LOOK LIKE A RUNNER!  No, really, if I didn't know myself I'd say I was a runner.  But I Do know me and I couldn’t be further from it.  

Walking down the stairs of my Grandma Barb's house that morning for the zillionth time in my life I had peace....a strange peace that I had to fight for in the midst of great fear.  As soon as everyone saw me the chuckles commenced.  Huh, why is everyone laughing....

Life Changing Iowa Adventures: Travel Day Friday

5:30 start to this wild ride adventure:
Well I made it on the plane after a little oopsie with my full water bottle....duh!  Had to leave and walk all the way back to the front guzzling my water all the way.  Then back through security once again....no biggie, everyone was wonderful to me.  Go American Airlines!!!

huge vintage suitcase art in the San Antonio airport

The flight over I sat next to

My Life Changing Iowa Adventures: Start Here

This one’s a bit deep....ya think you can handle it?  Here’s the heart probing question of the day:

Have you ever found yourself in a pile on the floor asking God to change you?  To forgive you?  To make something of your life so you won't be such a MESS?  

Last Tuesday I had this moment.  My boys were just down for a nap and every part of my being wanted to crawl into bed to crash!  The weekend before was terrible!  I was sick to my stomach, I missed T's soccer game and lay in bed all day Saturday.  With NO energy I muddled through the busiest Sunday we had had in months.   Monday I was lifeless!

I was at my end.

(I think maybe we have to come to the end of ourselves to run with our whole being into the arms of our loving Father, repent and surrender our entire world to Him because He cares for us.  I think 1 Peter 5:7 says it all for me right now)

Back to that afternoon: I want sleep!  Something, disgust I think, rose up in me.  I made my way to the living room, grabbed my Bible and even though not one ounce of me felt like it I dropped to my knees.   I cried out to Creator God:  “I can’t go on like this anymore: God I give you ALL of me...please use me for something great!”  

That afternoon on my living room floor something happened. 

did you rise to the challenge yet??

Not sure if you read yesterday's challenge yet but in case you missed it here ya go: heirloom challenge

While the kids were down for a nap I sat down with my jewelry inspiration box (funny, I call it something different every time I speak of it:) and started creating gifts to take north.  I'm sure everyone will find something they love to pick out:)
So without a bunch of blah-di-blah words to describe them I shall share the pictures with you:

the shells on the right came from a pair of earrings I bought in some beautiful place....I can't remember exactly where but it was either one of the islands of

a Bracelet Heirloom creation: FINALLY!

This bracelet, just named G-ma's Compilation, has been in my jewelry making box for over a year now with all the little precious bits I collected from my Grandma Barb, Grandma Vivian, Aunt Sunday, Marc's mom, random purchases, even more random picks:)

So without going into too much detail on it....here you have my newest jewelry creation (as a TOTAL amateur so don't look too close).

My Gma Vivian was part of TOPS (Taking off Pounds Sensibly) and was SOOO proud to graduate to

3 Summer Me's

I’m about to embark on a journey.  A journey northward to farm country.....Tipton, Iowa to be exact.

While leaving one of my famous 5 minute messages for my cousin, Aubrey I had a realization.  I have 3 me’s when I’m back in Iowa.  In order to understand the 3 me’s let me start by saying I spent my summers in Iowa for most of my childhood, if not all.  Who can remember all the little detailsJ

So my summers were split between 3 places:

1.  At the farm: my mom's parents raised cows, pigs, grew corn & hay and about every other fruit or veggie imaginable.  This was a place my sister I spent hours and days running through pastures, climbing, driving tractors, helping bail hay, work the corn fields and muck through the huge mama pigs pen.

2.  in town: my dad’s parents had a cute white house just blocks from the city park & pool so this was a really fun place as a little girl.  We could walk just about anywhere in a matter of minutes. I spent teenage summers rollerblading, riding bikes, adventuring, sneaking out (let's not talk about that) and even midnight running in the rain with my girlfriend Julie.

My cousin Melissa leading me around at the stables before I could walk perhaps

3.  at the stables: my dad’s uncle had a gorgeous

hidden treasure: FOUND!

The other day we were flying through Wimberley trying to make it to a 5pm appointment and as we whizzed past this cute little shop with these perfectly (ME) letters on the outside spelling "Love Home" I screeched "we've gotta go back there...did you see that shop?"

she sells these letter signs....how cool are they.

Nope, anyway off to our appointment.
Well, low and behold on our way

Easter adventure...and YOU?

Hey y'all....how was your Easter?

We had a mighty full weekend!  Our church (Impact Family Church) hosted a HUGE FREE family event on Saturday. Here are some shots for you.

behind this amazingly fabulous Airstream Photobooth is all the action...inflatables, laser tag and