Day 6: #SharingStreak Amy Noll

Amy Noll with her Grandpa Whitworth who fought with the Marines in Okinowa and earned the Purple Heart. Amy is also running with Inheritance of Hope in the Marine Corps Marathon! 

Many of you know my deep friendship with Amy Noll as documented through my blog and well--LIFE.

She is one of my closest friends and I can't imagine life without her. She, along with my other bestie Jenn ran that NYC Marathon last year with Inheritance of Hope. Amy has signed up AGAIN with IOH in the Marine Corps Marathon. She is ALSO fundraising but donated to ME. What a friend!

So here is her #sharingstreak story:

Who- My Opa,  Lloyd Whitworth.

Why-  He joined the Marine Corps when he was 17 and fought in World War 2. He received a Purple Heart for injuries he sustained during the Okinawa Campaign during WW2 while serving with the 6th Marine Division.

While he was technically my 'step-grandpa' I never knew the difference. He was a quiet man but was the hardest worker I have ever known. He also loved to hunt and was an excellent marksman. He passed away in January of this year at the age of 89 and there is definitely a hole in all of our hearts with the loss. My youngest brother, John, when he was in high school used to volunteer his weekends to participate in WW2 reenactments near our hometown in Texas in which Opa would go. It was a family affair. While Opa never talked much about when he was in the Marines, he certainly stood a little taller and walked a little prouder when he would go to the reenactments. 

Where I find peace through trying times- Definitely Jesus. His fingerprints are all over my life and I cannot deny how much he loves and cares for me. And also nature. Mountains in particular. All my cares and stress just melt away.

How- In my short 25 years my family has experienced several intense close losses and looking back we  have been cared for every step of the way. 

Quote-my favorite right now- I have two... "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."     -Theodore Roosevelt  

'Nature desires us to hear and see the great story of God's love to which it points.' -Henri Nouwen

Pump up song- anything Pitbull. Most notably 'Don't Stop The Party.' Cause it's fun to run to.

Just a reminder about what the #sharingstreak is all about: I am fundraising for families with terminal illnesss for the charity Inheritance of Hope for the Marine Corps Marathon. 

For time period between Memorial Day and 4th of July, I am running at least a mile a day. I am asking for donations to IOH and will share the stories of the donors on my blog. The stories can be stories of hope through cancer, loss, or of military service ideally. 

If you would like to make a donation, that can be done here-----> Inheritance of Hope. 

Kick Drum Heart

Saturday morning, I dropped off Amy Noll at the airport in Atlanta for her to go study abroad a year in Spain.

I have been in a bit of a rotten mood for the last few weeks in anticipation of this day and I realized that I had been working so hard at holding it together, not letting the emotion of her departure get to me that I have not been a lot of fun to be around.

The last 18 months with Amy have not been the easiest to walk through since her brother died and I have not been paying any attention to that. At least not until Amy walked through the doors of the Atlanta airport.

Then, I drove about an hour down the road and started crying.
I realized what a friend she has been.
What a leader in other's lives she has been.
And how different our lives will be without her around.

None of this will be easy.
It really was like dropping my child off at college.
I have been praying like crazy for her and am so hopeful for many many things that will come her way in the next year.
But there is this space. This space that she took up (quite often) in our lives that is empty and now I have to figure out what is next.

While I was driving and feeling sorry for myself, I started listening to an NPR podcast called "All Songs Considered" and they asked the question: What Songs Make You Feel Good?
This was answered by their listeners and they had to explain why the particular song made them feel good, put a smile on their face or changed their mood.

It got me rolling again.
And thinking about my own songs. So here we go:

Ooh La La: by The Faces

This is super early Rod Stewart. Which means nothing, except it is crazy to hear his voice. I love this song because I think the lament fits at every stage of life "I wish I knew what I know now, when I was younger." "You have to learn and that's all there is to say..."

Vineyard: Jackopierce

Vineyard by JACKOPIERCE
Click on the button to go hear the song. This makes me think of college and I can't help but smile every single time I hear this song. It is actually impossible for me to 1) skip this song and 2) not sing it at the top of my lungs

Fat Bottomed Girl: Queen

Sue me. It gets me. I am hammering my steering wheel or pounding out the miles to the song on my ipod. I can't help it. I LOVE THIS SONG. Hard. I have since I can't remember when.

Dog Days Are Over: Florence and the Machine

This was part of the show I was listening to and it really has been one of my favorite songs for a year or so.
I love the idea that the Dog Days are Over. And there is no time to look back. It is so biblical in that approach to embrace today and not at the sadness that was. It is my wish for Amy Noll and my own wish for myself.
It strikes a nerve. And it has a killer drum beat.

Speaking of drum beat:

Kick Drum Heart: Avett Brothers


This explanation might sound dramatic, but whatever. Coming off of Matt's sabbatical, I know that we have been called to this ministry and to being in relationships with people-whatever form that might take. What happens in the middle of that sometimes is you end up getting kicked emotionally, but sometimes you find gold among the rocks. And I love the line where he says "it's not the chase I love, it's me following you." That is how I feel about this calling to people. I don't love chasing people for Jesus. I love following Jesus as he leads me and Matt and other Young Life leaders to hurting people to share with them how Jesus fits into their hurt and leads them to wholeness.

My life is like a kick drum. My heart gets so excited that it about pops out of my chest. But also, it hurts because sometimes it ends up getting kicked.

It is the give and take. And when you have to say good-bye to someone you love for either good or bad reasons, you take it . And the hurt has to be nursed for a little while. Not too long, but long enough to want to be healed.

So, I'm hurting. How could I not? Look at all of this life we've had with Amy:

And I'm excited.

There is a lot coming up for this little heart of mine.

Last Minute Gift Idea

If you are looking for a last minute gift idea for someone on your list & they own a Wii, look no further.

This video game has revolutionized my life.
Not really.
But it is ridiculously fun and I have had a dumb amount of laughs in the last two weeks playing it.

Do you want some?

No you don't know the song. It was a tribal dance. And yes, we were supposed to be in sync.
Apparently you can burn 1000 calories in 5 dances. And I believe it.

$29.99 at Target RIGHT NOW!

Soccer Season

Our families first soccer season has drawn to a close and we went out on a high note.

It snowed on our final game of the season.

I felt like I caught a glimpse of all those games that my mom endured wearing the ugliest clothing combinations that she could muster all in the name of warmth. And I understood.

We had the pleasure of not just one game but two games. An hour or so apart. In the snow. And sweet Amy Noll WANTED to watch three year old and five-eight year old soccer-why? I don't know. Because mainly it looks like this:

Yes. That kid is eating the soccer net.

The other kid is simply growling at the other team.

Not kicking the actual ball. Just growling.

This was the only time Lucy ran during her whole game.

But this is what Y soccer is all about.

1. The trophy.

2. The friendships.

Look how big my boy looks!

3. Learning patience. Waiting your turn.

5. Fundamentals of the game.

How to absolutely destroy a ball into the back of the net.

Look at that focus. Just like his mom.

6. Letting fans of other teams touch us. Until we destroy them in the Swamp.

7. Learning how to cheer on the count of THREE!

8. Perfect the art of the soccer boy stance.

9. We're back to the trophy.

It's all about the trophy.

Come Ye Sinner

I will rise and go to Jesus.

He will embrace me in his arms.

In the arms of my dear Saviour, Oh there are ten thousand charms!

Come ye sinner, poor and needy.

Weak and wounded, sick and sore.

Jesus ready, stands to save you.

Full of pity, love and power.

I will rise and go to Jesus.

He will embrace me in his arms.

In the arms of my dear Saviour, Oh there are ten thousand charms!

Come ye weary, heavy laden,

Lost and ruined by the fall,

If you tarry till your better,

you will never come at all.

I will rise and go to Jesus.

He will embrace me in his arms.

In the arms of my dear Saviour, Oh there are ten thousand charms!

*a fantastic version of this song is performed by Ryan Long.

Trust me. It's on iTunes.

It will fill your soul.

May Tea Party

Our Amy Noll finished her Sophomore year in college this week! Amy is a big fan of tea. Lucy loves being a princess. What better way to celebrate than to go to a fancy Tea Room and have High Tea together, just the girls?

I mentioned it to Lucy in the car and Asher fell apart at the idea that he was not going to get to go to drink tea and have cakes and be fancy. He really doesn't want to do any of that. He just wants cake.

So, I came up with the quick idea that we would have an impromptu tea party to get Lucy ready for the next day AND let Asher have a little cake. Voila!

Yes Shellie, your son time-traveled here and was sitting at the table with Lucy.

Yes, those are Backyardigan Cupcakes. Perfect for a Tea Party.

Check out the Half-Windsor that I tied on Asher's little tie. I felt very accomplished.

A lady must wear pearls at tea.

Daddy came home early from work to participate in the tea party.

I am so glad he did not miss this.

Check out the little miss with her pinky out, ring on the finger and all her jewelry. She was very "fancy".

We picked flowers from the yard.

We used a little hand-blown glass pitcher that my grandmother gave to me.

IKEA tea-party sets are amazing. AMAZING.

They have the best colors, come with little spoons, forks and knives and are adorable.

We've broken about half the set so we have to buy another one.

Good thing they're about $15.

Then came the real deal. Chelseas's Tea Room in Biltmore Village.

We got really dressed up. Not pretend dressed up.

Yay for Amy finishing the semester!

Typical.

Lucy didn't really want to drink tea. Lemonade was more her style.

But the teacup was as big as her face. We had to keep telling her TWO HANDS!

I swear, she was going to drop that china teacup and it was going to be tears and snot.

But she never did.

Thank GOODNESS.

Look at the joy on her face!

I can fully recommend the food. Yum-ola.