The Chapman Life

The Race

Today was the big day!  I have only been training for about 5 or 6 weeks now, but decided to give the Scenic City 5K a go and registered with a friend about a month ago.  It was very exciting!  Seeing all of the runners and seeing the very serious ones there as well that you knew had done this sort of thing many times before was inspiring to say the least.  A few funny moments with a guy with a British accent warning me that a porter potty didn't lock, seeing guys ready to run the half in nothing but tanks and tiny shorts no one should be wearing unless they were friends with Richard Simmons years ago, and seeing a guy with a stride almost as tall as me and 4 times as long run right by me. 

Today was a day I had planned for, trained for, and anticipated for weeks now, but the lessons that God has taught me today were something I never knew was part of my first 5K.

On the way to the race this morning, I was surrounded by His presence and a renewed knowledge of the good things in my life.  I had two beautiful phone calls, several text messages, poster from my family, and three friends- all showing me how much they support my goals and care about the little things that I dream to do.

We all run a race.  We all dare to journey.  We all have started with small goals and achievements. We all dream to finish strong.  

Life is so difficult sometimes, stressful, harsh, but sometimes we are so consumed with conquering the next hill, we forget the path that has already been laid for us.  The age old hymn, Amazing Grace, played on the radio on my way in this morning.  I've heard that song my whole life and yet today it really took on such a new fresh meaning for my journey.  

So much has been paid for our journey.  So much was given for us to run this race of life.  We have two ways to view every day, we can see it as a "rat race" every moment spent trying to cross another hurdle, trying to beat out what is around us or we can see it as our journey.  Each step preparing us for the next, each lesson learned avoiding the same hurts in the future, each start and finish spurring us to rise to run the next day's race.

If we can see things the way our Father sees them, our view would probably be much deeper and satisfying.  

I think the MSG says it best in 2 Corinthians 4:18, So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.

The race today was incredible.  I think it is something I will do many more of and really enjoy this new found piece of my life.  The lessons God showed me through my race today are ones that I treasure and I think will be highlights of His voice for me in 2010.  

"What Can I Have To Eat?"

I'm not sure if it's the same for you, but the question of the day is usually: "What Can I Have To Eat?"  My kids are constantly hungry and want snacks to eat from one moment to the next.  I can be cleaning up from one meal and someone walks in the kitchen saying they're hungry and wanting to know what their next meal or snack can be.  Sometimes they are bored and sometimes they are growing and really want to eat all the time.

I thought it would be fun to post some recipes each week and hear from all of you what tricks of food you may have up your sleeve to keep the little ones (and the hubby) tummies full and satisfied.

First off, I try really hard to keep the snacks to a limited amount- due to money and then of course to health as well.  I limit their snacks to three a day in addition to the mealtime sides/snacks and then they are welcome to have as many fruit and veggie snacks as long as we have them in the house.

Yogurt is big for my kids, they love it- I try to buy the low sugar, still kid friendly kind but again with money- that one adds up pretty fast.

One thing my kids love to have are little pizzas.  I use English muffins and top with a chunky salsa and shredded cheese.  They love it and are eating tomatoes, peppers, and onions too!

Here's my recipe for today, you can comment below to share some of yours:

Apple Pecan Bread 

1c. oil

3 eggs

2c. sugar

1t. vanilla

4c. apples, diced

3c. flour

2t. cinnamon

1t. nutmeg

1t. baking soda

1t. salt

1c. pecans, chopped 

Combine:  oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla

Sift:  flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking soda

Add:  dry mixture to oil mixture, gradually

Mix together and add apples and pecans until combined.

Bake at 350 degrees for 70 min.  Cool completely before cutting.  Makes 2 large loaves.

            

My Inside Out...

I have had many moments the last few weeks questioning what the future holds for our family.  We have some very big decisions to make with the boys and school next year.  We have had doors opened that really only God could unlock and yet there are still so many unknowns that we face and things are not as settled as I would like for them to be.  

I think the most difficult part of trying to make these decisions is not allowing the extras to get in the way. Extras whether they be time, money, convenience, or schedule-  It seems that when I am thinking about the upcoming school year, I pray about what God's will is and that His will is really what I want, and with all of that being true and good, I allow the "extras" to cloud my head and heart and crowd out the peace and wisdom God could be trying to show me in answer to my prayers.

I want to get my inside-out.  I want everything that I know and feel to come completely out so that there is room and priority for God's answers to be heard.  I feel confused and distant and yet I know that in His time and in His way, the answers I need will be revealed.

I am committed to the wait, committed to the peace, and committed most of all to finding His heart for my children's future.  No matter if it is this decision concerning their schools or any other we will face as their parents, I want His will and will fight to hear His voice above all the chaos and thoughts that are in my life--from my inside out.

Just Curious... Date Nights?

So, the question is how do Shannon and I steal time away and spend some quality time together, aka. Date Nights?  Well, first we don't always think our dates have to be at night.  We can steal some time for a great lunch together a lot easier than nights some times.  We don't go crazy with the budget, more times than not, our dates are simple and may or may not include food as the centerpiece.  We love to be able to walk around the mall together, talk about anything other than work and kids, and take some real moments to connect again.  What makes a date really special to me is just really when we are able to walk away from the normal routine and pretend we don't have the stresses of every day life and just be us.

I love hearing how his day has been and telling him about mine.  I love having a great meal or a coffee or a matinee movie to just watch without interruption.  I love to just be together!  There is something very refreshing when it is just the two of us and we get to just hang out as a couple.

We don't have a schedule or a standard routine when it comes to our special times, we just try really hard to pay attention to when we do need some time together and then we make a way to take advantage of the moments we can steal, no matter the time, day of week, or the setting... those things are really not that important- spending time with the man I love and renewing our care and love for each other is what matters most!

So, what about you?  Any special plans for the one you love for this next weekend with Valentine's Day?  I have a big surprise for Shan and can't wait to hang out together again!