Video of Abigail Singing at VBS

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VBS was so awesome this year. We had so many visitors and one night we had like 106 kids (over 100 kids) and possibly 13 salvations. I pretty sure it is the most DBC has ever had. Also, we are up 30 percent from last year since going to two services. Jesus is doing so amazing things at David Baptist Church!

Top Three Things I Enjoy About Running

1. Strengthens my relationship with Jesus. I listen to the Bible through the Bible Experience the first 15 to 25 minutes of running. I have been able to listen to Genesis, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, Psalms (5 hours listening), Matthew, Acts, 1 Kings and now I am onto 2 Kings. I like to do an Old Testament book then a New Testament book. If you are A.D.D at all now that you have kids I would strongly enjoy listening to the Bible daily.
2. Strengthens me living to worship. I am carrying around Charlie's iPod touch, and I want all great worship songs on my iPod (even if that mean going to the back room at 11 pm with spiders and Megan (my HELPER and one of my best friends this summer) to get them). Shane and Shane "Pages" cd is awesome and one of my new favorites is How He Loves us (David Crowder Band). I could be the crazy person you see at the Y praising Jesus while running and raising her hands...
3. There is a goal. Many times when I have exercised in the past, I have felt like it is a huge waste of time. When running 3.1 miles, you are always trying to get a better time, and to do better. I think one time I ran it in 34 minutes but it was almost 35 minutes and no hills. Also, I am multi tasking when I run and listen to my Bible as well. Many times, I will come home and re-read passages that blew my mind or journal about it.

How I Run:

• I run without stopping for 1 mile on the treadmill then I take anywhere from a 30 second to 1 minute break and walk at 3.9. I usually do not have trouble running one mile straight. We joined the Kings Mountain YMCA just for the summer since they have an outdoor pool and childcare and have really made great friendships there.
• If I am really struggling, I drink a sip of water every 5 minutes while still running. I also will really turn up my favorite song if I am really struggling.
• Sometimes I do stop again after I have hit 1.5 miles, but do everything in my power not to stop until whatever praise song I am listening to is over.
• Mile 2 to 3 is usually the hardest, this is when I am praising Jesus big time. I usually think thoughts like no one things you can do this...Holy Spirit will enable you! I use to look at the pain on runners faces and say I will never do that. Well, never say never. Every time I say I will never do something God has me doing it within a year. Jesus is so awesome.

Let me know if you have any tips on running!

First Timed Running 5k!

God was smiling on us yesterday morning. It was 60 something degrees in July and I actually had cold chills before we started. We had a chip tied on our shoelaces to record our time.

Right when it started, I dropped my timer and tried to get it, but could not so probably lost 30 seconds or so trying to get it. Also, the ipod touch was pretty heavy in my pocket. The first mile uphill was pretty rough, my legs felt like they weighed 100 pounds each (definitely did not prepare for hills). I ran pretty slow, but only stopped running twice and for only 10 or 20 seconds each.

I clocked in at 36 minutes and Rachel 33 minutes. God gets all the glory! I have come a long way from being sore after walking 1 mile, and 3.1 miles taking me 45 minutes.

Pray for my babies health. The last 24 hours have been a roller-coaster ride. One of my best friend's baby (who I kept at my house last week), was hospitalized last night and had emergency surgery for an infection in his knee. Then, yesterday Jackson ran a fever in the afternoon, and this morning I woke up to him in our bed sleeping then crying non-stop saying his throat and legs hurt. So, off we went to our doctors at 10 am and went ahead and took Abigail in too because she did not look too good, and they both tested positive for strep throat. Ever since we have been in full time ministry major bad events have happened for us on the week of VBS. The first VBS in full time ministry we had a fire in Jackson's room, then every year after it, one of us has been sick. Tonight, is the first night of our VBS.

VBS is my favorite week of the summer, and one of my kids favorite weeks too (I mean who could not love all the songs!). I am thankful that they are on strong antibiotics now, and should be ok to make it to day 2 of VBS tomorrow night. At least they cannot get an infection during the week since they are on antibiotics. Please keep my family and friends in your prayers this week! Thank you!

Thursday's Tip: Charlotte Observer Paper for $1

The Charlotte Observer special where you can get only the Sunday paper for $1/week. Just signed up and wanted you to know that you can actually get 6 months or a full year rather than just 13 weeks. Also, if you're a really serious couponer, you can order multiple copies. (ex: $2/week for 2 Sunday papers) 
Also, I know Restaurant.com has not had much participation in Shelby, but Smoke on the Square is actually participating now. This website cycles through with their specials (50% off up through 80% off) fairly quickly, but I thought I'd share that today is the last day of the 80% off until it cycles through again.
I shared some money saving ideas and how to coupon at our Shelby Moms Club meeting this week (we have a meeting once a month), and one of our members did even more research for us and above is part of her email. This is a fantastic deal on the paper!

I am taking over the duties of president of the Shelby Moms Club and if you are a stay at home mom in the Shelby Kings / Mountain area, we would love for you to join us. I am excited about how much we have encouraged each other this summer, and excited about reaching more stay at home moms (email me if you want more info:emilywallace80@hotmail.com).

Video of the Kids Swimming

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Jackson has come so far this summer with his fear of swimming. Last summer, he was not afraid at all, until he went to group swim lessons and they made him jump off the deep in and did not tell him they would not catch him till he was under water. Jackson likes to be in control and that did not go over too well with a 3 year old! Puddle jumper floats have been such a blessing this summer and now Abigail swims and floats all by herself while we are swimming too with her puddle jumper float.

4th of July Pictures

"I Will Trust in Thee"

I recently got an email giving me some more information on this song. It never gets old...check out my original post: here.

Or watch it on YouTube here: http://youtu.be/6H72vJkyKcE