What is my race?

Today, God used a sermon to speak to me. Our worship minister, Aron, spoke today about how Paul in his missionary journeys stayed focused on the race he was running for the sake of the Gospel. Paul didn't let his circumstance or his success get in the way of continuing toward the goal that Christ set before him.

Aron started his sermon by asking the question, "What is MY race?" We all have a part to play in the kingdom of God, we all have different talents and abilities, and sometimes it is hard to remember what we are all racing toward.
1. Seek first the Kingdom of God
2. Stay in shape by fellowship, accountability and loving companionship coupled with daily studying of God's plans and promises in His word
3. PERSEVERE

Sometimes we lose sight of the only race we should be running. The race that draws us closer to God, the race that proclaims Jesus as our only hope.
Hebrews 12:1a-2 "lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

I know my forever RACE, but yesterday I ran a different kind of race. I participated in a sprint triathlon with 18 other friends from church. This was up at Barnes Lake in Columbiaville, MI, near Lapeer. A sprint tri is a 300m swim, 13.5 mile bike ride and then followed by a 3.4 mile run. We had a blast. We had been training for 2 months and it was so great to see everyone do so well and complete the race. I had a blast encouraging friends to push themselves and accomplish goals they had set.

This is the second year in a row I have participated in a sprint tri. I was very glad to have last year's experience under my belt. I love to train outside. I love to run and ride my bike, however, I don't LOVE to swim. I especially don't LOVE to feel like I am going to drown. So the swim has been and probably always will be my worst leg of the race.

This course was a bit more difficult than last year's with more hills and less paved roads. The weather was perfect and the water was clear and warm. I managed to shave 4 minutes off my time from last year with a more difficult course and some longer distances this year.

To my surprise, I placed 1st place in the women's division, but my stiffest competition made a wrong turn on her bike ride, so the outcome could have been different. I was excited and surprised.

Here are a few pictures of the day(I am in the purple swim suit). It was wonderful to have Mike and the girls cheering me on as well as other friends and their families.

So I am hoping for some more racing in my future, but today I rest in the knowledge of knowing what I am racing for. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord , the righteous Judge will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing."

Summer Sweetness

We have had some great moments this summer. I wanted to share a few of my "sweet" ones with you.

Last winter, we found out Morgan needed glasses. The eye doctor said she needed them ASAP, but Morgan was not at all thrilled about getting them in the middle of 1st grade. So we struck a deal, we would wait until summer to get the glasses so she could start 2nd grade fresh and no one would know she had never worn them. So out of the blue a couple of weeks ago she decided on her own it was time. She picked out her frames, with Nicole's approval, and we ordered them and had them in a week. She was very excited and has been pretty good about them. I think she looks adorable, take a look....

Rachel has found a new friend this summer, not really a new neighbor girl, but they are just old enough now to enjoy each other's company without always having a referee. This is ALEX. Rachel and Alex love to swing, ride in the jeep and generally stay too much in the street. They are having fun together.

The girls wanted to try their hand at a business venture this week-a lemonade stand. Nicole lasted about 1/2 hour out there, and then it was too hot and business too slow. But Morgan stayed out there most of the afternoon. She made $2 from the mail lady and thought that was great. Most of the product was drank by Rachel and Alex, much to Morgan's dismay.

I am not much of a saver, but decided to save each year's Lemonade Stand's sign. Here are the ones from 2008 and 2007. I love to see the progression of the handwriting, spelling and artwork.


I hope you are having a very "sweet" summer! Enjoy.

Practice...

This past Sunday, Mike and I hosted a graduation party. Now before you start concerning yourself over lost time, this was not a graduation party for any of the Nugent girls. That will happen soon enough, in a short 10 years. This was a graduation party for one of our high school friends at the church, TJ.
TJ and Mike were in charge of most of the planning and we had help from a lot of church friends and TJ's family with the food and set up/take down. The day turned out to be great. I think he had a lot of fun and he had a great turn out with beautiful weather (it started raining just as we took down the tents).

Our girls were enjoying Camp Cousin with grandma and papa Kelbert. They were disappointed that they missed TJ's party, but mom and dad were able to concentrate solely on entertaining.

We ended up with more than enough food.

TJ had a lot of friends supporting him.

Becky Jones graciously made an amazing tasting cake, with an edible picture of TJ on it.

All of the tents and chairs were borrowed from great friends. The decorations turned out perfect. There is a very funny story about me and the balloons at Kroger that involves a very nice employee of the grocery store.

This is the graduate with his friend Alyssa.

Thank you to all of our friends that helped us out with food, tables and chairs, tents and set up and take down. It made for a great party!