O Holy Night

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
Oh, hear the angel voices

Oh, night divine
Oh, night when Christ was born
Oh, night divine
Oh night, oh night divine
[| From: http://www.elyrics.net |]

This song has been in my heart for the entire Christmas season. I think it's the line that says, "the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn" because let's face it, the holiday season can wear you out. And so can life. We all await moments that will inspire us.

Can you imagine that night.. The angels singing, Mary giving birth, knowing that the child she was delivering was sent to deliver us. Oh, what a night divine, indeed. Let us not forget to take time and "fall on our knees".... This is what brings us hope, peace, and strength.

Merry Christmas.. Happy Birthday Jesus. May we always remember that You are the reason that we celebrate!

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To Be or Not To Be.. A Runner

I ran six miles for the first time yesterday.. Well, to be honest, I think I probably walked one of them. I've been following a training program for a half marathon that I was hoping to compete in this coming November. The bad news is.. Due to budget constraints, I'm going to have to push my half marathon hopes into 2013. Still, I wanted to follow through on the training.

ANYWAY... I wasn't feeling 100% yesterday, but I knew that I might not get a long run in on Saturday since we have buckets and buckets o' rain in the forecast. I took off on my run and was struggling the first mile..and the second and third. I kept pushing through thinking it would get easier.. It NEVER did. It was so bad at one point that I was praying (out loud, while running), and asking God to help me make it.

When I finally got home, I was sore and my muscles were so tight. My husband asked me if I thought that maybe I should reconsider my dreams of being a seasoned runner. I quickly told him to zip his lips and rub me down with Blue-Emu.

Seriously though... Does anyone have any running advice for me. My five miles last week weren't a breeze, but they were so much easier than this week's six. Help!!!!

A Day To Pray

I was inspired by a Facebook post last night... A friend posted a status:

To all my friends (including me) who are going through some issues right now--Let's start an blessing avalanche. We all need to bless and lift our friends and family to the Father right now. If I don't see your name, I'll understand. May I ask my friends wherever you might be, to kindly copy, paste, and share this status for one hour to give a moment of support to all those who have family problems, health struggles, job issues, worries of any kind and just need to know that someone cares. Do it for all of us, for nobody is immune. I hope to see this on the walls of all my friends just for moral support. I know some will!! I did it for a friend and you can too. You have to copy & paste this one, no share button.

I know how important the power of prayer has been for me and my family. It has carried us through trials and storms.. It still carries us, daily. There's nothing that comforts more than knowing that there's someone out there praying for you when you need it most.

So I wanted to extend this challenge to all of my friends... Let's commit to pray for one another on a regular basis. Please leave your prayer request in the comments below or email me privately at amyelain@gmail.com

I'll be post a reminder every Tuesday and hopefully this will be an encouragement to all. I know it is to me!

Better Half

The room was starting to fill with people. There were so many beautiful people.. Girls with perfect hair, perfect make-up, perfect clothes on their perfect bodies. I felt myself tense up, my mind was second guessing my entire being. My hair wasn't right, my dress felt tight. Instantly I felt fat and ugly. I didn't want to be there.. I wanted to melt into the floor and disappear.

Then he grabbed my hand and whispered in my ear..."Relax. You're beautiful. Perfect. You're with me.. It's ok. Don't let those girls intimidate you."

I fell in love with my husband again a thousand times over that night. He really is my better half.

Abraham's Faith

I cannot imagine how Abraham felt when God asked him to give his son's life on that altar. The heartache and pain that he must have dealt with must have made his obedience that much more of a sacrifice. What faith he had.. No wonder he is called a hero of the faith.

Making the choice to move out of state without our boys moving with us has been the hardest decision that we've had to make as a husband and wife. Yet we know that God is leading us in this new direction.

So we choose to obey... although this obedience requires much sacrifice.

I'm asking that you keep our family in your prayers as we make this transition. We are forever grateful.