Another amazing weekend

Ever have those weekends where you look back and you wonder how in the world the Lord allowed all that had happened to actually happen? He is a pretty amazing God. Providing just what you need, when you need it (even when we don't ask). In a flurry of activity, my parents arrived as the kids and I were walking home from school on Friday, gave all the "instructions", ran to pick up a flowers sale order from the school, to get back just in time to take our son to a friend's (who so kindly gave him a lift to his baseball game), to hurry home to quickly pack and take off for Indianapolis. Aaron and I enjoyed a great car ride, some dinner, and with some traffic issues, we arrived at a friends home at 10:00 pm that evening.

Aaron has a friend whom he has met through the fascinating world of blogging (aka God connecting people who you would otherwise never meet). Not only did Matt and his wife Candance, welcome us into their home, they too experienced the race with us. We rode together to Matt's place of employment downtown where we used wonderful restroom facilities and a warm place to stretch. The starting line was only a five minute walk. It was a windy morning, but the weather could not have been more perfect for running - cool, a breeze when you needed it, no rain.

So, at 7:30 am, the four of us, along with 40,000 other crazies took off to endure 13.1 miles of running pleasure. Let me tell you, there is nothing like running the race of life "with" someone. Yes, we were surrounded by thousands of others, but I was "known" by 3. The Lord took Aaron on a slightly different mission this race, we separated around mile 4, and He had me run with Candance. What a gift to enjoy the same pace, to check in with one another, encourage her as the miles came and went, and to watch her smile as she achieved her goal time. Only God can open hearts and lift legs to reach goals and distances that the mind cannot conceive.

1 Corinthians 2:9
However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" —

Aaron finished right with us, with a smile on his face and a story on his heart. Thank you Lord for the most memorable, enjoyable race in the whirlwind of our "3 in 3" weekend montage. It's such a joy to just be able to run, to run simply in obedience, and to be thankful for all the blessings along the way. This coming Saturday, I'll be able to enjoy yet one more run with some great girlfriends as we support the Race for the Cure - can't think of a better way to celebrate in the gift of running and friendship.

Well, the rest of the weekend flew by in true Conrad style. We hurried home after the race to make it to our son's baseball tournament, endured the wind, rain, and cool temperatures in joy of cheering on the team to victory. We enjoyed a great family meal and finished off the evening with a movie (a few parts we missed, Aaron called us bobble-heads).

Sunday morning we awoke at 6:30 with a call for a 7:30 baseball game - yep, Happy Mother's Day. I sent the boys out the door as the girls as I got ready for church. What a fabulous morning! I'll be posting sermon notes next, just some great stuff - moms were honored, babies were dedicated, lessons were received. All the while, I could communicate with the "boys" via texting. They were doing well, so with a quick change of clothes, and a bag of goodies packed, we were out the door again (after a swing through the drive through :) The tournament ended well for them, and we traveled home to enjoy some downtime. While the family rested via the Cavs game, I had a wonderful opportunity to head over to my little sister's. She and her husband are just so thrilled with the purchase of their first home. It was a great opportunity to visit as we painted her beautiful bedroom. The evening was capped off with a lovely dinner, compliments of Red Robin. The whole gang gathered, all 16 of us, and my mother couldn't have glowed more.

Happy Belated Mother's Day to you! A special note of compassion and understanding to those celebrating the memory of your mother. As this was Aaron's first year in a memory celebration, my heart goes out to you as well. We're all here simply because of the love and labor of our moms. Perfect we are not, yet loved so much by our creator that He would sent His son to make a way to spend eternity together. Have a wonderful day in Him!