Iditarod Dog Sled Race - 2015

The Iditarod dog sled races have been going on for 40 plus years, but this was the first year I really took an interest in it.  The race usually starts in Anchorage, but because of the lack of snow this winter in Anchorage the starting of the race was moved to Fairbanks.  The race route went right by a friends house, so Dave and I dressed for the zero weather and stood on the frozen river to watch the dog teams (16 to 18 dogs per team) head out for Nome.  We actually took our two granddaughters out of school for a couple hours so they could witness the annual event.  Read about the sled dog relay that inspired the Iditarod.

I clipped out pictures from the newspaper of all 78 mushers and made a chart - keeping track of each musher's location and race standing.   A couple times every day I would check the race standings at iditarod.com and update my chart.   Racers of interest to me were…..

• Benjamin Harper from Wasilla…..the youngest racer - 18 years old.  This was his first Iditarod race and he actually came in #36.  
• Jim Lanier from Chugiak - the oldest racer at 74 years old.  Unfortunately he scratched in Unalakleet.
• The winner, Dallas Seavey - 27 years old, from Willow.  This was his 3rd win and he won $70,000 in cash plus a new truck.   
• Mitch Seavey from Sterling, Dallas’ Dad, came in 2nd place.  He finished the race about 4 hours and 10 minutes behind his son.
• Aliy Zirkle and her husband, Allen Moore, from Two Rivers, were both in the race.   She came in 5th place and he came in 38th.  
• Anna from Wasilla, and Kristy Berington from Kasilof, are twins.  They stayed together for the entire race coming in at the 28th and 29th positions.  Anna crossed the finish line 4 minutes and 20 seconds ahead of Kristy.
• Lance Mackey from Fairbanks is an all time favorite champion.  He and his brother Jason from Wasilla raced together.   Lance had severe frostbite on his hands and had difficulty handling his dogs, so his brother stayed with him and helped him to complete the race.  They came in 42nd and 43rd place……Lance finished 42 seconds behind his brother.   
• Cindy Abbott, 56 years old from Irvine, CA, finished last; receiving the Red Lantern award.  I love that she kept going.  Even though everyone else had finished the race, she just didn't quit.

The race included mushers from Alaska, California, Colorado, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Australia, Canada, France, Norway and Sweden.

Of the 78 starters, 66 mushers finished the race.  I admire their endurance, tenacity, perseverance, hard work, commitment, determination, passion….the will to not give up.  They encountered -60 degree temperatures, wind, frost bit toes and fingers, and many of them were secluded out on the trail with no other mushers.  These people have become more than a bib number to me.  I feel like I know them....they have become my friends.   

They are an inspiration.....

• Never give up
• Learn all you can
• Count your blessings
• Keep the faith
• Never use the excuse “I’m too old” or "I'm not smart enough"
• Find ways to encourage or help someone else along the way
• Follow through
• There's only one winner but every racer can cross the finish line
• Celebrate big and little victories
• Enjoy the journey

"Staying in Touch" Can be a Full Time Job

This week death claimed the body (not the spirit) of one of my cousins on my Dad’s side of the family.   I was so surprised and saddened to hear this news.  I hadn’t seen John for many, many years, but I have good memories of him.

• He spent time with our family often during summers when he was a kid.
• He, his brother and I sang together in church as the “Cousins Trio.”  I especially remember the song, “God Put a Rainbow in the Sky.”
• He always had a smile and time for everyone.
• He and his family moved to Mississippi and I only saw him occasionally after that.

Dave and I were in Florida this time last year visiting Dave’s Dad & family and we talked about driving over to Mississippi to see John and his family.  Unfortunately it didn’t work out.  His 76th birthday was last month and even though it’s marked on my calendar and I thought about him, I didn’t send a card. I didn’t even know he was sick and then I hear he’s gone.  

Why didn’t I just catch a flight from Orlando to Cleveland, MS…..even for just one day???

Even though I sent a birthday greeting by FB through his wife, why didn’t I send a birthday card or, better yet, call him?  

I think death automatically makes us look at the “what ifs” and “why didn’t I’s.”   That’s not a bad thing, but way too quickly we can move right back in the rut of our normal life and schedule and “staying in touch” can soon becomes a distant memory.

While this is still so fresh on my mind, I want to remind myself to express love to my family (and friends) while they’re still alive.  

• Remember birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions
• Use e-mails, texts and messaging to those who have it
• Send cards/letters/notes by mail - especially to older one who don’t use electronics
• Always express gratitude
• Be present and available
• Pray for them
• Give more smiles, hugs and “I love you’s.”
• Instead of just hitting “like” on FB, make more comments
• Don’t wait for someone else to make the first move
• Be generous with time & resources
• Small gifts or expressions of love…and cookies….can make a big difference
• Share pictures with family & friends who don’t live close
• Make more phone calls

Even though I wish i could have told John goodbye, I can still hear his laughter and southern drawl.  That makes me smile!   

My Mom's Seafood Casserole

We concluded our small group Bible study of “All In” by Matt Batterson, which I highly recommend, with dinner at our house.  Our weather is getting cooler so my Mom’s Seafood Casserole sounded like a good menu idea.  

My Mom’s been gone 6 years and 9 months, but I felt especially close to her as I was in the kitchen making her recipe, which was one of my favorites (next to her potato salad).  As I was chopping and adding ingredients, I thought back to Mom’s gift of hospitality.  She loved to have people over to share a meal.  It didn’t have to be fancy.  According to some old Virginia friends, she served the “best bologna sandwiches” ever.  Maybe that’s why I still love a good ole bologna and tomato sandwich.  I never remember anyone coming to our house without Mom offering them a drink or something to eat.  It didn’t matter to her if the house was in perfect order, she just loved people and loved having them in her home.  So much of her entertaining involved food. 

Mom died of ALS and toward the end she had a feeding tube in which I would feed her a formula three times a day.  All those meals she had cooked in her lifetime and at the end she couldn’t even eat.  At her last Thanksgiving meal I wanted her to get real food so we tried mashed potatoes and gravy but it was too thick to go through the syringe into her feeding tube.  We finally got the right consistency but only after we shot food through the syringe on the floor and ceiling.  Yes, the ceiling.   It was a mess to clean up (thanks to my son-in-law for cleaning it off the ceiling) but it wound up being a memorable evening of laughter and love.  She was surrounded by her family and I know that brought her much happiness.

When the temperature dipped below freezing at night (here in Fairbanks, AK) it was time to do something about the tomatoes & green pepper plants in the green house.  Unfortunately, it was about 9 pm before I remembered that freezing temps were predicted for that evening.  I was already dressed for bed, so I went out to the greenhouse in my pajamas and robe and carried a flashlight.  All the tomatoes were still green so I picked them with one hand while holding the flashlight in the other.  The green peppers were still fairly small and I didn’t want to pick them just yet so I took the whole potted plant inside. (It was amazing to see their growth in just a couple weeks being in the warmth of indoors.)  So when the recipe called for a green pepper, I picked a couple small ones off my plants sitting by the front window.  It doesn’t get any fresher than that.

Mom’s recipe calls for shrimp and crab, but I enjoy adding salmon as well.  When I need fresh salmon I usually call my son-in-law to see if he can spare some, or my neighbor who usually has a freezer full.  However, this time I purchased it at Fred Meyer ($9.99/lb).   The shrimp was $9.99/lb too, so this is definitely not a cheap dish to make unless you can get the salmon for free.  It does serve 8 to10  people though, so that winds up being fairly reasonable for each serving.

While the casserole baked I made a green salad.....romaine lettuce, baby spinach leaves, carrots and mushrooms.  I had purchased tomatoes, but I thought I’d check the green tomatoes I had brought inside a couple weeks earlier.   When I unwrapped the newspaper from around them I found the most beautiful ripe tomatoes.   I added fresh tomatoes to the salad only after I ate my fill.  If only I had some bologna I could have had a sandwich.   One of my new salad favorites is adding pomegranate seeds.  It gives a perfect touch of sweetness.   Also the pomegranate seeds along with the fresh ripe red tomatoes on a bed of dark green lettuce made for a beautiful, colorful salad.   

It was a beautiful evening of fellowship.  Good friends and good food are indeed a great combination.   I can definitely understand why it was one of my Mom’s favorite things.   

After our guests went home and the dishes were done, we closed the refrigerator door on leftover Seafood Casserole and carrot cake, which we would enjoy again another day.   

The Old Book

At the end of 2012, I bought a journal book for 2013 and I have written in it every day (minus 2 or 3 days).   The binding is broken and the pages are pretty tattered but we have become good friends this year.   When I look back through the pages I realize it contains more of a summary of things I did everyday rather than deep thoughts and the baring of my soul.   It works for me although I would like to get better at expressing more of my feelings than just facts.  

A couple weeks ago Maddy Welch (my 6 year old granddaughter) was here after school and she saw my journal for the first time.   She asked me what it was.  I showed it to her and read her a few entries.   She wanted to hold it herself and leaf through the pages.  She immediately was attached to it and she told me she liked it because it was old looking.....and because she loves notebooks too.

The next day after school Maddy and her cousin Izzy Martinson (my 7 year old granddaughter) were here.  Maddy asked me if she could show Izzy my “old book."  They both headed up to my bedroom and I could hear them admiring my old, broken down, tattered journal.  

It's now the last day of the year and I'm about to write my last entry for 2013. In saying goodbye to this old tattered friend, I intend to find a quiet place to read through all the words recorded which sum up a year of my life.

My new 2014 journal is already purchased and is a beautiful leatherette book.  I can't wait to make my first entry, but by this time next year it too will look like an Old Book.

 

Fulghum's Recommendations

I'm reading Robert Fulghum's "It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It," and really like 9 recommendations he made:

1. Buy lemonade from any kid who is selling
2. Anytime you can vote on anything, vote
3. Attend the 25th reunion of your high school class 
4. Choose having time over having money
5. Always take the scenic route
6. Give at least something to any beggar who asks
7. And give money to all street musicians
8. Always be someone's valentine
9. When the circus comes to town, be there

A few recommendations of my own:

1. Make family a priority
2. Read books your grandchildren are reading
3. When you see someone you know, always speak to them and call them by name
4. Express gratitude
5. Plan to be generous
6. Stay in touch with friends
7. Don't wait until you've cleaned house to invite friends over
8. Find time to be still
9. Get involved in a local church
10. Do what you enjoy doing
11. Always eat birthday cake

Quotes from Catalyst West 2013

My husband (Pastor Dave) & I were blessed to attend Catalyst West this year.  (Thanks LifePoint for sending your pastor).

Quotes from Catalyst West 2013.

Andy Stanley - Senior Pastor, North Point Ministries.

• Info and insight alone do not a leader make.
• Our greatest contribution to the kingdom of God may not be what we do, but who we raise.
• It's better to make a difference than a point.
• Dads, your words to your kids count!
• When we're doing good, we learn nothing.

Jim Collins - Best-selling author.

• Most people will not live a great life because they settle for a good life.
• Never confuse personality with leadership.
• Turn from being interesting to being interested.
• Arrogance will lead to destruction.
• Bad decisions with good intensions are still bad decisions.
• If your organization can't be great without you, it can't be great.
• Creativity is natural.  Discipline is not natural.   Marry the two.

Jud Wilhite - Senior Pastor, Central Christian Church. 

• I want to be made into a leader who is known for a faithful and sincere heart, not for a spectacular ministry.
• It all comes back to Jesus.

Tom Shadyac - Screenwriter and Director. 

• The more we give away (or serve) the wealthier we become.

Matt Chandler - Lead Pastor, The Village Church.

• The Bible speaks to everything.   We must start with the Word.
• God works in the mess.

Louie Giglio - Pastor, Passion City Church.  

• Would you let Jesus serve you?
• Those who are served, serve well.
• As a church leader, what motivates you?  The gospel or a paycheck?

Andy Stanley:

• How to create high-performance teams:
• Select performance-oriented people.
• Clarify the "what" and the "why."
• Orchestrate and evaluate everything.

John Ortberg - Senior Pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church

• Ministry begins with
• Acceptance of God
• Sustenance (prayer, close friends, worship)
• Significance
• Achievement
• Eliminate hurry from your life.  (Ortberg quoted Dallas Willard)

Christine Caine - Author and Founder, the A21 Campaign

• Stop being the church on Sunday and start being the church 24-7.
• Tolerance is not endorsement.
• It's not about me but about the generation that's coming
• Get your face out of Facebook and into the Word, and our face on the ground - praying.

Songs that blessed me:

• Oceans, Hillsong
• And I will call upon Your name and keep my eyes above the waves.  When oceans rise my soul will rest in Your embrace for I am Yours and You are mine.
• Forever Reign, Kristian Stanfill
• I'm running to Your arms, I'm running to Your arms, the riches of Your love will always be enough.  Nothing compares to Your embrace.  Light of the world forever reign.
• O Praise Him (All this for a King), David Crowder Band
• Come to my Rescue (Be Lifted High), Hillsong
• In my life, be lifted high, in our world, be lifted high, in our love, be lifted high
• Cornerstone, Hillsong
• Christ alone; cornerstone.  Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love.  Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all.

Catalyst Atlanta 2012 - MUSIC

Before Catalyst Atlanta 2012, we attended church at City of Life in Kissimmee, Florida.  They sang a new song by Israel Houghton, "Jesus at the Center."  It's a powerful worship song and definitely one I wanted to bring home to LifePoint.

While we were at Catalyst, Isarel Houghton was actually there and sang several of his songs, which included "Jesus at the Center."  Wow!   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIIhzTQkK9o  "From my heart to the heavens, Jesus be the center.  It's all about You, yes, it's all about You."

The Sunday before Dave and I left for Catalyst, he used Eddie Kirkland's song, "The Solution" in his message.  Again, at Catalyst Eddie Kirkland was there and led that song.  (Eddie Kirkland is one of the worship leaders at North Point Church in Atlanta where Andy Stanley pastors.)  It's a great song with powerful lyrics.     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eoqxYtUJEs

On the second day of Catalyst, the North Point worship team/band led a couple songs and then the stage went dark.  When the lights came back up, Michael W. Smith was at the keyboard leading "Above All, " and went into "Healing Rain."  He ended with "Agnus Dei."  The Guinnet Center was filled with the presence of God as 13,000 church leaders sang, "Alleluia, Alleluia, for the Lord God Almighty reigns.  Holy, holy are You, Lord God Almighty.  Worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb."  It was such a beautiful sound and sight as Michael Smith's hands were stretched toward heaven and everyone sang acapella with hands raised in praise.  It was one of the highlights.

Gungor was a featured artist the first night of Catalyst.  I didn't know who they were, but did recognize "Beautiful Things" that they sang. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyPBtExE4W0)  I didn't realize until I got home that Gungor and Israel Houghton wrote, "Friend of God."  Michael and his wife Lisa Gungor are accomplished musicians and he writes beautiful lyrics and music.  At the moment I don't have any Gungor songs on my iPhone, but I definitely want to add his music to my collection.

I don't remember who led "One Thing Remains" by Jesus Culture, but it still rings in my heart.  "God's love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me."   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_KXsMCJgBQ

At the end of Andy Stanley's session on the first day, he had the North Point worship team lead a song, but I never caught the title or who wrote it.   I did manage to write down these four lines.
 
     "The maker of the heavens knows my name
     The author of the oceans gave me grace
     My soul, my soul will ever sing Your praise
     Who am I that You would find me here."

My soul, my soul, will ever sing Your praise.