JENNIFER DID IT!!!

Last Sunday was the Houston Marathon and Half Marathon.  Going to one of these races is so inspiring in so many ways.  If you have not had a chance to go, please make certain you go and experience it.  I mean this on both sides....being the spectator one time and being the actual participant.  I was able to cheer on my cousins Laura, Randy, Javier and Hector(and Michelle).  I also got to cheer on my friends Jodi, Charley and Taeva.  But mainly I was there to scream my heart out for my sister, Jennifer.  Jennifer is the most dedicated and structured person I know.  These 2 qualities are not anywhere on the top of my list.  Last year, she and our dear friend, Lisa, ran the marathon together.  At the end, they got this crazy idea that they wanted to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  For those who don't know, it is the most ELITE race in the "Runner's World".  Anyhow, Jennifer trained so incredibly hard this past year.  She woke up when the roosters were still sleeping (way unheard of for the Carter girls) to run, did not drink too much, and the hardest thing for me, she ate like a perfect athlete.  She would eat TURKEY burgers WITHOUT the bun! (oh, and those awful protein bars,that are supposed to be like Snickers and Thin Mints) If it were me, and I was running those crazy miles, I would have to over indulge in REAL milk chocolate and wine. That my friends, is DEDICATION! Anyhow, she did not qualify this time around. But, I have seen her run in 5 races. She was the happiest in this race. She finished, and I was so worried she would have been devastated. She was far from it. She was thrilled for herself and family and friends. She is so incredible. I admire her greatly. I spoke to her last night, guess what...she wants to train harder and qualify for Boston next year! She may be dedicated and structured, but I think I might have to diagnose her as CRAZY! Way to go girl!  I will post a picture later.

My baby GIRL!

I am sure many of you have heard me talk about Dixie. She is a Westie. We pay her house note, her bills and sleep in her king size bed. She is spoiled rotten. Travis and I adore her so much. But, honestly, she is not the best dog ever. She has bitten quite a few people...about a month ago, she got the pizza delivery guy's ankles. He very much deserved it. He was giving my babysitter a hard time about the tip she gave him and they started "conversing". Dixie felt the bad energy and went after him. He hit her with the pizza warmer box until she stopped. She still leaves us little "presents" from time to time on our carpet, even though she has a doggie door. But in her defense, she does it when it is raining and thundering outside. She can't stand to get her feet wet. She will bark at her dog bowl anytime you go to the pantry because she too must snack or eat. She grunts and groans anytime you move in the middle of the night, in "her" bed.
But, she loves and cares for us unconditionally. She is always waiting for me at the door, outside the shower, just about everywhere. She is ALWAYS under my feet. I think that God is kind of like that with us. Except for he is not so "visible". He is always waiting there for us, at our feet, all we have to do is look to Him.
I write this, because a very dear friend of mine, Charly, lost her four year old lab, Yoakum. She and her husband had to put her to sleep yesterday. I have been thinking about her and Burt and their other dog all day. I know that she views Yoakum as her "Baby Girl" as well. That Baby Girl has the best smile, especially when she is on the boat. I will say that heaven just got a little more fun with Yoakum there.
One of Travis and my favorite quote is this (it hangs at our back door):
"No matter how little money and few possesions you own, having a dog makes you rich" by Louis Sabin

It's a NEW YEAR!!!!!!

WOW!! It is now 2009. It was hilarious this morning when we drove into our Church parking lot and it was JAMMED PACKED! There was not a single place to park. Funny, in the sense that almost all workout gyms and church parking lots are full right after those "New Year Resolutions" are made. Travis and I walked into Sunday School, and there was not an open chair. This is wonderful, but why isn't it always like this? Well, if there is a Sunday that I want all my friends to be at Sunday school, this was the day. Our class for the past few years, has been helping "The Stanfield family." I put their name in "quotes", because for the past few years, they have just been people that Travis and I have been praying for and sending money to, but not a face or stories to put with them. We were blessed today to have them lead our Sunday school class and share their amazing life in Masiphumelele, South Africa. Their name is no longer the "Stanfield Family"...it is Kevin, Tonya, Chesney and Asher Stanfield. I admire the strong faith that they have in the Lord. When they spoke, you could really feel and see Christ working in them. I was so moved by their dedication and love for Jesus. They lit a little fire under my tail. And boy do I need that fire, I need a stinkin' blow torch! They made me want to grow even closer with our Lord. I am not sure what is in store for me, but I will be praying and searching. I ask for your prayers as well. So this is my goal, not resolution...I want to be a "light" for others. I want others to see Christ shine in and through me and yearn for more of Him. What are your "resolutions"?

Check out The Stanfields

www.kevandton.com