Thanksgiving All Year Round

I don't know about y'all but I am truly thankful for all I have been blessed with all year round...not just on one day of the year. There is just so much to be grateful for every day, it would be difficult to go a day without feeling very blessed.  

This year has brought so many blessings and I wanted to list some of them here.  

I am so very grateful for my children and how they have all grown into such wonderful human beings.  They are continually showing me how kind and caring they are towards others, it makes my mama heart proud to see how giving they are.  When I look at them I see such character and feel so proud of the awesome men my sons are becoming and the beautiful woman my daughter is blossoming into. They each have such potential and I cannot wait to see what the next chapter in their lives is going to offer them.

I am also very grateful for the blessing of friends...they have each come into my life right when I needed them to.  There have been many different seasons in my life and God seems to send me the right friend at just the right time. True friends are really hard to find and I have been blessed with the best ones. This year seems to have been a banner year for friends.

My family is a huge blessing to me and during this difficult time in my life I am very grateful for each and every member.  I am so thankful to God for blessing me with them all.

I have been blessed immensely these last few weeks since leaving my marriage.  The outpouring of love has been huge and so very needed, and I am quite sure that I don't deserve it.  I thank God for loving me and blessing me with so much.  It is my hope that others feel blessed as much as I do. 

May tomorrow bring you all closer to those you love and spend your lives with.  May you take the time to let those loved ones know how truly grateful you are for having them in your lives.  Take some time tomorrow...tell the people you share this wonderful life with how very much you cherish them, don't wait another day or another second. 

I want to take a moment and tell each of you how much I am blessed by having you in my life.  I may not have ever met any of you but I am so thankful for your friendship and encouragement.  Thank you so much for inspiring me with your stories of courage and hope and for truly caring about me. 

Blessings and hugs, 

 



"Limitations only exist if you let them"

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

 © 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Blooming Where I'm Planted?

Warning...this post is about life, struggle and God...it's long but I think it's worth reading, it was certainly worth writing! 

I am often so absorbed by training for this half marathon that I forget to stop and attend my spiritual health.  I have this longing to accomplish this race, not because I want people to say, wow what a great thing...it's more like I have to do this to prove to myself, my body and my spirit...that I can do it! Does that make any sense to you?  

I was talking to one of my very best friends about my spiritual health just the other day and it was about this very subject.  Feeling like I'm not doing anything significant for God, has left me feeling a little lost.  Come to find out, she is going through the exact same thing.  Don't you just love how God works? I sure do.  After we talked I didn't feel like everything was solved, but I did feel like I had made some headway and like God was still there...waiting.  For what, I don't know...I just know that God has me where I am, and I need to accept it...maybe not embrace it, but accept my garden where it is and how it looks...and bloom where I've been planted.  

My life and everything I touch is my personal garden and I CAN bloom where I've been planted.  We don't need to all go out and knock on doors, or serve at the soup kitchens to be significant. Some of us are mom's and dad's and our children and loved ones are our ministry.  The people I see daily, whether they are family or acquaintances, are in my garden and how I interact with them matters.  I may be the only person in their life that day, that reaches them for Christ through some small an act of kindness.  That means a lot to me personally, I am serving lunch to the high school kids in town Monday-Thursday and I may be their only smile or kind act in their day! In that way I am significant to God.  

How does running fit in?  Well I'm not sure, to be perfectly honest.  Yet, running is a big part of me at this moment in time and I have to believe that God planted that seed somewhere along the way for a reason.  I'm a runner but that isn't what defines me, I survived cancer, but that doesn't define me either...I'm a child of God at my core and that SHOULD define me.  I am hopeful that people see my heart (God) when they read my blog.  I pray that someone has been touched by my words (Gods words) at one time or another...but that is ultimately up to God not me.  

Running has been difficult for me.  I have had my fair share of injuries because of running, yet I love it. God has brought me through those injuries and the resulting heartbreak the same way he brought me through cancer and every other heartache I've gone through in life.  I got through those injuries because inside of me is a belief that God brings us to the valleys only to shine and show us His majesty when we come out on the other side. He is ultimately the one who gave me my spirit of triumph..it's not me, it's Him.  I hope that I show that in my blog.

You may be asking...What?

I've said all that to say this...I am struggling with pain.  Running past 4 miles is causing me pain in my hip and pelvis and I'm not sure I can keep up my training. That does not mean I am quitting just that I may have to tweak my schedule.  I am just saying I'm struggling.  My husband questions whether I should keep training for this half, period.  I am questioning it myself.  I have been thinking lately that maybe instead of trying to run the whole thing I should try a run/walk schedule.  Ugh! My ego doesn't like that last statement. To be honest, it was hard just writing that last statement. Egotistically I want to say I ran the whole way, but I really don't see that happening.  Maybe God is saying His plan for my half is better than my plan is...I have to learn to stop and listen for His advice.  It's always better than my advice. God may see this half marathon as a way to touch someones life through some seemingly insignificant act or word...I am sure that He sees it's execution and completion entirely different than I see it! It may have nothing to do with me at all and everything to do with Him. 

Thanks for listening to my struggle and for not giving up half-way through, I'm sure y'all deserve some kind of medal for finishing this post. It would be called the Medal of Friendship, and I virtually award it to every one of you! 

I am blessed by you and I thank God for bringing you into my life! Blessings and hugs! I hope I haven't scared any of you off!  I promise I have not lost it...lol!  May God bless you and keep you and may His favor shine on your life.

   



"Limitations only exist if you let them"

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

 © 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Happy Monday!

May your Monday be filled to the brim and overflowing with love.

As I sit here grumbling because I have to stay still and do nothing (compressing, icing and elevating leg), I realize that I am a blessed woman.  God has provided me with what I need, some of what I want but most of all with love.  I am surrounded by love...

I have been babying my left leg, as much as I can stand to anyway, by icing it, using compression wraps and elevating it.  Of course we won't go into how I walked 10 miles yesterday in 1 hour and 50 minutes and 29 seconds...we will just leave that in the past.  I was walking, not running so I was behaving-ish! (Yes, I realize that is not a word, I just made it up) I have a knot in my lateral hamstring tendon that is a bit sore but not too bad.  All in all I cannot really complain, as I know there are others who are much worse off. I will heal...God is good, All the time and All the time, God is good!

1. Saturday-Arc Trainer 20 minutes. Bike trainer 20 minutes for a total calorie burn of approx. 400 calories.
2. Sunday-Walked 10 miles for 110.5 minutes for a total calorie burn of 539 calories or so.
3. Monday-Rest Day & R.I.C.E. 

Have a blessed day!

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. 

 "Limitations only exist if you let them" 

© 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Coffee, Shin Splints and Life In General

 Coffee √ Shin Splints √ Life In General..In Process!

Life is good as usual.  I have much to be thankful for, and little to complain about.  Shin splints in the grand scheme of life are really nothing big.  I think I have found the problem, the school track I've been running on is very lumpy and uneven so I am going to stop running on that track asap and find another with less lumpiness and more evenness. (Not a very grammatical sentence, I know)

I'm getting more running in (even with sore shins) and working my way back up in mileage.  May not be a good thing, I know.  I have been wrapping my shins at home with ace bandages, the compression is a miracle worker.  I also wear my compression soccer socks and they are helping as well. The shins feel great-ish, not perfect but better by far.  The 5k is not until April 13th so I have plenty time if I need to take some training time off. I am running slowly and very carefully but I do stop if it hurts.

In other news, my son's ortho appointment is getting closer and he is restless waiting for it.  Not being able to weight lift affected his grade in Weight lifting class (although he can make it up) and he's not happy about that at all. He's 15, he'll get over it. 

The 17 year old is doing great, his father is trying to teach him to drive the old truck (1969 Ford) which has a very long and awkward stick shifter that does not shift normal, lucky hubby right! 

My 12 year old daughter is...well...a 12 year old, love her hate the age, it is full of hormonal angst and whatnot. She is beautiful, tall, slim...funny as the day is long, creative, and sweet....just sooooo not a morning person. She can make or break my day, anyone out there feel my pain? Ha ha ha!

The other day my hubby and 17 year old son replaced the screen on my screen door for me (I've only been asking for 2 years, lol) and fixed both gate doors outside (they close and latch now) woohoo! 

Exercise for me has been a little running, biking (at the gym) and the Arc trainer...I have also been running my two little wiener dogs (mini-wiener dogs mixed with short leg jack-russell terrier) around the yard outside to get them used to being out "there".  They have always been inside dogs and the outside is a brand new and exciting endeavor for them both.  That's about all I have to say, my life isn't that exciting. Have a great week y'all...blessings and hugs! Anyone racing or traveling? Tell me all about it.

ANNIE

WEENIE

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

 "Limitations only exist if you let them" 

 © 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Days of Giving Thanks...Days 26-30

Day # 26...Today I'm so very thankful for our local YMCA, oh how I've missed it!

Day # 27...Today I'm thankful for warm and cozy hugs from my loved ones...

Day # 28...Today I'm thankful for my ears, for they hear such wonder-gut sounds, like the whisper of the wind and jingle bells jingling...

Day # 29...Today I'm thankful for inventions like the umbrella, it's pouring outside!

 Day # 30...Today I'm thankful for all that God has seen fit to bless me with and for those that have participated in my "Count Your Many Blessings" event for November! It was just as I thought, we DO have much to be thankful for!

Thank you, all of you that participated in some way or another...We do have so much to be thankful for! Blessings and hugs to everyone.

    

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. "Limitations only exist if you let them" © 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Days of Giving Thanks...Days 19-25

Day # 19...Today I'm thankful I'm still in remission!

Day # 20...Today I'm thankful for the outage of our cable, Internet and phone...silence is golden!

Day # 21...Today I'm thankful for my miracle, Jacob!

Day # 22...I'm thankful for time spent with family I rarely see.

Day # 23...I'm thankful that its time to decorate for Christmas.

Day # 24...Today I'm thankful for Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, Brothers, Sisters, Moms and Dads, Children, Friends and my fur babies...My life is great and I sincerely love the people in it!

Day # 25...Today I'm thankful for the Youversion Bible App, for scripture and the ability to see well enough to read!

Hope y'all had a great time visiting with family and loved ones. Have a fantastic week.
  

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. 

"Limitations only exist if you let them" 

© 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Happy Thanksgiving 2012

May your day be one of blessing and joy! Happy Thanksgiving my friends!
 

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. "Limitations only exist if you let them" © 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Days of Giving Thanks...Days 12-18

Day # 12... Today I'm thankful for classic movies like...M is For Murder...and White Christmas...these are some of my favorite things...la la lala la la....Nothing better than being sick in bed and watching old classic movies! Now if only I could have some soup and not have to go to the hospital for injection today, lol! Luckily it'll be quick and I can get right back into my warm bed and rest!

Day #13...Today I am thankful for the internet...it is a highway of information...some of it is actually useful and helpful for those of us going through special medical testing.

Day #14...Today I'm thankful for the Liquid radiation i received this morning, as it will be helpful in seeing any thyroid or cancer cells during my whole body scans Thursday and Friday...

Day # 15...Today I am thankful for missionaries who go out into the world and reach people for God, feed them and love them.

Day # 16...Today I'm thankful for The Dove TV and Radio Christian programming...

Day # 17...Today I'm thankful for God's unfailing mercy and grace...

Day # 18...Today I'm thankful for the wind and rain! Natures leaf blower and shower! The wind comes in and moves the leaves and debris around and then the rain gives it all a nice shower and some much needed water!

I have been super sick with a chest cold and not been able to exercise at all for the whole week...ugh! Thankfully the doctor's office called and I'm still in remission.  Blessings and hugs to you all...May you have a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving.      

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. "Limitations only exist if you let them" © 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Days of Giving Thanks November 5-11 2012

Day # 5...Today I choose to be thankful for the honor of being a MOM...it's a hard and often thankless job, with little monetary value (to some) and there are many days I'd like to pull my hair out, mornings I'd like to get a do-over...but through all the spit-up, dirty diapers, temper-tantrums, teen angst, and general moodiness that all kids display...I absolutely love being a mom and wouldn't trade it in for anything.

Day #6...Today I am thankful for my son, Jesse's safe trip home from Bend, Oregon OLI 2012 FBLA Event! He made it safely home last night tired and starving after not having eaten in 8 hours...he is home sick today but will be fine as I am sure it just from being in a hotel room with 20 others guys for the last 3 days and then on a bus for several hours with 2 other sick kids!

(Me and my son Jesse 4/2012 post 5k)

Day # 7...Today I am thankful for life...it may not always be fun, or fantastic...I may be going through health issues... It is what I allow God to make of it, when I put my faith and trust in God it always works out His way! I am alive today, I choose to be thankful for each day I am given, I am thankful for today! 

Day #8...Today I am thankful for a simple pleasure, COFFEE, in all its glory...I look forward to it every morning with excitement and with anticipation every night at bedtime! I am thankful for this very simple pleasure.  Sometimes I think it's important to remember, it can be a little thing that brings us to thankfulness...it doesn't have to be deep or personal.

Day # 9...Today I am thankful for medical technology and testing...even when it is time consuming and often painful/annoying...it is what helps to diagnose and treat my illnesses...so thankful! I do know that I have what they call pvc's that are very frequent but generally not life threatening as long as they are not due to another disease within the heart.  We are not sure what, if anything, we will do about it!

Day # 10...Today I'm thankful for the sounds of morning in our house! Brewing coffee...Children yawning, quiet conversations...cuddles with the furry members of our family! Life is good!

Day # 11...Today I'm thankful for the people in my life who truly care about and for me, especially when I'm sick! I have been sick all week on top of all the medical tests I am going through so it's been a rough week all around. I am alive...it's all relative. I will survive and move forward.

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. 

"Limitations only exist if you let them" 

© 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Days of Giving Thanks November 1-4, 2012

Each week I will be sharing with you all that I am thankful for.  This week's installment will be November 1st through November 4th.

I have been so blessed with so much and feel it's great to take time to remember those blessings (*I borrowed this idea from my beautiful cousin who has her own lovely blog*)...and then share them with others.  When you are being thankful it's hard to feel sorry for yourself and not only that, but it serves as a reminder of just how many blessings one truly has! I even created a Facebook EVENT.

I wonder if we bloggers can get a "Count your many blessings" movement going for the month of November...Anyone interested in doing this with your fellow bloggers, just to show how very blessed we all are?  Spread the word, let's see how far this can go! Link back to me if you would like.

Thursday November 1, 2012
#1...Today I'm thankful for the beauty of fall! I was blessed this morning on my run with all the colors of Autumn! Gods beauty awes me!

Friday November 2, 2012
#2...Today I am thankful for a God who loved me enough to die on an old wooden cross...who loves me in spite of my many failures and shortcomings....who loves me enough to forgive and forget my sins when I repent, what a loving Heavenly Father I have! 

Saturday November 3, 21012
#3...I am thankful to live in a country where we are able to vote in a new President...freely say what we want, or believe in whom we believe...where it is still okay to go to Church and pray to God...God bless AMERICA!!! 

Sunday November 4th, 2012
#4...Today I am thankful for my legs that carried me safely on my run yesterday...I am thankful I have legs that are healthy and strong and I Praise God for His healing...My thanks isn't one of sarcasm it is a sincere and heartfelt thanks! Thank you Heavenly Father for bringing me through my injury to a healthy and strong resolution...

Y'all may have noticed that I haven't used the obvious "I'm thankful for..." that is simply because I am always thankful for my husband who has unwaveringly stood by me through thick (literally) and thin, sickness (literally) and health, richer and poorer...and God willing til death do us part.  

I am also continually thankful for my 4 loving children, who are each amazing, smart, and accomplished in their own way, both of my parents and each and every one of my friends who choose to share in my crazy life...that includes each of YOU! I am blessed (undeservedly) beyond belief and it humbles me when I think on the enormity of it all. 

For the month of November I am choosing to state what I am thankful on each particular day, it is as simple as that!  Feel free to follow and participate, I would love to read what you have to be thankful for, as I am sure it will be diverse, humbling, and amazing.  



Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. 

 "Limitations only exist if you let them" 

© 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.