Life is equal parts brutal and beautiful. And/Both. Life is brutiful. Sharing life’s brutiful is what makes us feel less alone and afraid. – Glennon Doyle Melton

Today marks two full weeks since Josh’s cycling accident. The past two weeks have been brutal. But they have also been beautiful. Here’s why.

The day of Josh’s accident I prayed for his safety – that he would come away from his race that evening without a scratch. When I got word of his accident, I was pissed. I felt betrayed that God would allow the very opposite of what I had prayed for to happen. But then I remembered a different prayer I had prayed that day – and every day for 30 days prior.

"Hey look, I'm Ray Charles." Thank you Vicodin.

“Hey look, I’m Ray Charles.” Thank you Vicodin.

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Life is Brutiful

Alana —  May 8, 2013 — Leave a comment

Life is hard — not because we are doing it wrong, just because it’s hard.

At the hospital, we learned Josh broke his scapula. Apparently this is a very strong bone and it is rare to break. The bone specialist told us it typically takes a car accident strength of impact to break this bone. Josh managed to break it in his fall at the cycling race. The story goes, Josh was in the straight away – the last 100 yards of the race. He was sprinting to the finish, ran out of gas and the cyclist behind plowed into him. Josh lost control of his bike … and, now you know the rest. Broken scapula, and some major road rash down his left leg.

 

carry-on-warrior-250x300

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S*!T Happens

Alana —  May 6, 2013 — Leave a comment

Life is hard — not because we are doing it wrong, just because it’s hard. – Glennon Doyle Melton

A couple weeks ago, I picked up Glennon’s book, Carry On, Warrior: Thoughts on Life Unarmed. In the first few pages of her book she says, “Life is hard — not because we are doing it wrong, just because it’s hard.” I thought it was a great line, so I underlined it, and didn’t think much more of it.

Josh at Grattan Raceway. Summer 2012.

Josh at Grattan Raceway. Summer 2012.

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Dear Sister

Alana —  April 23, 2013 — 4 Comments

Dear Sister,

You are getting married in four days! The reality of how close this is is just beginning to sink in.

I remember when Mom and Dad told me they were pregnant with you. I was 3. I wanted you to be a girl [score!] and I wanted to name you “Margie Lucy”. Margie, because she was my favorite day care provider and Lucy because… well, I just liked that name. Mom and Dad didn’t listen though, [good for them] and soon they brought home a beautiful little girl named “Halsey Leigh”.

sisters2

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“Love” Dust

Alana —  April 15, 2013 — 2 Comments

Why is it that when we pray to God, we put on our ultra churchy and religious voices? It’s kind of a funny thing to experience. Have you ever been at a gathering where Christians are milling about, having normal conversations, speaking in their normal voices? Then one Christian stands up to pray before beginning the service or party and suddenly his voice transforms into a dramatic tone with a hint of James Earl Jones, “Dear Heavenly Father. Jesus, we bless you today. We come to you, humbly to request…”

Josh and Alana 1 Continue Reading…

The Meat That Turned Me On

Alana —  April 11, 2013 — 11 Comments

I would say our marriage has become a little lackluster lately. Not necessarily intentionally. I think we just fell into the rut of experiencing minimum change in our lives, feeling drained by daily occurrences, the drudgery of the winter, and falling into the comparison game with other happy couples or fellow travelers in this journey we call “life”. Everyone seemed to be continuing forward movement while we remained… stuck.

Dinner

Dinner

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A Ball Pit Made Me Cry

Alana —  March 1, 2013 — 2 Comments

When is the last time you saw something that triggered a strong reaction deep within you? I’m talking about an undeniable heart-racing, tear-forming, ear-to-ear smiling joy.

This happened to me yesterday.

My girlfriend Terri posted a video on her site that I’d never seen before. I clicked on the link, not really knowing what to expect.

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Why I Don’t Have Time for You

Alana —  February 26, 2013 — 10 Comments

For years I’ve worn my busyness as a badge of honor, and at other times, a cross to bear. I was a self-appointed martyr – Ooooh, how I wish I could spend time with you, but woe to me, I have way too much work on my plate to take time out of my schedule for a short conversation with you.

As I sit here now, I consider the reasons I have kept myself so busy. I can name three.

photo credit: http://charminenjoythego.blogspot.com/

photo credit: http://charminenjoythego.blogspot.com/

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What’s Your Lifestyle? (part 2)

Alana —  February 21, 2013 — 6 Comments

According to Psychologist, Dr. Kevin Leman, your lifestyle has nothing to do with the car you drive and everything to do with your perception of when you count in life.

"center of attention"  photo credit: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/

“center of attention”
photo credit: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/

Your lifestyle is the pattern you establish throughout your life of how you respond to people and situations around you, what assumptions you make about yourself and your environment, and when your emotions kick in involuntarily. Consider the below sentences again: (If you missed Tuesdays post, click here to catch up first). Continue Reading…

Your Dream Job

Alana —  February 20, 2013 — 24 Comments

I recently interviewed a woman about what she liked about her newly acquired position at a company.

job_love

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