19 blisters

So that hike I took on Sunday?

Yeah.

I have 19 blisters on my feet from wearing my chacos on said hike.

There is an explanation for this:

• I haven't worn them all winter, so I lost any previous chaco callouses (sp?) I may have had
• I wore them near the Dead Sea on my trip to Israel last fall and the straps got really stiff
• When I crossed the creek a couple times, some grit got in between the straps

I really like my chacos, so I'm hoping we can mend this rift in our relationship.

Church in the woods

Yesterday, church consisted of a 7 mile hike yesterday with my dog, in the woods, enjoying the exquisite spring weather.

Other weekend activities included:

• shopping at the camera store (nothing big, just odds and ends)
• another 4 mile hike with Mr. Darcy
• movie with an obliging friend (thanks in arrears) (The Vow, can't say I recommend it; the true story behind the movie is much better than the Hollywood version.)
• dinner with some pretty cool people
• catching up on life over morning coffee with a dear friend
• afternoon ride in the tall green spring grass
• watched the second Die Hard movie with my roomie.

When we realize...

... that Jesus Christ has served us to the end of our meanness, our selfishness, and sin, nothing that we meet with from others can exhaust our determination to serve man for His sake.

~ Oswald Chambers

If we are devoted...

...to the cause of humanity, we shall soon be crushed and brokenhearted, for we shall often meet with more ingratitude from men than we would from a [cat*]; but if our motive is love to God, no ingratitude can hinder us from serving our fellow men.

~ Oswald Chambers

* the author put "dog", but I took the liberty of substituting that for "cat". Need I explain?

This past weekend

I heart my youngest nephew. And missed my oldest nephew the whole time.

Happy birthday Caspian!

Four years ago today, Lil Fratz was born into the world. Our lives haven't been the same since and we all have a better appreciation for flying side kicks and crooked snips on noses.