A red satin pillow cradled her head
Frazzled hair, uncommonly framed her face
Hands caressed her
Lips kissed her

Memories whispered, and laughed aloud
Dr Pepper
Solitaire
Back scratches
Cigarettes and soap operas
The Eagles club
Missing the love of one gone before
Beauty salons and pedicures
Tidiness
Laundry
Love expressed in kisses and word games

Permission granted to rest
Petition lifted for peace
Her breath wained and the color drained from her lips
Tear stained cheeks rested on her chest until her heart was heard no more
And they said goodbye.

For all the stars in the sky, all the sand on the shore nothing was greater than with every breath I take.
And she loved them with every breath, until the last.
They love her still - with every breath they take.

750

GOAL - To run a total of 750 miles in 2012
Breakdown:
That's running my usual 6 mile route 125 times, or
250 days of 3 mile runs, or
10 mile runs x 75, or
Approximately 15 miles/week
Totally do-able...right?
My toe nails are just starting to grow back -from my half-marathon training and run in November '11
4 of 10 are still black and blue (beneath the dark purple painted pedicure)
I've resolved my toes maybe black and blue for the remainder of 2012
And I'm okay with that

For the love of physical fitness goal setting, dark hued toe nail polish to cover up the damage and 750 miles to go,
Me

Purpose and Priorities

It's a New Year.
The time for Resolution; to decide, settle, solve, determine

"Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least" 

- Goethe (German Philosopher)

We can only determine what path is best when we understand our purpose.

Seek guidance in the Word

Pray

Talk

Draft [Gunn Family] Purpose Statement 

And now align priorities to meet the purpose statement

Arrange accountability

2012 is going to be simply....well, who knows, but it's off to a great start!

For the love of growing as a family, Making goals and plans to reach them, Seeking God and being still enough to hear His answers.

Me

Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 

- Philippians 2:2

Five

Passionate, joyful, headstrong and kind

Five years 

And I'm thankful for every second and each second more to come

I'll try to hold your life with an open hand, knowing God is the only one who can truly hold you

God, please empower her, protect her, direct and comfort her

Give me wisdom, patience, and grace 

I want her to know you - help me teach her

I want her to serve you - help me show her how

I want her to love you - help me explain how you first loved us

                               You've made her passionate, help me to direct the passion within her to things that matter in eternity.

Already her heart rejoices when others rejoice and she shows compassion for the hurting, help me to encourage and cultivate these characteristics that reflect you.

There is a joy that shines from within her, she shares it in her smile and in her hugs, may she always have the joy of being yours in her life no matter her life circumstances.

May her life be defined by self-control through the power of Your Spirit living inside of her.

Thank you for our Charlie girl.  Help me to be what she needs.

2011 Blog-Year In Review

There were a mere 35 blog entries made in all of 2011.
That's less than 3 per month.
Resolve to document more in 2012.
And since you have nothing better to to than to re-read my 2011 blog entries I've hyper linked the months for easy access.

January - 50 Words for a great man's 50th birthday and Stepping-Up to a calling.
February - A blogging drought resolved, NOT 30 yet and loving my Valentine no Valentine's day needed.
March - Jamie Rocket
April - The beginning of Spring, loving life-group and Put-put with the newlyweds
May - The UN-end of the world
June - Running, The blahs in poem, and The start of summer
July - Spiritual Growth
August - A brush with death, So it says, E&C Updates, a 2011 record setting 7 blog entry month
September - BONUS
October - Judging Judges, Sioux Falls Marathon
November - 13.1 and Cousins
December - Merry Christmas from our family to yours