All's Fair in Love and Football

Mississippi….with its rolling hills, flat Delta farmland,  down home Blues, sun kissed coastal waters….and two nationally recognized football programs.  Say what???  Yep, it’s football season folks and Mississippi has caught the eye and captured the heart of people from all over the country.  Whether you bleed red and blue or maroon and white…All eyes have been on the Magnolia State and rightfully so.  We have had ESPN Gameday come to Mississippi twice this season.  I really thought it was a true sign of the apocalypse.  There have been more people in church since September than probably the past 50 years on record.

As a diehard Ole Miss fan, I am usually praying for a 6 win season at this point so we can go to our usual customary bowl game.  Mississippi State fans are generally doing the same.  But this year, we have two Top 10 teams….with Mississippi State being number one (right now).  You see, I have to say “right now” because any self-respecting Rebel can’t be too proud of the Dawgs.  It goes against everything football rivalries stand for.  I mean they wear maroon with camo??  For the love of all things good and fashionable, that does not work on any level.

Earlier this season, both of our programs were tops in the nation and everyone was lovey dovey and “we’re so proud of both teams”.  Me, I knew it wouldn’t last.  We each want OUR team to succeed and the other to fail miserably.  Hey, I’m just being honest.  So, Ole Miss had two heart breaking losses to LSU and Auburn and the fangs come out (I’m talking Cujo dawg fangs people).  There is no more “we love both teams”.  There is “This is OUR State” and “we’re all about that State, no Rebels” parodies……and cowbells.  Cowbells that wake the dead.  “Clanga Clanga…ugh……..”

But, whether either of us wins or loses, Mississippi is a winner.  We are seen as a state with friendly people, great food, awesome music, birth land of hundreds of musicians, actors, authors and elite athletes.  We aren’t number 50….We are number 1.  We are seen as a state with great leadership—with two football coaches and athletic directors that had a vision and an unrelenting faith in what those young boys could do, in what OUR state could do. 

So, this Saturday…I will cheer for the Dawgs against Alabama even though it goes against every fiber of my being.  In the words of Bear Bryant, “Winning isn’t everything, but it beats anything that comes in second.” 

And then I will go back to hating cow college in time for the Egg Bowl…...  The battle of Culture –vs- Agriculture.  And 2014 guarantees to be one for the ages. Because as we all know………all’s fair in love and football…………

Nica Women's Retreat 2014

Birthdays and Baseball

I love this time of year. ...Outside of the hideous pollen and allergies....The grass is green and the days get longer.  Also, both the kids celebrate their birthdays, baseball starts and school is almost out!  Avery had a great "Unicorn Party" at High Hopes Farm.  It was a beautiful day and everyone had fun.  John Parker started kid pitch baeball this year.  I thought it would be like watching paint dry, but I've been surprised by how good the kids are and how well they've adjusted.  He is sporting multiple brusies due to the fact that it's tough to pitch to a left-handed batter--but he's been a good sport. :)  This weekend we celebrate his 10th birthday with a Duck Dynasty theme (because I love a theme and I have to put up at least a few decorations!!)  I can't believe he will be 10...double digits.....Time passes too quickly, but I do enjoy seeing what each new phase brings.  I'll post pics of the "Quack Pack" party next week.  Enjoy your Spring/Summer (even though it stills feels like winter today!)

 

Easter and Renewal

I can't believe that Easter is here already!  Lent flew by this year.  I feel like I failed to reflect the way I should have.  Spending too much time worrying or doing some other unimportant task instead of studying the Word.  But at the same time I feel like this is the first Easter that Jesus' Passion really hit home for me and took priority over chocolate bunnies and Cadbury eggs.  I do think that the Bible mini-series on the History Channel helped with that.  I have read or heard so many of those stories my entire life--but seeing them come to life is WOW!  The scene where Abraham takes Isaac up to the mountain to sacrifice him had me in a pool of tears.  Think about it.  He literally took him up there knowing he was going to sacrifice him, and poor Isaac didn't have a clue.  When Abraham started tying his hands up and Isaac said, "Why are you doing this Father?"...I lost it.  And poor Sarah was helpless below.  And then everything started clicking.  This was a sign of what was to come with Jesus.  God sacrificed him for us.  But the kicker is unlike Isaac, Jesus knew what was going to happen and did it anyway.  "Even though we were sinners, Christ died for us."  That is the most awesome thing ever!!  And where and how he picks his disciples....amazing.  And Peter.....poor Peter.  I identify with him.  He wants to do the right thing by Christ and still screws up and doesn't even realize it until Jesus turns and looks at him.  The same problems that plagued the people back then, plague us now.....Jealousy and Greed.  So much is going on in our country and world right now--especially during this Holy Week (which I think was crafted by the media)....But, we should see the positive.....The Bible miniseries is being talked about everywhere, and the Catholic Church chose a Pope that encourages helping the poor and putting away materialistic pleasures.  There is something good in every bad situation!  It's a chance for renewal because He makes all things new.  "I have been crucified with Christ.  So that it is no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me.  And the life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me and gave Himself for me."  Galations 2:20 

26.2 (and the .2 counts!)

Well, I ran my first full marathon this past weekend at the Mississippi River Marathon.....Actually, I ran, walked and thought about crawling the last few miles.  It was TOUGH!  We met at 5:45 in the morning to board school buses in Greenville.  They then bused us over to Chicot County state park in Lake Village, AR.  It was about 34 degrees at that point.  Thankfully they had a few bonfires and plenty of port-a-potties.  The gun went off at 8:00 a.m. out in the middle of nowhere in Lake Village.  About 440 folks took off all around the oxbow lake.  It was a beautiful start.  The people of Lake Village were so nice and happy to co-host the event.  The highlight was the mayor and City Council dancing and cheering everyone on around mile 6.  The first 10 miles went quickly.  At the halfway mark we reached the new Highway 82 bridge.  I welcomed the incline after all of the flat running, but I did not welcome the concrete or the wind in my face.  That lasted until the end of the race!  I kept saying if I could make it 20 miles, then I knew I could make it to the finish.  There were times that I couldn't even feel my legs and I prayed......ALOT!  I met so many nice people along the way who encouraged me and made me laugh.  It was a perfect day and I was so happy to see John Bret, John Parker and Avery at the finish line.  I started my running journey during Lent 2 years ago.  I never thought I would EVER run a marathon--but I am really glad that I did.  One of my bosses said, "I guess you can do anything that you set your mind to."  I guess he's right.  That's why I like running.  It's time for me to be alone with my thoughts--to pray, think through things and plan for the future.  (5 hours and 40 minutes gave me alot of time!!) It also makes me feel confident and strong.  One of my friends sent me the picture above with Psalm 26:2 a few days before the race.  I love it.  As we prepare for the upcoming Lenten season, I am reminded that nothing we go through remotely compares to what Jesus went through.  I hope we all enjoy our Lenten journey and remember His ultimate sacrifice. 

~Marshmallow World~

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It's been gloomy the past week or so and it has affected my mood.  Isn't it funny how God knows just what you need?  Snow and beautiful sunshine all in the same day!!  I love to go outside right after the snow.  I think there is never a more quiet or peaceful time.........The kids were up and raring to go outside at 5:45 this morning.  Since school had a late start, they had plenty of time to enjoy the snow.  Avery built a snow owl and John Parker built a snowman (mixed with a little pinestraw).  They had a great time, but were ready to come in for hot chocolate.  I think Buddy and Baxter had the best time running around and eating the snow.  I hope everyone enjoyed their "snow day"!