Day 10

We are 10 days into our 40 days of water. So far I have come through some pretty obnoxious caffeine withdrawals....but it is worth it. I have approximated our beverage spending and we saved about $35.00 last week. No coffee, no fast food sodas, no sweet tea while running errands. And yes, not even a glass of wine on our night out.

Many people have asked us why we are doing this. Part of me wants to know that I can give up anything I set my mind to giving up....I don't know why I need to know that, I just do. Maybe it has to do with quiting smoking and starting running. Maybe it is the challenge in my life lately to live a life above and beyond and truly represent the God I say I serve. Really, it is us doing our little part to make someone elses life a little better. Isn't that what we are all called to do?

Swinging in Freedom

I love playing on swings (well, I use to). I love the feeling of being free. Having it in my own power to fly as high as I wanted to go. Sometimes, high enough to make the perfect leap with the perfect stuck landing. Sometimes, just high enough to lean back and stare at the sky, feeling the air flow past with all of the freedom rushing through me. And, slow enough that with very little movement, a few twists and a quick lurch, a controlled spin ensues with all of its anticipated excitement.

Playing on a swing does not hold the same experiences for me as it use to. Now I am thrilled with the joyful laughter it brings to my children. The constant call of "do-it-again". With a 1-2-3, anticipation builds as I finally run underneath them with one huge push. Away they go. One; with all of the strength and determination to go as high as her swing will take her. The other; in perfect trust that I will guide each swing just high enough to keep her safe and thrilled by the ride.

My children; their laughter is a constant reflection of my faith. Watching them swing reminds me of the Freedom I have been given through grace. I have such an amazing gift, one that allows me to live in flight. I am given the opportunity to fly higher and higher, make perfect landings or even take that freedom and bind it up so that I am spinning in circles. Regardless of what I choose to do with it, I am Free. His gift of life and freedom is waiting for a response from me.

Today, I am in a place of flight. I know I have more than I deserve. I will lay back in the height of my swing and breathe in His life as it flows past me. It is in the place of surrender that I know my God is amazing, His creation beautiful, and my Freedom is in Him alone.

I hope the next time that I am spinning in my own circles I will be reminded; God's freedom doesn't change. It is usually my need to take control that makes the movements in my faith small, causing me to get sick to my stomach.

Jason Upton: Freedom

Weekend Update

We hope everyone had a great weekend. Ours was good as usual. Busy and worth every minute.

Friday we enjoyed burgers at the best place it town. Yes, we splurged and it was worth every scrumptious bite of the bacon cheeseburger. Then we headed home for a little family fun on the Wii and played our new game, Active Life Outdoor Challenge. Good times.

Saturday morning we had basketball sign ups then headed to the pumpkin patch/corn maze with Madi's Girl Scout troop. It was a beautiful day. I don't know that I have ever been pumpkin picking when it was 80 degrees before.....


We buried their heads in the corn. It was a good time for about two seconds.

I don't know who's idea it was but the corn maze was shaped like Pat Summits head. Go Lady Vols!! This too was fun for the first few minutes then we broke the rules, went off the path and snuck out the entrance.....

We hit the farmers market on the way home and picked up some beautiful mums and of coarse a few good veggies to add to dinners this week. A few gourds of varying shapes and sizes that at some point will make a nice fall decor for the front walk, hopefully before the week is over. Bill and Jill invited us over so we grilled out and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Ladder ball tournament in full swing. We played a few rounds and enjoyed the great company. It was beautiful to watch the moon rise up over the neighborhood. Too bad the mosquitoes are still buzzin' around.

Sunday after church we headed out to the Foothills Parkway. Another beautiful day. The view was amazing. Every time our feet hit a new trail I am in awe of God's amazing creativity. The colors of life and fall changing right before our eyes. Mountains on the left, valleys on our right. I wonder if it is all just a glimpse of His true majesty.