Beyond Blessed

As I have written in the past, the day I heard James Embree preach on Easter, was the day of our first date. No, we didn't plan it that way. But, as the day enveloped, it was our first date.

On Sunday, I got to hear my favorite preacher.  You might like famous ones,  or dead ones like Luther, but I know this man.  He lives what he believes.  When he speaks, it is trustworthy.  I don't know if they will get the audio uploaded on the website.  But if you would like to read James' sermon on Ruth.  The Faith of a Foreign Woman.

Yes, he did tell a few jokes.  But that is acceptable.  In Africa, almost everyone of his jokes went flat.  I laughed, but no one else.  Yesterday, people got them.

However, the lessons of complete surrender to the Lord-forsaking everything like Ruth, standing with Integrity like Boaz, and renewed hope/life in Naomi makes this a hallmark channel redemption story.

Thankful for a godly husband that is what he preaches.

My man. I am so glad he did it!

I love hiking.  I have climbed countless mountains in the past three months.  However, I am not alone in this pursuit.  My hunny has been climbing right beside me.

We enjoy God's playground and have interesting conversations up those trails.

This year, James wanted to do the Mat-Peak Challenge.  It is an insane race up two mountains.  You race up Lazy Mountain then down the back of it, hike up Mat-Peak, then back down.  They you climb up the back side of Lazy Mountain to the top and back down to the trailhead.

It has been called the "Ultimate Mountain Run" with a 14 mile ascent and descent of two mountains including 9000 feet of elevation gain and loss.  Ugh.

My husband is not afraid of challenges and he did it.  My friend (Christy who won) says that this race even the other mountain runners steer clear from because it is so much harder.

I asked him at the end his thoughts, "It was a dream....a NIGHTMARE!"  He believe the pain was so much more than any marathon.  I just am thankful for no injuries.

James said that the coming down Lazy Mountain was slicker than snot.  He even was crouched on his feet and sliding down because he couldn't stand up.