Back to Captivating!!
-A Special Hatred-
We hear almost daily of a gruesome assault on women around the world. Every woman's story has a theme, which is the assault on her heart. And most women believe to their cores that somehow they deserve the assault. Our thoughts take us to the place that "Something is wrong with me. I deserve this."
But we cannot fully understand our story or any other woman's story until we can fully see the forces working against women.
"Satan fell because of his beauty. Now his heart for revenge is to assault beauty."
Many people think Satan went after Eve, in the garden, because she was the weaker of the two. Eve is the incarnation of the Beauty of God, she is captivating, she allures the world to God, she gives life, nourishes life and brings life. All of these things Satan is no longer capable of. Though he hates Adam as well, his jealousy of Eve drives his motive to assault her heart!
I believe this point in the book is so important. Most of the things that happen to us, as women we believe are our fault or that we deserve it. I can even recall a specific time when Coleman and I were traveling and we both forget to grab my overnight bag. I was left without everything; contact solution, contact cast, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, make up, brush, etc. When we got to Snowmass, Co. and I realized we left the bag at home, I was so frustrated. The events leading up to this moment had left me in a very wounded and weary state. The overnight bag was the straw that broke the camel's back. Coleman tried to reassure me we could just run to the store and grab whatever we needed so it wasn't a big deal. But something inside of me continued to tell me that I was foolish for forgetting the bag. I deserved dry eyes and greasy hair all weekend for being so foolish. It took Coleman more than a day to get me to the place where I would actually go to the store and get a contact set.
As I recall this story my heart is broken. I can see how wounded and broken I am. Yet, I am so grateful for the work he is doing now. My heart is humbly grateful.
Can you see it?? Can you see that you are hated because of your beauty and power?? Can you see that it is not your fault or that you DON'T deserve it?
I pray these words hit you as hard as they did me!!
Much love!
-his,
Abby
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
William's Canyon
Have you ever had one of those days when your own selfishness slaps you in the face??
Yep, today was one of those days.
Since about Wednesday afternoon I have not been feeling well, but it seemed to really hit me Thursday night. I spent most of the night nauseous, with body aches and a headache. When we woke up Friday, Coleman thought I had a fever and I was extremely fatigue. I spent most of Friday on my back or stomach. I couldn't help myself, if I was going to lay down it was going to be in the sun by the pool. Did it really help me rest and get better? Probably not. But at least I enjoyed it. I did have a couple pleasant conversations with my mother-in-law and my best friend. Oh, how lovely it was to catch up. And how I miss them so! Anyway, back to the story. Coleman got off of work Friday at 3, and was by my side taking care of me, in every way possible, until I felt better last night. He was so precious. I could not be more thankful for a husband who has such a caring heart.
I woke up this morning about 8:30 feeling great and almost 100%. Because I really had not done anything the past couple of days I was pretty stir crazy. So I got up, had some tea and read my Bible while I waited for Coleman to awake to the beautiful day. He came to about 10:40. By this point I was ready to conquer the world and back! *if you can't tell I love to get out and be active, maybe too much sometimes* While I was waiting for Coleman, I figured we would have breakfast together then find a hiking trail. I was so excited about the day and excited to be feeling well.
When Coleman woke up he found a text on his phone from a great gentlemen Coleman is trying to develop a relationship with. The man was inviting him to go fly fishing and he was headed out at 12. I knew he needed to and desperately wanted to go. And to my core I really wanted him to go as well so I was quick to encourage him. As he was rounding up his stuff and I was making breakfast the selfish thoughts crept in: "there he goes again, leaving you by yourself all day" "look who gets to clean" "alone. again."... by the time Coleman walked out the door I was pretty irritated, mostly at myself. Why? Even when I am in support of what he is doing, do I allow the enemy to take hold of my thoughts. Poor Coleman spent all of his Saturday inside to take care of me and here I am being completely selfish.
I took a moment, asked the father to forgive me, and asked him what he wanted me to do with my afternoon.
He took me for a hike in William's Canyon. I had never done this hike before so I was in for a complete surprise.
The entire afternoon was filled with gifts from the Father.
He was romancing my heart with each step of the way.
It was a fairly easy hike which was very good for my recovering body. The hike was breathtaking. The walls of the canyon were beautiful, the trees were green and lush. There was a small waterfall, and just past that the beauty of Pikes Peak stood high above the valley. The trail runs along a creek most of the time, and to top it off a short rain storm on the way home. It was a warm summer rain. The smell was invigorating.
As I walked back to my car 3.5 hours later, my heart was refreshed by his gift to me, a selfish sinner.
Oh how he loves us just as we are.
Know that you have never stepped out of his ability to restore you and that all he wants to do is romance your heart.
Yep, today was one of those days.
Since about Wednesday afternoon I have not been feeling well, but it seemed to really hit me Thursday night. I spent most of the night nauseous, with body aches and a headache. When we woke up Friday, Coleman thought I had a fever and I was extremely fatigue. I spent most of Friday on my back or stomach. I couldn't help myself, if I was going to lay down it was going to be in the sun by the pool. Did it really help me rest and get better? Probably not. But at least I enjoyed it. I did have a couple pleasant conversations with my mother-in-law and my best friend. Oh, how lovely it was to catch up. And how I miss them so! Anyway, back to the story. Coleman got off of work Friday at 3, and was by my side taking care of me, in every way possible, until I felt better last night. He was so precious. I could not be more thankful for a husband who has such a caring heart.
I woke up this morning about 8:30 feeling great and almost 100%. Because I really had not done anything the past couple of days I was pretty stir crazy. So I got up, had some tea and read my Bible while I waited for Coleman to awake to the beautiful day. He came to about 10:40. By this point I was ready to conquer the world and back! *if you can't tell I love to get out and be active, maybe too much sometimes* While I was waiting for Coleman, I figured we would have breakfast together then find a hiking trail. I was so excited about the day and excited to be feeling well.
When Coleman woke up he found a text on his phone from a great gentlemen Coleman is trying to develop a relationship with. The man was inviting him to go fly fishing and he was headed out at 12. I knew he needed to and desperately wanted to go. And to my core I really wanted him to go as well so I was quick to encourage him. As he was rounding up his stuff and I was making breakfast the selfish thoughts crept in: "there he goes again, leaving you by yourself all day" "look who gets to clean" "alone. again."... by the time Coleman walked out the door I was pretty irritated, mostly at myself. Why? Even when I am in support of what he is doing, do I allow the enemy to take hold of my thoughts. Poor Coleman spent all of his Saturday inside to take care of me and here I am being completely selfish.
I took a moment, asked the father to forgive me, and asked him what he wanted me to do with my afternoon.
He took me for a hike in William's Canyon. I had never done this hike before so I was in for a complete surprise.
The entire afternoon was filled with gifts from the Father.
He was romancing my heart with each step of the way.
It was a fairly easy hike which was very good for my recovering body. The hike was breathtaking. The walls of the canyon were beautiful, the trees were green and lush. There was a small waterfall, and just past that the beauty of Pikes Peak stood high above the valley. The trail runs along a creek most of the time, and to top it off a short rain storm on the way home. It was a warm summer rain. The smell was invigorating.
As I walked back to my car 3.5 hours later, my heart was refreshed by his gift to me, a selfish sinner.
Oh how he loves us just as we are.
Know that you have never stepped out of his ability to restore you and that all he wants to do is romance your heart.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
One Year Anniversary!!
Happy anniversary to US! Coleman and I celebrated our one year anniversary this past weekend (May 31)! It is hard to believe it has already been a year! Yet at the same time, it almost feels like we have always been married and done life together!
We had a lovely weekend together. We stayed in Dillon, Colorado, in a nice little condo. We have really found that we prefer condos or cabins because they usually have a small kitchen; which allows us to at least have breakfast at the place. Friday night before we headed to Dillon, we bought Coleman a canoe, off Craig's List, for his birthday. (If you are married, don't you just love how it seems like you get two birthday's a year? Usually, at least part of the gifts are for both of you?) The man Coleman purchased the canoe from lived across town from us. So, after a little jimmy rigging of some old rope Coleman headed home so we could take off. Needless to say, what usually is a simple drive across town, became quite the adventure for my husband. 5 stops, 40mph on I-25 and nearly taking out the car windshield next to him a couple of times, Coleman and the canoe made it home safely!
We threw our stuff in the jeep, re-strapped the canoe safely, and hit the road. The drive was beautiful. Highway 24 to 9, back through Woodland park, Fair Play, and those small mountain towns is always stunning. By the time we got on the road it was nearly sunset so it was even more beautiful!! 
Saturday morning we got up excited to try our new toy! We drove around Dillon Reservoir for a while looking for a good spot to drop in. Finally, we found exactly what we needed. We jumped out and unloaded the Canoe, NOT the easiest thing I have ever done. Between the breeze and the weight of the 70 or 80 lbs canoe above my head I really struggle to get that thing of the Jeep without throwing my shoulders out. But, I did it! And off the the water we headed. As soon as we put the first end in the water I notice water in the bottom of the canoe. OH BOY. The guy said their were no leaks and we trusted him. It is so hard to continue believing the good in people when things like this happen, yet we are reminded that our Father finds the good in our hearts every day no matter what we do! We decided that the leak was slow and we could at least take it out for an hour or two. So that is what we did! It was a ball, but by the time we came back to shore 3 or more hours later poor Coleman had water up to his ankles! Mind you, we are in Colorado so that water is snow melt. We later found out it was a pipping 38 degrees! Yikes, that explains why Coleman couldn't feel his feet!!
Saturday night we enjoyed dinner, a glass of Relax and watched It's Complicated. Which we both enjoyed and laughed quite a bit! Sunday morning we were up again excited to hit the water. To solve our leaking problem, Coleman filled the hole with Gorilla Glue! And it worked! Sunday and Monday we were pretty much water free!! We ended exploring all but one finger of Dillon Reservoir, because it was too windy.
When we went out Monday we were both feeling pretty good and confident. So we decided to take our book with us. The leak was fix so we should have no problem at all! Confidence can be a good thing and it can be a bad thing! We stopped at a little island in the middle because I was feeling nature calling. And when I came to hop back in the canoe I committed, just like Coleman told me to, but the canoe rocked so I tried to adjust. The problem was Coleman did to! AND over the canoe went, with Coleman, his cell, his keys, and our book. I was still standing so I was dry. Talk about COLD water!!
We were able to salvage everything and get Coleman dry and warm, but it was quite the adventure and memory!!
We are going on a Balloon Ride Next Sunday!
This was a tea we enjoyed!
Coleman got a little sun on his newly saved head!!I must run, I am playing Ultimate Frisbee today with Coleman's office crew! But I hope you enjoy our story and adventure!!
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