A Battered Brown Box

As I was attempting to work through some saddness this morning while I was squeezing in my 3.5 miles this morning.  "Squeezing in" because of the major snow storm we will be getting by noon today.  "Saddness" because my Army son has yet to get ANY of the letters that I have mailed to him.  My runs are frequently a time when I try to quiet myself enough to listen for some kind of understanding when the stress in my life seems to be more than my shoulders can bare. 

As I was focusing on my foot strike (I am actually getting very good at being a fore-foot striker!) my thoughts shifted to how much Army son had supported and encouraged me over the years with my running.  I thought about all the days he would greet me while I was still getting out of the car from work.  He would help unload the car (kids, groceries, whatever) and then encourage me to hit the road.  My mind wandered down those happier memories and found it's way to the HBBC.  You all remember that, right?  Well I had all but forgotten.  Sorry Amanda.  That just shows you that I wasn't really in it to win it as much as I was in it to keep motivated over the holidays BUT I did win it and that meant I should have gotten a package from the lovely host Amanda!  She even emailed me that it was in the mail....long ago.  How could I have forgotten?

I finished my run (26:02) and was stretching on the porch I wondered if the carrier could have put the package in one of the two totes fill with Army gear that have been living on my porch since hubbs got back from AFG. 

Sure enough there it was!!

A slightly battered brown box of happiness.

I believe that God puts things on our path EXACTLLY when we need them.  He had allowed me to forget about the HBBC and the excitement of winning until the day I needed a little bit a happiness the most.  (okay maybe not the most but I needed happiness today)  Maybe I would rather that He simply allow Army son to get my letters but I know that there is a greater reason that they have not yet been recieved.  Perhaps that reason has more to do with Army son than me.  What I know for sure is at some point I will understand the why and it will be more amazing than anything I could ever have figured out!

Back to the battered brown box of brightness.

Do you see all these goodies!  Thanks so much Amanda!  I am so excited to try it all out.  Everything from a new book to an electronic jump rope!  Loads of yummy stuff, new socks, a visor, two bags and more.  I am sure I will be posting about all the great things as I get to enjoy each one.  My daughter (the middle one) already has her eye on the sweet PINK digital key chain (like she needs a place for her keys?!?).

If I ever get that trail 20 done these will both come in handy!

One during the run and one after. 

Thanks so much Amanda!

Remember to enter my Lift Your Sole Giveaway!

Thank Jill!