Cycling

Steve and I are training for the Tour de Cure in Napa on May 5th. It's a fundraiser for diabetes research. I am going for the 25 mile goal. To be honest, I didn't know if I could do it but I feel stronger and stronger and I am halfway there.

We are having a lot of fun working out our training regimen. The only thing I said to Steve at the outset was that I wanted to eat normal food and not the health food concoctions that he comes up with in the blender sometimes. The color alone is a real put off to my appetite. So he agrees that I can eat what I want to while in this training mode. Even with that, I have lost some weight and toned up noticeably. We usually make our biking runs on the Alameda Creek Trail not far from our home in the San Francisco East Bay.

I did 16 miles today and Steve did 22. (I waited for him at a park bench while he put in a few extra miles on a loop through the hills.) It was a nice day! Slightly overcast with sun breaks and about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. My legs are a little tired tonight but not too bad considering. I should be able to achieve my goal.

Creative Vases

I like to give flowers from my garden to friends. Some time ago I came up with the idea to use old jars or tins or drinking bottles so that my friends didn't have to worry about getting the flower vases back to me. Then it became sort of a creative, vintage style way of giving flower bouquets. Now, I try to think ahead and if I see a shapely bottle or pretty tin or glass jar going into the recycle bin, I save it up for my supply of creative or vintage vases by which to give flowers from my garden to a friend. I didn't realize it had become a signature trademark until mutual friends were gathered at another friends house and someone said, "you got some flowers from Donna's garden, I can tell from the vase." :)

Wedding Blessing

A dear friend of mine recently got married. I wrote this prayer of blessing for their wedding.  The words came to me and I wrote them down within ten minutes. That is how I know it was from The Lord. He wanted to bless my dear friend and shower her with His love and goodness! She has been through severe trials and grief over the last few years. First she lost her husband, then she lost her son. I sat many hours with her in her deep grief. It is beautiful to see her so happy and in love! Here is the prayer....

Dearest Heavenly Father,

We invoke your blessing upon the marriage of Rick and Robin. May you surround them with favor as a shield and encompass them with your grace. We ask that this union be anointed with the fragrance of Your tender love. May they be an aroma of your goodness and mercy to all who come in contact with them. We ask for your richest blessing upon their lives, no more but no less than what you have in your rich storehouse, ready to shower upon them. And may they give you the glory and honor as they acknowledge that you have blessed them beyond what they could ever imagine or think possible in this earthly life. I also ask for your protection, may no weapon formed against them prosper and may the fiery darts of the enemy be extinguished that they may be able to fully embrace Your will for their lives and commit themselves fully to your service. Give them just enough of trial to hone their close walk with you and to help each other to become all that you would have them to be in the likeness of your precious Son, Jesus Christ. At the same time, heal the wounds that they have endured in this life, yet throughout have remained faithful to You by the power of your Holy Spirit. And give them your abiding peace. You have ordained and brought together these two to become one in your sight today. All praise and honor and glory be to Your Name forever and ever! Amen