Spring Break

We are on Spring Break this week. We traveled to Georgia to visit John's family and while John is in Atlanta with the youth group, we are staying in Shiloh. We love to visit here. The boys usually ride tractors, four wheelers, play outside all day with their cousins, and just about run themselves ragged. Unfortunately, it has been raining pretty much since we got here last week. The boys did get to go ride the tractor and four wheeler with Uncle Bill yesterday during the small break in rain. He also took them down to the creek and let them "play in the creek with our clothes on."
And they are still having a ball getting to play with all of their family here. Levi asked me last night if we lived with Nana and Papa now. So I think it's time to head home.

Marathon Madness

Most of you know that in January of this year, John did the Disney marathon. Amidst all of his health struggles of 2008, he thought a good way to celebrate his health would be to sign up a for marathon. Not a half, not a 5K, not a little bike ride, but instead a marathon. So last fall he started training and went from not running at all to running 26.2 miles. I was a little skeptical at first and really did try and convince him to just do the half. I'm so glad that, for this particular occasion, he didn't listen to me.

He listened to himself. To what he thought God wanted him to do and what he knew God wanted to teach him throughout this long and painful process. Through the months of training, of trying to stop losing weight, knee problems, stomach woes, and many other setbacks, he pressed on. And what a finish he had! He ran the whole marathon, stopping only for water, and finished 10 minutes under his goal time of 5 hours.

And although this blog is 3 months late, it doesn't make me any less proud of him. Now he's training for a triathalon!

Christmas Day

Here are a few more pictures from Christmas. I'll try to keep our blog a little more updated so our family can keep up with the boys. I know that's who everyone really cares about anyway. :-)

Christmas at the Heltons

We had a great Christmas this year. We stayed at our house so Santa would be able to find the boys. They got bikes, boots and sleeping bags from Santa this year. Lots of great toys and games that they enjoy from family. And Teague even wrapped up some of his toys to give away to other children.

One of our highlights of Christmas this year was waking up on Christmas morning and going down to the Coalition for the homeless. The hygiene kits that so many of you helped us make, were put into backpacks, and given out that morning to the men at the coalition. Several of our friends came with us to help that morning give out the backpacks along with coffee and donuts. What a great way to start Christmas day! Hopefully our boys will grow understanding the importance of giving to others and putting others needs before our own.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN!

Today is John's birthday and I thought I'd take a minute to brag on him. (You don't have to read it if you don't want.) We don't usually buy each other mushy cards and we don't have cute pet names for each other. We are not that sentimental and John often says that our relationship roles are completely reversed. John likes to sit and talk and I usually have the remote control. He says my spiritual gift is sarcasm. You see where I'm going here.

But on this special birthday, 35, I wanted to tell John just how awesome and special he is to me. And to so many others for that matter. Here are just a few of the characteristics that I love about my husband.

Kind - If you don't like what you ordered for lunch, he will trade plates with you and eat your food whether he likes it or not.

Passionate - His deep rooted compassion for the lost has changed his life so drastically that people from his past may not even recognize him.
Loving - He truly cares about people. Not the typical, "aw, that's too bad. I'll be sure and pray for you" but "what can I do to help you and let's pray right now that God will work in your life." Not, "I'm sorry your shoes have holes", but "wait here, I'll be right back" as he drives all the way home to get a pair of shoes out of his closet and drives all the way back downtown to give them to someone in need.
Fun - He is the life of the party, but not just at your party. He's the life of our home! Although Teague and Levi are following fast in their father's footsteps and can provide just as many hours of laughs.
Honest - You will not find a more honest and open person. Confrontation is nothing more than telling someone the absolute truth in a loving way. (wish I could be like that)
Awesome - He just plain rocks! I have no adequate words to describe this one. But if you know him, you'll agree.

Happy Birthday John! I LOVE YOU!

This is the pavilion at the Coalition for the Homeless where the men can sleep for $1 per night.

This is outside the pavilion where the men sleep if they don't have $1.

When you give to the least of these...

This year, I have personally committed to the Coalition for the Homeless to provide 350 hygiene kits. This is a special group that has become very dear to me and to our entire family. Many of them sleep here at the coalition which is a screened in pavilion where they sleep on a small mat on a concrete floor. They have no family, no gifts, and no hope.

If you and your family can commit to make up a few (or a lot) and will, please let me know. You can also put an encouraging letter in them if you want. You can be assured that I will personally make sure the pack finds a needy man this Christmas. You want to help me give some hope? And spread the word! If nobody else does it, I’ll have to get 350 on my own! But, I’d feel almost guilty to keep all those blessings to myself. :-)

Thanks, John

**Hygiene Kits**

Fill a gallon size Zip lock bag with...

toothbrush in a toothbrush holder

toothpaste

pair of socks
pair of men's underwear (M or L)

washcloth
deodorant

small bottle of shampoo

bar of soap

razor
comb

shave gel
small tube of hand lotion