The bounty of summer and approaching fall stirs up the taste buds for canning and my nephew in Atlanta, GA and his wife have inspired me get the jars, lids and spices out for dill pickles. Laura and I scrubbed, and sorted cucumbers, prepared jars, and mixed vinegar, garlic and dill into an aromatic brew. The memories of canning with my mother and with my kids come flooding back in fits of laughter spurts of reflection. The recipe for for these "Lilly's Dillys" has been passed down through the generations and still produces and variety of delighted expressions and requests for the secret ingredients.
The morning was not without some frustration as as half of the 14 plus jars did not seal, but in the end we had created a promise of good things ahead.

Children are a gift from the Lord and Otis Hamilton Laney is truly a beautiful illustration of that truth. After 30 hours of labor Otis was presented to the world and his adoring parents. John said, "Debbie was a champ." He weighed 7lbs 10 oz and was 18 inches long. Grandparents Ron and Carolyn and Aunt Anita agreed that he was the cutest and smartest baby born at the Naval Hospital that day. Otis home now bringing new sounds to the home on Wells Parkway and a delightful new playmate for Pabu. Well may not a playmate yet.

The sun was up on what promised to be a perfect fall day. I prayed this morning for our youngest son. David is a runner and has thrilled at the wind in his face and the burn in his lungs since elementary school. He loves the camaraderie of the team and the individual challenge of a personal best. My prayer this morning was not unlike many prayers I had prayed for him before on race day. I prayed for protection over the uneven terrain of a cross country course, for endurance to keep the pace and for wings on his feet at the finish. I prayed God would reward David's hard work and discipline, and his desire to honor God with his running. Now in college, David continues to be dedicated to God and his running. Hebrews 12:1 ". . .since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us and let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." has been his favorite verse since those early days.
On this day, the crowds are gathering at a beautiful park in Corvallis, Oregon. The runners are outfitted in their colorful team warm-ups and the fans are trying to keep warm and scouting the best places to view the race from. I continue to pray for David and his team as they line up at the start. I am bundled up in layers with a hat and mittens, the boys are stripping to shorts and singlet's. Every encumbrance must be laid aside, anything that entangles must be put off. "Lord, I pray, may David be sensitive to any sin in his life and confess it whenever and wherever it appears." The gun sounds and they are off. In the mass of runners it is hard to find David, but there he is in the lead pack. This is a new position for our son. We are used to cheering for him in the mid pack position, but today Lord you have enabled him to run stronger than before. You have honored his discipline. David not only holds on to that position, but consistently advances to second place over the grueling 8K course. Spectators are watching, cheering, aware of the pace of these front two athletes. I am praying for endurance, and screaming at the same time. The two are lost behind the trees for what seems like an eternity, then reappearing, we see only David, but the competition is not giving up yet. both boys pushing with every last ounce of strength.
Thank you Lord for this great day. Thank you for hearing and answering in this way today. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you that David has given you the honor and glory for this win.