This morning I woke up and just so happened to have an online devotional sent to me in my email. Thankfully, we had 1/2 G of data left so I could read and pass it along to the hubs. It was hard to read, yet comforting at the same time.
These words were loud and clear.
“As an offering of trust, we must give up that which could so easily bring us down.
Not give up as in discouraged surrender. But give up as in placing this desire in the hand of God and saying, “Either way, I will see Your answer as the good answer and walk in trust.”
As a wife, it’s hard to see your husband’s career take off then backfire due to injury. It’s hard to see him FULL OF CONFIDENCE then have to start all over, building it up again from scratch. And to be honest, it’s hard to see him sacrifice so much only to be feel disappointed in the end.
BUT….
It is not the end. We are staying positive, yet realistic.
IT. IS. WHAT. IT. IS
Realistic in the fact that there is a time to feel angry, disappointed, and frustrated. Those feelings need to be let out, am I right!?
And….
2012 still awaits for us. It’s our last year to really go for those dreams. We will focus on that. No looking back, no looking forward.
So…..
With that being said, New Zealand did bring us healing. In ourselves, our marriage, and so much more.
Tonight we board our plane for Austin. Our journey here may come to a halt, but it is not over. Just switching gears you might say.
Cheers to New Zealand.
LC
p.s.
I have race pictures and a recap coming up later. First we must get home and settled. 
p.p.s
Thanks for always supporting TEAM COTTER. Thanks for letting ME (the wife) share my life here. Thanks for following us on this crazy ride.
So happy that you guys had a good time there and got to discover and recover! Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
thank you for following penny! and good to hear from you.
i’ve been thinking of you guys lots. i was in taupo in 06 when they turned it into a half-iron distance duathlon–pretty much the worst-case scenario for a swimmer with no bike and run “speed.” as expected in that situation, my result was less than stellar. however, pretty much every (real) ironman after that that year–6 of them, actually– was good. half the world hasn’t even started its season yet–it is just march– so why not consider this one part of LAST season and start of 2012 on a good note with the next outing?! 🙂
oh Hill, i needed to hear this. In fact, I read it to the hubs. Thank for this encouragement.
p.s.
when do i get to meet you?!
That is a great sentiment and one I need to really take to heart as well. Thanks for passing it along : ) We all get to those places where surrendering things to God is our best chance to survive what we’re going through. It’s so hard to do too because we’re human and we like to think we have some sort of control over what happens in our lives. I am glad to know though that God is the one in control and giving him our lives wholly and completely is an awesome gift.
I hope you made it home safe and sound!
Nicole
you know its the hardest thing to surrender but also the most fufilling. i know u can relate.
wow
the quote speaks to me.
loudly.
me too friend, me too. <3
I’m watching this TV show that I think you might like…It’s called Friday Night Lights, and it’s about a football coach. the first season dwells on a star football quarterback who gets injured in a game and become paralyzed from the waist down. The struggles that he goes through is just so real and so tear-wrenching but the way the TV show deals with such an issue was really moving and incredible.
you know i love that show for that reason. ANd my sis in law actually worked on it back in the day. SHe used to be a casting director. How’s life by the way friend?
Such a good outlook, lady!
I know you can relate with that outlook, yes Rach?! xoxo
Thank you for sharing your life — the ups and downs and the in-betweens. I love that you continue to look forward… and UP!!
I think it is SO important to recognize as valid feelings of anger and frustration – I had to learn that lesson this year and not having an expectation that one needs to be positive all the time is so affirming! I know that 2012 will be great for you and kudos for having the strength to recognize that the greatness may or may not be what you planned for!
you are right Laura. And i guess we just have to go through the motions in order to get past it and move forward. Yes! Maybe we needed you there for good luck?
Next time!
I absolutely LOVE this post girl! I’ve been reading your blogs, just been really bad about commenting! Here is a quote I found today when I was searching for something to inspire me:
“Yesterday іѕ history. Tomorrow іѕ а mystery. Today? Today іѕ а gift. That’s whу wе call іt thе present.”
~ B. Olatunji
It’s awesome to hear you are staying positive! I’m sorry your journey in NZ is over, but we will be glad to have you back in the ATX!
Salah 🙂
Oh wow, i will be stealing that quote. Thanks Salah. Oh and I am SO SO SO HAPPY to hear from you~ NEED A MEET Up in ATX SOON!
Travel home safe my sweet friend. Please know that so many people love you and are supporting you and James along this journey. Things will get better you just have to have faith. Faith in all things, and faith that the path you are taking is the right path.
HUGS!!
you are the most optimistic, positive, happy lady i know. seriously.
ahh, nah. life’s a bugger at times but i have dwelt on that in the past and it’s gotten me nowhere. Ya know? hey, did you get Deb’s text yesterday? tee hee.
Sending you virtual hugs. These past months have certainly been amazing–you always see whats good and true in situations. Your marriage continues to grow stronger as well!
The last quote certainly made me stop and think. Please travel safe!
gosh, thanks jess. Virtual hugs are amazing from you!!
Gosh, you couldn’t be more right. It is what it is. A statement made of such simple words, but it has so much power. Wishing you safe travels. 🙂
powerful indeed! thanks for the support stef! We almost home. YEa!
You both have had an incredible past few months, and things will play out the way they are meant to – I can’t wait to see the recap!
thank you Danielle. I hope i can get everything together for the recap soon. xoxo
Glad you are able to see the positive in the situation. Sometimes you really just have to trust in God and know that there is a reason for everything, even if we can’t see it. Hope you guys have a safe flight back to Austin! Now you can drive on the right side of the road again, theres a positive!
yes yes. AND letting him be the guide of our path is probably the hardest yet most freeing, amen?!
You’re on your way home already – wow. Time flies doesn’t it? I’m so glad you shared the whole experience with us. I’m also really glad you’re sharing this devotional with us. I always try to remember that things happen for a reason!
lots of hugs to you and the hubs. safe travels back to houston my friends.
i need a real hug from you. so does Kiwi. or maybe a good beer. haha!
I love how you see the positive side of things. NZ has brought so many wonderful things for you, and that’s what counts. Yay for 2012 – many great things are waiting for the two of you, I’m sure! But now, have a safe trip back to Austin! 🙂
thank you Kath. I feel like it’s been a huge blessing for us as a couple as well. Growth and change can be good, hard but GOOD.
Awesome devotional. And I’m a team Cotter fan! lol
James crushed the swim today!!
wishing you safe travels back to Austin!! 🙂
2012 wasn’t off to the start you guys wanted…but having a cancelled IM is rare, 2012 is still going to be amazing- it’s only March!! 🙂 the season is long, and there are many more races and more adventures to be had! I can’t wait to cheer you both on, and cheer in person at Quassy.
Yes, it is what it is. And that can feel pretty bad sometimes…
In the end, the challenges we face often become our most meaningful and evolutionary moments in life— learn and grow, right?
I know for sure that the hubs is lucky to have you!
You two seem to have such a strong marriage. What a wonderfully positive outlook to have. Always look on and up! 🙂
Sending hugs your way! Hope your travels go well. Despite things not being what you and the hubs necessarily hoped for, I think you have a lot to look forward to in 2012 and I know he will do great!
safe travels!!! and yes 2012 is going to be the year!!! we can feel it! you both are so strong and inspirational 🙂
and wow love that quote, so powerful! really makes you think about things.
sending lots of hugs!!!
xoxo
L&M
Safe travels. And I love the outlook. Yes, the anger, tears, all of that has to be let out. Then you just move forward and take away any lessons that there may be. It is what it is. I do say that often. You can’t change it. It’s done. And he tried. And dammit, that takes more courage than anything.
beautiful post, Linds! so sorry for the disappointment, but very hopeful for the rest of 2012 for James’ racing. safest travels to y’all, and keep me posted once you’re settled back in Austin. <3
thank you friend. I know seeing you before you go will definitely help! Coming home. <3
Oh Lindsay- so sorry things didn’t work out as planned. Wouldn’t you know after all the time you spent there, God had some different plans for you. Thinking about you and praying for you. I’m Team Cotter’s BIGGEST fan!!!! Safe travels!
and i am your biggest fan! Love you.
I’m fairly new here. The devotional was just what I needed. Thank you for sharing.
so glad to hear that friend. We all need that reminder sometimes. Yes?
😉
Thinking of you guys!
thanks Jill. That means the world.
Praying for you guys. And welcoming you back to the good ol’ USA!
It is what it is.
You are so right…I kind of like that way of thinking actually.
Safe travels to you and James, i hope it went well for the race.
me too! thank you Caroline. Your support has been amazing!
You are so strong, together and individually and I know that 2012 will still bring you both such happiness. Safe travels back to Austin and a big hug being sent to both of you!
oh colleen, i know you can relate. So thank you for those words of encouragement, as always!
you have got me all crazy wondering what happened with the race! from you blog post it must not be good? not sure. but you know that life only hands us what we can handle……..you guys will get through it and hopefully you feel our support. hope you had a good flight and that you have been reunitied with Sadie. And thank you for sharing your wonderful New Zealand journey with us Lindsay! xoxoxox
well when you train for an ironman and they can postpone it for a half, it doesn’t go as planned. But we can’t change that. So….onward and upward, yes? xoxoxo
Linds, it has been such a blessing to watch you experience NZ and all that this chapter had to offer you two! The race may not have been all that was expected, but it’s just the beginning of a whole year to come. Take the strength you both gained mentally and physically, and get ready to rock the races, State-side 😉
xoxo. Safe travels!
heather, i love you. no really, i do! you are such a rock in our life! thank you for supporting us the WHOLE WAY!!!!
One of the first things I did when I woke up was check the race results. Sorry for the results. I know you were both wanting a better outcome. But thank you for the mini devotional. I am void of all things religious in my life (an adult life choice after having been very religious as a young-in) but your blog posts often bring me a sense of peace with lessons and motivations tucked within. Wishing you a safe trip home and a smooth transition.
Such a beautiful reminder of what a strong marriage is all about – undying love, committment, support and passion. You two are an amazing inspiration to me and anyone who reads your words. I am so looking forward to seeing what the rest of 2012 has in store for the both of you. xoxo safe travels!
thanks JESS. and now, its home sweet home. Hope your training is going well. I know it is!!! Love you!
bitter sweet – i had a dream about you last night, maybe b/c you were on your way home – safe travels and love you both!
you know i love you dearly. <3
I am so so sorry. You have such strong faith and wisdom despite your disappointment. It is so easy to say but life is is about letting go and allowing. As you say, not to be an inactive particape but trusting God and the path that He has for us. Everyone needs a break though. Even Jesus went to the dessert for 40 days of solitude. Very symbolic right now because we are in Lent. Safe travels home. Prayers
so so true lisa. I love that anology. 40 days was easy to jesus. And i know this type of perseverence will be worth it. AMEN!
Keep the Faith,When things go totally 180 from what i expect i have to cry, refocus and know God has something else down the road he is saving up for. Safe travels to you both.
Thank you. I do love reading your posts and “hearing” thoughtful and thankful tone in which you write them. I lose track of the warming sun when enduring long winters of difficulty. I truly appreciate the reminder that hope and joy remain ahead. I hope your journey back to Austin is a safe and happy one.
thank you mel. Thank means the WORLD TO US!! Hope to catch on life soon and continue this journey UPWARD!
wishing you guys safe travels and so happy to hear about all the healing that took place over there!
thank you linz. Looking forward to catching up on your ARNOLD experience soon too!
I
Adore
You.
Thank you for posting about the devotional you received. I loved that.
I also love this:
It. Is. What. It. Is.
Freaking love that.
Huge team cotter fans here.
You guys rock.
Safe travels.
EMZ will be on my who to meet list in 2012. LOVE> YOU!!!
Safe travels back to Austin and looking forward to seeing photos and recap when you have settled back into your home. 🙂 Sending you and the hubs a big HUG! xoxo
HUGSSSS!!! miss you and thank you!
Gosh Lindsay, you know I feel you right now. I am really sorry that you didn’t get the complete end results you were looking for in NZ, but I’m so happy that you two are taking the positive with you. You and I both know that living in the now is the only way to do things. Looking back only sets you up for disappointment and hurt. It’s good to have dreams for the future, but you are right, you have to live for now. Have a safe trip home and I hope you two get settled quickly and are on your road to further recovery. 2012 has only just begun! You two have so much to look forward to and you are both so fortunate to have each other! You both are incredible inspiration! xoxo
gosh darn it i want to fly to GA right now and hug you!! can i do that? thank you sarena. Your voice is well heard in the cotter house. <3
Oh girl, I wish I could hug you right now!! this is one of my most favorite posts from you. Incredibly real, but shedding some beautiful truths too. A stronger marriage, a stronger husband, a stronger you, as a result of this trip. If that’s *all* you come home with, that is utterly amazing. Yes, it downright SUCKS that the ironman went down the way it did, but you have so much to be grateful for and blessed to have, and you see every bit of that. You are incredibly resilient, strong, and full of faith. XOXO, safe flight my friend.
i don’t know what i do without your amazing support. SO THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!