Walk With Me in the Footsteps of an Olympic Athlete

Posted on 09/02/201801/05/2019 by Kim @ CoziNest

They used to call me Flash Nash. Yep, in 4th grade I participated in Field Day. By the end of all the events that day in May of 1971, I had a new nickname. I was a premature baby and was always a little on the tiny side. (Until I grew up!) Athleticism was never one of my strengths. I came in dead last on a relay where my dad and a few of his police officers were watching. Exhausted and embarrassed I ran to my daddy after the event, to find I had a new name. I laughed with them at the time, but couldn’t help but wish I could’ve placed somewhere, anywhere but last in that race. So, lovelies, when I invite you to walk with me in the footsteps of an Olympic athlete, I mean walk!

Walk with Me

On our recent Mediterranean cruise, 007 and I enjoyed visiting Olympia, Greece where the race started for all of time.

The park is filled with ruins from the early days of olympic competition. Archeological finds open the pages of history to an area originally dedicated to Zeus. However, Paul the apostle, talked about the race as an example of how we should run the race of life, as Christians.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ²fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~ Hebrews 12:1-2

An Olympic Athlete

A stadium filled with witnesses for a race dedicated to a mythological god doesn’t compare to the true race of life. Our cloud of witnesses have won the race and received their prize. Not a wreath made of olive leaves, but the very presence of the ONE who ran in our place!

Life Tour Guides

Our tour guide, Julia, did an excellent job explaining the area around the Olympic Stadium. It occurred to me that Paul is one of our tour guides for running an excellent race.

We kept our eyes on Julia as we walked through the ruins. If she was lost in a crowd, we searched for the Brown #1 flag and there she was, steady and sure. Just like Paul instructed us to keep our eyes on the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, Julia helped us navigate through the ruins.

We marveled at how stones, columns and buildings were built by manpower only. No cranes, no machinery.

As we walked through the ruins, I compared them to my past. I imagined that this is what my life before Christ looked like. I’m so thankful that there are no archaeologists at work digging up my past. Christ buried it all.

Lighting the Torch

It doesn’t look like much in this picture, but this is where the olympic torch was lit.

Julia, was emphatic that this is NOT the place where the torch was lit. Many tourists take lots of photos of this spot and claim it is the “firepit”. She told us not to do that. So, I’m purposefully sharing with you that this is NOT where the torch started. This is a false light. Do not follow it.

I decided as I read over this history marker, that this is what I would have been a part of during the Olympic Games. I could have danced, held a match or a torch. (See *picture* below!) I would have loved the matching dresses and ceremonial routines.

Entering the Olympic Stadium

This is the entrance where both spectators and participants entered the stadium. The arch remains in tact.

This is where it all started and where it finished.

Proof we’ve started and finished an olympic “walk.”

Stadium rendering.

The archway view as you exit the stadium. In that day, you either exited as a winner or a loser. No medals.

Carrying the Torch

And here is the *picture* I referenced above. I held a replica of the last olympic torch. As I looked up at where the fire would have blazed, once again I thought of Paul and his guidance for running a good race. I pray that we all let our light shine like the light of an olympic torch. Let’s pass it on from country to country, from runner to runner, from generation to generation.

And to all those participants who come in last… Those who get “loser” nicknames, be comforted!

“And indeed, some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.” ~ Luke 13:30

God bless,

Flash Nash

Sharing with these lovelies:

Life of Faith

CoziNest Weekly Special – Greek Table Runner

Posted on 07/29/201801/05/2019 by Kim @ CoziNest

When in Rome, do as the Romans do……but, what about when in Greece? I’m not exactly an olive lover, but I think the trees are so pretty. So while I was in Greece, I had you on my mind. I chose one Greek Table Runner to offer my readers/customers at a great price.

Runners of The Olympic race trained for weeks in advance. They had only one chance to win. Paul talked about this race in Hebrews.

Hebrews 12:1-3 The Race Before Us

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ²fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

The winner of the race in those days won a wreath made of olive branches.

Greek Table Runner

Just like in the original Olympic race, there will be only one winner of this beautiful, Greek table runner with embroidered olives. The person who gets to Daphne Antique Galleria first!

It’s very pretty, displayed on my dining room table. So what would you display with this runner? I have fallen in love with Sur la table’s Fortessa Cloud Terre Collection. The primitive, classic pottery, handmade by artisans in Virginia is the perfect fit to this timeless table runner.

Add your favorite accessories to design a beautiful tablescape. Drape candlesticks with rings of flowers and light the candles in honor of the torch. Celebrate birthdays, trophy days, game night, the Super Bowl and of course, the Olympics.

Whether you pick up this table runner or not, run right to your local Sur la table and begin your collection of this unique dinnerware. Each piece is a work of art.

The table runner is available for local delivery or pickup. The dinnerware can be found in stores or online at Sur la table.

Booth located at Daphne Antique Galleria

1699 US Highway 98

Daphne, AL 36526

Check out this special at Heart for Dixie!

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click through them to make a purchase, CoziNest will earn a commission. Keep in mind that these companies and their products are chosen because of their quality or my personal experience and not because of the commission received from purchases. Thank you so much for reading. My goal is to provide you with the best recommendations possible.

CoziNest Photo Caption Contest and Giveaway

Posted on 06/25/201806/25/2018 by Kim @ CoziNest

Contest to Win….

I bought you something in Greece! As I walked among the ruins of Olympia, I kept thinking about contests. Races. Wreaths. Olive leaves and togas. I imagined the bath houses of the day, filled with contestants after the event, either exhausted and jubilant, or exhausted and downtrodden. I was surprised when I learned that there was originally only one race. One event that included one race! And that means, one winner. When you think of the games today, that’s a little hard to imagine.

Photo #1 Ruins of Olympia

Photo #2 Life blooms among ruins.

Photo #3 Training Area

Photo #4 Artist rendering of what it would have looked like in the period.

Photo #5 Ionic Columns

Photo #6 007 in Olympia

Photo #7 Two “trainers” peak around a column.

Photo #8 Olympic Fire Pit

Photo #9 Entrance to Arena

Photo # 10 Starting Line

Photo #11 Archway as You Exit Arena

Photo #12 Crown Princess Awaits

CoziNest Contest and Giveaway

This is where the fun begins…

Here’s a peek at my dining room table set in a Greek theme. This is a table… runner. Get it? It’s a runner like in a race.

Leaf Placemats are added to the table to remind us of the prize during those races. The prize was a wreath made of olive tree leaves. No medals. No contracts with sporting good companies.

Olives were and are a major export of the Greek Islands. Cats are too!

So, here is the prize. Valued at $32 USD, a Greek Table-Runner in honor of all those who’ve run the race. Whatever race…

Here are the Rules for the Contest:

All Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.
Enter contest by entering all the information requested in the form provided on this website.
Write a caption for any of the photos above #1-12. No profanity.
Entry period is June 26 through July 7, 2018, ending at 12:00 midnight Central Daylight Time.
Give credit where it is due. If your caption is a quote, add the name or source where it originated.
Entries may be submitted for multiple photos.
Upload your photo(s) of choice with caption to Facebook with link to this post. For Instagram, include Hashtag: #CoziRunner.
The entry with the highest number of likes and comments on their caption will win the runner.
Winner will be announced on July 9, 2018

Have fun! I can’t wait to see your creative captions!

Sharing with Over the Moon!