St. Mary's University Rattler 5K Run

Race: St. Mary's University Rattler 5K Run

Distance: 5K (3.1069 mi)
Goal Time: 30 minutes (10:00 min/mi approx)
Actual Time: 00:28:32 (09:11 min/mi)
55/148 racers total
20/76 women
4th finisher in my bracket

I chose this race, so that I could have a 5K race for training purposes. I have not run a 5K in a couple of years. I am pleased with my time, although frustrated, because I slowed down on the last mile. This race was fairly boring, and not very well organized. Hopefully next year they will do a better job!

My first thoughts were, "is this race ever going to start!?" Five or ten minutes after 8am, the organizer started the race. The race itself was short and sweet. I did not take the one water break offered. Upon completing the race, I took off my chip, and drove home--I was meeting some friends to drive up to Austin, TX, for the day. :)

Myself in ATX, on the UT Campus

State Capitol, Austin, Texas

The girls! We went to Juan in a Million...I had heard about it on NPR and was oober excited to go! The food was pretty good, huge servings, and cheap!

All four of us

Myself with my good friend, Kate. We were able to meet up with her for a little while!

Rise up, O men of God!

Yesterday, on the way home from jump roping with the kids, I tuned into the BBN and heard the hymn, Rise up, O men of God! I find that I am still pondering these words, and I want to share two of the verses with you, as well as give you a little history on the hymn.

Rise up, O men of God was written in 1911, by William P. Merrill. It was first published in the Presbyterian newspaper, The Continent. Merrill had been told by a collegue that there was an urgent need of a brotherhood hymn. Today we have an urgent need of men of God!

Rise up, O men of God!
The church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up and make her great!

Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!

I love the words: Rise up and make her great, Lift high the cross of Christ, Tread where His feet have trod. In Sunday school this past week we were talking about being humble and being another persons wing-man. People kept talking about different things you had to do to be a good wing-man, and I finally spoke up and said, to be a good wing-man, you have to know the person...not just know about them. You have to invest in them.

In the same way, we as disciples of Christ, are called to invest in our relationship with Him. We are to Rise up and make Jesus great! We are to lift high the cross of Christ and tread where His feet have trod. This is not always easy, as we learn from the Easter story, but Christ is victorious, and the battle is already won!

As a single woman, I am looking for a man that understands how to Lift high the cross of Christ. These are the men that I find most attractive, those that Rise up and make her great. Sadly, I know very few. Men--you are brothers of the Son of Man, you are brothers of Jesus Christ!

Thoughts and prayer requests

The thoughts and prayer requests going through my head are the following, please note, these are in no particular order:

• I wish I could afford a new car. I love the car I drive, a 1998 Subaru Forester with just under 230,000 miles, but it's not in the best of health. Subby and I talk frequently about survival skills. We cheer each other on. Yes, the car and I converse. :)
  

• I would really like a job teaching secondary mathematics, ASAP. And not just any job. A fabulous job with wonderful co-workers and a great administration, like I had at Mac Arthur HS, in NEISD. I know I am an excellent teacher!
  

• I would love to be given someones gently used clothes they don't want/wear anymore. Awesome finds--2 Lilly Pulitzer skirts, NWT, for $2/each, at a used clothing store. You know you need to invest in some new clothing when you put your shorts on and they don't even sort of fit. It's a good thing, I'm to a healthy weight now.
  

• Going back to the post, "I'm wet, too!" ...I was sticking pins in the water balloon of sin, rather than a knife, maybe. But I was still getting wet. My friend Steven made a good comment, "a little water overtime can turn into a flood." I also know, I'm not the only one getting wet from my sin; sadly, those around me do too. My sin does not just make me wet.

• My dreams the past few nights have been long, drawn out and very vivid. They are not bad dreams, but they are repeating, throughout the night. A couple nights ago, I dreamed that person after person was beating me down, discouraging me, except for one person, who had overheard a friend of mine saying lies about me. In response she stood up, in a very loud, deep, and clear voice, saying, "I know she would not do that. That is not Faith's character." The dream went on and on, but that was the most interesting part to me. And then last night, I was dreaming that person after person refused to help me. I asked for help, and then once again, I asked for help, but to no avail, I was refused. Finally, after continued persistence, someone was able to give me some help, but they took me on the most absurd route. I woke up en route, therefore I do not know if I got to the destination, but I was really annoyed that it was taking so long.
  

I find that in each of these things, I want to trust God, but the past few years have been extremely difficult in many different ways, and I am exhausted! One challenge after another leaves one feeling victorious, but also worn out. Sweet victory is not easy; and I'm feeling it day after day.

Христос Воскрес!

Христос Воскрес!
Christ is Risen!
Serendipity! (Surprised by Joy!)

What Jesus teaches is good news to irreligious people and not at all what institutionally religious people want to hear or accept. He surprises everyone. No one can really figure him out. And yet people flock to Him by the thousands, everywhere He goes. Jesus literally redefines righteousness and religion, which is quite threatening to those in positions of power and authority in a particular system.
--Shannon

Nothing was expected at Easter, other than for Christ to die. God works outside of the box of propriety. As we know, Christ arose from the grave, and He is alive! Everyday is Easter. Happy Easter!

Amy and I. Not a picture from Easter, rather about a week prior, but I thought I would show how warm and beautiful it is here. 27C and upwards! :) This is the same awesome Amy who helped me with the mailing!

Check out all my cool loot! :) Veggie Tales marshmallows and Veggie Tales Jelly Beans. Some people are allergic to chocolate so the bunny wouldn't be too good!

Just a picture of me outside on Easter day, holding my loot and enjoying the sunshine.