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Race for the Least of These and King Williams Parade

Race: Race for the Least of These

Distance: 10K (6.2138 mi)
Goal Time: 58 minutes (9:20 min/mi)
Actual Time: 00:57:42 (09:17 min/mi)
5K Split: 00:27:42 (08:54 min/mi)
19/29 racers total
06/11 women
2nd finisher in my bracket

I had a long run Friday morning--a nice 10 mile jaunt. And then Saturday, was this 10K race. I enjoyed Race for the Least of These, as it was small, and a nice stroll through McAllister Park. We had hail Friday night/Saturday morning, therefore, I was extra tired, and the ground was wet. I'm not a fan of running through mud, but that's okay. In fact, I had washed the car Friday, so I was bummed that it dirtied so fast! Ah well.

• Mile 1ish: I was surprised how good I felt.
• Mile 2ish: I wonder how I'll feel at the end of this!?
• Mile 2 1/2 ish: I saw Coach and he cheered me on, that was fabulous! I felt good, no, make that I felt great!
• Mile 3ish: Whoa, I'm almost done with the first 5K!
• 5K Split: I cannot believe I finished the 5K in 27:42. That's better than my last 5K. Maybe that's not so good, I have another 5K to go. I sure am happy with that 5K split time. I'm thirsty. So...just ahead I stopped and drank that water that was available to me.
• Mile 4: I need to slow down my pace a tad, it ended up being from from 8:54/mi to 9:39/mi...oh well. Over time I will learn how to pace myself properly.
  
• Mile 5: I'm almost done. This is nice.
  
• Mile 5 1/2: I passed a 5K runner and cheered her on! I was excited that she made the choice to do this fun run and finish! She did not give up. After I cheered her on, she in turn cheered me on. I was pleasantly surprised.
  
• Mile 6: Whoa, this is practically over.
  
• Finish line: Yay! I finished in under 58 minutes...my goal time.
  

Overall the six miles went by relatively fast, and there wasn't too much going through my head. I was kind of surprised when I was finished. The 10k'ers simply ran the 5k loop twice.

After the race, I went home, so that I could meet up with some friends and drive down to King William area, to celebrate one of the 2010 Fiesta events--King William Parade and Fair. I thoroughly enjoyed my time, watching the parade, browsing the vendors arts and crafts, listening to music, and spending time with great people from church!

Sara and myself.

Steven and myself.

1 Timothy 1:12-17

¹²I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. ¹³Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:12-17

This here is an example of the icing on the cake! (See previous entry!) I thank Jesus Christ, our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He has considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I am a sinner and I am wet! I have found mercy, because Jesus came into the world to save sinners. God's grace is more than abundant, amidst the faith and love, which are found in Christ Jesus alone.

Lessons learned

Why?

• Why do I want to go back to Ukraine?
  
• Why do I continue to speak of the greatness of God?
  
• Why do I continue to tell you of the faithfulness of God?
  
• Why am I excited for what God has in store next?
  
• Why do I have hope, during this challenging time?
• Why do I continue to share how Christ has been gracious?
  
• Why do I continue to share how Christ has been merciful?
• Why do I say that God is good?
  

I came across this blog, when looking for something else...and I'm hooked! This is a great lesson, and so true. In fact, I've read the entry five or six times.

WHY?

Lately, I have found myself questioning the marathon. Why do I bother? I may be getting faster but I have still not broken four hours and even after I finally I do, I still have ten minutes to cut in order to qualify for Boston. Boston has always been my aim and if that isn’t going to happen, maybe I should just hang up my shoes. Why should I keep putting myself through the stress of training?

This weekend, I found my answer. For three years my daughter and I have made an hour long drive to Olympic Development soccer tryouts. Over the years, Meg has put every ounce of herself into the tryouts only to be cut on the third day. This year as tryouts approached, I found myself dragging my feet. I knew the registration was open and I was well aware that she would want to tryout. But personally I dreaded it. It wasn’t the two hours spent in the car each day or the hour and a half spent standing in the cold watching my daughter play her heart out. It was the disappointment I have witnessed as she looked carefully through the call back numbers and didn’t see hers. It was the look on her face the next time she was on a soccer pitch. A look that told me she wondered whether she was good enough to play at all. There was a part of me that hoped she would change her mind. She would decide not to go. She would not have to face the disappointment again.

Still, as the day approached, she made her way to the computer and found the tryout times. She told her club coach she wouldn’t be at practices because she would be at ODP tryouts. And she made it clear to me that it was important to her. As in years past, everyone showed their confidence in her. “This is the year, girl. This is the year you make the team.” And I cringed as I wondered how high up they would push her and how much harder that would make the fall at the end.

But this is her dream. She believes she will play on the US Women’s Soccer team. It is all she wants. If you ask a hundred people who know her what her favorite thing in the world is, you will get only one answer, “Soccer.” The walls of her room are covered in soccer posters. She dresses for soccer every day, whether she has practice or not, just in case the opportunity to play should arise. She spends hours of her week thinking of new plays for her team or new moves she might try.

I sat in my warm car on Sunday afternoon and watched out the windshield as Meg ran across the field in pouring rain and thirty five degree temperatures. I watched as she hopped up and down before the scrimmages began, trying to stay warm, as she used every move she has ever been taught on the soccer pitch, as she offered a hand to the player who fell in the middle of play and even as she stayed on the pitch juggling the ball and practicing her moves during the water breaks. I watched her playing and realized that that is what it is that she loves – the playing. When she arrived back in my car every layer of clothing was soaked through, but she had a smile bigger than the Cheshire cat’s. She had had a blast. I asked how she played. She didn’t answer with her thoughts on her chances. Instead, she told me about the rain and the girls, the coaches and the goals.

Today was the last day of open tryouts. The cut sheet will go up later this evening and my heart is in my throat as I wait. Megan keeps checking the computer screen in hopes that this will be her year. I hope beyond hope that she will make it but tonight I know that it doesn’t matter. If she doesn’t make it she will be back next year and the one after that, if that is what it takes. I realized while watching this beautiful girl playing in the freezing rain that it isn’t just about a dream to make the Olympic Team. It isn’t just about the chance to see if she is good enough. It is about the moments on the field, every moment on the field. It is about the joy of the game.

As a mom, there are hundreds of lessons I try to teach my children. Once in a while though, the shoe is on the other foot. Seeing Meg’s love for the game, with or without the outcome she hopes for, reminds me of why it is I go out there. Why it is that after twelve marathons without qualifying for Boston, I still find myself at the starting line each year. Watching Meg has helped me to recognize the love I hold for my sport. So, yes, I will sign up for the next marathon. Maybe I will qualify for Boston this time, maybe I won’t, but now I know, it really doesn’t matter. I love to run. That is why I do it. The rest is just icing on the cake.

The answer is simple. I love Jesus. That is why I write this blog and why I want to go back to Ukraine. It is why I am excited for what He has in store for me next, and why I continue to speak of God's faithfulness and goodness, grace and mercy. My hope is in Christ, and I love Him. The rest is just icing on the cake.

Chosen: Marathon for Adoption

I'm excited to be training for my first marathon--Chosen: Marathon for Adoption. All proceeds will benefit adoptive families and directly care for the needs of 250 children in a Ukrainian orphanage. I will be running 26.2 miles on the 23 October 2010 in Gruene, Texas. To see the course map, click here. I have been wanting to run a marathon since HS, and have decided that now is the time! :)

On a side note...I have two awesome friends who have both adopted children--Erika and Margo. You should check out their work.

Tabitha Designs


Orchid Lane Designs

Check out the video from Great Day SA, here in San Antonio! I added this a couple days later. :)

From the Inside Out

A thousand times I've failed,
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again,
Still I'm caught in your grace.

Easter

As I was reading my bible this morning, I came across this verse and note I had in my bible:

He says, "It is too small a thing that You should be My servant to Raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth."
Isaiah 49:6-7

God values me so much that doing a little is not enough; He wants me to do great things!


During my run this morning, God gave me a huge sense of peace. As I was running I was thinking about my past year, and He said to me, "Don't worry, your Easter is coming!" This gave me great encouragement, as I have felt beat down, over and over. Your Easter is coming! :)

Let us find our rest in Thee

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us; Let us find our rest in Thee. Dear Desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart, now Thy gracious Kingdom bring...

I continue to have sleepless nights, filled with bad dreams. These are not nightmares, rather just dreams of terrible things happening to me, none of which I have control of/over. This morning I took great comfort in these words, "born to set Thy people free...let us find our rest in Thee." Are you expecting Jesus to come and set you free; to free you from your fears, release you from your sin, and give you rest in Him? If not, maybe we need to look at our expectations again.

If my people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

Everyone Needs...

Today at church we sang the song, "Mighty to Save." These words are exactly why I believe so strongly in missions!

Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The hope of nations.

Ukraine is forever in my heart; I do not know if/when I will be able to go back. Just like I need compassion, unfailing love, forgiveness, the grace only God can give, and hope...so do Ukrainians. My time in the USA, when I had planned on serving Christ overseas, continues to be a challenge. (Praise the Lord my health has stabilized!) It's not challenging because I have a particularly difficult life, rather it's challenging because my dreams have been shattered.

Today was youth Sunday, and the "Senior preahers" preached on! One of the girls made a very good point, "We should have full faith that where God is calling us/has placed us, will be/is a place of great joy!" I have failed to be an obedient servant, and serve Christ with great joy during this time, although, that is what He is calling me to do. Time for an attitude check? Yes, I think so. I am missing the GREAT JOY! Let mercy fall on me.

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.