Here it goes. I've had this on my heart for a week now but haven't had the discipline to sit down and write it out. Probably because I am still figuring it out. And will be for a long time. But the concept is so amazing. And I can't wait to fully grasp hold of it.
Last year I completed a half marathon. I say completed instead of ran, because the running part was so minuscule. In college they offered a class called "walk, jog, run." Well my 13.1 experience was more like run, jog, walk...walk, walk... ok, last ten feet, run!
Since then, I've gained back all the weight I lost. Frustrating? Yes it is. Thanks for asking.
I've tried to do this and to do that to lose the weight, but to no avail. A few weeks ago I was talking to a girl at church and she said they will be running in a h/m in December for St. Judes in Memphis and I should consider joining them in training.
Ha. Right. Not going to subject myself to that again.
Except I am.
They will start training in September, and I really need to start training to train. It's that bad people. So, I've put my running shoes back on. Last week I started walking 1/2 mile, running 1/2 mile, walking, then running again to complete a two mile stretch. It felt so great.
While I was running, I was listening to Justin Rizzo on my iPod. I was listening to the words "His glory will cover the earth" and taking in the beautiful sunset. This is when it all became so real to me.
Life progresses in forward motion. You can't go back. I will never be 25 again, my children will never be newborns again. When I was in the midst of the h/m, what would the point have been in going backwards? What would the point have been if I had stopped and sat for a few weeks? I kept going. Yeah I didn't run it with fervor, but I kept going.
I kept going.
Life. Hello?
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7It makes so much sense to me. Does it to you?
So, yes, my running shoes are back on. To hopefully complete another h/m, but more importantly with the realization that life is a marathon. You reach mile markers, you rejoice, you hurt, you go through pain, but you continue. You keep moving forward.
If I were being paid for blogging, I would concur that I needed to be fired for lack of production. My most sincere apologies. My inbox is overflowing with concern as to where I have been and what I have been doing. Ahem. Now that that is out of the way.
May I tell you what's been on my mind lately? Great, thanks. Coldplay. Yep. Only a few more weeks until we see them in concert with some wonderful friends. I am so excited. We have been listening to them each time we get in the vehicle to optimize our familiarity with all their music.
Also, The Melting Pot. We are going next week with some other wonderful friends to celebrate her birthday and my husband's birthday. I've always wanted to go for a full experience, but have only been granted a peek into the greatness of what is known as The Melting Pot. So exciting!
Our bedroom is coming together nicely. I still need window treatments, so I hope to go to the mecca of fabric stores in our area this weekend to get some fabric to make panels. I'm also looking on etsy at some of the vinyl wall stickers for inspiration. I can have them made a little cheaper here in town, but I'm 75% sure this is the route I want to go for above our headboard.
Alas, W's grandmother had open heart surgery yesterday. The surgery went well but we are still waiting to see how she is today. Please say a prayer for her recovery.
"Hello, are you there?" is what I feel like someone, somewhere is asking me. My response, "I think so."
Whirlwind. Or, as Will Ferrell would say in Kicking and Screaming, whirling dervish. But I think he was referring to the kids and not to his situation. So, I guess our week has been as a whirling dervish. Point made?
W and I did something on Saturday that we have never done before in our near 5 years of marriage. We bought furniture. Everything in our home has been given to us. We have been so incredibly blessed beyond measure by people who love us. We look forward to the day when a newlywed couple enters our lives and we can show the same kindness we've been shown.
The delivery was scheduled for Wednesday.
On Monday, both of our children came down with some virus. I don't think it was from a swine, but what it produced out of their little bodies was similar to what you may find in a pin of swines. Since that point I have been tending to them. I even forgot to shower until Wednesday.
The virus apparently finished its course on Thursday. This was the scene of our living room all week.
I mentioned we got new furniture, right? Well, we donated all of what was being replaced to our church yard sale. The thing was, the new furniture was being delivered Wednesday. The men from the church couldn't come until Thursday. I can honestly say I loved being able to lay on my bed and watch TV at the same time. I now understand why people have televisions in their bedroom, although I still love that we do not.
Here is a sneak peek of our yet to be decorated lovely new bedroom. I love it.
We are going shopping for a comforter/coverlet/quilt/whatever this afternoon. Quite frankly I'm just excited about getting out of the house and that our children are healthy. Not in that order.
(Build) I have been glued to my computer this week reading the stories from Compassion's Live Blogger trip to India. There is a special place in my heart for India and the people of that nation. I love reading the accounts of their trip through Angie, Pete, and Melissa. And these pictures will captivate your heart. Maybe one day we will be able to set foot onto the soil of India, but as for now, we pray for those who do (including our friend Megan who is there now).
So, with that said, I can move on to things less relevant and probably of no importance.
But now it seems I can't think of anything. Wonderful.
(Tear Down) Alas, our infamous ugly outbuilding came to its demise yesterday. It had been a long time in the coming. I actually thought it was dilapidated enough that I could take it down myself. I actually asked my father-in-law if a hammer would be enough to do it. He laughed at me. I began to see images of Extreme Home Makeover and wondered if I couldn't just bump it a little with my vehicle and knock it over. He laughed at me again. So, he and W got to work yesterday afternoon and after several hours and much sweating, only 4 posts stand in the ground now. I kept saying as I was watching them take it down "I can't believe I thought I could do this by myself." I surely would have taken a 2x4 to the head. I am excited to put a nicer outbuilding in its place. I think taking the ugly one down added value to our house, in and of itself!
Oh, and my birthday was lovely. It was busy from sunup to sundown, but a great day overall. Sadly my ice cream cake I ordered was much overrated. It must have lost some glory in the last 15 years.
That's about all I can think to write about. Take some time and check out a few of the blogs from Compassion's India trip. And also, take a moment today to let someone know that you appreciate them. I appreciate my husband, and that he has the courage to be out playing golf at sunup:30 in the rain. What a brave man.
