Seminary Stride- 5k April 26th @8:30am

To register to participate or to become a volunteer, check out the website below and follow the link to southwestern;).

http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/racefinderdetail/1,,s6-239-283-284-0-0-0-0-1882091,00.html

The Seminary Stride on campus made it to one of the largest ( f not the largest) website for runners, www.runnersworld.com ,pretty cool and it's a certified course ( whatever that means- sounds good). Go SWBTS!!

I'm in DC!!!... it's good to be back!:)

I'm here in DC at a friend of mine's place. I'm here for a "college girl time" reunion! My girls are coming in tomorrow night so I'm here hanging out with one of my interpreter friends I met from when I use to work here in the Nation's Capitol. Today, the Pope came into town. I'm so out of the news scene though that my mom actually was the one to tell me about him coming. I'm not doing much of anything right now which is kind of uneasy for me in a strange way but at the same time super great. Dominick, I know you'd be proud as I sit here on the couch doing nothing but bogging in pj's while it's still light out... wow, that's a first I think ( unless I'm sick), howveer I am sleep deprived and instead of napping as I should be I have decided to still do "something" so my anxious self decided to blog! In a few days I'll be on my way to NC to be in one of my best friend's wedding, Ms. Courtney Eller, soon to be Mrs. Courtney Wilson:).

Not too much to say really, just been working a lot and trying to hold everything together. Southwestern Savvy is next friday. Southwestern Savvy is a women's event that is held at Southwestern Seminary for women of SWBTS to worship together while getting to know one another at the same time. There are shirts available for sale and they're only $10. They're pretty cool looking if I do say so myself. My friend, Erin Edwards was the one who made the design possible:), so thanks bunches Erin!!- you rock!

My friend, AJ posted a blog about a 101 year old man running a marathon and well I have to add the link to this blog post becasue it's just too cool not to see it for yourself. How awesome.. and man do I feel like the biggest loser ever!

http://ajayne.blogspot.com/2008/03/this-man-is-oldest-employee-in-britain.html#links

Well, ... lots to do, sure you'l hear a little about it.. until then!

Prayer Requests-

Anna Paige-IMB Conference
Emily and Lindsey- traveling
Sarah- big life decisions ( grad school, job, housing)
Keturah-job placement/summer plans
Michelle- traveling ( Nashville, Tn.)
Southwestern Savvy-for it to be a great success honoring Him!
Todd- my cousin serving for our country as well as the other men and women serving.
Brandon and Adam- trip to Africa, housing plans
Beautiful Feet- for all the hurting hearts and brokenness.- for the people to seek His face and His plan for their life.


Praises-

My co worker, Marci's little boy's blood count is back to normal!!
Stacy's grandfather is in heaven with Jesus!
( he accepted him into his heart and life just before passing)
My grandparents made it to California ( pray they make it back safely on Saturday)

Just another day....

Today is April 8th, in two months I'm going to be 24! Wow! Time really flys! I'm here at work, my second home, interpreting and doing my best to take everything in one hour at a time. I have a lot on my plate this week, working over time plus two 10 page papers all before Tuesday. So with all that meanas absolutely no social life for me!.. Eat, Sleep, QT, Shower, Work, Paper, yep that's it... so for all my friends in Texas, .. see you when I get back April 22nd:). haha. I'll be on my way to Washington DC next week and then to Charlotte and then back again... busy busy haha..

alright enough about me...

Prayer Requests:

Woman at my church- raped multiple times recently
Daniel Rojos-daughter beaten to death by jealous ex husband.
Me- to finish my papers!
Courtney and jason- Wedding day coming up soon! ( April 20th)
Tax payers! ( April 15th is right around the corner!)
Stacy Manning and Family-grandfather's death recently/Praise- he accepted Christ into his life!
Adam Bostick and Brandon Stiko- upcoming trip to Africa
Sarah Moody- life transition/planning/new job/finances along with it

To anyone who wants to know....

First off, I want to thank all of you who have been such an encouragement to me not only through words(prayer) but also in action (financially) as I have been training for this race. It means a lot to me and to the people who are benefitted by the words and actions of your efforts are even more thankful than I.

However, due to the lack of funds recieved and the crunch time that is ahead of me, I have chosen to withdraw myself from the "team in training" to prevent the risk of not meeting my fundraising quota and in regard reeping the consequences of it. With all of that said, all of the money raised at this point will go towards finding a cure which was the top reason for running to begin with.

I'm trying my best to not look at this as a losing effort but as a great learning experience. I was able to learn about blood cancers and how big of a need there is for finding a cure as well as learning how to train and run disciplining myself as well as enduring hardships in order to become stronger. Proving my mind that even when I am mentally fatigued I must press on. With taking a chance on team in training I have gained great long lasting friendships as well as a new found hobbie:).

As for my honored hero whom I was running for, she is still in remission and just two days ago went for a check up and everything came back normal, PRAISE God!:).


Even though I am not able to continue with team in training I have learned a lot about myself and what I can do if I put my mind to it. If you've been reading my other blog posts then you know what I mean by that:).

I still continue to run just not as "hard" at least until I have trained my knee to handle the impact of the cement landings every step I take.

I'm not sure what race I will be running at this point but you can be sure that I will race in one in the near future!

Thanks and God Bless!

Run Ugly- Coach Russell

Check out my friend's blog...

http://chickchatwithgod.blogspot.com/2008/02/run-ugly.html

Just A Thought...

Today is March 30th and I'm at a random person's house with my two guy friends that I haven't hung out with in FOREVER. Of all the things, I am watching Halo completely lost and wondering what in the world. Ha ha!.

I typically sleep pretty well but last night I had the worst night's sleep in a while, then to make it worse whenever I took a nap today to try and catch up on my ZZZZZZ's, I had an even worse "dream". Anyway so who knows what I'll feel like "tomorrow" whenever I wake up for two three hour classes yuck!...

I can't believe April's practically here already ,craziness. One of my best girl friends is getting married AND my brother's graduating from high school AND I'm turning 21!... JUST KIDDING!... 24. All this is going on within the next couple months. Wow!

I'm looking forward to my trip April 16-21st. Where am I going you may ask?... well... Washington DC for a few days and then heading to Charlotte, NC. I'm gonna get to see 4 of my favorite girls during this time. woo hoo!!

Alright, well guess that's all for now..

....... Running......Running... And More Running......

I woke at my usual Saturday morning time, 6 AM!... and headed to trinity trails to meet my coach and team mates training along with me. As I drove there I prayed for God to help me keep a positive attitude about my distance running because I was suppose to run 7 miles to stay on target for my running, but you see, I didn't plan to run 7 miles, instead and at most,5.5 miles was my goal due to my knee hurting me within the past week or so. I went to the Physical Therapist last Monday and he told me it was my I.T. band, I wasn't stretching it enough. He gave me different stretching techniques and also advice on how to keep it conditioned properly, one being icing it ALOT! (after each run for sure!).

With all of that said, here comes the fun part:). I made my assumed goal and not only did I meet my 5.5 expected goal I passed my on target goal by one mile!I RAN 8 MILES!! I couldn't believe it. Running with at least one other person really made a difference. Along the way (while running) one of the mentor runners even gave me some advice on a specific breathing technique he learned from yoga, it did wonders!! However as soon as I finished my run my knee was KILLING me! I iced it almost right away and then icing it again before going to sleep. It hurts more now than it ever has but at least I know what stretches to do to speed up the recovery.

It's still crazy to me how much running is like my walk with Christ. Getting hurt or "injured" can really bring you down and even at times instill fear that normally would not be there if you/I were at your/my peak in physical health and well being. Same goes with our relationship with Christ, we at times are afraid of things and because of the fear never move ahead to see God's bigger plan. Instead we sit on the sidelines watching other people "Run hard" after a goal and wish it were us thinking it never could be. Just like running, I NEVER thought I'd run 3 miles, I never thought I'd run 5! But now I can say I've ran 8! I didn't get there overnight. It took a lot of work, just like following Christ does. No one ever said it would be easy, if anything it's tough and just like running if you get out of a routine then you have to start back where you USED to be because the pace you once were running so easily has now gotten harder.

Endurance, discipline and determination are great words that help a person achieve great things whenever you or I put our mind to it. Believing in yourself is the hardest part, after that you've got it in the bag ;)

Anyway, thanks for listening to me spill about my running sprees.