What's Your Word

So the last week or so I have found myself listening to KLOVE on my way to and from school because my favorite local personalities have been out of town.  Lisa and Eric are on in the morning and they have been talking about finding your word for the year.  At first I thought, na I have my fitness goals and that is enough for me.  I loved the idea and just thought that I would do it next year.  But, of course, God had other plans.  On Thursday I was driving home from coffee with a friend and a word popped into my mind. It was a word that spoke to my heart and something that I think I was unconciosuly working towards already.

What's the word?!  My word for this year is balanced.  I really feel that it is something I often struggle with.  I think that all too often I let my life get out of balance.  I feel it is a word that will carry into every area of my life.  I am going to live life balanced in my work, my work ethic for grad school, eating, exercising, my walk with God, time for others, time for my husband, time for myself, etc.

I know that it is going to be a challenge, but I think that I am already off to a great start.  I will keep you posted.

Thoughts on Running

I know that you are probably shocked to see another post from before at least a month has passed, but due to school being canceled again today because of "in-climate weather" here I am posting again.

I have been thinking a lot about running lately, probably because of my lofty goals that I have set to achieve this year.  It has been really hard the first two weeks to get myself motivated to run.  I have been following my training schedule, but grudgingly, and if I didn't have my sister or Cammie doing it with me, I probably would have been a lot less committed.  In my mind I know that it is not so bad, but once you get out of the habit, it seems like a very daunting task.  Often over the last two weeks my legs were sore and tired, and I just didn't know if I would make it through that day's workout.

Then on Sunday at church something the associate pastor said struck a chord with me.  He was talking about how he gave our lead pastor some advice about running in the snow, and how after his run our lead pastor shared with him what a great time with God his run had been.  During the message I felt like God was saying to me that committing my time to running can be a part of my daily time with Him.  It is a time for me to reflect, pray, or just be.  God has created our body to be a temple from himself to reside in, so this week as I thought about each run, I have looked forward to it because I have shifted my mindset to making it an act of worship and taking God out with for the miles I have to go.  I want to take good care of my body because it is something God created to be healthy and discipline, not something to indulge in its every desire or craving.

Yesterday after my run I felt so refreshed.  My heart felt lighter, and I looked forward to what the rest of the day had in store.  I can honestly say that I am excited to continue training and building up my miles to achieve the goals that I have set, and I am looking forward to seeing how God uses this time in my day to refocus and teach me.

It's a MIRACLE

No I did not win the lottery or find $100 and NO I am not pregnant, or anything close to a real miracle, I just thought I would get more of your attention with that title, did it work?!  I have been gone way to long to write about everything that has happened over the last few months, and I know that you really don't want to read about it all.  I will post some pictures of things happening around here over the last few months to catch you up.

I thought I would start my return to blogging by telling you about what I hope 2011 holds for me and some highlights that re to come. Here are a few things that I hope to complete by the end of 2011.

• Run the Olathe Wickedly Fast 1/2 Marathon in April (just started training, let's just say I wasn't as horribly out of shape as I orginally thought)
• Run the Hospital Hill 1/2 Marathon in June
• Train and compete in my first triathlon in July
• Run the Kansas City full marathon in October
• Eat healthy throughout the year to keep my body well fueled for all of this training
• Help my baby sister have the wedding of her dreams
• Be better at reconnecting with old friends
• Be open to the ways in which God will begin directing Stinson and I's path and future
• Finish my masters degree
• Continue to find new ways to connect with my students as well was way to support them
• Cherish time spent with family throughout the year
• Get back to blogging at least a couple of times a month

Well, I think that is enough writing for now.  I will let you enjoy some pictures!   If you still read this thing,  thanks!

My mom came to Kansas City for my birthday and go me my first pair of Uggs!  Love them both, but obviously I love my mom more.

At the beginning of December I headed to Detroit for a weekend to see my dear friend and college roommate Angie and her husband John.  Here is Ang and I in Ann Arbor in front of the University of Michigan student union

We spent Christmas in Seattle with my family.  Jennifer came to spend some time with the Fosters and enjoy the Nutcracker in downtown Seattle.

We spent New Year's Eve in downtown Seattle with my family.  We enjoyed a wonderful dinner with a view of the Space Needle and got to enjoy the fireworks show that they set off.  Here were are ready to start the new year.  We had a blast in Seattle.  I have tons more pictures, but you'll have to check my facebook to see them!

I promise from here on out to put more effort into this blog and keeping you up to date!  I am off to snuggle with the dogs!