Patchwork Picture

Patchwork Picture, originally uploaded by SeaScapes12.

Slacking on the updates here, so I'll settle for a picture.

Half Marathoner

A week ago today, I had my half marathon. I should correct myself and say I had AND completed my first half marathon! I did it!! I ran the entire thing and actually felt really good the entire time. I finished in 2:06:32, which I am pleasantly surprised at and happy. It was such an amazing experience- people lined the streets and shouted encouragement, there were live bands at every mile to keep you going (and keep your mind off of running)and water stations to keep me hydrated and running. And it was perfect running weather, just perfect. God was certainly gracious to me that day. It's unbelievable how great He is to allow me such a perfect day.

My friend and I finished at the exact same time, which is pretty cool. We're already planning on running another race in the summer, but I know I'm going to run a few more in Wisconsin before that. My brother said he'd run with me because he wants to run a half marathon, too, so it will be nice to have someone run with me again. Such an incredible experience- I can now say I am an official half marathoner. How cool is that??

Arizona, Coming Soon

This is a short week for me-- I'm leaving for Arizona on Friday! I can't believe it's here already. And it's a special trip; not only am I going to see one of my best friends for her birthday, but she and I are going to be running in the Phoenix Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon on Sunday! How crazy is this- me, running 13 miles?? I'm so excited for it. I know I can do it; the hardest thing for me will be to adjust to the warm weather. It's supposed to be in the 60's or 70's when I'm there- uh, very YAY!! -- but still it will be way warmer than what I'm used to. I've been spending months talking about it and my friend and I encouraging each other on days we didn't want to run and RUNNING for an hour and a half day after day, and finally the time has arrived. It's pretty amazing to think that at the end of this week I'll be on a plane heading for sunshine and outdoors. Just crazy.

Laughter Yellowed Our Walls at Night

I just got a phone call from Next Chapter Bookshop-- I'm one of the winners of their Six Word Story competitions!! I had forgotten I'd entered and couldn't remember if I had put a book on hold or not, but then she told me I had won the contest and it all came back to me! I won a $20 gift card and a store t-shirt, plus I have the opportunity to read my entry out loud on Wednesday when the editors of the Six Word Story books come in to speak. I'm sooo excited! It's pretty exciting for me, especially because my writing's been so dormant. This is at least an opening, getting the rust off the hinges. Plus, the actual editors will be there, so they will hear my story. Thank You, Lord! This is very gracious of You- a great way to start 2010!

Merry New Year!

To quote the movie "Trading Places":

MERRY NEW YEAR!!

Here it is, 2010 already. Last night, as I waited for the clock to turn midnight, it didn't really feel the a new year was upon us. But today, it's hit me that my slate is clean and I have a new book to fill. A whole 365 days to make a change, make a difference. What am I going to do with those days?

I have a few resolutions:

1. Be bold in my faith. I know what I feel and why I believe in the things I do, but I'm no good at talking about it. I'm praying for srength to forget about the poeple of this world and realize I'm working for my eternal home.

2. Move forward on my writing and photography. I've let too many years slip by where I just store up my poems or pictures and they do nothing but collect dust. Even if it's just small things, like giving them away as gifts, I'll be doing something.

3. Write more blog entries. I started out so strong but then my faithfulness on here took a dive. How am I to grow if I only write about me once every month or so? I'm not, so I will make myself a more frequent visitor to my blog.


There we go, my resolutions. Hold me to them, now. I am creating new footsteps to be the most out of the person God has planned for me to be. Uncharted waters- I'm ready to set sail.

Preoccupied

So it's December 21st already and I am both pathetic at updating my blog AND incredibly disorganized for Christmas. I at least have 98% of my presents accounted for and hidden in my room, but now I need to find time to lay them all out and wrap. I have a sneaky feeling I'll be getting that done on Christmas Eve.

I know Christmas is not about presents, but it seems like I'm so preoccupied with work and organizing those presents that I'm not taking time to remember the true meaning of the season. Without Jesus coming to earth as a small baby to save us, we would have no holiday to celebrate. It's all about Him, and the unselfish act of humbling Himself as a human and dying on the cross for our sins. We remember his arrival during this season, and that is truly what we are joyful of.

So there's my little ditty about Christmas. Now I have a post up and can get back to figuring out the gifts.

God's blessings to all as we celebrate the Reason for the season!!




At least we'll have a white Christmas!

Blood Bank

Every Breath, originally uploaded by SeaScapes12.

I just scheduled an appointment to give blood next week. This will be my first time donating; I've always wanted to, but it's interfered with my athletic schedule and I couldn't do it and then practice or play in a game. I've been saying I want to donate for years, and now here I am, about to! And I have one of the ladies at work to thank. She donates monthly, and she and I got to talking about it last month. She offered to take me along with her the next time she went, and I readily agreed. We are going over our lunch break next Wednesday, and I am going to do my part in giving back to the world. It's the day before Thanksgiving, too, and I can't think of a better way to show how grateful I am to God for the life He has given me than to donate blood with the chance to help someone when they really need it. Thank You God, for this opportunity. I truly feel like I'm on a high right now; as soon as I scheduled it, my body started jolting with excitement, and I feel like I'm going to actually do something with my life.
Bon Iver's song Blood Bank keeps playing in my head, lyrics circling until they mesh in my veins and arteries.
"Well I met you at the blood bank, we were looking at the bags, wondering if any of the colors matched the names we knew on the tags."
Beautiful song, and now it's going to have extra added value to my life.