Sunday, September 25, 2016

Hoosiers Outrun Cancer and a serious thought


Last Saturday, September 17, was the annual Hoosiers Outrun Cancer in Bloomington.  I had the chance to participate last year and enjoyed it so came back for more fun this year.  And fun it was... and very, very, very wet.  Right before it started I thought that the rain was going to diminish until about halfway through (well, my halfway through which was some people's done) and it poured.   I was watching the water gush off of my hat and was thankful that I had one!  Before the race started they began with some survivors and had them speak.  One of the young ladies (she is only 4 years older than I am) that spoke was just a joy to listen to.  She had lost her dad (who had been an IU football coach) to brain cancer back about 10 or so years ago and then about 2 years ago was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She said that the one thing her family learned during the fight with her dad was to find the joy and laughter in every trial and and every day.  That really struck me- so often I lose that ability to find the joy and laughter because I get caught up in the mundane- the every day trials of life, the struggles that I find myself going through.  After that  the wet 3 mile journey through the hills of Bloomington began.  I have been running off and on all summer but stick to mileage around 2 miles per run- it was a feet issue (which I finally have an answer to and will talk about in another post) but basically had done very few runs that were 3 miles or more.  I didn't do as great as the one I did last spring BUT I did do better than last year's time by about 3 minutes.  Next up, a trail run tomorrow (but really it will be more of a walk), a virtual 5K the second weekend of October, and the Ohio State 4 mile run in late October.  After that- we'll see- if the feet issues get themselves straightened out I would love to train for another half (and honestly I would love that half to be the Knoxville one again).

The video I am posting today I have posted before but in light of the reason I did the run I felt it was appropriate.  Oh, and that young lady that spoke before the race last week- she passed away late yesterday/early this morning in a car accident.  Just really "smacked" me in the face.  I am processing some thoughts on it but this has become the bottom line:



Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Life is Not a Hallmark Movie

People who know me know that I love romantic comedies- You've Got Mail, While You Were Sleeping, Sleepless in Seattle, Hitch, My Big Fat Greek Wedding... the list could go on and on.  Honestly though, I have not watched any lately (I actually haven't watched much of anything lately- especially since we just got cable back about a month ago).  However, with the recent cable addition my mom has watched a lot of Hallmark movies.  I joke when I walk by- asking her if she wants me to tell her what is going to happen and she usually rolls her eyes at me.  I laugh and either sit down for the ending or turn around and go back to my room/office. Really there's only so much I can watch- because I know that life is not like a Hallmark movie- wrapped up in 2 hours and finding a love that lasts forever

                                          




.  I know myself, I know my heart... I know that if I watch too much of those or the movies I get caught up in the trap of "why can't I find that?" "Why don't I have that?" "Why is this not something I have experienced?"  And when those questions start coming- I know what my next question will be and what will ensue after that.  That question- "What's wrong with me? Why am I not enough?"  Then comes the funk, the unsettledness, the discontent, the heart that struggles to find delight and to trust.  And when I feel discombobulated already- well then this adds to it.  So, for me, rather than taking my heart down a path it doesn't need to travel- it's just easier to not watch them- until I know I can watch them with a clear mind and a steady and guarded heart.



Monday, September 12, 2016

Priceless

If you have read my blog long enough you might remember this post that I did back in January 2014 after an event called Run 4 Their Lives.  Since then I have followed news about human trafficking as well as following the Run 4 Their Lives and Freedom 4/24 facebook pages.  Back in late June/early July I got an email about a virtual run that supported Christine's House over in Uganda which helps young ladies (many of whom are pregnant) who are trying to get out of trafficking.  I signed up and received a card of who I was running for (and her story).  The medal and t-shirt I received were just extras.  The race was scheduled for July 23rd.  I had a plan but earlier that week I got bit by a dog on the leg while I was running so I had to adjust and be happy with whatever I could get.




After I continued to keep up with the news but not sure of what my role could be in this setting- wanting to help but realizing that at this time- running, supporting, and praying may be what I do.  Then this past Thursday, September 8, the church hosted a "forum" to bring to light the plight of child exploitation and human trafficking in the area where I live- again, something was stirred in my heart but not sure what and where to go with that.  I ended up signing up for another virtual run through Run 4 Their Lives which is actually a domestic focus instead of an international focus.  It will take place the weekend of October 7-9.  I will actually be in Ohio during that time but since it can be run anywhere I am hoping to get it done either Friday, the 7th after school (if we leave Saturday) or Saturday the 8th (if we head to Ohio on Friday).  And then I found out that a movie that focuses on this horrific activity will be released mid-October from the guys of From King and Country.  I heard this song on the radio and LOVED it- I think because it resonates within my heart and then to find out that it's the basis of the movie- well, I am super excited to see how God is going to use this to show me what his plan for me in this will be!


Mirror mirror, mirror on the wall
Tellin' those lies, pointing out your flaws
That isn't who you are
That isn't who you are

It might be hard to hear, but let me tell you dear
If you could see what I can see, I know you would believe
That isn't who you are
There's more to who you are

So when it's late, you're wide awake
Too much to take
Don't you dare forget that in the pain
You can be brave, hear me say

I see you dressed in white
Every wrong made right
I see a rose in bloom
At the sight of you (oh so priceless)
Irreplaceable, unmistakable, incomparable
Darling, it's beautiful
I see it all in you (oh so priceless)

No matter what you've heard, this is what your worth
More than all the money or the diamonds and pearls
Oh this is who you are
Yea this is who you are

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Odds and Ends- This and That


I know I say it every time and every time I really DO mean it so maybe this time I won't say it and it will happen.  Anyway, life is just life- back to school, back to reality.  I am back at the same school and teaching the same grade.  We have two new administrators and it's completely different!  I am exhausted at the end of the day but it's a good exhaustion.  And yet, because of that exhaustion and our silly schedule (teachers are 8:00/8:15 to 4:00 but students are 8:45-3:45) I haven't found that balance yet.
I am getting there and making time for things that were once important to me that I pushed to the side.  I have signed up for some races (one is Saturday yikes!), started making some cards again,

and actually tried something new this past week when I did Pilates after school with two co-workers.  I ran off and on this summer- not as often as I would have liked but more than I have in the past.  However, it was HOT and there were a LOT of days that the weather just didn't cooperate.




 And then there were my feet- they also didn't cooperate- I believe I have the beginnings of PF and ended up scheduling a podiatrist appointment for the 19th.  As much as I am dreading it- I am also looking forward to getting answers and a plan.  This summer was a busy one- I had trainings for work, a trip back to Knoxville and Atlanta, a trip to Ohio, time spent with my nephew, and so on.

I am in the midst of setting goals, making plans and trying to work my way back.  What are your tips and tricks?