Let us run....

"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" Hebrews 12:1b

I don't run. There are a few occasions that I might run:

1. I was being chased by a ferocious animal or someone who was big and scary
2. My children were hurt or about to be in danger

That's about it. Not a big fan of sweating.

It is for these reasons that I have been and am thoroughly impressed with those athletes that choose the sport of Cross Country Running.

I was thoroughly pleased when my oldest daughter decided that she wanted to try the cross country team when she started middle school. I figured that she needed a little discipline and this was just the sport to get her that.

It has been a tough season for her so far. She wrecked her bike on the team bike ride and ended up in the emergency room (she's fine just lots of bruising and a sprained wrist). She has finished last on her team in every race.

But, she is loving it. She has already met one of her goals. She has decreased her time each and every race. She has found a place to belong which is so very important in middle school. She has done all of this and stayed true to who she is...she runs every race with a beautiful, girly bow in hair.

 Yesterday, I was lucky enough to get to go to one of her meets. If you have never been to a cross country meet, you have to understand that it is not exactly a great spectator sport. There is not a lot to see at a meet unless you run around to different parts of the course which I do not do (see the beginning of this post.) Pretty much parents scream like crazy at the beginning of the race while the runners are still within earshot and then stand around and talk until the first runner comes back into sight at which point screaming and cheering take place again.

I was standing at the finish line anxiously waiting for my daughter to appear at the top of the hill. Many runners have already come through and I have enthusiastically applauded and cheered them on to the finish while looking for my sweet Anna the whole time. All of the sudden, there she is topping the last little hill and has the finish line in sight.

I begin cheering as if my life depends on it. She is the last of our girls to come to the finish line and she is digging hard to pass the girl that is in front of her. She is exhausted and is running as hard as she can with a great look of determination on her face. She has set a goal to finish every race as strong and as fast as she can. That is what I am yelling for her, "Finish strong, Anna! Finish strong!"

Cross Country is not about winning and losing. It is not about first or last place. It is not about the runners around you. It is about overcoming your own hurdles; defeating self-doubt; pushing yourself harder each and every race. It is about getting better and persevering.

She is learning that and I am re-learning important life lessons.

She passes me and I keep yelling. I am caught off guard by the swelling of emotions within me and of the tears forming in my eyes. I have never been prouder of her in my life.

A tension filled relaxing weekend

I spent this past weekend with my sister out in Arizona. It was a lovely weekend filled with sight seeing, relaxation, good food and laughter. Waking up whenever we wanted, sleeping when we wanted, eating when we wanted....things that moms don't ever get to do.

So why was there tension? Definitely not because of any sibling drama!

There was tension within me.

We were in Scottsdale, Arizona. A glitzy, ritzy town. One filled with opulence and overindulgence. We stayed in a resort where everything was done for you. I didn't have to open a door, pour a cup of coffee, pick up a towel, make a bed....

Sounds perfect? It wasn't. Now don't get me wrong. I loved being on vacation...but I can't say that it was perfect.

I got the feeling that the employees of the resort were trying to do their jobs (serving us) while being seen as little as humanly possible. We, the guests, were not suppose to see things appear for us. Little to no eye contact was made, just a slight nod of the head.

I wanted to take their faces in my hands, force them to look me in the eye, and say to them, "You are a beloved child of God. You are not invisible, you are worth the same as all of these you serve! I appreciate you!"

My world was upside down. It quickly righted itself however, when I squeezed into my coach seat on the airplane and was charged $8 for a blanket while the person in front of me got hers free. Life was back to normal.

Moving,...again...

Well, we are moving again. Not happy about it.

But, it has to happen. The seminary decided to revitalize the Beeson scholarship program which is a full-ride doctoral program. We have been living in the Beeson townhomes, thus...we have to leave.

Granted we could have stayed until the end of May but found a suitable and affordable place to live and need to go ahead and move.

I know that Aaron is going into itenerent ministry but this much moving is a little ridiculous. Moved in May of 2008, June of 2009 and now January of 2010.

I guess I just need to put my big girl panties on and deal with it!