FROM HERE TO THERE...

Garba Dancing with Joy and Prashant

2008-10-19T19:40:00.000-07:00

The other weekend I went to an Indain festival with two of my friends (one of whom is Indian) it was a great time! It's amazing how time flies when you're dancing and having fun. One thing I loved about it was that there were people of all ages dancing- children, teens, young adults, grown ups, and older people. Oh, and did I mention that it's such great exercise!
Here's a few pics and a videos
everyone dancing

Prashant, Joy and I

Fun group picture :)

Another fun group picture!

video of everyone dancing

me dancing, I'm in the red

Inspiration to Teachers

2008-09-06T14:06:00.000-07:00

This is a great video. All teachers, or anyone how has an influence on children should watch it. Dalton Sherman is a 9 year old boy, he's going into 5th grade, who spoke to thousands of teachers and administrators in Dallas, TX inspiring them to believe in their students! Enjoy!

Current Happenings

2008-07-07T15:26:00.000-07:00

So I thought it was about time to give a little update on life… You may or may not know that I am going to school right now… it’s crazy! I started my MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) at Concordia University, here in Portland, about three weeks ago. I’m sooo glad I’m doing it but it is a lot of work!! The first week I thought surely I would die but by some act of grace I made it through. I am just starting the forth week and will go strong till the first or second week of August. At that time I will have a short break only to start up a week or two later for the fall semester. It’s a short and very intense program but by May next year I will be done! Ideally I would like to teach 3rd grade but I know that just starting out I’ll have to take what I can get. You can definitely be praying for me as I journey through these next 11months!

Fourth of July was fun! It was fairly low-key but fun nevertheless. I went over to some friends’ house for a BBQ with a couple other people. We ate and had a nice time and then made our way down to the Willamette River, here in Portland, for the fireworks. It was a good show but I will say that I was extraordinarily bummed that they prohibited people from standing on the Hawthorne Bridge and watching. Standing on the bridge to watch the fireworks is half the experience in and of itself… oh, well :(

BBQ at Tony & Emily's

Jen and I
Cory & JenMe
We were taking couple pictures but I didn't have a couple
Tony & Emily

Me, Emily, Jen
(too bad Jen's eyes are half closed)

God is Faithful!

2008-05-24T14:55:00.000-07:00

The other week I was a bit discouraged about things and decided that I would sit and think about God’s goodness and faithfulness to me over the years. That even in times when I’m not sure what he’s doing in my life with circumstances and relationships I know that he is with me and never forgets me (even if it feels like it sometimes). Yahweh is faithful!

--High school, senior year: I chose to follow Him and found myself with few friends but he was faithful to bring me three new and wonderful friends- Sherri, Kim and Emily! He’s faithful to provide!
--Being adopted into my family and having the parents I do who love and support me unconditionally. Even as an unborn person he was watching after and planning for me :)
--Providing my apartment on such short notice and it being exactly what I needed
--Job at Western and the relationships I built there
--Guiding me to Multnomah and the relationships I built with a few professors there and the friendships I established there- they still love and encourage me in good times and bad
--My friend Ben, having lunch and being encouraged by him last month at just the right time!
--In this season of unknown with work, school and a relationship God has shown himself in little ways showing he cares personally for me!
--Pearl Church, after not being able to find a church during college, I found a great one where I least expected it. God has given me a family there, a support, a place to hear truth, and a genuine community despite my reluctance to go there because it was in the “pearl district” and I’m not fancy like that.
--Last summer Jen and Jodie brought me flowers super randomly and it happened to be a bummer day for me! God used them to encourage my heart!
--this last fall and winter was a bumpy season and my friend Sarah called 3-4 times all on days that were the roughest… lucky timing or God? I say God!

These are just a few of the things God has done over the years to care for me and show his faithfulness to me!

Beat the Burnside

2008-05-06T13:31:00.001-07:00

My newest run that I’m stoked on!!

Portland's most unique 8k personal challenge run.
Choose your own start time, but make sure you reach the bridge by the time it goes up. The bridge raises at 9:00am exactly.
Which side will you be on?

Resting!!

2008-04-15T20:22:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to rest in life right now. I don't mean nap taking or the actual physical act of relaxation but rather the resting of my soul, the relaxation of my spirit, and the relinquishing of control to the Lord. It's so hard to "be still" to not worry about the future- am I going to school for the right thing- what should I go to school for- should I be going to school? do I want to switch jobs- what would I switch to? Will I ever get married- who will I marry- where will I find him?

I have been sooo anxious and discontent lately over life circumstances. I feel dizzy trying to create my own life, decide my own plans, pursue my own goals. In running around frantically trying to find my life I've, yet again, forgotten to look to God- to ask for his perspective and I haven't been asking him what He wants from me. My life perspective has been all about me. I've been selfish. In doing so I find myself like a little rubber ducky who's being continually flushed in the toilet, going nowhere, around and around and around and around, spinning in circles, never making any progress, never going anywhere. Just like the duck I'm angry at the "toilet bowl" I've been put in. Frustrated that I'm stuck. If I would just be still instead of squawking around flailing my wings for just one second then maybe, just maybe someone could reach in and lift me out. But so often I squawk and flap my little wings about giving no one the chance to reach in and help me. As a result of spinning and squawking and flapping I find myself feeling tired and worn-out.

The other week I finally became conscious that I was squawking and flailing about and started praying about it and asking God what I should do about my situation. I still don’t know what I should do about it but in starting to pray about it I’ve been convicted of my need to control my life, to keep it centered on what I want, keeping it safe. I began to realize that I need to REST in the Lord! I need to let him live through me instead of me exerting so much energy trying to do what I think I should be doing. I just need to Be Still, stay where I’m at and if I’m really to be doing something else it will come together. So often though I think I doubt the plans God has for me, I doubt that he even has plans for me, I question why he has me doing and being where I am. So often I don’t understand but then again I can’t understand the ways of the Lord. I just need to Trust, Rest, and Be Still!

I’m finding that resting is scary! It takes me out of the picture, takes all the control out of my hands, and leaves me in the mercy of the Lord. What if He wants me to do something I can’t do? But even that question centers around my ability to do/not do something rather then what God is able to do through me.

This feels very vulnerable to say but when it comes down to it I’m scared of life right now. I’m scared I’ll make the wrong choices, I’m scared I’ll fail, I’m scared my dreams won’t come true, I’m scared I won’t have an impact in this world, I’m scared I’ll be stuck, I’m scared that I won’t let go and trust God. And in my avoidance of fear and failure I find myself running around trying to find a solution, trying to find an escape- a new job, a different apartment, a new boy to like/date, a new career direction, something that will satisfy. And in doing so I exhaust myself, I loose focus and forget that contentment and true purpose are found in Christ. Its not about who I can be or what I can become but about who the Lord can make me, what the Lord can do with me.

Pray that I would REST in the Lord and what he has for me. Pray I would TRUST the plans the Lord has for me (Jeremiah 29:11-13). Pray that I would stop striving and looking for answers but that I’d REST in the ANSWER HIMSELF- Jesus Christ!

Shamrock Run... RAN!

2008-03-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

Well, shamrock run was a success! Julia and I ran the race in 46:29 that’s a 9min mile, even in light of the ultra slow first mile due to the congestion of people, imagine our time if we wouldn’t have had such a slow start! WooHoo!! Although the race was a hit I picked up the flu the day before. Friday I awoke with the feeling that something wasn’t right and by Saturday I had a fever. I had been so excited to run the Shamrock that I was determined to go for it anyhow! Sunday morning I got up and ran my little heart out. During the race I felt pretty good. I was in just the right amount of shape! I was able to push myself on the hills and I wasn’t getting winded, it was sham-o-rific! Although I felt good during the race the remainder of the day took on the all the yuck and then some that I pushed past in the morning! I’m just starting to feel better… what a bug :( Well, the race was ran and that’s what matters right? It doesn’t matter if I’m still alive or not… really, highly overrated.

Songs that struck a chord

2008-03-09T15:31:00.000-07:00

Here are two songs we sang at church this week… I like them...

I WANT TO BE JUST LIKE YOU
by Scott Olsen

I want you to take my eyes this moment
Keep the still on You
Come now and gather my attentions
All to you

I want you to take my feet and wash them
Help me understand
That only Your love could ever meet me
Where I am

Ohh… I want to be just like You
Come and make me what you want me to be
Ohh... There is no one like You
You are worthy of all of me.

I want You to take this mouth and make it
Holy unto you
I want my words to love like Jesus’
Pure and true

I want You to take this open window
This heart you made in me
Come now and make me everything
I ought to be

Come Jesus, Love’s pure light
Perspective is found in your eyes
My attention is all on you
Come and make me what you want to

WE COME TO YOU
by Derek Webb

As you came to us so we come to you
Fragile as a baby hopeful and new
But learning fast that to walk is to fall
Soon we’ve done it all

We come broken and we come undone
We come trying hard to love everyone
But we come up short in all that we do
Because we do
So we come to you

As you came to us so we come to you
Dirty and hurting then dead in the tomb
But raised redeemed to show off the scars
‘Cause you’ve brought us this far

You came to show the way
Not around but through
So through it all we come to you

Shamrock Runnin'

2008-03-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

I have two weeks to get ready for this… eek! I started running 2 weeks ago but after a mere 3 runs I pulled my butt muscle, how lame is that?! “Sorry friend, I can’t run with you today, I pulled my butt” the lame girl said. Anyways I didn’t run and then I played flag football, which I probably shouldn’t have done but it was worth it (I caught a long pass and gained some yardage and then caught a short touchdown pass…how rockn’ is that for a girl who had a sore ass?!). Well, I rested and iced my butt this weekend and will venture out after work today for a nice little run with my friend Julia. But this leaves me just a mere two weeks to work up to 5miles form only two. I hope I make it! :)

I'm Loosing My Job!!

2008-01-30T10:20:00.000-08:00

Its official! We found a replacement for what has been my job for the last year and a half! Back in December I took a different position here a Western in order to cut back on hours and start my Masters. Unfortunately that has not been what’s happened. I ended up working my old job and my new job, thinking it would be for a short time… now after 9weeks of two jobs there is an end in sight!!! February 11th the new girl will have her first day! I will still have to train her but at least we now have someone hired! No longer will I be pulled in two directions! I’m SOOO Excited! Two weeks and a few training days and I’ll be FREE!

Game of Life

2008-01-07T09:11:00.000-08:00

“I watched the October classic, Baseball’s World Series. I hoped for seven competitive games. Game five did not deliver - San Francisco 16, Anaheim 4. But there was a dramatic moment. It was provided not by Barry Bonds, but a three year old. Lofton got a hit to the outfield and two men on base raced forhome. Would one run score? Two? Every eye was on the outfielder throwing the ball back into home. Every eye, that is, except those of three year old Darren Baker, the knee-high bat boy. Darren was running out to get Lofton’s bat while the play continued. He arrived at home plate just as the first runner scored. He as destined to join a colossal collision with the second runner. His father, Coach Dusty Baker, could only watch. As the first runner (J.T. Snow) scored, he skillfully scooped up Darren with one hand a moment before disaster. Big men playing a kid’s game before millions of fans came quickly into perspective. The safety of one little boy proudly retrieving a bat for his father was more important than any World Series game. Young Darren Baker was "safe” and that is what I’ll remember.”
-Garry Friesen (World Series 2002)

As I read this reflection one of my college professors had written I quickly resonated with the little boy. How often I feel like a little child in a grown up world. Trying to do my part, trying to be an adult, and trying participate in the “game.” If I’m not careful, as I recently haven’t been, I will find myself a mere 3’ 4” standing atop home base about to be flattened when all I really wanted to do was be a part of the game. So what’s the trick? How do you be a little child in an adult world? You can’t not participate in this game of life yet as just a little naive 3 year old you are simply unaware of the dangers. How is this game to be played, this life to be lived? My conclusion: play, go get the bat when it needs to be gotten, don’t be afraid and trust that when danger charges at you arms from above will scoop you up!

Christmas 2007

2007-12-26T22:38:00.000-08:00

Christmas never changes… or does it? Sure the meaning and true reason for Christmas never changes but how we celebrate it does. As a child my family and I had several traditions that centered around Christmas. Christmas Eve started all the festivities. First we would go to Christmas Eve service at church then come home to have a big Christmas Eve dinner. Just before dinner my two brothers and I got to open one gift… it was always an ornament that mom had made (very rarely did we get a store bought ornament). We then ate dinner which was always very good. We had these glasses that I just love; they are the 12 Days of Christmas glasses. I don’t remember if I had a favorite one but never the less there was always something fun about using them. After Christmas we would retire to the living room where we would leisurely strew ourselves on the couches and open gifts. I always had to play Santa and hand out the gifts (in the early years because I wanted to and in my later years because no one else wanted to do it and I was the lucky nominee). Every year as one of my presents I would receive a nutcracker. It started in 1st grade, and I loved it, so year after year all the way through college I received a nutcracker, I must say I have a lovely collection. I don’t know what made my parents buy that first nutcracker but it started an ever long tradition (and obsession) over nutcrackers! As a kid the night that joined Christmas Eve with Christmas day was full of anticipation and squirminess but as a youth and young adult it was met with a desire for more sleep. In the morning, all the way through high school, Santa came… it was amazing; he kept coming even though we didn’t believe! How great is that! Anyways we would always open up a few more gifts (well, we actually never opened Santa’s gifts because for some reason Santa never wrapped his gifts, must have been too lazy or something) anyhow by the time we were done with morning gifts Grandma and Grandpa had pulled in the driveway. They always came down from Salem for Christmas breakfast. (I don’t blame them; mom makes wonderful homemade cinnamon rolls). From there we would have a relaxed day sometimes hosting family other times venturing out to the homes of relatives.

This year however was different… We are all adults now and the presents and busyness of Christmas is not first on our priority list. My Dad had a wonderful idea this year… “Let’s go to Sunriver for Christmas”. What a wonderful idea! So this year we decided not to do the present thing and instead spend time as a family over in the snow! It was a very nice time. My parents, grandparents, brother and his wife all went over together (my other brother and his family recently moved away and were unable to come back for Christmas). As you can see in the pictures below it was a great time!

Once over there we decided to get a little Christmas tree for the place so Dad and I went into town to see what we could find. We ended up getting three wreaths and a tree all for FREE at Fred Meyer's… How great is that!!

My mother and I infront of our little Christmas tree :)

As a kid, around 5th grade, my mom bought little ceramic houses and stores for us to paint inorder to make our very own little Christmas village. Us kids were always fond of those memories. Now as an adult my brother wanted to recreate the memory and have his own village. So Tim and his wife bought little houses for us to paint on this trip.

On Christmas Eve day Tim and I went up to Mt. Bachelor to have some fun in the snow!!

My grandparents and I all snuggled up on the couch!

A family dinner out. I had the best salmon I've ever had this night!! So Good!

A few pictures of Mom and I!

**MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE**

Where's The Sense In That?

2007-12-12T22:11:00.000-08:00

The other night at small group we discussed Sunday’s sermon as we usually do. This last week the sermon was very good but also a bit hard to grasp. It was about cognitive dissonance, sort of. Basically as a group we ended up talking about the irrational aspects of Christianity. Why would someone do something that does not logically or rationally make sense? “WHY” the world asks us do we do this or that? “WHY” we ask ourselves do we live contrary to the world. What do I do, for the glory of Christ, that doesn’t make sense? As Christians we often noted for our lack of vulgar talk, our stance on sex, our view of human life, our belief on the origins of this world, etc. These things are typically seen as contrary to the world.

How does my living not make sense to the world? Am I putting others first when the world would clearly find logic in looking out for themselves? Am I letting go of material possessions and power that the world lusts after? Am I standing firm in my beliefs on sexuality when the world endorses sexual freedom? Am I putting myself aside when the world would tell me to take what is mine? Am I pursing Christ rather than pursuing a name for myself? How am I living illogically?

The Lord has definitely been teaching me a lot about living contrary to the world and not just contrary to the world but contrary to my own sinful desires and everything that roars up within me. The logic I use is not of this world, it doesn’t look at the here and now. I take the perspective of the Lord, I take truth and try to live in light of that. That’s not to say that I don’t find myself now and then looking out for me, myself, and I. its just that I desire to live in a way that would cause others, and at times even myself, to wonder “what sense is there in living like that?”

Good bye

2007-11-11T18:19:00.001-08:00

Its been a long time since I’ve posted anything. Sorry about that! Well, a lot’s been going on, keeping the day to day busy, but at the same time nothing has happened that I’ve really found post-worthy. Well, this unfortunately is post worthy… My brother and sister-in-law are moving to Atlanta. Actually, Jeremy left this morning with the truck and Jana and the girls are leaving Tuesday by plane. Last night the family got together for a last hurrah. I thought I’d post some pretty cute pictures!

Our whole family (plus Sabrina's nephews)

After pizza we went back to my parents' house where Jana and I gave Adalyn her first photo shoot. It was really funny. A bit sassy for a three year-old but nontheless very funny.

Just a few more picutres...

Friendly Flowers

2007-09-21T19:34:00.001-07:00

I have some wonderful friends! Yesterday evening I was going about my own business, actually I was talking on the phone with my mom figuring out when and where to meet her and my dad as they were in Portland for the evening. I had the phone between my right ear and shoulder, my purse between my left elbow and hip digging with one hand for my keys and tuning off the light and opening the door with the other hand- talk about multitasking. As I tuned off the light and flung open the door there were two of my friends about to knock on the door, which incidentally my forehead was now in the place of. They had dropped by to give me flowers! What great friends I have!! It was so thoughtful of them!! The Lord truly blessed me through them and their kind, thoughtful, intentional gesture. Thanks Jodie and Jen for the beautiful flowers and thanks even more for your friendship!!

Hectic is as hectic does…

2007-09-19T19:01:00.000-07:00

Well, as I'm sure you can guess from the title I'm going to tell you that the last several weeks have been very busy. Abnormally busy, even for this time of year! Two and a half weeks ago now I dog sat for my patents. My mom had been wanting a dog for several months and low and behold the week before they were scheduled to be out of town they came across a dog they liked. Upon purchasing the dog they knew they would have to find someone to watch him while they were gone… that someone was me. For 5 days I was the caretaker of a little 9 week old puppy. Granted he was cute, the time Oliver and I spent together only reassured me that I truly do not want a pet! They are so much work and I just don't have that kind of free time!! Oh, not to mention he smells like dog- I don't dig that smell (I think some people must not be able to smell it or something). Dog week was the week preceding the start of the school year. So, following a busy doggie week came a busy work week. Students were coming and going, questions to be asked, professors scurrying about, copiers in constant use and so much more. It’s funny, even in the first few days of school one, referring to myself, can predict/identify who this year’s high maintenance students will be. "And the award for most high maintenance student goes to ________." Well, this year's definitely off to a start and I'm sure you'll hear more about it throughout the year- good and bad.
There are a few things that I am excited about. I'm going to be in a small group this year at church. We’re a group of eight girls, all in our mid-twenties. We had our first meeting last night; it was an informal time of hamburgers (and all that entails) and conversation. I already have an established relationship with one of the girls, I'm aquatinted with about half of them and then there are two that I met for the first time. I'm anticipating this to be a great group! I’m also excited about the fall! The air is beginning to have that feel!

HOOD TO COAST

2007-08-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

Hood 2 Coast! Over and done! It was a great experience. However, I’m not sure if my body would agree with that statement right now, thou I’m sure it will in a few days! So here are the happenings… Van #1 met at Western at 1:30, hopped in the van and drove up to the base of Mt. Hood. At 4:15 the gun fired (or buzzer went off- I don’t remember) and I was off. I was leg number one; 5.75 miles, 1,900ft, and 42minutes later my first leg was done! I made it down the mountain! I was actually feeling pretty good, that may have been due to the fact that Kenny told me horror stories about my leg instilling in me much fear and trembling about the run, when in fact it turned out pretty good. For the next 27 hours the Western Flyers, as our team is named, would be running up hills and down hills, on dirt roads, country roads and along highways, in sunshine and moonlight, and through the wind and the rain… we ran! We were such a great team! Come Friday night around 9pm(?) our van was done with its first legs and van #2 of the Western Flyers stared running their hearts out! For a short time we (van#1) went to Kenny’s house for a
meal, a shower (which was great feeling but fairly useless) and a very brief sleep. Up we rose and to the foot of Hawthorne Bridge we went, to meet the other half of team and take on the run. Finding the rest of our team (van#2) we cheered, hugged and waited in anticipation for the exchange to take place…(now roughly 12:30am)…Here he came, Dave Wenzel down the chute, my arm outstretched reaching for the slap bracelet (equivalent to a baton) and off I went on my second leg. On this leg I was a bit more tired and I could feel it as I ascended up Hawthorne Bridge. My superb teammates met me half way through the run to offer me water and cheer me on. The night proved to be a good one despite the droopy soar bodies that sat in the van. Kenny ran a great leg, Julia followed as did Nate, Cory and Dave! What a great team (half of a team) we were! Upon the exchange between Nate and Cory in Scappoose’s Fred Meyer parking lot we had two visitors full of cheer and encouragement. Jodie, Nate’s wife, and Joy, a friend and co-worker, came out at 3:30 in the morning to show their support! What a great surprise! Well, I don’t know how much I can write about running… we ran… they ran… we ran… the longer we ran the more tired and soar we became. Come Saturday afternoon on our 3rd legs it began to sprinkle, it actually felt really good and when I ran it was very light and sporadic. I heard however that for a few people in van #2 it dumped fairly well. Finally after about 27hours and 197miles we came to Seaside, OR where we waited for the last runner to come upon the beach! As one team (both vans) we stood on the sand waiting to hear the announcer call our team name…. waiting…. waiting…. "Western Flyers"! Dave was here! As a team we gathered in the chute and all 12 of us ran the last 100 feet of the race together!! After a few minutes of dilly-dallying we all crammed back into the vans and returned to Portland… it’s amazing how such a long experience happened in just over 24hrs.

Thanks team for making my first ever Hood to Coast (or any “official” run for that matter) an incredible one!!!

A few pictures from the jouney! For more pictures click on "My Pictures"

Run Julia Run

Run Dave Run

Kenny is our shining star!

Cory looking so cute with a purple flower!

Nate relaxing

Some of the rest of our team!

Time Flies

2007-08-21T21:33:00.000-07:00

Wow, how time flies! The school year is just days away. I’m not sure where the summer went… actually I’m not sure if the summer ever came. With cloudy skies and cooler temperatures it seems as though summer never arrived. Even if summer never did come time nevertheless rolled on and the school year is now just waiting to pounce!
This has and will be a busy time prior to school, not just at work but in my personal life too. Last week I took Friday off and went camping over the weekend. Several friends from Western and I all went up to Lost Lake on the northeastern side of Mt Hood. It was beautiful there, chilly but pretty. The water was so clear, trees were vividly green and quietness hovered in the air- except when the guy camping not too far from us decided to try to tune into some talk radio…ahh! It was a fun time but not too restful.
Coming off the weekend I have headed into a fairly normal week of work only to be abruptly thrown into a weekend of complete physical exertion. That’s right its finally time for Hood to Coast. Friday at 4:15 we are scheduled to start the race. We will gather at Timberline lodge, at the base of Mt. Hood. Guess who is starting the race? Me, I’m leg #1. I get to be the person who starts the race for the whole team. Along with that really cool privilege comes a very grueling run. All the legs of the race are given a difficulty rating E-easy, M-medium, H-hard, or VH-very hard. This first leg that I’m running is rated VH! AHHH! But luckily my other legs are given a rating of E. So for this first leg I will run about five and a half miles straight down hill. Not leisurely downhill but intensely downhill. Within 5.5 miles I will drop 2,000 ft! Two-thousand feet, that’s really steep! For training I’ve been trying to find as many hills I can run up not run down. I think it should be okay but still, its going to be a bit tricky.

Do It For The TEAM!

2007-08-13T22:51:00.000-07:00

Over the last two months I have been gradually running more and farther. I’m training for Hood to Coast, a huge running event here in Oregon. The race starts at Mt Hood and goes 197 miles to the Oregon coast. You don’t run this race all by yourself, you run it with a team of 11 other people. Everyone runs 3 legs of about 5-8 miles each. As a part of a team of 12 your 11 teammates are counting on you to run your share of the race. Doing this requires one to have been running in the weeks and months prior to the race. If you haven’t been training this race will be extrodinarly difficult and to some impossible. So, you do your part in training for this race but what about your teammates? Are they training, will they be ready to run their legs? That’s where trust comes in. I’m trusting that my teammates are training their bodies and preparing for this race, as to not let the team down. This is what has been motivating me through this whole process- the team. The goal of running and finishing the race is important and has is share in the motivation but the reason I’ve been diligent in training is that I don’t want to let my team down. To be honest I would say another motivator would be that I don’t want to look bad, incapable. Cause if I did do poorly that would show that I neglected to train and prepare for the race.
I will say that making the time, clearing my schedule, not making certain commitments has been a very difficult part of training. Making the time has almost been harder than actually having the motivation to run. The motivation and desire to run may be there but the sheer discipline to put other things aside in light of this priority has been very difficult.
(Here comes the christianese...) In so many ways I am seeing parallels between my training for Hood to Coast and my spiritual life, my relationship with Christ. So often we find ourselves to be a part of something bigger than ourselves (the race/God’s work) and yet we don’t make time to train properly for it, at least I don’t. I’m realizing how many times I put less important things in front of my priority of training with God. I push aside time in the Word to play with friends, I take time to watch movies instead of taking time to pray and be with God. Those things themselves are okay but because of those things I tend to push aside what I know I need to do. I so often have the attitude that I am in this race (God’s work) alone rather than in it with a team. I act like putting these things, spiritual disciplines, aside for what I want in the moment will only affect me. I’m wrong in that thinking, my lack of “training” affects all those around me whether I realize it or not. I must train so the team can do well and so God's Kingdom can advance!
In light of this event I am trying to be just as protective of my time and where I put my efforts. I must make time for God as I have made time for running. Feel free to ask me how I’m doing with this. I need my team to help remind me to train!

What’s the big deal with the CLIFF BAR?

2007-08-09T16:35:00.001-07:00

So I’ve been running a lot lately, training for the Hood 2 Coast run Aug 24th. I thought that in the spirit of running and working out I would try a Cliff Bar…hummm… I’m not sure what I think. I like the packaging- nice, simple, good colors, reaches the target buying group. Then you open the package and the product drastically goes down hill. The texture of the product feels like its pre-chewed condensed cardboard. I can taste the chocolate and peanut but only to the extent that organic soybeans can taste like chocolate and peanut. And, well, not to be gross (but I did grow up with brothers) it looks like poo. I would categorize it in the “odd” column. I think if I ate it enough I could get used to it (until I became conscious of the taste and texture). All this brings me to say “what’s the big deal with Cliff Bars?”

Friendship Part 3- So Long and See You Soon

2007-08-04T22:55:00.000-07:00

In a week that was ever so busy… Wedding on Saturday (Friendship Part 1), outing on Tuesday (Friendship Part 2), busy at work, there had to be one more thing, one more thing that would make the week even worse- Wednesday and Thursday. From and interesting Saturday to a sweet Tuesday there came a bittersweet Wednesday. My friends Sam and Sarah are moving to Boston. Three years ago Sarah moved to Portland from Colorado to be near here fiancé as he schooled at Multnomah Bible College, where I went. It came to be that she moved into a house with me and three other girls (5girls in one house) upon her arrival. From there we became great friends! We moved out of the chaotic house into our own apartment where we lived till her and Sam married in June ’05.
There are so many things great about Sarah (and Sam)! We had some great times, real talks, and a healthy dose of life sharing. Everything a friend is she is. She drove across town when I was frustrated and flipping out about a paper I had to write for class. When things were tough for either of us we knew there was a listening ear not far away. Dinners together and of course coffee shops together! It would be a friendship… it wouldn’t be a friendship in Portland without a coffee shop! ( I think I just came up with a new theory- Friendships in Portland can’t survive without coffee shops!-- In light of that thought I want to give a little shout out to Palio’s Coffee Shop which gave us an atmosphere conducive to fruitful and authentic conversation). Anyway... All that to say, Sarah, you are a great friend and this is not the end! Thank you for letting me be a part of your life. Samuel, and to you, thank you so much for your friendship as well! I truly care about you and am excited for these next years you’re going into. You never were “just” Sarah’s husband, you were my friend, and I feel too that I was never just your wife’s friend I was your friend too! Thanks!! Here’s to an exciting chapter in your guys’ life and a friendship that is still young!

Friendship Part 2: Few and Far Between

2007-08-04T16:43:00.000-07:00

There are some friends in life that are irreplaceable. They come into our lives at critical points and seem to last despite distance and life change. They are Forever Friends. What’s more is when there is more than one and they are all connected.
As a sophomore and junior in high school there were a few girls who came into my life, Sherri Duke and Kim Barnett. They loved me and cared for me during a critical time in life. As a result of their friendship Heather Hilton, now Heather Powers, became a friend as well, as did Leslie. And in a year’s time Emily McIntosh would join the ranks. All of us shared one thing that has bound us and will continue to hold us together throughout the years—Jesus Christ. There was a distinct desire we all had as high schoolers to love and grow in the Lord. We were excited and willing to give our time to pursing him. As we’ve grown older we still all seek the same thing, although we are not all geographically together we still enjoy one another and relate to the journey of faith we each are encountering. Encouragement and acceptance threads its way though us all as well. The choice to go or to stay, to pursue education or to be clueless, to be married, to be willingly single or to be unfortunately single, we all love and accept the location and stage the Lord has us in.
This last Tuesday we all had the chance to hang out together, except Emily who had to work. Heather and Kim where visiting from Germany, Sherri made her way down from camp in Washington, and I journeyed down from Portland. Together we went to a beautiful place, Silver Creek Falls. Just northeast of Salem lies these beautiful falls and hiking trails. There we picnicked, walked, saw the falls, waded in the creek and most of all talked! Although just days before we all had been thousands of miles apart and in another day’s time we again would be separated, we were for the day and that time together!
Who knows where, when or with whom we all will end up but despite the location, the life circumstance and time that elapses there will always be a friendship that endures. These girls truly are few and far between.

Friendship: Part 1 of 3

2007-08-02T00:20:00.000-07:00

Life never ceases to amaze me; actually I think I should be saying "life never ceases to not amaze me". I am not amazed how people don't change, what would be amazing is if people did change. What I'm saying is this last Saturday I went to a wedding of a high school friend and there were many people there who I went to school with, many of them just as they were in high school (and not it the “oh you haven’t aged” way rather the “oh you haven’t matured” way). Jessica, the bride, who I do like, and I have stayed in contact over the years despite our shrinking common interests (that's how I see it a least). We grew up playing sports together, primarily soccer and basketball. From 6th grade to 12th the differences and priorities between my friends and I became more obvious and had a greater effect on our relationships, Jessica was the most understanding of the differences, and with whom the differences took longer to form. When I look at it I see them, my friends and those from high school, as being different but when it comes down to it, it is I who was and is different. I want to know what's really truly going on in life, how you’re feeling about things, what you value, what Christ is doing in and through you, etc. whereas relationships on the other end revolve around superficial self gratification. As much as I would like to hold on to my friendship with Jessica, and will- to the extent that it is possible—there will never be a depth in that relationship that once was or is now with others in my life. I guess in short, what I’m saying is, I would much rather have been a fly on the wall at that wedding, for the sake of curiosity then to have had to go and make superficial conversation with people who have a mutual lack of desire for relationship establishment. (I don’t know if what I’m saying makes sense but I hope you can follow the concept of what I’m saying). This I am amazed with, I am amazed at how different relationships can be between people and with the difference and variety they carry in my own life.

Portugal vs Brazil

2007-07-20T11:29:00.001-07:00

Nike makes some great commercials! So fun!

Long Live Equality!

2007-07-10T18:14:00.000-07:00

Tuesday
Clear

HI: 102 °
LOW: 62 °

Today's a scorcher over 100 degrees in Portland today! I must say I don't mind it too much, its a bit hot (I prefer high 80s) but I have been so tired of being cold that I'm quite already if there's a heat invasion. The funny thing about where I work (Western Seminary). Its a small seminary that's been around for a number of years and its building reflect its age. I work in a Bueermann Hall, built in the 70s- the newest building, the third flood is the only place on campus that has air conditioning everywhere else is a sauna. Basically everyone on campus is sweating and we're just chill'n on the 3rd floor. The air condition isn't the only perk of the third floor. Due to the extreme heat office hours are cut short and we 3rd floorers benefit yet again... we get to go home early too! That's right we are not discriminated against just because we have air conditioning! Long live equality!

Trust

2007-06-27T13:22:00.000-07:00

This last weekend was such a blessing. On Saturday a group of ladies, about 12 of us, went to Cannon Beach for the day. It was so relaxing and just a plain ‘ol good time with the girls! For those of you who don’t know Cannon Beach is a cute little town on the Oregon coast with fun shopping and a wonderful beach. We broke off into little groups and did various things: shopped, walked on the beach, some sat in a coffee shop but regardless of what I was doing it was all very restful. For lunch we all gathered together at a park to eat; during this time two women shared about trust. Jennifer, the first on to share talked about how over the last three years the Lord has been humbling her and stretching her finically. She’s been with Campus Crusade for 20 years now and about 8-10 years back in the states. For the last three years support has been dropping and stubborn independence has stepped up. Just fresh out of this 3 year season she now redefined and reminded me what it looks like to trust God. Michelle, the other one to share, returned about two months ago from a short term mission trip to Uganda. Upon her return she has been very sick and the doctors are have a hard time pin pointing what exactly the problem is (possibly malaria or some sort of bacterial infection). No mind what she actually has it is debilitating her. Even the simplest of tasks like cutting the roses have been found to be impossible. For being such an energetic person, always on the go, always involved in this or that this time has been and continues to be very emotionally exhausting. Trusting that the Lord will heal her, give her strength, and bring her through this is much more than words; she is living out trust. Trust looks so different when we are in the midst of the trial. The talk of trust is easy but the action of trust is in a realm of its own. I’m still thinking on all this but it is really making me reevaluate what I perceive trust to be and if in fact I’m truly living in trust of the Lord.