There are only 5 days remaining until I tackle The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. I can’t believe the day is finally approaching. When I started the training, I had a difficult time believing I would ever feel confident in completing the event. Today, as I look ahead to Sunday, I feel good about what I’ve accomplished in my training. Honestly, I wish I had watched what I was eating a little closer and made certain I was eating healthy. It seems a bit crazy that I have put on all these miles and still haven’t lost weight. At the same time, I will not allow that to diminish my accomplishment one bit.
Beginning today, I will be watching what I eat. Birthday cake and Rice Krispies Treats will not get me to the finish line. It is important that I make sure the calories I put into my body are beneficial. I want to be certain I can complete the 26.2 miles on Sunday morning.
The weathermen are not calling for great weather on Sunday. Rain is in the forecast. Thankfully, they’ve been wrong before and even if it does rain, we’ve run in rain before. It’s the spectators I’m concerned about. Please know (those of you who have expressed the desire to attend the marathon) I will not be disappointed if the weather is bad and you don’t come. We don’t need everyone sick because I needed support to complete this race. At the same time, if the weather is cooperative, I am excited to see some of you on the sidelines as I race for a cure. Look for me in the purple jersey. Let me know if you’ll have any way for me to find you on the sidelines. Purple and Teal are the Team in Training colors. I’m going to go out to see if I can find poster board that color for Rod to have signs so I can find him. If nothing else, after the race (probably about 5 ½ hours), I will be at the Team in Training Tent in Charity Village so I can always meet up with people there and Rod will have our cell phone with him during the race.
To each of you, thank you for your support through all of this. Monetarily, Prayerfully, Emotionally. With each step I take, you will be with me. I believe wholeheartedly in this cause. Research has come such a long way but it still has a long way to go, too. I just read recently that cases of lymphoma are increasing rapidly. And as I’ve said in the past, there still is no cure for the leukemia my father-in-law battles.
I hear the Cubs will be at Wrigley Field for the playoffs on Sunday. It sounds like Chicago will be the happening place to be for the weekend. I’m glad I already have a hotel room the night before. You might want to consider taking public transportation if you are headed downtown on Sunday. It will be one crowded city. The map of the course can be found at http://www.chicagomarathon.com/.
With a reason bigger than myself, I will cross that finish line this Sunday afternoon!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
An Eternal Perspective
This morning as I read the Bible, I came to a conclusion about my feelings. It’s not that my feelings aren’t valid. As a matter of fact, they’re quite human. It’s just that there is a bigger picture I have been failing to think about.
Anyone in my shoes would have a difficult time focusing on much other than what’s happening here. My dad is truly fighting for his life and my father-in-law has a battle of his own with this cancer. Daily, we hold our breath as the phone rings. There’s always that possibility that bad news could be coming our way.
At the same time, eternity needs to be my focus. I’m so consumed with wanting my dad to be here on this earth for the way I envisioned it that I’ve lost touch with what truly matters. I have this complete peace when it comes to eternity and my dad. So many do not share that peace. My dad has been so open with all the details of his battle as well as how he imagines greeting Jesus in the end of his life.
Eternity and the souls of men is truly the heart of the matter. This world is only temporary. Whether our dads are with us for 30 days or 30 years, eternity is forever.
"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." – Philippians 3:20-21
Anyone in my shoes would have a difficult time focusing on much other than what’s happening here. My dad is truly fighting for his life and my father-in-law has a battle of his own with this cancer. Daily, we hold our breath as the phone rings. There’s always that possibility that bad news could be coming our way.
At the same time, eternity needs to be my focus. I’m so consumed with wanting my dad to be here on this earth for the way I envisioned it that I’ve lost touch with what truly matters. I have this complete peace when it comes to eternity and my dad. So many do not share that peace. My dad has been so open with all the details of his battle as well as how he imagines greeting Jesus in the end of his life.
Eternity and the souls of men is truly the heart of the matter. This world is only temporary. Whether our dads are with us for 30 days or 30 years, eternity is forever.
"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." – Philippians 3:20-21
Monday, October 1, 2007
SURPRISE!
I am still in awe as I think of how oblivious I have been to everything going on around me these days. One of my friends reminded me that I had a few things to think about, but still…I normally pride myself on figuring things out.
As I walked through my front door after a weekend away of shopping with my cousin, I was totally and completely surprised. My home was filled with people that I am so blessed to share life with. “SURPRISE!” was shouted and although it took a few moments for it all to settle in, I just couldn’t believe he pulled it off.
Oftentimes, I inform Rod that he doesn’t “know me well enough”. After 11 years of marriage, I throw into disagreements the “I know the things you enjoy, why can’t you just understand me?” I guess I won’t be doing that for a while. He proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he knows me…possibly even better than I know myself. Celebrating two months before my 30th birthday never even dawned on me as a possibility. It's actually a good feeling to be surprised. I should allow people the opportunity more often. I suppose I don't always have to be in control.
God has truly blessed me with an incredible husband. He is my absolute best friend and put forth all kinds of planning and effort to surprise me for my 30th birthday. What a memory! There was really only one factor that he had no control over and he didn’t know how it would affect the night. God knew, and my Dad and Mom were both there with us. My eyes fill with tears even now at the thought of it. It had to have taken every last bit of energy my dad had to make it to the party last night and I am forever grateful. My only fear in turning 30 was celebrating without my dad. I still hope and pray he is here to celebrate with me on the actual day but this is a memory I will cherish forever.
Not to minimize all the efforts my friends put in and everyone who came to celebrate, though. As I look at my life, I am so grateful that I am surrounded by a huge support system. I think friendships are proven during difficult times. There are those friends who just know what to do and when to do it: when to call, when to write, when to leave you alone and when to just cry with you. These past months have been extremely difficult and I am so grateful to each of you for loving me and cutting me the slack when I needed it. My heart swells as I think of everyone. I am truly blessed.
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy…And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” -- Philippians 1:3-11
As I walked through my front door after a weekend away of shopping with my cousin, I was totally and completely surprised. My home was filled with people that I am so blessed to share life with. “SURPRISE!” was shouted and although it took a few moments for it all to settle in, I just couldn’t believe he pulled it off.
Oftentimes, I inform Rod that he doesn’t “know me well enough”. After 11 years of marriage, I throw into disagreements the “I know the things you enjoy, why can’t you just understand me?” I guess I won’t be doing that for a while. He proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he knows me…possibly even better than I know myself. Celebrating two months before my 30th birthday never even dawned on me as a possibility. It's actually a good feeling to be surprised. I should allow people the opportunity more often. I suppose I don't always have to be in control.
God has truly blessed me with an incredible husband. He is my absolute best friend and put forth all kinds of planning and effort to surprise me for my 30th birthday. What a memory! There was really only one factor that he had no control over and he didn’t know how it would affect the night. God knew, and my Dad and Mom were both there with us. My eyes fill with tears even now at the thought of it. It had to have taken every last bit of energy my dad had to make it to the party last night and I am forever grateful. My only fear in turning 30 was celebrating without my dad. I still hope and pray he is here to celebrate with me on the actual day but this is a memory I will cherish forever.
Not to minimize all the efforts my friends put in and everyone who came to celebrate, though. As I look at my life, I am so grateful that I am surrounded by a huge support system. I think friendships are proven during difficult times. There are those friends who just know what to do and when to do it: when to call, when to write, when to leave you alone and when to just cry with you. These past months have been extremely difficult and I am so grateful to each of you for loving me and cutting me the slack when I needed it. My heart swells as I think of everyone. I am truly blessed.
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy…And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” -- Philippians 1:3-11
Thursday, September 27, 2007
10 More Days...
We’re supposed to be in a tapering mode with our marathon training. Unfortunately, I feel exhausted and as though we are doing at least the same amount of running, if not more than we did in prior weeks. Our Saturday morning runs are definitely lower as we are only doing 60 minutes this week. During the week, however, my body is not used to this amount of running. The schedule called for 40 minutes Monday, 40 minutes Tuesday and 45 minutes yesterday. Previously, I remember doing about 20 or 30 minutes on Monday, Cross Training on Tuesday and group training on Wednesday. Writing it down makes it seems the same, it just felt like we used to do less.
There are only 10 more days until the marathon – if I count today. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll fall into a depression after October 7th. With all this training and such a big goal completed, where will all my energy be directed? Maybe I’ll finally get something done around my house. I really don’t want to quit exercising entirely, though. Part of the reason it seemed like a good idea to train for this marathon was that it would get me into an exercise routine that I would be able to stick with in the future. Even so, completing the marathon really could play havoc with my emotions because it will bring such a change in my schedule. Thankfully, there is Jaycie’s birthday and the holidays quickly approaching and that should keep my mind distracted.
It seems so surreal that we are coming upon marathon day. I never thought I’d get to this point and now it’s so close that I’m a little scared. What if I don’t have the energy to complete the 26.2 miles? What if I get injured? What if this new shirt we’re supposed to wear for Team in Training causes my arms to chafe? What if the food I eat the night before is too different than my body is used to? What if it’s a morning that I feel the need to use the bathroom continually during the run? What if I can’t sleep the night before at the hotel? There are all kinds of silly thoughts that come to my mind. No matter how silly, though, they are all things that I’m concerned about.
To be honest, my biggest concern is probably just with the emotion of the day. There will be a lot surrounding it. Everyone talks about the energy involved in such an event. My thoughts continue to be with my dad. And tomorrow, Rod’s dad goes to meet with his doctors. We’re praying that his numbers will remain the same and that everything is ok with him. Emotionally, I can’t handle having both dads in the hospital. My father-in-law fell the other day by tripping over a suitcase and banged himself up pretty well. He also was up on the roof messing with the chimney last week and he admits that he wore himself out. Last night, he seemed fairly weak and Rod commented that he thought he looked a bit pale, as well. Cancer is a terrible disease and I’m scared that my girls could lose both of their grandpas.
Fear is a terrible thing if we allow it to grab hold of us. It can be consuming. So I try to find my comfort in God. He knows what is going on and knows exactly what each one of us needs.
Matthew 6:8 “…for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
There are only 10 more days until the marathon – if I count today. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll fall into a depression after October 7th. With all this training and such a big goal completed, where will all my energy be directed? Maybe I’ll finally get something done around my house. I really don’t want to quit exercising entirely, though. Part of the reason it seemed like a good idea to train for this marathon was that it would get me into an exercise routine that I would be able to stick with in the future. Even so, completing the marathon really could play havoc with my emotions because it will bring such a change in my schedule. Thankfully, there is Jaycie’s birthday and the holidays quickly approaching and that should keep my mind distracted.
It seems so surreal that we are coming upon marathon day. I never thought I’d get to this point and now it’s so close that I’m a little scared. What if I don’t have the energy to complete the 26.2 miles? What if I get injured? What if this new shirt we’re supposed to wear for Team in Training causes my arms to chafe? What if the food I eat the night before is too different than my body is used to? What if it’s a morning that I feel the need to use the bathroom continually during the run? What if I can’t sleep the night before at the hotel? There are all kinds of silly thoughts that come to my mind. No matter how silly, though, they are all things that I’m concerned about.
To be honest, my biggest concern is probably just with the emotion of the day. There will be a lot surrounding it. Everyone talks about the energy involved in such an event. My thoughts continue to be with my dad. And tomorrow, Rod’s dad goes to meet with his doctors. We’re praying that his numbers will remain the same and that everything is ok with him. Emotionally, I can’t handle having both dads in the hospital. My father-in-law fell the other day by tripping over a suitcase and banged himself up pretty well. He also was up on the roof messing with the chimney last week and he admits that he wore himself out. Last night, he seemed fairly weak and Rod commented that he thought he looked a bit pale, as well. Cancer is a terrible disease and I’m scared that my girls could lose both of their grandpas.
Fear is a terrible thing if we allow it to grab hold of us. It can be consuming. So I try to find my comfort in God. He knows what is going on and knows exactly what each one of us needs.
Matthew 6:8 “…for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Wasted Energy
There are many times that I get myself all worked up and stressed out about something that results in just a bunch of wasted energy. For example, last night, we had our first small group.
We have a group meeting in our home to discuss the One-Year-Bible. Our Pastor has encouraged us as a church to read the One-Year-Bible together to get all of us into our Bibles a little more. Rod has wanted to lead a small group for sometime now so it works out for us to lead a group on this subject.
I’ve been stressing out about having people in our home regularly again. We love to host. We love to meet new people. It’s keeping the house clean that always creates stress. I feel like that is where my focus had to be the past two days because I’ve really let the house go with everything else that is going on. However, I was able to get the house in a condition I was comfortable with and still get my running in for the day.
Exhaustion has also described my life recently. When the girls go to bed, I often fall asleep on the sofa. I felt that feeling settling in, as it was time for everyone to arrive. As the couples starting walking in the door, I felt my energy start to perk up a bit and I was as talkative as always during the conversation. People ended up staying an hour after our official small group ended just to get to know one another better.
I am glad Rod was so adamant about hosting a small group. It helps take my eyes off myself for a minute and remember what we are on this earth for. And despite my lack of time, it is always good to meet new people. The day I learn to remember all of this and take it in stride rather than waste my energy stressing about it will be a day of maturity, indeed.
We have a group meeting in our home to discuss the One-Year-Bible. Our Pastor has encouraged us as a church to read the One-Year-Bible together to get all of us into our Bibles a little more. Rod has wanted to lead a small group for sometime now so it works out for us to lead a group on this subject.
I’ve been stressing out about having people in our home regularly again. We love to host. We love to meet new people. It’s keeping the house clean that always creates stress. I feel like that is where my focus had to be the past two days because I’ve really let the house go with everything else that is going on. However, I was able to get the house in a condition I was comfortable with and still get my running in for the day.
Exhaustion has also described my life recently. When the girls go to bed, I often fall asleep on the sofa. I felt that feeling settling in, as it was time for everyone to arrive. As the couples starting walking in the door, I felt my energy start to perk up a bit and I was as talkative as always during the conversation. People ended up staying an hour after our official small group ended just to get to know one another better.
I am glad Rod was so adamant about hosting a small group. It helps take my eyes off myself for a minute and remember what we are on this earth for. And despite my lack of time, it is always good to meet new people. The day I learn to remember all of this and take it in stride rather than waste my energy stressing about it will be a day of maturity, indeed.
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