Everyone You Meet In Life Has A Story

I just had an amazing weekend doing things I NEVER thought I would be doing. I think sometimes it’s good to share your story. So I’m going to try and make a very long story short, and tell you what led me to the place I am at today.

It’s been almost 5 years, but seems like just yesterday. There comes a time in your life when you get tired of just doing the same thing over and over. You want your life to have a significant purpose. Matt and I were both at that place. He was on a Missions trip to the Dominican Republic helping to build a church and I was home with our five kids and one on the way. I remember lying in bed with this burning desire in my heart, begging God to send us somewhere to do something big for Him. Matt came home with a love and desire for God that I had never seen before. We both knew that God was calling us to DO something. So we surrendered to Him, we put our newly built house up for sale and planned to leave for missionary training school two months after our 6th baby was to be born. We had plans to do something GREAT for God!! Surely this is what God wanted for us, BUT God had other plans. Instead of giving us the baby that would fit into our plans, He gave us Karsyn. He took our world and all the plans we made and turned them upside down. Those were some very dark days. We were trying to sort out what this meant for our family.  We sold our house a few months after Karsyn was born. We were still in the dark as to what God was up to!! I’m not going to tell you that my faith was strong and I walked with God every step of the way. I cried, I questioned, and I doubted everything!!! I even became bitter at times that He wasn’t going along with our plans.

Now I have a baby with a disability and my beautiful home is gone. Not exactly the way I had dreamed it!! Karsyn would need lots of therapy!!! I was overwhelmed and a little obsessed with trying to get every kind of therapy I thought she needed. She was seeing OT, PT and Speech through Early Steps, and I was taking her to private OT and PT. It was very expensive and exhausting!!! When you are handed a baby with a diagnosis you know nothing about you just want to make sure you are doing everything you can to give her what she needs to succeed!! The first few years were tough emotionally, physically and financially.

 

God has sent SO many people to us. Therapists and Teachers who choose to love us both!! I can totally understand why they would love my sweet girl, but why they love her crazy Mama too is definitely a God thing!! Just like all the therapists and teachers before God continues to faithfully send us someone to love us both!!! Her teacher has been VERY patient with me and has fallen in love with my girl!!!!

 

I love to look back and see God’s hand in our life.

 

One year after we sold our house the people we sold it to, sold it back to us!! Sounds crazy???!! It’s true!!! How often does that happen?? Definitely a God thing!!

 

Out of nowhere, God put a desire to Run in my heart. I had never ran a day in my life!!! I was athletic and played sports but running was not one of the sports I loved!!

 

I knew Michelle, Karysn’s Speech Therapist, was a runner so one day I mentioned to her I was thinking about running a 5K. From that simple conversation God opened up a whole new world. Every day we are both AMAZED at what has come of it.

 

First, she has become one of the dearest friends in my life. She lit a fire that had gone out in me. I remember one of our first runs she said God wants you to do this. I called Matt on my way home and told him. He pretty much thought I was crazy.

 

Two years later….He does not think I’m crazy anymore!!! Only God could have taken that desire and turned it into what it has become!!

 

We were introduced to Ainsley’s Angels a little over a year ago. What an awesome ministry of lending your legs to those in need. I can’t count the people we have been able to share God’s love with because of running.

 

God put another desire in my heart….Triathlons!! My plan was for Karysn and I to do them together!!! I contacted AA and asked if this would be possible. In true AA fashion they said of course and made it happen. They purchased all the equipment! We were all set!! All we had to do was wait for the Tri season to start!!

 

In the meantime they sent us on an unforgettable trip to Holland, MA. It was in Holland where our friendship began with the Warner family. Lanie Warner touched my heart and left a lasting impression on me.

 

So it’s time for Karysn and I to start training for our first triathlon together!! I was pumped!!! BUT once again God looked at our plans and laughed!!! Karsyn who loved the water all of the sudden wants nothing to do with it!! NOTHING!!! So, what do we do? AA already bought all this equipment we can’t just forget about it!! God reminded me of that sweet girl I met in Holland!! So I sent her Mom a message asking if she would be interested in taking Karsyn’s place?? I think she was a little hesitant but decided to give it a try!! It was a HUGE success!!! Lanie rocked it!!!

 

So, is that it?? We just do that one Tri and call it a day??? No way!! AA willingly expanded their organization and added a Tri division. I have no idea why they chose me but I am blessed to be the Tri coordinator. In just four months we have grown from one captain to four in our AASWLA chapter. Our South Texas chapter now has a Tri team. ( I’d like to think we inspired that!!) AND our Mississippi Chapter will soon join us!! (I hope anyway haha)

 

God works in mysterious ways!!!

 

Karsyn didn’t mess up the plan. She is THE PLAN!!!! Wow, God sure writes a better story than I could ever write on my own!!! What a gift!!!

 

God can take ordinary people and do extraordinary things!!!

 

I could not have planned this!!! His ways are higher than ours!!

 

I can’t wait to see what else He has in store!! This is an incredible journey!!!!!!

 

 

Keep Moving Forward

Matt surprised me with an awesome Christmas present! He bought me a stationary bike.

Today was my first day to get on it. I Clipped in and realized I had no fear of falling!!

Why? Because I wasn’t going anywhere!!! I was in the comfort of my own home and this bike was secure! There’s no way I could fall off even if I tried. I think the one  thing I’ve learned most about myself this past year is I have a major fear of failing.  

Michelle called me out on this the very first time we ran together.  

My goal for last year was to run a 1/2 marathon and to read my Bible through from cover to cover.  I can say I accomplished both!

I have the shirt, medal and sticker on my car to prove it!!  The Bible part was an awesome experience. I’ve been in church my whole life but I have never read every verse in the Bible. I’ve started many many times but never finished.  It is full of great promises and truth! I love it!!! I challenge you to give it a try! You won’t be disappointed!! I wish I could say running the 1/2 marathon was an awesome experience! Honestly, it was not pretty at all!!!  I can’t even explain what happened!!  Michelle watched me have a complete meltdown.  I wanted to scream!! At one point I even squatted down and slapped the road.

(My husband and friend Breanna find this quite funny:) Not sure what that accomplished.  She was just as frustrated!!  Partly because she is a competitor and she could have finished long before we did. But I think part of her frustration is she knew how bad I wanted it. She’s listened to me  talk about it for a year!!!  I did want it but on that day I could not overcome the mental game!! Crazy I know!! It’s been a month since the race and I have only put my shoes back on one time!!  

I ran across a great quote the other day.  “Getting knocked down in life is a given, getting up and moving forward is a choice. ” Zig Ziglar

I realized today on my bike that I have stopped moving forward! Yes, it’s a safe place to be, free from failure but what kind of life is that?? You can only stay in one place for so long!!!

You know me, I have to make a spiritual application.  I want my walk with God to stay as the most important thing in my life. I Realized in my Christian life because of hurts and failures I have come to the place where I stopped moving forward! Why? Because it’s safe and secure and I have no fear of failing!! Just going through the motions but not going anywhere!!!

I have always had a thing for people who are REAL. Almost to the point of it becoming a downfall in my life. If I go into an exercise class and if the instructor doesn’t look like I think she should I immediately make a judgement that this must not work. If I’m listening to someone talk about raising kids or talk about marriage I want to know were they successful? Do they know that this works? I don’t like to listen to people talk unless I know they are living it. I think that is why I am so impressed with my friend. Because she set a goal and achieved it! What she’s telling me is backed up by accomplishment.

Am I right for thinking this way? Probably not, because this way of thinking has kept me on the sidelines. I don’t feel like I can get up and share what’s on my heart if I can’t live it. I don’t like talkers I like walkers!! Show me that it’s real!! But at the same time I have to remind myself that God uses broken people! I don’t have to be perfect!! I don’t have to have it all together before I can share what’s on my heart because that is real!! Truth is I struggle everyday!! Tomorrow I might totally blow what I say I want to do today.  But I have to keep moving forward!!  God will use  people who realize they are nothing without him!!  No one is perfect. A perfect person wouldn’t need God!! If we are willing God will take all of our imperfections and use them to touch lives for his glory!!

What defines us is how well we rise after falling!!!

I look like a runner but Am I???

The other day while I was waiting to pick up my kids from school, I met a soon to be first-time Mom.  When she found out I had 6 kids she said, “Well I consider you to be a pro, give me some advice.”  I really didn’t have a great answer for her.  I think I said, “Just love and enjoy them because they grow up so fast!” She looked at me and said, “Well you are obviously a runner so I definitely need to start running!!” I just smiled and shrugged my shoulders.

I went home and asked my husband, “Why is it that I have everyone, but myself, fooled into thinking I’m a runner???”

A few days later we were both sitting in the school parking lot and two different ladies got out of their cars dressed in running clothes. I laughed and said “Look, I bet they are both runners!”

Isn’t it funny how by putting on a pair of tennis shoes, running shorts and a T-shirt everyone assumes you are a runner??

I wish it was that simple!!

One thing I try my hardest to be is REAL!!

I don’t want to appear to be something that I’m not.

Growing up in an Independent Baptist Church you learn at a very early age how to “look”  like a Christian.

I don’t have to go into great detail about what I am talking about. Most of you know!!

I do believe a Christian should look and act differently. But just because you have the “look” doesn’t mean that you are what you appear to be!!!

I challenge you to Be REAL!!

My desire it to be: “A what you see is what you get kind of person!!”

I don’t want people to look at me and assume that I am a Christian. I want them to KNOW that I am by the way that I live.

Same with running, I don’t want people to assume that I am a runner because I look like one. I want them to KNOW that I am because of what I have accomplished.

I have three months left to reach my goals for this year.

In case you have forgotten, in January I said this year I wanted to run a 1/2 marathon and read my Bible from cover to cover.

So with three months to go, I am proud to say, I am up to 10 miles and haven’t missed a day of Bible reading!! I know you are impressed, right?

Well, I would be impressed too, if it were true! But that’s a lie. Truth is, I am no further along in running then I was in January when I ran my first 5K and I have missed SO many days in my Bible reading.

Do I like admitting that I am failing?? NO

So with three months to go should I give up??

No way!!!

I am  determined now more than ever to reach those two goals! I CAN do this. I just have to believe in myself and be willing to work hard. With God, “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!”

I CAN do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me!!!

My new favorite quote!! “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes its the quiet voice that says I will come back and try again tomorrow.”

Are You Registered?

This is a tough post to write.  It shouldn’t be but to some people talking about Religious Beliefs are off limits!!  

I would never want to offend anyone!! God gives us each a will to choose what we believe.

It’s our choice!  

In tonight’s message my Pastor (aka Daddy:) challenged us to take a stand for what we believe.

This is your moment!! You were born for such a time as this!!

 

So, here it is. I’m going to be honest and share what I believe!!  

I was raised in the home of a Baptist Preacher. I am very thankful for my heritage and wouldn’t trade it for anything!  

I am a Baptist Girl! I married a Baptist Boy and we are raising our children in the Baptist Religion.

Am I going to Heaven because I am a Baptist??  

I have many family and friends who I love dearly who are of different denominations. Some are Pentecostal, Methodist, Catholic, Non-Denomination, the list could go on!

 

What about them?

 

You know what I have found most interesting about the races that I have been running??  

You can only race if you are registered.

You have to sign up!  

I will never forget the day that I signed up for my first 5K.   We were on our way to Baton Rouge for a Christmas get together with my sweet Grandma. I was searching for races on my phone and found the Cypress 5K. I sent Michelle a text to see what she thought about it. She said, “Let’s Do it!!” After a few clicks, I was registered!!

Here’s the interesting part.

When I showed up on race day they didn’t sit me down for an interview. No one asked me, “How long have you been training?” “Are you qualified to be here??” “Can you even finish??”  

The only thing they checked was to see if my name was on the list!  

Did I take the time in my busy life to sign up for this race??

I believe that is exactly how it will be when we get to Heaven.   

No one is going to be at the gate doing interviews.   No one is going to check to see what religious organization I was affiliated with.      My Baptist religion has nothing to do with my eternal destination!   No matter who you are and what religious tag you have we all must be born again!

 

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  

No one is going to be there to see if my good deeds outweigh my bad deeds.  

Eph. 2:8, 9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.  

No one is going to ask if I am qualified or deserve to be there.  

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.  

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  

God is simply going to check to see if in my busy life, I took the time to sign up!  

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

God loved us so much that he sent his Son to die, to take our place.  

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  

There is nothing that I can do to earn Heaven.

If I could earn it then why did He have to die??  

Because of my sin, I deserve Hell. We all do!!

But He paid for my sin on the cross!!  

So how do you register??

How do you get your name in the book of life?  

You come to Him in child-like faith, believing that His death on the cross was enough to pay for all your sin.  

You place your faith and trust in Him not in yourself!!   I know it sounds simple, Right?  

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  

It’s a gift!

We just have to receive it!  

I remember the day I signed up!  

Do you??

God Spinner

I admit it! I’m a God Spinner!! I do not apologize for it!!

I recently read a book (some of my DS moms will know which book I am talking about) that made a reference to God Spinners. The author defines God Spinners as people who believe that everything that happens in their life is orchestrated by God.

Okay, so if that’s what you call it I’m guilty!!

I believe that everything that happens in my life is controlled by God, both the good and the bad. I don’t believe anything can happen in my life that God doesn’t allow.

There are countless passages in the Bible that proves this.

How about the story of baby Moses? Do you think it was a coincidence that it was Pharaoh’s daughter that happened to find him??

Do you think it was a coincidence that after the widow woman fixed her last handful of meal and oil for Elijah she never ran out of meal and oil until the Lord sent rain upon the earth??

Do you think it was a coincidence that David killed Goliath with a slingshot??

Do you think it was a coincidence that Daniel was thrown into a Den of Lions and wasn’t harmed??

Do you think it was a coincidence that the three Hebrew boys were thrown into the fire yet walked out without even the smell of smoke on them??

Those were NOT coincidences my friend!! Those were ALL GOD!!! I could go on, but I think I have proven my point.

So, I am an absolute God Spinner; although I do not like that term. I believe that from the time I was conceived, God had a plan for my life.

Isaiah 44:24 Thus saith the Lord thy redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things;

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;

Have I always had my eyes open to His working in my life? NO!

I really believe we miss out on so many blessings because we are too busy to pay attention to God’s hand in our lives.

Sometimes I think God would love to knock us in the head and say “Wake up! That was ME!!!”

I can’t begin to list the many ways that God has worked in my life.

I can look back on so many instances in my life and say, “that was no coincidence” or “that was no accident”.

So let me share a few of them with you:

It was no accident that God placed me in an amazing family!! I’m so blessed to have such Godly parents. I can honestly say that I loved growing up in a Baptist Preachers’ home. I have such great memories of my Mom hosting Preachers and Missionaries in our home, and sitting listening to Daddy talk with some great men of God! Priceless!!! I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

It was no accident that at the age of 13, I went to Sand Mountain Bible Camp and gave my heart and life to Jesus. The Jesus I had heard about all of my life became real to me!!! Where would I be without him??

It was no accident that as a 13 year old girl, I became friends with a boy whom I have been happily married to for the past 15 1/2 years. He keeps me laughing and loving life!! I am a lucky girl to be loved by such a wonderful man!!

It was no accident that at the age of 19 while expecting my first baby that God sent me another expecting mom as a friend. Our boys have been best friends since birth; I can’t tell you the number of times a phone call from her has kept me sane. As they start High School in the fall I foresee many more deep conversations with my dear friend.

It was no accident that God sent a Titus 2 friend into my life! She has taught me so much!! And she made having a BIG family look like so much fun that we just had to join in!!

God has blessed us with 6 Amazing children!! My heart is full because of them!!

It was no accident that at the wise age of 24 (yeah right) I was allowed to teach 4 beautiful teenage girls in Sunday School. Looking back I can see that I didn’t have much to teach, but I have been blessed beyond measure by their friendship over the years!! They have each grown into amazing women who love God and I got to be a very small part of that!

It was no accident that on June 2, 2010 our baby girl was born with Down Syndrome.

It was no accident that God took the time to send me a little preparation.
I posted this on Facebook 5 days after Karsyn was born. (Posted on June 7, 2010) I thought I would share this with everyone. It’s just amazing to me to think that God loves us so much that He takes the time to send things our way that He knows will help us down the road.

A couple of months ago I took Tristyn and Corbin to the eye doctor, while we were sitting in the waiting room a little girl with Down Syndrome came in and sat down right by me. She started talking to me. She was asking me about the baby in my belly and all sorts of other things. Her Dad kept telling her to leave me alone, but I said, “No, she’s fine”. She was such a sweetheart, we talked for quite a while, and if you know me; you know how unusual that is. As she walked away the thought entered my mind, “I wonder if God sent her to me because this baby has Down Syndrome??”

I shared that story with only one person, but after that I never thought about it again until Wednesday June 2, 2010 at 1:30 when the doctor told us that our baby girl has Down Syndrome. Although there were many tears and will probably still be many more, God’s Peace and Grace flooded my heart immediately. He reminded me of that precious little girl I had met that day. I’m so thankful that He cares so much about us and He reassures us that His way is perfect. It might not be the plan that we had made, but His plan is always far better!!!!

It was no accident that as a terrified Mom of a new baby girl with Down Syndrome. When I was weighed down with all of the questions and fears of the unknown, God sent our very first therapist to us. She walks into our home, offers a smile and a hug and says “My 3 1/2 year old son has Down Syndrome and HE ROCKS IT! Let me tell you how awesome your baby girl is!” It was no accident that she has become so much more than Karsyn’s therapist, she has also become my sweet friend.

It was no accident that this same friend would give me the name of a speech therapist that could help my older daughter. You see, we had this plan to introduce her to Karsyn while she was seeing Tristyn. Our hope was that she would agree to add one more baby to her caseload, even though she was getting out of Early Steps. Yes, we were a little devious but thankfully it worked and Karsyn gained the best SLP!! (Sorry Michelle!!)

It was no accident that I decided to start running! (You know I have to throw that in there). Every week for the past 3 years I have sat in the room with Tristyn and Karsyn’s Speech Therapist. I loved her for helping my girls but our friendship was on a professional level. When she offered to help me with my new dream of running, God took us both on a journey and united our hearts!! I cherish her as one of my dearest friends.

A few weeks ago during one of Karsyn’s therapy sessions, she said, “I have been waiting all week to share this story with you.” The Chicken Runs at Midnight. You have to take the time to watch this video. It pretty much sums up this whole blog post.

It was no accident that my friend Meghan and I were at that 1992 Playoff game!!

You can make the choice for yourself. You can choose to believe that everything happens in your life by chance.

I choose to believe that the same God, who created this world, and loved it so much that He sent His Son to die for me that I might live, loves me enough to beautifully orchestrate every move in my life. I choose to live with my eyes wide open!!

As you run through this life, I challenge you to open your heart and eyes to Him!!!

Dig Deep and Keep Running

As a little girl I dreamt about what my life would be like when I grew up. I remember playing this game called M.A.S.H. 

Here’s how to play:  

You get a piece of paper and choose your categories. 

Basic M.A.S.H. consists of only four categories:

M.A.S.H. (Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House)

People to Marry

Number of Kids

Type of Car

You write down four options under each category, then you choose your number and eventually you eliminate all but one under each category.

And there you have it, everything you need to know about your future.

Am I the only kid who played this game??

The sad thing is under each category was the best of the best. Unrealistic!! You grow up thinking that your life will only be “perfect” if you can somehow manage to end up with all these things.  Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with having nice things!  Someone once told me, “Don’t apologize for the blessings of God in your life.”  God is so good and He gives way more than we deserve, there’s no doubt about that. What happens when the “perfect” life turns out different than you dreamt??

You know what I’ve found out? Different is SCARY!!!

We were devastated when minutes after Karsyn was born the doctor told us that he suspected she has Down Syndrome.  My mind immediately went back to a few weeks earlier when I looked at my precious family and said “Look, Matt how beautiful they all are, just one more and our family will be perfectly complete.”  I can promise you my idea of perfect was not for our baby to have Down Syndrome. I can’t explain to you the overwhelming feeling of grief.  The dreams that we walked in with that day changed in a moment.  We were thrown into a whole new world full of unknowns!!

I know I never wrote down on that piece of paper that I wanted a child with special needs. I’m not sure anyone wishes that for themselves.

Why is different so scary??  It shouldn’t be!!!

I think different is better!

I’ve said hundreds of times in the past 3 years, “Karsyn has changed our family for the better!!” Our family would not be perfect without her!!  She is the most amazing little girl you will ever meet!  I promise if you are blessed enough to have her in your life you will agree that she makes it better! 

I know you are probably asking yourself, “What does this have to do with running?”  

I’m glad you asked!!

Because of Karsyn, we have been introduced to so many people and opportunities that we would never have known existed.  Recently, we were introduced to an incredible organization called Ainsley’s Angels.  The “Angels” (runners) push the “Captains” (individuals with disabilities) in local races.  What a great experience to run alongside these amazing people!!!  It’s life changing!!  So far Karsyn has run in 2 races, we love it!!!  She is my INSPIRATION.  She has to work so hard to do so many things we take for granted, yet she never quits and never complains!!  I have decided to start running with the same attitude that she lives every day. 

This past Saturday we ran the Contraband 5-miler. I loved that I was able to run with Karsyn, but I was very disappointed in myself.  I’ve been running for 5 months, and I’m really not getting any better.  

After the race I asked my friend Michelle, “Why am I not getting better??”  I seriously think Michelle missed her calling in life (not really she rocks at her job) but she is also a great motivator.  She always says something that helps me, and probably more than she ever intended.  So let me share her response to my question, “You know why?  It’s partly because you let yourself quit too easy, and partly because you haven’t learned to hurt.  Running is hard, it’s nothing but your brain, heart, legs and lungs fighting with the pavement.  There’s no back up; no one to tag team, no one to get your back, no way to coast and catch your breath. It’s just you and your inner demons vs. your inner drive.  Running reveals what you’re made of like no other sport because you are all you have to rely on.  If you want to get better, you have to dig deep inside and see what’s there. It’s the same amazing woman who bore and is raising 6 amazing kids. It’s in there YOU JUST WON’T LET IT OUT!!!!!  Your constant use of the words “I CAN’T” is the core of your struggle. Change that and everything else will fall in place.”

Okay, so I’m taking her words of wisdom and I’m using my sweet little girl as all the inspiration and example I need.  I CAN do this!!!!  I CAN get better!!

Spiritual Application:

Life is never easy!!!  We all have times in our life where we have to dig deep and see what we are made of.  We can overcome anything that comes our way.

1 John 4:4: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.  

God will use trials in our lives to make us stronger!!  

“It takes us experiencing the hurt and feeling the pain to realize who we are and how strong God is!!”

Running is HARD!!

Running has to be the hardest thing I have ever tried to do. 

I have always loved playing sports, some of my favorite childhood memories are meeting my cousins on the football field where we would play for hours.   Joe Montana (aka me), John Elway (aka John Jr.)  & Thomas (I can’t remember who he pretended to be lol)  

Then there were those special occasions when Uncle John would come out and be our ‘All-Time QB’!!  You would have thought we were in the playoffs.  This was SERIOUS stuff!! (Often ending on not so friendly terms lol) What a special guy my Uncle John is to me!  He would even let me practice with the High School football team!! I’ll never forget the game where I heard him say, “Ra Ra, I’m putting you in!!”  Do you have any idea how excited I was about this??  Unfortunately, my Dad quickly dashed those dreams!!  Which I so kindly remind him of from time to time!!  Poor Dad!! 🙂 

I think that’s the day I learned; I better find sports that girls are allowed to play!!   I think that is how Matt and I fell in love!  Who wouldn’t love a girl who could beat him in a game of one on one?? 😉  So, since sports are in my blood I really thought this whole running thing would be a piece of cake.  All you do is RUN!!   I’ll never forget the second time Michelle and I ran together.  She told me “Quit knocking my sport, you’re just mad because this is hard for you.”  She was right!!  I don’t know how she had me figured out so soon but she’s good!  It didn’t take me long (at all) to find a deep respect for all you runners out there!! 

You want to know my biggest problem??  ME!!  The entire time I’m running I focus on how hard this is. I’m waiting for the moment I start to feel uncomfortable, then I’m done!!  I can’t break through (except on the days that I run with Michelle).  Why?  Because she literally gets behind me and pushes me when I stop running!  Her advice, “You have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”  So, that’s where I am right now.  My next race is in three weeks!!!  I better start learning to get uncomfortable.  I have to focus on something/anything other than “how hard this is!!”

Now, you know I have to apply this to my Spiritual Life!!

I have to share with you one of my journal entries:  

January 13, 2013: Today I drove the route that Michelle and I have run 3 times.  As I drove, I noticed all of these beautiful, amazing, massive homes along the lakefront. The scenery was breathtaking. The sad thing is I never noticed it before. I was so focused on how hard it is to keep running that I somehow missed all of this beauty that surrounded every step!

Life Lesson Learned:  Life is hard!!!  We all have situations in our lives that we have to deal with.  But if we focus on how hard it is we will miss all of the beauty and blessings that God has surrounded us with.  Lift up your head and look around!!  God’s handiwork in your life is quite breathtaking!!

Psalm 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of The Lord in the land of the living.

It’s Really Hard to Run Alone

Hebrews 12:1-3 (1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

There are 5 points to my Lesson on what I’ve learned from running.

I already shared the first one, but just in case you forgot, I’ll share again.

1.  You can’t let your circumstances stop you from running or cause you to quit

2.  Run With Patience/Take One day at a Time

3.  Endure the Race and Enjoy the Finish/ It’s never going to be fun and easy but the end result is worth it. (I’m still learning this one)

4.  You can’t be weighed down /Train your mind to say “I CAN” not “I CAN’T.” (Still working on this one too)

And the last point, which happens to be my favorite:

5.  It’s really hard to run alone

On January 19, 2013, I ran my very first 5k, The Advocate Cypress 5K. 

Michelle and I left Lake Charles at 4:30 a.m. to drive to Baton Rouge for the race. 

Along the way she shared a few songs, some inspiring stories and my new favorite thing to listen to, “The Grind.”  I think she could tell that I was really scared!  This was way out of my comfort zone.  I’m so thankful that she was there with me.  We arrived really early, which was a good thing.  It gave me plenty of time to make several trips to the bathroom!  3 to be exact!!  I was a little nervous. 

After we checked in and received our race packets, we went back to the car for some last minute inspiration!!  She played “The Grind” again and we had a sweet word of prayer.  We were set and ready!!  When we started to head to the starting line, she had a big surprise for me.  Underneath her sweatshirt, she was wearing a shirt she had made for me. 

How awesome is that??

She ran the whole race right in front of me, so I could read the quotes.  Believe me, I can not count how many times I read them.

At the 1 mile marker there was an overpass that we had to cross, then turn around and go back over.  She knew when I saw it I would panic.  I didn’t train for that.  I could barely make it 3.1 miles on flat roads.  I was not ready for that!  She looked at me, patted her back (for me to read the quotes) and said just watch my feet and let me carry you.  It worked!!  I made it over and back without walking!!!

(Thank You Zachary!)

Before I knew it, we were on the home stretch.  This is where she started pushing me hard.  She could see that the clock had just turned to 29:00.  “You are not going to let that turn to 30!!”  I crossed the finish line at 29:59! 

I love how at the end she gave me a push so I could cross the finish line ahead of her.  It was a self-less act on her part to stay with me, knowing she could have smoked the majority of the people there.  She will never know how much it meant to me!  The time she invested in me will never be forgotten.

We will be connected forever!!

(Michelle Kramer (Karsyn’s SLP), Cheree Caldwell, Melanie Sarro (Karsyn’s OT) (My sweet friend, Mel, got up on this cold morning to cheer me on! That meant the world to me!)) 🙂

Now are you ready for the Spiritual application??

I love this so much

It is really hard to run this Christian race alone.  We need each other!!!!!

God help me to run alongside my friends to help them to keep their eyes on you.

When my friends are facing obstacles in their way, help me to be there to carry them.

Help me be that friend they can count on to put everything else aside and join them on my knees in prayer.

God help us to cheer each other on!! 🙂

Proverbs 17:17  A friend loveth at all times….

Confidence is a Choice

Today my oldest son took the first part of his LEAP test to enter High School next year! High School?? How is that even possible? It seems like he was starting Kindergarten last year!! Time flies by!! He is growing into such an awesome young man. But these teenage years can be challenging and we are just getting started! Some days I wonder if he’s even listening to what I’m saying.

Well, today he surprised me. When I picked him up from taking his test he said, “Mom, I had to write an essay on Confidence so I wrote it all about you!! How Mrs. Michelle mentored you through your first 5k! I used your quotes!!”

Confidence is a Choice

Courage isn’t the absence of fear, but going on in spite of it.

The Only one who can tell you “you can’t” is you and you don’t have to listen.

(I love how this story keeps getting passed along)

I really didn’t think he was even listening! What a great kid!!:) I guess that just proves that we need to talk to our kids about everything! Because whether we realize it or not they are watching and taking it all in! I love what my good friend Virginia said, “I don’t want to be anyone elses hero, I just want to be my kid’s hero!!” Amen!! They are the most important!!

Thank you Cason for making your Momma’s Day!! You are going to do great in High School next year! I’m so proud of you!!

Run With Me, Part 1

On January 29, 2013 I gave a Bible Study titled Run with Me. I shared 5 things that I have learned from running. Now I want to share it with you.

God has a race for each of us to run! Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

How should we run this race??

1. We can’t let our circumstances keep us from running or cause us to quit.

It didn’t take very many runs with Michelle to figure out that nothing stops this girl from running!! NOTHING!!

The first time we ran together it was 37 degrees and she picked the coldest place in Lake Charles to run. Why not run by the water??

Another time it was 40 degrees and raining! I thought surely she will not want to run in this weather. Her exact words, “This is Awesome!”

I quickly learned that you can’t let your circumstances keep you from running!!

Sometimes you won’t feel like running, run anyway!!

Some days you will have to run through pain!

Some days you might fail to accomplish what you want.

These lessons apply beautifully to the Christian Race.

There are many circumstances that come our way that will cause us to want to quit!

Some days we won’t feel like staying in the race!

Some days we will have to run through some hurts and pain!

Everyone has been hurt. Unfortunately it’s a part of life!

There will be days that we try to accomplish great things for God and yet we will fail miserably!

Let’s be honest, we all feel like a failure from time to time.

I am the mom to 6 amazing kids and most days I fail to give each of them what they need.

I fail at handling tough situations the right way.
I could go on but why focus on the negative? Right!!

Something I have learned recently, Failure and Quitting are two different things.

Fail: to decline in strength or effectiveness; to disappoint.

Quit: to depart from; to give up as in defeat; to abandon or forsake.

Failure doesn’t disqualify us!!!

It’s ok to have moments when we want to quit. No one is perfect!!

We fail but we try again!!!

I don’t want to be sidelined! I don’t want my circumstances to cause me to quit!

I asked Michelle if there was anything that would cause her to quit a race. I knew what her answer would be but thought she would also have a great story to tell me.

This is what she shared:

“In Nov. 2010 I did a half IRONMAN in Conroe, Texas. The temp was like 36 degrees and the water temp was in the 60’s. I wasn’t ready for the cold that hit my face when I dove in so I had a panic attack in the water for about 8-10 min because I couldn’t regulate my breathing. When I finally got my breathing under control I started to swim and got a Charlie horse in both calves and couldn’t kick. Thank goodness I was wearing a wet suit to keep me up. I passed within inches of a life guard and seriously considered stopping but my family was waiting on shore and I just am not capable of quitting. It took about 20 miles into the biking to really work out the knots in my calves. The run was awful! I cried during a lot of it. I wanted to quit, but didn’t! That’s the first time I ever walked in a race. When I finally finished I couldn’t even stand up. I was balling crying uncontrollable. Turns out I had a fever of 101.”

Inspired?? I Am!!

That’s the kind of determination I want to have! Not just in physically running but also in the race that God has for me to run!

Quitting is not an option!!!

When things get hard (& they will) that’s when you have to dig deep and keep RUNNING!!