I'm striving to be back to my basics- the things I love.
Writing,
running,
Reading,
Playing.
Being me. Easier said than done at times, because the demands of life can become all consuming at times. And when those demands become all consuming, the little moments escape all too easily. And so it is important to me to return to my end of the week little moments blog post. To remind myself what matters and what made me smile throughout the week. A time to sit and just take a deep breath and say "thank you, Lord, for the little moments." So, here are some of my little moments from this week:
- An unexpected phone call from a long lost friend to remind me to keep pressing on
- A crisp morning run
- A beautiful Indian Summer day, yellow leaves boasting their colors against the bright blue sky
- Playing Boggle (Yes...Boggle, the old fashioned not much heard of any more game) with my 10 year old son
- Making banana bread, which in essence, made someone else's day better.
- Feeling excited to run and train again and the good feeling that comes when a run is complete
- a shirt on sale!
- My new friends Liz and Sandra, who made me feel a part of their family from the time I met them to now all the texts and emails we exchange already
- A warm hug
- A quiet car ride, no words needed, just good company
- Crisp, clean sheets
- Hot Apple Cider
- Discovering new things about myself
- Finding time to read again
- Morning dew on the grass and fog rising around me
the little moments are all around me. It's time to remember them again. Every day. One day at a time.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Monday, October 27, 2014
Just Do It
There's the old saying by Nike, Just Do It.
Much to my chagrin, and the jokes of most of my friends, since most of my friends are older than I, I can't really remember all the commercials or what the hype was over that Nike statement, I just remember it being out there. (Ahem, I was sort of young when that was the popular statement.)
Just do it .
Oh, how we can apply that to so very many areas of our lives.
But the point of today's blog and just do it is all related to running.
Many months have passed since I have run a race. I have been hands on in the running industry, and I have never stopped running. I just haven't trained. I've laced up and jogged for fun.
But I quickly have a race approaching.
I know how to train. I also know how not to train.
As I looked at my calendar last week, I realized I was following the not training so well program and needed to kick my butt into gear and just do it.
So I laid out my schedule leading up to race day (December 7) and began the process of it all. While it has taken me a few days to get back into that groove, I am in love with it all over again. I cannot wait for race day to be here.
Training is hard. It's a mindset as much as anything else (especially when life is whirl winding around me and exhaustion sets in, 4:30 am is all the more difficult.)
Quite honestly, life is always full of chaos in some aspect, and sometimes you have to tell yourself to Just Do It. That applies to any area.
The plan is to Just Do It a lot better in the approaching days, and that goes for life all around, not just running. Somehow, interestingly enough, running keeps me centered. When I am running, I tend to do all of life somewhat better. When I slack off (and it doesn't have to be a race for my reasons of running) I seem to unintentionally allow myself to slack off in some other ways.
So, I am going to keep running and Just Do It. Give the race my all.
And give this race of life my all as well. One day at a time.
Much to my chagrin, and the jokes of most of my friends, since most of my friends are older than I, I can't really remember all the commercials or what the hype was over that Nike statement, I just remember it being out there. (Ahem, I was sort of young when that was the popular statement.)
Just do it .
Oh, how we can apply that to so very many areas of our lives.
But the point of today's blog and just do it is all related to running.
Many months have passed since I have run a race. I have been hands on in the running industry, and I have never stopped running. I just haven't trained. I've laced up and jogged for fun.
But I quickly have a race approaching.
I know how to train. I also know how not to train.
As I looked at my calendar last week, I realized I was following the not training so well program and needed to kick my butt into gear and just do it.
So I laid out my schedule leading up to race day (December 7) and began the process of it all. While it has taken me a few days to get back into that groove, I am in love with it all over again. I cannot wait for race day to be here.
Training is hard. It's a mindset as much as anything else (especially when life is whirl winding around me and exhaustion sets in, 4:30 am is all the more difficult.)
Quite honestly, life is always full of chaos in some aspect, and sometimes you have to tell yourself to Just Do It. That applies to any area.
The plan is to Just Do It a lot better in the approaching days, and that goes for life all around, not just running. Somehow, interestingly enough, running keeps me centered. When I am running, I tend to do all of life somewhat better. When I slack off (and it doesn't have to be a race for my reasons of running) I seem to unintentionally allow myself to slack off in some other ways.
So, I am going to keep running and Just Do It. Give the race my all.
And give this race of life my all as well. One day at a time.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Lack of words
The past many days I have sat in front of my computer and started a blog, only to get a few words into it and feel deflated at the lack of purposeful words.
I had my annual huge event last weekend, the 5K in remembrance of mom, and usually after that event, my heart is full and bursting to share the excitement and God moments of the event. I felt that the day of the 5K this year, as always, but when I sat to write, nothing flowed from me.
Then I spent and entire day in nature, and while I walked, the words I wanted to share danced through my mind, just as the trees danced in the wind all around me. And yet, as I sat to write about those moments and what God was speaking to me, the words were once again falling flat.
I write because it helps me understand, as much as I write for others to perhaps learn from my mistakes and lessons and joys as well.
When I draw blanks in my words, I find that to be a rarity, and even a frustrating scenario for me.
And then I realize, perhaps God is asking me to be quiet for a little bit. Perhaps He wants me to hear Him and only Him and to drown out even my own thoughts for a bit.
If you don't know me, I am a thinker. I am the one who will ask random questions to my friends because I think of them and want to know the answers about those around me. I am a thinker, and at times, that can get me in trouble because I will overthink a scenario, instead of following my initial God given feeling of what the correct response is. I tend to hear a conversation or a piece of advice and say "Let me think about that...."
Thinking is not a bad characteristic; it certainly can even have its benefits. But sometimes, thinking is not always the best attribute.
I can think on hurtful words said to me rather than positive ones, leading me to great insecurity.
I can think on sinful actions rather than God's grace bestowed on us all.
I can think about what I want, instead of what's right in front of me already.
I chuckle as I write this because I realize just how much I am thinking about what I should write!
As I walked through nature the other day, I didn't have to really think because God's voice spoke clearly to me all around me
His voice was...
- in the whispering winds, whipping around on my skin
- Tickling my face as the leaves fell around me gently
- Blaring His presence all around through the blazing colors of orange, yellow and red on the trees
- heard in the crunch of the leaves under my feet on the trails
- seen in the intricate details of the squirrels, chipmunks, bunnies and birds, pretending I wasn't there, but ever aware that I was
- felt in the warm rays of sunshine, followed by the slight breeze
- seen in the bending branches of fall
God is all around me. Around You. He is telling me constantly that I am intricately, beautifully and wonderfully made. He is telling me He is guiding me and right next to me, no matter what. He is telling me that He is always good, no matter the circumstance of life. He forgives and loves and I am redeemed. He is shouting to me that He has given me gifts that are to be used and not sat upon. He loves me. Just. As. I . Am.
Look around you today. You don't have to stop and think about it. You just have to listen and look at times. Perhaps it's in another's smile. Perhaps in creation. Perhaps in the fall day or in even in the dreary rain (which is at times a common day here in Ohio right now).
I may not have the perfect, profound words to share all the time. But that's ok. I don't always have to. Because sometimes, God just wants to be the words, and wants me to listen. And really, His words and beauty speak far more than I am ever capable of doing myself.
Sometimes, God tells me to just stop thinking and talking and just listen. He's all around, I just have to get out of myself and He speaks volumes. Only when He speaks to me, can He be spoken through me. One day at a time.
I had my annual huge event last weekend, the 5K in remembrance of mom, and usually after that event, my heart is full and bursting to share the excitement and God moments of the event. I felt that the day of the 5K this year, as always, but when I sat to write, nothing flowed from me.
Then I spent and entire day in nature, and while I walked, the words I wanted to share danced through my mind, just as the trees danced in the wind all around me. And yet, as I sat to write about those moments and what God was speaking to me, the words were once again falling flat.
I write because it helps me understand, as much as I write for others to perhaps learn from my mistakes and lessons and joys as well.
When I draw blanks in my words, I find that to be a rarity, and even a frustrating scenario for me.
And then I realize, perhaps God is asking me to be quiet for a little bit. Perhaps He wants me to hear Him and only Him and to drown out even my own thoughts for a bit.
If you don't know me, I am a thinker. I am the one who will ask random questions to my friends because I think of them and want to know the answers about those around me. I am a thinker, and at times, that can get me in trouble because I will overthink a scenario, instead of following my initial God given feeling of what the correct response is. I tend to hear a conversation or a piece of advice and say "Let me think about that...."
Thinking is not a bad characteristic; it certainly can even have its benefits. But sometimes, thinking is not always the best attribute.
I can think on hurtful words said to me rather than positive ones, leading me to great insecurity.
I can think on sinful actions rather than God's grace bestowed on us all.
I can think about what I want, instead of what's right in front of me already.
I chuckle as I write this because I realize just how much I am thinking about what I should write!
As I walked through nature the other day, I didn't have to really think because God's voice spoke clearly to me all around me
His voice was...
- in the whispering winds, whipping around on my skin
- Tickling my face as the leaves fell around me gently
- Blaring His presence all around through the blazing colors of orange, yellow and red on the trees
- heard in the crunch of the leaves under my feet on the trails
- seen in the intricate details of the squirrels, chipmunks, bunnies and birds, pretending I wasn't there, but ever aware that I was
- felt in the warm rays of sunshine, followed by the slight breeze
- seen in the bending branches of fall
God is all around me. Around You. He is telling me constantly that I am intricately, beautifully and wonderfully made. He is telling me He is guiding me and right next to me, no matter what. He is telling me that He is always good, no matter the circumstance of life. He forgives and loves and I am redeemed. He is shouting to me that He has given me gifts that are to be used and not sat upon. He loves me. Just. As. I . Am.
Look around you today. You don't have to stop and think about it. You just have to listen and look at times. Perhaps it's in another's smile. Perhaps in creation. Perhaps in the fall day or in even in the dreary rain (which is at times a common day here in Ohio right now).
I may not have the perfect, profound words to share all the time. But that's ok. I don't always have to. Because sometimes, God just wants to be the words, and wants me to listen. And really, His words and beauty speak far more than I am ever capable of doing myself.
Sometimes, God tells me to just stop thinking and talking and just listen. He's all around, I just have to get out of myself and He speaks volumes. Only when He speaks to me, can He be spoken through me. One day at a time.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Rejoicing each day....
"This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."
That verse is found in Psalm 118. My mom often quoted that verse to me. She also would sing a song about it, which sticks in my mind often as well, and has allowed me to always remember the words of the scripture. That verse has resonated to me loudly of late. Because each day is a new day, a reason to rejoice and be glad, no matter what is happening in my surroundings. God's grace and mercy are new every morning.
But, I get off topic here for today's blog.
I sat at a banquet Friday night for scholarship donors at Cedarville University. I have the privilege to be a part of the banquet ceremonies because of the scholarship we award each year in memory of mom. I found it quite appropriate that the first person who gave a small speech started her speech with that verse. I found that meaningful and quite the reminder in the moment.
This time of year is often a struggle for me, as I am overly busy with details and last minute preparations for the 5K, just days away. The banquet, just a week before my 5K event, which is in essence, what raises all the funds for the scholarship we award, always gives me moments to pause and be reminded why we do what we do. Why I get so busy this time of year. And that the whole point of the scholarship is, yes, to remember and honor mom, but even more so, it is about glorifying God and helping students who need the help, who can then use their gifts to touch cancer patients we will never touch.
I am not a nurse, nor is it the gift God has given me. But He has most certainly planted me in a place of having a passion to carry out this event, which can help nurses. He has even now given me a career to help further this 5K because of what I get to learn and do each day for a living in marathon planning.
This year's 5K event has held new challenges, as it comes on the heels of the busiest time of year for my job, and that was a new balance for me. I have faced personal challenges as well , which have led to me pour less time into this event. I have even battled the emotion (and words of some) that I am a failure this year with the 5K. But then I hear the words spoken by the Psalmist years ago that "this is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it" and so I pause and thank God for so much, specifically in regards to this event, as I head into a very big day...
- for the passion He has laid on my heart and how He has not only blessed that passion but has given me a career in it
- for a heart to carry on mom's legacy through other nurses
- for the support of so many
-for growing pains, as each year takes on new ones, each in different ways. This year being more personal than anything else
- for new opportunities.
-For closed doors as much as open ones.
-For my dad. Not a runner or an event planner. But he is most certainly a support system and has a willing heart to help however directed.
-For my mom. She is the reason we do this event. The memories of mom have flooded my heart and mind lately. the verse referenced to as today's blog being just one of them. I have found old silly pictures of mom, bringing back laughs. Dad and I have chatted about mom. Being at the banquet and carrying out the 5K every year always does the same. My mom was my hero. She was an amazing wife, mom, woman of God. And I am forever grateful for her and all the lessons she engrained in me.
This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.
This weeks theme for me. A busy week, lots of details to be carried out. The event may not be where I want it to be this year, but it is where God wants it. And He always knows best. And one day at a time, I will continue to learn to rejoice and pursue what He has in store for me.
That verse is found in Psalm 118. My mom often quoted that verse to me. She also would sing a song about it, which sticks in my mind often as well, and has allowed me to always remember the words of the scripture. That verse has resonated to me loudly of late. Because each day is a new day, a reason to rejoice and be glad, no matter what is happening in my surroundings. God's grace and mercy are new every morning.
But, I get off topic here for today's blog.
I sat at a banquet Friday night for scholarship donors at Cedarville University. I have the privilege to be a part of the banquet ceremonies because of the scholarship we award each year in memory of mom. I found it quite appropriate that the first person who gave a small speech started her speech with that verse. I found that meaningful and quite the reminder in the moment.
This time of year is often a struggle for me, as I am overly busy with details and last minute preparations for the 5K, just days away. The banquet, just a week before my 5K event, which is in essence, what raises all the funds for the scholarship we award, always gives me moments to pause and be reminded why we do what we do. Why I get so busy this time of year. And that the whole point of the scholarship is, yes, to remember and honor mom, but even more so, it is about glorifying God and helping students who need the help, who can then use their gifts to touch cancer patients we will never touch.
I am not a nurse, nor is it the gift God has given me. But He has most certainly planted me in a place of having a passion to carry out this event, which can help nurses. He has even now given me a career to help further this 5K because of what I get to learn and do each day for a living in marathon planning.
This year's 5K event has held new challenges, as it comes on the heels of the busiest time of year for my job, and that was a new balance for me. I have faced personal challenges as well , which have led to me pour less time into this event. I have even battled the emotion (and words of some) that I am a failure this year with the 5K. But then I hear the words spoken by the Psalmist years ago that "this is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it" and so I pause and thank God for so much, specifically in regards to this event, as I head into a very big day...
- for the passion He has laid on my heart and how He has not only blessed that passion but has given me a career in it
- for a heart to carry on mom's legacy through other nurses
- for the support of so many
-for growing pains, as each year takes on new ones, each in different ways. This year being more personal than anything else
- for new opportunities.
-For closed doors as much as open ones.
-For my dad. Not a runner or an event planner. But he is most certainly a support system and has a willing heart to help however directed.
-For my mom. She is the reason we do this event. The memories of mom have flooded my heart and mind lately. the verse referenced to as today's blog being just one of them. I have found old silly pictures of mom, bringing back laughs. Dad and I have chatted about mom. Being at the banquet and carrying out the 5K every year always does the same. My mom was my hero. She was an amazing wife, mom, woman of God. And I am forever grateful for her and all the lessons she engrained in me.
This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.
This weeks theme for me. A busy week, lots of details to be carried out. The event may not be where I want it to be this year, but it is where God wants it. And He always knows best. And one day at a time, I will continue to learn to rejoice and pursue what He has in store for me.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Plowing Through It
Because I am a farm girl at heart, analogies involving anything farm related paint real pictures for me. So I found it relevant that the comparison of a plow was used today for me in conversation. The plow analogy, quite honestly, applies to many areas of life. At times, those areas are more serious, and at times, more comical
A plow, if you do not know, is a piece of farm equipment that attaches to the back of the tractor, is lowered into the ground and essentially digs up dirt to prepare the ground for planting. The piece of equipment almost looks like claws/disks on the end, if you will, depending on the make. Regardless, the outcome is the same- it goes into the ground and digs up the dirt from the bottom up to prepare the dirt for the seeds to be planted.
I have thought about lately how sometimes life throws curve balls, and you just have to go with it. It wasn't until later in the day when the plow analogy was used, that I realized how that was an applicable analogy to many aspects of life.
No coffee pot in the morning? Seems like a tragedy, quite honestly. I am an avid coffee drinker and for many years, the first thing I am doing upon getting out of bed is drinking a cup of coffee. I always said I'd never make it without that coffee to start the day. But somehow, when the coffee pot breaks or there isn't one available upon the stumble out of bed, I manage to plow through anyhow and be fine until I do find that cup of coffee a couple hours later in the day.
Tired from lack of sleep? Plow through and get the job done regardless.
Sad from a life tragedy happening all around you? Plow through...
Discouraged over an event or a thing not going as expected? Plow through....
Dig deep, turn the dirt over , plow through, because plowing through prepares the way for beautiful seeds to be planted and grow and blossom.
I've been told excuses are easy to make. And quite honestly, they are. How many of us can tell stories of co workers or family members who give excuses for not accomplishing something? worse yet, how many of us have been that person using those excuses?
I battle depression. I take medication for it. But I don't let it stop me. I plow through it. I get up, I run, I go to a job I love, I have people who support me all around me, and I smile. I plow through that obstacle of depression every day.
Yes, there are times when life's excuses are relevant and not really along the excuse line. For instance....my 5K this year is definitely not in the place I would like for it to be. I could give a millions "reasons" why, or excuses even, but reality is, those reasons hold some relevancy. But those reasons don't mean I quit and give up. I am going to plow through it. Play it out. Do it. Learn from it. Dig up the dirt so that it can grow to be better the next time around. Plow through the excuses, the reasons, the discouragement and road blocks and let God take it, mold it, grow it and shape it into an even better one next year.
Plowing through is not easy. If it were, everyone would do it. Nothing good ever comes easy. Rainbows after rain. Smiles after pain. Beautiful crops after a plowed up ground.
Pressing on and plowing through. I choose to do that. Because I want to be a better person. I want to grow into who God is shaping me to be. I want to blossom. But it takes plowing through the hard days to do that.
One day at a time.
A plow, if you do not know, is a piece of farm equipment that attaches to the back of the tractor, is lowered into the ground and essentially digs up dirt to prepare the ground for planting. The piece of equipment almost looks like claws/disks on the end, if you will, depending on the make. Regardless, the outcome is the same- it goes into the ground and digs up the dirt from the bottom up to prepare the dirt for the seeds to be planted.
I have thought about lately how sometimes life throws curve balls, and you just have to go with it. It wasn't until later in the day when the plow analogy was used, that I realized how that was an applicable analogy to many aspects of life.
No coffee pot in the morning? Seems like a tragedy, quite honestly. I am an avid coffee drinker and for many years, the first thing I am doing upon getting out of bed is drinking a cup of coffee. I always said I'd never make it without that coffee to start the day. But somehow, when the coffee pot breaks or there isn't one available upon the stumble out of bed, I manage to plow through anyhow and be fine until I do find that cup of coffee a couple hours later in the day.
Tired from lack of sleep? Plow through and get the job done regardless.
Sad from a life tragedy happening all around you? Plow through...
Discouraged over an event or a thing not going as expected? Plow through....
Dig deep, turn the dirt over , plow through, because plowing through prepares the way for beautiful seeds to be planted and grow and blossom.
I've been told excuses are easy to make. And quite honestly, they are. How many of us can tell stories of co workers or family members who give excuses for not accomplishing something? worse yet, how many of us have been that person using those excuses?
I battle depression. I take medication for it. But I don't let it stop me. I plow through it. I get up, I run, I go to a job I love, I have people who support me all around me, and I smile. I plow through that obstacle of depression every day.
Yes, there are times when life's excuses are relevant and not really along the excuse line. For instance....my 5K this year is definitely not in the place I would like for it to be. I could give a millions "reasons" why, or excuses even, but reality is, those reasons hold some relevancy. But those reasons don't mean I quit and give up. I am going to plow through it. Play it out. Do it. Learn from it. Dig up the dirt so that it can grow to be better the next time around. Plow through the excuses, the reasons, the discouragement and road blocks and let God take it, mold it, grow it and shape it into an even better one next year.
Plowing through is not easy. If it were, everyone would do it. Nothing good ever comes easy. Rainbows after rain. Smiles after pain. Beautiful crops after a plowed up ground.
Pressing on and plowing through. I choose to do that. Because I want to be a better person. I want to grow into who God is shaping me to be. I want to blossom. But it takes plowing through the hard days to do that.
One day at a time.
Monday, September 22, 2014
The Joys of My Job
As many of you will know, I launched into a new career this summer: working for the United States Air Force Marathon. Working there has been such an incredible experience already in just the short amount of time I've been part of the staff.
Between a wonderful group of staff, to learning all new aspects of the race industry, to learning more about myself through the process, the job has been a gift from God.
But, this weekend, on the 19th and 20th, the whole event unfolded. The details on which I have been working along with the staff unfolded in a beautiful fashion.
To try to put into words how I felt in those moments is difficult. There were moments of tears of joy for me, as I stood, hand over heart, while the National anthem was sung, surrounded by military folks, proud to be part of the country, but part of the event just as much. I met so many runners and heard stories and helped with small issues and answered questions that by the end of the event, I feel like I'd made hundreds of new friends!
One of the cool aspects of what I get to do as part of the staff there is to see a little bit of everything. Many people have absolutely no idea how much goes into the planning of an event for 15,000 runners. But my role on staff currently allows me to get a piece of each part of it.
I learned how I can do my part better, some by mistakes I made and some just by doing and learning and asking. And while I am sure my friends with whom I had contact that day got sick of my saying it, I loved it so much, I could not stop smiling. I know without a doubt, that this job is a god given gift and I am in the right place for sure.
I would be asked "Aren't your feet tired?" "Are you doing ok?" "Are you stressed out?"
To which my answers were always... "No, quite honestly, I am good. Feet are fine. "
" I have never been better....this is awesome"
and "No, I am not stressed out at all...This is my zone."
Granted, my position is not one of the more stressed levels, but I believe when you are in a place of doing a job you love, while it will come with stresses, those are not the moments to which you cling.
I left the day saying : Best. Day. Ever. This is where I am supposed to be.
A job does not define who you are. I have learned that through the years. But, being in a job you love and finding the place you are meant to be does make a difference in life, no doubt.
To find the right words to share how being a part of the unfolding of the marathon was for me is difficult because it's more than just an emotion of "This is awesome!" Being part of it is a long time answered prayer, a joy that starts deep down and flows outward and a passion I've found I never expected.
I wish everyone could love their job like I do mine.
Tired after the event? Absolutely. But.... Happy? More than I have words to say.
There is a strange emotion that comes when the event ends. Almost a sadness of sorts, even if a sigh of satisfaction as well. But how awesome is it to get to do this all year long?
I feel lucky. And blessed.
Yes, cheesy, but sporting my Marathon proudly. Day 1 of the expo.
Expo, Day 1.
Me and Mary. 5 am. Race day. Mary and I have been running together for months, as she trained for the full marathon. Her first.
Brenda. One of my favorite volunteers. Bless her heart. Here to volunteer at 4:30 am because that was the slot left and she wanted to help.
My UBC volunteer friends! Happy to pick up trash. Seriously, our event couldn't be done without all our volunteers.
The finish line area.
Kind of my "stomping grounds" of the day. The info tent .
Lori, another of my favorite volunteers. Stayed later than her shift and downloaded the QR app on her phone so she could tell runners their times as they came to the tent to ask, but didn't have the app on their own phone.
The end of the day, Lisa, our expo coordinator, and myself. A bit slap happy but Still smiling :)
After Party at the Greene. Part of our staff. Lisa, myself, Jeanette (volunteer coordinator)
Ending the day with the Air Force Band of Flight playing the Star Spangled Banner.
Between a wonderful group of staff, to learning all new aspects of the race industry, to learning more about myself through the process, the job has been a gift from God.
But, this weekend, on the 19th and 20th, the whole event unfolded. The details on which I have been working along with the staff unfolded in a beautiful fashion.
To try to put into words how I felt in those moments is difficult. There were moments of tears of joy for me, as I stood, hand over heart, while the National anthem was sung, surrounded by military folks, proud to be part of the country, but part of the event just as much. I met so many runners and heard stories and helped with small issues and answered questions that by the end of the event, I feel like I'd made hundreds of new friends!
One of the cool aspects of what I get to do as part of the staff there is to see a little bit of everything. Many people have absolutely no idea how much goes into the planning of an event for 15,000 runners. But my role on staff currently allows me to get a piece of each part of it.
I learned how I can do my part better, some by mistakes I made and some just by doing and learning and asking. And while I am sure my friends with whom I had contact that day got sick of my saying it, I loved it so much, I could not stop smiling. I know without a doubt, that this job is a god given gift and I am in the right place for sure.
I would be asked "Aren't your feet tired?" "Are you doing ok?" "Are you stressed out?"
To which my answers were always... "No, quite honestly, I am good. Feet are fine. "
" I have never been better....this is awesome"
and "No, I am not stressed out at all...This is my zone."
Granted, my position is not one of the more stressed levels, but I believe when you are in a place of doing a job you love, while it will come with stresses, those are not the moments to which you cling.
I left the day saying : Best. Day. Ever. This is where I am supposed to be.
A job does not define who you are. I have learned that through the years. But, being in a job you love and finding the place you are meant to be does make a difference in life, no doubt.
To find the right words to share how being a part of the unfolding of the marathon was for me is difficult because it's more than just an emotion of "This is awesome!" Being part of it is a long time answered prayer, a joy that starts deep down and flows outward and a passion I've found I never expected.
I wish everyone could love their job like I do mine.
Tired after the event? Absolutely. But.... Happy? More than I have words to say.
There is a strange emotion that comes when the event ends. Almost a sadness of sorts, even if a sigh of satisfaction as well. But how awesome is it to get to do this all year long?
I feel lucky. And blessed.
Yes, cheesy, but sporting my Marathon proudly. Day 1 of the expo.Expo, Day 1.Me and Mary. 5 am. Race day. Mary and I have been running together for months, as she trained for the full marathon. Her first. Brenda. One of my favorite volunteers. Bless her heart. Here to volunteer at 4:30 am because that was the slot left and she wanted to help. My UBC volunteer friends! Happy to pick up trash. Seriously, our event couldn't be done without all our volunteers. The finish line area. Kind of my "stomping grounds" of the day. The info tent . Lori, another of my favorite volunteers. Stayed later than her shift and downloaded the QR app on her phone so she could tell runners their times as they came to the tent to ask, but didn't have the app on their own phone.
And then there's Rick...our marketing coordinator. He did not like my taking this snapshot because I caught him sitting down, a rare moment for those of us on staff! The only time I saw him sitting that day, though.
The end of the day, Lisa, our expo coordinator, and myself. A bit slap happy but Still smiling :) After Party at the Greene. Part of our staff. Lisa, myself, Jeanette (volunteer coordinator) Ending the day with the Air Force Band of Flight playing the Star Spangled Banner.
Beautiful day.
I am blessed.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
What a deaf boy taught me
In some ways it is absolutely heartbreaking, if you stop and think about it. But this weekend was my first true experience being around a deaf child, and rather than being heartbreaking, the experience was beautiful. The 2 year old deaf little boy stirred my spirit in refreshing ways.
My sister and her husband are certified to be foster parents for the state. This weekend, they were a "substitute" foster family while the host family went away for a time of their own . They had 2 beautiful children, and I got to experience them. The little girl was only 8 months old, and how precious it was to hold a baby again. The little boy was 2, and completely deaf.
I am not one bothered by "special needs" but this little boy caught my heart off guard.
He comes from a sad story. His foster family is who he likely knows to be his mom and dad. He is deaf. He would have every reason to be a child who acts out or is grumpy or throws fits, as a normal 2 year old might, let alone a 2 year old who has not had a typical life experience.
But this little boy taught me more in the few hours I got to spend with him than reading any book or trying to live out life ever could. He reminded me what life is about.
He'd never met me, never seen me, but from the first moment I met him, he was smiling. He walked right up to me and put his arms out. He made a sign for "up" to be hugged (or picked up, he kind of did the same sign for both). What was even more special was in a room full of 11 strangers, he walked around to every one of us, grinned ear to ear and high fived all of us. He doesn't talk. He has never heard a sound. But that boy spoke volumes to my soul.
Because he can't hear, he is untainted by angry words. He hasn't experienced arguing or hearing hurtful moments spoken between people that cannot be forgotten. He hasn't been made fun of by others. He lives joy. He is what we all should be- full of joy, laughter, zest, love, and the desire to be with and around people in loving ways.
Somewhere along the lines, we lose that zest. We become hurt by words and therefore our actions or our words become hurtful in return, or we choose to crawl into ourselves to avoid being hurt. In some ways, that is part of growing up and experiencing life. But even when we have those experiences, we are still called to love. To love God and to love others. To be a smile to the hurting. To care for the sick. To minister to the sad. As we grow, some days that is tough to do because we become the one who is hurt or sick or sad or in a despairing situation. And it becomes easy to forget what life is about, and what God is about.
But although this little boy is only 2, he brought a refreshing view back to life.
What if I walked into a room full of stranger and high fives all of them?? They might look at me like I'm crazy, but they might also wonder why I'm different.
What if I smiled at every person I met?
What if I laughed so much it became contagious?
What if I, instead of retaliating within myself or with hurtful words or actions, simply loved?
I realize as an adult, this is much easier to say than to do. But my little deaf friend reminded me maybe it's not so hard after all. Maybe I can return to those moments and be the one to refresh others' spirits. Maybe I can make a difference that will in turn leave another with refreshed spirits.
Maybe I can be Jesus, can be a smile, can be love to those around me?
Easier said than done some days....but if a deaf boy who has every reason at even such a young age to be sad and upset can do it, why can't I??
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