Im Doing The Same and....

I have tried and tried to find time to blog and I have come up short on both time and the motivation to do so. I will be taking a break through the rest of August and most of September.
Hopefully I will come back in late September with lots of fun pictures of our vacation to Florida. I plan to visit and will try to leave comments on your blogs during this break. I will keep you all in my prayers and think of you often as I press on both in running and in His grace.

Grace and Peace to you all,

Terri

Calgon, take me away!

It is hard to believe it's already the middle of August. Since we started back homeschooling the days are just ticking away. It doesn't feel much like summer anymore but it doesn't feel like fall either??? It is a crazy time around here and I am trying not to feel overwhelmed by all that is going on. We haven't gotten in a grove yet and it seems like nothing is getting done and things are out of sorts. I even misplaced a photocopy of my vacation "to do list" and I can't find the master list! It's almost becoming comical how upside down life is right now! For example, a friend of mine was telling me how good salt baths are for removing toxins and softening skin. So I thought I would try it. So yesterday my 5lb bag of "official" dead sea salts arrives filling my mind with visions of being like the"Calgon, take me away" lady only to discover last night that our hot water heater broke. I just had to laugh. Well on to other news...running is going better this week and I am not feeling so drained. I think part of the problem last week was I was not getting enough to eat, so this weekend I tried to be a little less strict with my food choices. I have been fasting breakfast since this difficult time has come in our lives (is it okay to share that??) and I am going to continue to do so but will be more careful to get some additional complex carbs. I have not been working on increasing my mileage but know that if I am seriously going to do a half in November I need to get moving on a more planned out schedule.
I've been enjoying reading about how everyone is doing on your training schedules and it really is a joy for me to read about how your training is going. Pressing on.

The Fruit of Someone-else Labor

This is what's on the menu for dinner tonight. I would like to say that this is the fruit of my labor but in reality this was given to me by others who are much better at gardening. I am thankful for their giving spirit! I will add some chicken for my meat loving family, but will enjoy mostly vegetarian for myself. I love eating this way.

I took the day off from running because I have just felt so sluggish this week. I don't know what is wrong if anything but I am having an off week. Even after sleeping in this morning I still feel real tired...I am hoping to feel more perky in the morning. Hope you are all having a terrific week.

Mug, Mug, Muggy

If muggy was a soup I was swimming in it this morning! I could hardly breath and had to stop and walk for a couple of minutes. It wasn't my best run but I still did 4 miles total. My mind was struggling this morning on some trials my family is enduring. Before my husband left for work he told me he is seeing God working in my life in good ways. That was so encouraging I shed a couple of tears. I think half my struggle this morning running was stress related. I feel so weighted down when I don't trust Him as I should, when I don't see that He is good and when my thoughts are not more eternal and redemptive in their purpose...I covet your prayers.
I plan to start homeschooling today to get a jump on my month since I figure we will need to take off about 3 weeks in September for our vacation. We will be studying Oceans, currents, estuaries, sea life, and the such in preparation for our trip. If I don't run out of time I would like to do a unit on Florida for 1 week, but I already feel like I've been overly ambitious in my schedule. This week will tell me a lot.
I had you gals on my mind and heart this morning as I was running and can't wait to read about what God is doing in your lives.
Love this song...

Blessed Is the One
Blessed is the one whose sins are overcome
Whom God has sheltered deep within His grace
Blessed is the one who trusts in God the Son
His steadfast love the sinner’s hiding place

Jesus, Your blood covers all my sin
Jesus, Your love draws my heart to sing
What a Savior, Jesus

I will always hide at my Savior’s side
I find my refuge in His sovereign care
When the waters rise, God will hear my cries
His steadfast love will hold me safely there

The Computer Hospital

My computer will be in the shop this week so I will not be able to post. I will miss reading about your runs this week but hopefully the repairs will only take a few days and I can catch up with you all on Saturday. Have a blessed week!

Trails, Trials and a Trip

Well, I have been extremely tardy with my posting. I have been spending a lot of my time planning our vacation in September. I am looking so forward to being in Florida. I love the tropics and the beach. It would always be my first choice for a vacation. There is something about the ocean that is in my soul. If all goes as planned we will be staying here .While we are there we plan to visit here, here and yes I am going to ride this!
My husband is planning this part of our vacation as a kind of surprise. After the almost month of trials and afflictions the Lord is taking us through this time will be a much needed rest for us. I look forward to the memories we will make.

I have been running pain free even with increasing my mileage! I know it is that stretch that is doing it. At first it really hurt to do it but now it feels good when I stretch that area. I am so so thankful to be back in the grove. I even ran the hilly trails near our house Friday and Saturday without any flair-up. The trails near our home have a certain sacredness to them. I have poured out my heart to the Lord on these more rural trails. It's nice to be back on them. I am planning to increase my mileage but very gradually and am so thankful to be moving forward again in my running.


Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written,
“FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

My New Stretch with the Naughty Name

Last night we went over to a friends house for dinner and an opportunity to meet a couple of men who are visiting from Myanmar. My husband and another man from our church are going in December to visit a native missionary and his family that our church supports from Myanmar. It was really interesting and helpful to hear about the customs as well as some of the obstacles my husband and this other man will face as they go. The man that my husband is going with his wife is a physical therapist and a runner. I told her about my hip and she rambled off this super long name and told me that that was a common muscle for runners to complain about. She showed me this terrific stretch that she said they call the "hooker" stretch. I call it the owie stretch. This stretch HITS THE SPOT! I was quite sore this morning before my run, I think from doing that stretch. While I was running I ran into a friend and we ran together until my mileage was done. It was fun to run with someone but I have definitely gotten out of shape for talking and running, I was asking a lot of questions so she could talk while I was trying to breath...After my run I did my new little stretch while hoping no one was wondering why I was standing like that =D I am thankful that this stretch already seems to be helping with the soreness that I experience after a run. I hope you are all having a blessed weekend!


update: I actually found a picture of this stretch on-line that was too funny not to post. My physical therapist friend told me to lean my elbow on the wall which doesn't help this stretch to look any less silly doing it.

Sisters in Arms

What has happened to my life...I seem to have no free time and I feel like I am running from one thing to the next... I have been making random stops at each of your blogs but have had no time to reply. So this morning I am making myself get on the computer and catch up with you all, and that sounds so weird because just a few weeks ago I had to watch out not to spend too much time on the computer Facebooking, blogging and planning for our vacation to Florida in September. Oh well such is this season and I need to rest in it.

So to catch you all up on my schedule I have been running 3.5 miles consistently. Unfortunately since having recently increased my mileage by .5 it has re-irritated my hip. So I will hold on increasing my mileage any more until it resolves itself again. I wish I knew what is causing my hip to get irritated...It's getting a bit bothersome but I am trying to not let it take up too much of my mind right now.

I recently purchased this dvd to give myself something extra to do while my mileage is so low. I was specifically looking for a strength training dvd verses cardio because as I am getting older I'm becoming more, eehem, flabby. I'll let you know how I like the dvd once it arrives.

Yesterday mornings run started out a bit different. The first thing I noticed on my run was there were no rabbits out foraging like they normally are at 5am. The next thing I saw was a huge fox. At first I thought it was a small coyote, but it was a large red fox. This explained why all the bunnies were hiding. Their adversary was lurking around. I thought about the verses in the bible that talk about being on the alert and watchful. I thought about the instruction in Ephesians 6 for the Christian to put on the full armour of God so that we can stand firm in the battle. My life lately has had some very difficult battles. I am at war with an adversary that would like nothing more than to crush my faith. I have been reading "The Christian in Complete Armour" by William Gurnall. In the chapter entitled, The Saint's Call to Arms, he writes; "The outcome of the battle rest on God's performance, not on your skill or strength!" When I consider that it is the Lord who underwrites my battle then I can march on in the hope of His power. He also writes; "To encourage our trust, the Lord often intervenes in mighty ways on behalf of His people. Sometimes He allows an opposing force to arise, so that at precisely the right moment He can raise up a more magnificent pillar of remembrance to Himself. This pillar will stand in the very ruins of that which contested His power. Thus, when He intervenes all must say, Almighty power was here" Wow! doesn't that just make you want to want to say "Praise God." So today I am thankful for that visual picture on my run the other morning, and standing, somewhat wobbly at times but non-the-less with my face fixed to His strength, power and purpose in the battle. So let me encourage you my sisters or as my friend from Alabama would say my "sistas" in arms, in whatever battle you are facing "...be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might" Pressing on with you...

Pressing On

Okay this summer is already proving to be super busy. I have had very little time for posting. This past weekend I hosted a baby shower for one of our young adults. I love to decorate so I had so much fun putting it together. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and a joy for me to do for one of our young gals. Below are a couple of pictures.
I have been running pain free! I am upping my mileage this week a half mile to 3.5 This is will give my hip a chance to ease into it without putting on too much stress by adding a whole extra mile. I have a bit of a slower week so hopefully I can catch up with you all. Might the Lord be an
ever present help and comfort in your lives this week.

Running Taught Me How To NOT Spit Like A Girl...

I had a couple of titles for this post, 1. Running Taught Me How To NOT Spit Like A Girl...
2. Mmmmm Protein...

Okay so this crazy title came from me simply inhaling a bug this morning on my (3Mile) run. Something black with wings flew directly into my mouth. Thankfully, I was able to get rid of him before he was able to kamikaze down my throat. I have sucked in many bugs over my years of running and it is always so gross. As a result I have become very good at spitting while running. I know, cool, right! Not really but I thought that you needed to know this about me... Right after my run when I was walking in the front door I inhaled some other gross thing that I didn't even see coming! My husband was staring at me as I walked in the door hacking and coughing trying to get that bug out of my throat to no avail. On today's menu, bugs, icky bugs. Have you ever had a bug fly in your mouth while running? Do you try and spit it out?
I say let the spitting commence.

Running 3's (part 2)

I am starting to sound redundant, but some times redundancy is good. I am so excited to tell you my hip pain is almost completely gone!!! Praise God!!! I don't understand how I can still be running and yet experiencing less and less pain every day but I just thank God it seems to be working!
When I went running last Friday I decided to try a new part of the trail and ended up unexpectedly coming upon some hills. After clearing 2 hills I could see ahead of me there were quite a few more. I noticed right away from the first hill my hip pain kicking in and I probably should have turned around before taking the second one. This is exactly why I don't like to divert from my normal route...I am a creature of habit and change is well, change and I don't like change :D Who knew there was a part of the river trails that had hills! I plan to continue doing my 3's on my nice flat, REGULAR, I know whats coming, trail this week :D. I might try and add a mile on Saturday but I will just have to see how my hip is feeling. I am sooooo, sooooo thankful this is going away.
I have a very busy week so posting again will be at a minimum. Besides there's only so much you can say about running 3 miles unless you fill it in with lots of exclamation points and extra oooooooo's ;)
Have a great week of running or resting!

Running 3's

I have been limited on time this week to do much posting but I did want to go ahead and post my runs so far for the week. I have run 3 miles every morning this week down at the river. I have cut back on trying to increase my mileage and have completely stop all hill training until this hip issue resolves itself completely. I do not want to end up with a full blown injury so I am being very careful not to push this pain too much. I am very encouraged that even after a week of consistent running my hip issue is actually starting to ease up. I have not felt the need to take off a day in order to allow my hip some rest. This is encouraging and the first time in weeks my hip has not caused me to take a day or two off. I have also been more purposeful with my stretching and discovered that a side bend really hits that spot. I am certainly not where I want to be right now with my mileage but I am extremely thankful to still be out pounding the pavement. I know you all have been praying and for that words cannot express my heartfelt thanks.

There's No Place Like Home...

This mornings run was pretty eventful as far as weather is concerned. I watched the weather last night and knew there was a chance of rain in the morning but when I got up it was clear and just a little windy. Unfortunately it wasn't until I was at the end of my turn around that the storm started to blow in. Now I've run in the rain but not with winds this strong. There was only a light drizzle but when you added the strong winds that slight drizzle felt like needles going into my legs. I picked up the pace quite a bit. Because I live in Oklahoma the chance of a tornado is always out there and it certainly crossed my mind. Funny thing was the movie The Wizard of Oz popped in my head and the tune that plays in the background when the witch blows by on the bicycle was playing in my head also. The video below has the scene in it. It was a crazy run.

Humbling Hills

Well, my perfectly planned week of running turned out to be a bust. I took the kids to the pool on Thurs. and some how missed to apply sunscreen on the top of my feet. Needless to say my fair Irish skin was glowing red and I couldn't even put on shoes. I have been sunburned many times but never the tops of my feet, owie...I jokingly tell the kids that one day mommy will have a great tan when all my freckles merge. Funny thing is I am getting real close I must have a million freckles;).
When I went out for my run this morning I had absolutely no pain in my hip at all. I thought about Jane's comment that she was, "praying that the pain in my hip would ease completely" and how her faith worked to strengthen my own. I thought about how this was the first time in many weeks I had experienced no pain what so ever in my hip. I thought about my friend Kim who is dealing with possibly a serious injury and the patience God is working out in her life. Her example of trusting Him in this has provoked me to examine my impatience toward God. I thought about how I have been begging God for things that in reality are about making my life more comfortable. And how I have been doing so much in my own strength. I thought about how I've been trying to define my life to look and be a certain way rather than being willing to accept what Gods image for my life looks like. Gods Word tore at my pride "I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake" really? is that true of me? My run this morning was very emotional but also very restoring. I ran 3 miles of hills during which I started to experience some tenderness in my hip but nothing like it was and for that I am extremely thankful.

Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to the cross I cling

From the hymn Rock of Ages

Fighting The Good Fight

The alarm clock went off at 4:30 this morning but I was already awake. I was anxious to get out for my morning run to see how it would go with my hip. A little past 5am I was starting what would be a very uncertain run. From step one my hip was in pain, but I wanted to push on to see if it would ease up some. My plan was to do 3 miles and that ended up being a good goal. I ran the entire 3 miles in pain but thankfully my hip issue did not feel worse but stayed at the same discomfort the whole way up and back. As I ran I thanked God and also pleaded with Him for the strength to keep going. I am looking forward to tomorrow and how my hip will feel in the morning. It's running times like these that I am convicted about what seemingly superficial things cause me to be weak in my resolves, and being more fervent in re-focusing on the more eternal prize. "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me" Philippians 3:12

"Fight the Good Fight"

Run the straight race through God's good grace,

Lift up thine eyes, and seek his face;

Life with its way before us lies,

Christ is the path, and Christ is the prize.

John Monsell, 1863

Back on Track (Hopefully)

I just got done catching up with all of your postings. I know its only been a week but I feel like I missed so much...Jane's part 7 of her running story, Wendy's Marathon training starting, Mary Ann here in Tulsa and I don't even know that! Kate sounds like she's gonna do a marathon! I truly have missed the connection with you all. I was so sorry to read about Kim's injury and I shared with her that I have actually been having serious hip pain ever since I ran those stair repeats that has progressively worsened with each additional day of running. It was getting so bad I was actually hobbling around for a few days and I had to stop during a run because the pain. I took off this entire week not only because of the company we had but also the pain was bad. The good news is the pain is almost gone since I've had this unscheduled week of rest. I am hopeful that when I get up in the morning I can run with little to no pain at all. It is hard for me to be laid up from an injury. I am praying God will allow me to keep moving forward with my training.
In the mean time I wanted to show you something I made a few years ago with some old running shirts. You can tell by the dates on the shirts the 5k distance was a favorite in the 90's. This blanket has seen better days it gets used a lot for picnics. It's a fun blanket to have. The moon on the Night Light Run t-shirt(upper left) glows in the dark and is my favorite for that reason=)

A Full House, A Full Heart, A Tired Body

The missionary family that was staying with us this past week left this morning. The visit was as expected wonderfully exhausting. We had over 40 people turn out for the open house for them Saturday including our pastor and his wife. Our joy was overflowing as we shared our love for them and our desire to see the gospel spread to unreached tribes in Papua New Guinea.

Many nights this week I have not gone to bed much before midnight so I am exhausted. I have a commitment today to take the kids to the pool so I will hopefully get some rest this evening. Below are a couple of pictures from the open house. I have missed keeping up with you sweet ladies and look forward to catching up with you this week.

A Full Week, A Full Heart

What happen to May? I don't know about you but this whole year is flying by! God has really increased our ministry opportunities this year and it sure does make the time pass quickly. I will probably have short post this week as I am getting ready to have a missionary family stay with us this weekend as well as host an open house for them. Then we have our usual young adults group meeting here as well. Even though this week will be crazy busy I feel so blessed to be able serve this way. I love ministry from my home it is wonderfully exhausting! My heart is so full of gratitude for the opportunities the Lord has given us this year.
Okay, I ran 4 this morning. It was already 70 degrees at 5am! I guess those cool mornings are gone for a while.

Its About the Journey, Right?

I took yesterday off because my right calf was talking to me after Thursdays stair repeats. I wasn't expecting that. I was kinda mad at myself because I didn't realise I was stressing that muscle. Anyway I hobbled around and took Motrin on Friday. When I woke up this morning my calf was very stiff and still a bit achy. I thought I would try a run to see how it felt. I was planning to do at least 6 miles but had to stop after just 3 ugh. I wanted to do more and probably could have pushed through the pain but I just felt like that would make matters worse. So my long run turned out to be my shortest run of the week. This is one of those running times when I am reminded that running is a journey, like life it is full of lessons to be learned. I am thankful I got 3 miles in at the same time being disappointed I only got 3 in...So I must put this behind me, grow from it and look forward. Pressing on.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

The Running Redeemed

Another cool morning run. The weather here is wonderful, It was around 56 degrees and my arms were actually a little cold the entire run. I ran 5 miles at the river. After breakfast and morning devotions the kids and I went to a track at a local school and I did 10 repeats of the stadium stairs. My legs felt like rubber afterward. I plan to do upper body weights today but I am a little tired right now so my motivation is not there.
My meditations today have been on redemption, " In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace". Ephesians 1:7 My heart has overflowed with gratitude as I pondered "the riches of His grace" His sacrifice was not a response to my worth but the overflow of His infinite worth! It’s all about the worth of Christ! It was His beauty not mine! His worth, His death, brought about the riches of God’s grace toward me the vilest of sinners. "By one sacrifice there is a full remission of all sin that ever was against a believer, or that ever will be against him...not a single sin shall ever stand against you, nor shall you ever be punished for a single sin; for every sin is forgiven, fully forgiven, so that not even part of the punishment shall be executed against you” C. H. Spurgeon.
These thoughts cause my tongue to unloose and " I sing for I cannot be silent; His love is the theme of my song. Redeemed, redeemed"...

This is the first picture I've ever taken of my food or drink=) My son asked me why I was taking it and I had to laugh. But here it is anyway a picture of what I drink after a run. It's my version of a recovery drink. I blend it in a blender and drink it with my supplements.