Hi friends. I found myself talking out loud about joy this last week and…there’s a bit of wonder and a glimpse of God in expressing these little nothings in spoken, real words to someone else. In the midst of my words, I found I got caught up all over again in the moments. literally lost as if all around me faded until I brought myself back to the conversation. That’s where I find myself when I share them here…pouring over my list, remembering, seeing afresh the ways that God shows up in all things and picking a few to share with you…
Here we are again. Another week. Another post. Let me just say, I feel like each week, I notice more, I am inspired by more, I find more joy, I am more optimistic. And that alone, I love! Here are some of the experiences of joy this week…and don’t forget to tell me one of your own!!
“Imagine taking a walk in a beautiful forest on a splendid summer’s day. The earth is ablaze with the fire of God and the sights, sounds and smells are enough to make you want to take your shoes off before the burning bush. But if your mind and heart are hopelessly torn, and if, for example, you are painfully infatuated with someone who has just rejected you, you will see virtually nothing on this walk-not just of beauty and creation, but nothing at all. You are inside yourself, torn by your pain, endlessly reviewing past and future conversations, possibilities, and fantasies. For all you are actually seeing, hearing, or smelling of beauty and nature, you could just as profitably be walking in a parking lot or a rubbish dump. You are locked in an inner world whose obsessive reality absorbs all your awareness.”
All weekend I’ve been in the mood for a normal, happy conversation with someone from home. This afternoon not only did I get one, but I got two! I am so thankful for this weekend and for getting to catch up with friends. From stargazing to running to walks to exploring possibilities to dreaming to s’mores to listening to podcasts, I’m refreshed and ready for another week.
With our busy schedule during the day, scheduled dinners and with how fast the sun goes down, since I got here I started right away to get in the habit of getting up in the morning to go running. I love it! Plus, we usually don’t start until 8:30 (and no driving! just a couple minute walk) so I can get up at 6:40-6:50, be running by 7-7:15 and still get in a decent run before starting the day. What a great way to start the day off! This morning my Ipod was being funny so I ended up going on a long walk with sprint intervals and some great prayer time, which was perfect. And mind you, the scenery is amazing especially when fog covers the mountains and the sun peeks through it. Yay for being away from the city lights. 🙂
that this weekend is over!!!! Weird thing to be thankful for, I know, but such is life.
for the prayers that were said for me this weekend–thank you, Los (and all the people who were praying with him), Carrie, Liz, and anyone else.
for Mike and Sara…they’re pretty much amazing. I am in awe at how God used them last night through their actions and words. I am not one who is hardly ever able to cry in front of people, but for some reason I can in front of them. Sara sat with me and let me cry before taking me on a walk (I’m definitely a walk and talk girl). There is such power in being able to sit with someone and share in their sorrow without having to talk. (reminds me of Job and how his friends sat for days before speaking).
board games 🙂 (like rook, wizard and settlers!)
my bright, happy room 🙂
and a lot of other things, but I’m tired….so bedtime.
Raked a LOT of pine needles. We raked for probably about 3-4 hours. I am still amazed at the size of the pile we amassed. I would have taken a picture, but I didn’t have a camera that worked with me. I called that good enough for the day.
Sunday, June 22nd, 2008
Ran 20 minutes, walked 10 minutes–tried to run with the dog for about 5 minutes 🙂
Monday, June 23rd, 2008
Walked–ummm, 30 minutes? I didn’t keep track because of the great conversation!
Food: 3/4 cup Yogurt Burst Cherrios, milk, 20 carrots, handful of grapes, 1 piece of bread with 1/2 slice pepper jack cheese and turkey, 1 package peanut butter crackers (190 calories), 1 brownie, 8 chips & guacamole, chicken wild rice soup, baguette, frontega chicken, white chocolate chips, hot chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows
Tuesday, June 24th, 2008
Walked: 25 minutes
Ran: 22 minutes
10 Minute Pilates–Total Body Workout section for 10 minutes
Food: Bread and peanut butter, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, pear, carrots, better than sex cake, and I forgot to write down what I had for dinner…
Wednesday, June 25th, 2008
10 Minute Pilates–Waist Slimmer
Power Sculpt Workout Week 1/2–20 minutes
Food: Kashi cereal, milk, carrots, grapes, pears, 2 pieces of bread with turkey, green peppers and cheese, better than sex cake, 2 pieces of banana bread
Thursday, June 26th, 2008
5-10 minute wake-me up stretching/yoga
Walk: 20 minutes kind of…over lunch in heels 🙂
Run: 20 minutes at 2.1 miles it was hot. very hot. and a guy stopped and asked me directions so maybe that’s why I was slow 🙂
Walked: 20 minutes
Food: Yogurt burst cherrios, milk, 1 piece of toast with peanut butter and honey, 1/2 pear, 1 sample package of honey bunches of oats (120 calories), better than sex cake, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, tortilla with cheese and greenpeppers
Friday, June 27th, 2008
10 minute Power Sculpt DVD Workout 3–I’m liking this getting up a little early and doing a mini workout. baby steps to running in the morning I like to think 🙂
Food: Kashi cereal, 2 pieces of bread with cheese and green peppers (I know I’m weird), carrots, snackers snack well thing, better than sex cake, 2 pancakes with peanut butter/chocolate chips, eggs, milk, craisins trail mix
Final rambling thoughts: Yikes…a triathlon?? I like my hair today. I feel like I’m too balanced to gain or lose weight. Do I need to buy a scale? The pants are the same fit. Daring Bakers Challenge here I come!
Biked: 5.8 miles at 24:07 minutes–14.5 average mph and 22.4 maximum mph
–This triathlon might be a bit hard 🙂
Wednesday, June 18th, 2008
Happy Birthday Bj!
Walk: 20 minutes
Run: 20 minutes straight yay
10 Minute Pilates–Waist Slimmer: 10 minutes
Thoughts: My roomies’ boys are going to think I work out all the time…they keep coming over when I don’t know they’re coming…awkward… 🙂 good times!
Thursday, June 19th, 2008
Run: 25 minutes
Walk: 10-15? I didn’t keep track well. I also walked to the beach if that counts. 🙂
Thoughts: I’m bored with life.
Friday, June 20th, 2008
Took the day off 🙂 Went to work and then drove home (aka Alex).
Final thoughts: I started trying to drink more water toward the end of the week. I’m going to do that again this week and also try to watch or log how much I’m eating. Although, I don’t want to become crazy obsessive about logging, but I feel doing so would be beneficial since I really don’t keep track. Other than that…I’m planning on continuing to train! 🙂 yay
b'ahava 