Psalm 118

"This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Pslam 118:24

One Day You Will

You feel like you're falling backwards

Like you're slippin' through the cracks

Like no one would even notice

If you left this town and never came back

You walk outside and all you see is rain

You look inside and all you feel is pain

And you can't see it now

But down the road the sun is shining

In every cloud there's a silver lining

Just keep holding on (just keep holding on)

And every heartache makes you stronger

But it won't be much longer

You'll find love, you'll find peace

And the you you're meant to be

I know right now that's not the way you feel

But one day you will

You wake up every morning and ask yourself

What am I dong here anyway

With the weight of disappointments

Whispering in your ear

You're just barely hanging by a thread

You wanna scream but you're down to your last breath

And you don't know it yet

But down the road the sun is shining

In every cloud there's a silver lining

Just keep holding on (just keep holding on)

And every heartache makes you stronger

But it won't be much longer

You'll find love, you'll find peace

And the you you're meant to be

I know right now that's not the way you feel

But one day you will

Find the strength to rise above

You will

Find just what you're made of, you're made of

-Lady Antebellum

This song has hit hard. I got to experience it driving down a back, windy highway with the stars out, windows down and heat on high. That day and yesterday were when I really understood what it was saying and how true it holds in my life - I just got my racing schedule yesterday for track.... I've been stuck in this state where I constantly felt like I was slipping through the cracks and no one would care or notice if I fell and quit everything I loved. And it's been that constant feeling for the past 4 years and put on high during this summer, but I think and pray that my day is coming. It's never felt to so real. To be loving everything I'm doing in life and to maybe have the chance to step on that line, on a track and believe that I can do well and to know that I deserve to do well.... it's been since high school since I raced like that. And 3 years since I've even raced on a track. "But one day you will, find the strength to rise above, you will, find just what you're made of, you're made of" - here's to that day.

Ed & Sue Slide Show

I was able to quickly put together a slide show for my father and Sue before the wedding! It's full of pictures before/growing up and a recent/together photos. It was played on repeat before the wedding for guests as the arrived. What a fun day!! So much more to stories and wedding photos to come!

Hiking.

Tuesday night my roommate Kelli and I took off right after work and headed to Spencer's Butte to get a little exercise before some friends came over for dinner. We made it to the top no problem, and enjoyed the beautiful view of Eugene at night. I have not seen that view for a long time, made me really appreciate where I live. We then of course had a photo shoot and headed down the Butte. There was a point half way down where the path folks and I naturally, with out thinking twice, took the path to the right and Kelli following closely behind stopped me a few steps in and asked if that was the right way. I then realized I had no idea if it was, that I just started going that way. So Kelli read the sign and told me it's the other path we were supposed to take. So I listened to her and head down the new path. About a mile and a half down, we finally realized that we were not on the right path.... The one I choose was the one we were supposed to be on all along. So, embark hike number 2. After we made it to the split we ran down the Butte jumped in the car and made it home in perfect time for our friends to be there and a pizza just being pulled from the oven

Life is Full of Good Ideas

Christmas Cookies.

Just wanted to share some pictures from Christmas Eve at Sue's house. Probably some of my favorite cookies I've ever decorated. Get my father and I together and details become the most important part and each cookie takes about 5 minutes each. At one point Sue had about 15 cookies to my dad and mines 8. Great way to spend Christmas Eve.

The crew

My dad's favorites that he made.

My Favorite! (Sorry it's sideways)

The unpurposeful animals. I don't remember what the bottom left was supposed to be, but turned into a turtle, bottom right was supposed to be a sleigh, turned to a whale, top was supposed to be santa but turned a fish.

The total of the cookies.

What made your day so great?

I started the day on New Year's Eve with no concrete plans. All I wanted was to be in Carlsbad going to dinner with my cousins, taking a walk on the beach and then fast forwarding through Dick Clark's Rockin' New Years Eve (with Ryan Seacrest) barely being able to make to midnight - I looked at plane tickets with no money in my pocket with hopes that there would be some sort of miraculous special to San Diego. No such luck. I then considered driving to Florence to at least get the beach part - too wet. What's a girl to do?

She is to live large with the blessings she's got here at home. I spent the early evening bowling with my mother, Jen, and church friends. That group of people have got some life in them. I had an incredible time. Didn't bowl too well, but still worth every minute. The best part however was after bowling, I went to the grocery store to buy some food for the next evening event and while checking out the cashier asked how my day was. I replied with great, a normal, don't think twice about it response. He then shoots back at me:

"Oh ya, what's made your day so great??"

Wait, what? That's not the way this goes. It's supposed to go, "How are you? Good. How are you? Good." And then on with your day. I was so surprised by his questioning that it made me really stop and think, has my day really been great so far? Do I have to tell him my day really hasn't been great and I just said that to avoid any further conversation with him? But to my wonderful luck my day had been great. It took me a few seconds to respond, but then I got to tell him, "I went bowling with my mother!" He was genuinely surprised, happy and I could tell, a little jealous, of what I got to do. It then lead to great discussion after that, I mean for as much time as you get in a grocery check out, but how often do you really ask details beyond the surface level "good"?

Shortly after that encounter, I went home, made some artichoke dip from scratch, shaved my legs, put on a party dress and went to a friends house for some good conversation, drinks, Rockin' New Year's Eve, and a snow ball dance!!

Great way to end the old year and bring in the new one. Who would have thought?

Rocked my World

I have never experienced Christmas lights like this before. Sure I have seen this stuff done on the internet and movies, but never in person, on a street in Eugene. I screamed like a little girl when I first saw and heard it happen. The music you hear is my radio. You set your radio to a certain station, and the lights are qued up for what ever is playing. It's an HOUR loop. I thought it was just going to be one song played over and over, but we stayed for a good 30 minutes and nothing ever repeated. Magic!! Sorry it's not very good quality, it's through my cell phone. I'll try to get a better one with my camera, because yes, I will be going again before Christmas.

And not only did we get to experience this little drop of heaven, but before while driving around looking at other lights, there was a santa walking around the neighborhood, and of course, we yelled with excitement. He came walking to our car and gave us two handfuls of candy canes!! Probably one of the best Christmas light extravaganzas I've ever had.

Lazy Day

This is what my Sunday consisted of:

-The Holiday

-27 Dresses

-Elf

-hour nap

-P.S. I Love You

-The Proposal

I've never been able to accomplished watching 5 movies in one day. Go me!

Help-Portrait

I just spent my morning being involved with this:

It was the most humbling and encouraging experience all in one. A photographer put something together where we went to a mission and set up for family and individual portraits. Then the photographers gift to these woman and children will be those pictures, any size any amount, all for free. My roommate Kelli and I got to man the hair and make-up. All the little girls want their hair curled, they were so cute. I can't even express to you how much of an impacted this made on everyone, including myself. To give you a little taste how huge this movement is and will be, one woman said, "this is an incredible opportunity, I haven't had my picture taken since 1986".

Look Both Ways.

Kelli and I were at the grocery store getting a birthday present for our friend. So excited for what we found, I was even more excited to get to him and present it! With that said, we were leaving the store and my mission was set: car, starbucks (where he works), present, joy; let's make it happen. I'm B-lining to the car with the gift in my head and all focus on that when I hear, "Uhhhhh.... CAR!". I can see in my peripheral a very large object coming around a corner right at me. I spin around as fast as possible and run into Kelli's arms with full knowledge that if she didn't say anything there would have been contact with me and this very large Lay's Potato Chip Truck.

Moral of the story: No matter how exciting the things in your hands are, or no matter how old you are, you should always look both ways!

Thanks Kelli.

Hard Work + Faith

= a lethal combination and incredible rewards.

Who can count the amount of times I have been injured or sick in the past 4 years? Who can count the amount of times that I have watched everything I dreamed of and work for slip away? Who can count the amount of people who have given up on me? I can't. It's too many to count. But I can be thankful for those times and people. Because with out them I wouldn't know the true meaning of working hard, I wouldn't know the true feeling of accomplishment. I still have so far to go, but all I needed was one glimpse of hope, one step forward, one look at what could be.

This Thursday, Thanksgiving morning, I saw that glimpse. My coach gave me the opportunity to run in the 27th Annual Turkey Stuffer 5K (3.1 miles). I am so lucky to have been given that opportunity because the week before I ran 0 miles. I spent my time in the pool aqua jogging due to a very painful shin. But with taking good care of it led to a couple days before the race my coach giving me the go-ahead.

So pumped. Here's my shot. After working and praying so hard, I've been given this chance.

Highlights of the race:

1) Ran 18:51 ... PRed racing in my first 5K back after 3 or so years! Good way to get back into it!

2) Was the 2nd overall girl! Got a ribbon!

3) First race EVER that I have beaten my father. He wasn't far behind though, so I have to stay on my game.

4) I had an incredible crew of a turkey, pilgrim and indian to help push me through the race.

5) Kelli, in her 2nd 5K ever, ran a 22:31 which is 2 minutes faster than the first!

6) It was just a really good day!

Before the race!

After the race, and we're still happy!

My boys that helped so much. Caleb, Todd, and Justin.

He was a good sport after getting beat :)

So, I'm back.

Running is good

God is great.

I Love Fall.

Fall is no doubt my favorite time of year. The colors, the weather, the fresh, crisp air, the count down until the Christmas season, running through the leaves, the rain, cross country, and just the smile that can't be taken away from me.

AND, I especially love Fall when it lives in my room.

Fail Blog

My life is a fail blog....

I am currently sitting in my car outside my house.

So I went to leave for work this morning, left my house, locked it behind me and headed to my car. I got into my car and went to start it up to drive to work. Well, when I go for runs, I take my car key of my key chain to hold to and it just so happens that I forgot to put it back on. I have no key to start my car. So, naturally, I go to get my key inside the house. One other thing I forgot to mention and realized as I'm walking to my house, I lost my house key yesterday! I can't get in my house. I called my dad to see if he could give me a ride to work, told him the story and then informs that he found a key outside his house. A little light at the end on the tunnel. Now, I can't go anywhere in my car, I can't get into my house to get the key, but I can sit outside my house in my moveless car and freeze while I wait for my father to get here with the key.

Waun

What's a waun you might ask?

Well, it may be when you plan on going for a point A to point B 90 minute run with absoluetly no energy or strength and you end up running for 46 minutes, lose every ounce of energy you didn't have, stop at a park, borrow a starngers phone to call and get a ride, can't get a hold of anyone so you walk for a little bit to try and regain energy. You may then get some false energy and start running again only to make it another 14 minutes before you can't bare to take another step running... so you stop, walk for 40 minutes until you reach the closest place with someone you know and get a ride the rest of the way home, coming to a grand total of over 2 hours of adventure.

It's fun. I highly recommend a walk and a run, a waun.

I am blessed.

It's Saturday night, I'm standing in a crowded room surrounding by hearts and voices being lift up. Heartache, joy, tears, love, lust, pain - all emotions running through the people in this room. You can feel and hear the emotion as everyone in unison are singing praises, being in the moment. I can't know what's in everyones heart, but I know what's in mine. As I stand there and sing "great is your faithfulness", I can't help but think that I am blessed. I could stand there and have a pity party on myself and recount all the ways I believe my life isn't going the way I want it, but then I think about the day i just had. My life is beyond blessed.

The day:

-Wake up to horses outside our house.

-Run in a 5K road race, been years since that's been able to happen.

-Kelli runs in her first EVER 5K road race.

-Wintson is with us.

-Kelli wins 10 coupons for water fitness classes!

-Drive to Portland listening to Shane & Shane

-Winston's asleep.

-Coach the most fantastic kids I could ever, ever ask for.

-Sheldon high school rules the day and every one of them has an incredible race! Nothing makes me more happy than when I get to see them happy and accomplish what they wanted.

-Pouring rain!!

-So much love poured out at the meet with my high schoolers.

-Find Winston and Kelli and drive to Kelli's dad's Pawn Shop. Get the tour.

-Go to lunch with Ty Williams! It's been years since I got to hang out with him.

-Go to Kelli's parents house, get the blue tour.

-Drive to Camp Tadpole for the CCF retreat.

-Winton's asleep

-Get lost a couple time.

-Hear Winston's life story

-Arrive at Camp Tadmor

-Stand in a circle of three, plus some here and there and laugh til my sides hurt.

-Break yourself!

-Talk to a nervous, God-filled roommate ready to pour her heart out.

-See the influence and inspiration in the peers around me.

And here I am, standing, finally understanding how blessed I am. How many little things in my life make the big picture of beautiful. How everything around me can be temperamental and changing, but when I completely stop, I can completely see. I let the sounds of the song fill me, I let the lyrics consume me, and I sing with the biggest smile on my face because I know that I have been uncountably blessed and there's no greater feeling.

The night continues:

-Julie stands up and bares her soul and her heart and touches my mine and I can only imagine so many others. So proud.

-Eat pie.

-Pit-digs

-Consume myself with people who change me inside and out.

-Drive home

-Winston's asleep, and Kelli joins.

-Recount the day and rejoice always.

It was a good day.

Fire

Fires bring a safe, comforting feeling for me. They represent my favorite time of the year, which is right now, the beginning of fall.

Tonight has surrounded me with fire. After we got home from our day, Kelli and I put on our sweats and walked down to a nice, delicious restaurant, Mazzi's, with our buy one get half off coupon. We get there and they seat us next to the fire place, setting the mood of the perfect date in sweats. The food was incredible, I'm pretty sure I finished mine before Kelli even took her first bite. But the feeling sitting there in the restaurant just brought me such joy. I was comforted by this fire next to me, the crisp air on our walk, and the great company with me that life was going to be okay. That the decision and progress with my life are in the right direction and that things are going to work out and be good. Life isn't going anywhere, it's only just beginning.

After dinner, we got home and joined our other roommate Abbey, got a fire going (picture above) and had a bible study. We decided that through this school year as a whole we're going to read through the New Testament, and this was the first week into it and I know already how much of a blessing it's going to be in my life. Being able to question and discuss and comfort each other through God and through our lives is exactly what I need this year.

Fire, Fall, Friendship, Family ---- Life is good.

Because Of Your Love

http://kelmaks.wordpress.com/2009/09/30/because-of-your-love/

Everyone should probably check out my roommates blog. It's been my life as of late. My guitar skills are really coming along.

It's Been A While...

I thought coming back to Eugene was just really going to bum me out and that I was just going to fall into a hole stress and business.  I was far from wrong.  Yes, I have been busy and yes, things have been very stressful, but the people surrounding me have blessed beyond measure.  I couldn't be more happy where I am right now.  The time I took with my family in California was much needed and I love them more than anything so that was the perfect way to unwind(and sleep).  Then I got back to Eugene and instantly was in love.  In love with my new house, my new roommate , my high school cross country team, my family and running.  Some pictures to show my love:

My new favorite animal - the burrowing owl

In Loving Memory

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 12:12 PM
Subject: Update on Frank

Hello Cross Country Family,

Thank you for all your prayers, concern, and love for Frank Moore and his family.  Yesterday the doctors met with his family to let them know that he not going to recover from this.  After some time together, the family has decided to "let him go".  We do not really know how many hours that might take.  It might even take a day or so.  The family has asked for some private time here at the hospital and a chance just to be together, so please help them by not coming to visit just now.  Please continue to pray for Frank's family and all who are saddened with this news.  I will keep you posted on any further information. 

Much Love,

-Tom 

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 8:36 PM
Subject: Frank Moore's passing

Hello Again Cross Country Family,

Frank Moore passed away earlier this evening at Sacred Heart Hospital at Riverbend.  Again, thanks for all your prayers for him and the family.  Please continue to pray for and encourage the family, especially during this difficult time.  In a couple of days or so, we will begin providing meals for the family.  If you would like to be involved in that please let me know.  As far as a memorial service/celebration of life, we'll aslo let you know once those plans take place.  We also may be having a get-together tomorrow evening or the next evening.  We'll let you know.  

Much Love,

-Tom    

Like it says in the emails - please, please keep their family in your prayers!  It's been a rough time for them back home and for me, especially being so far away, but I know they have so much love and support around them, so the best I can do, and you can help, is just sending the prayers and love.

Pslam 118:24