Why God loves me

   I've been thinking, and here are the best reasons I can think of for God loving me:

1. I go to church
2. I obey my parents 68.4% of the time
3. I usually do all my homework and get great grades
4. I can run a 10:56 3200 m
5. I've "suffered" for the Gospel when people think I'm weird for believing it (Can you tell this is sarcastic yet!?)
6. I trusted him through divorce and anorexia
7. I can twitch my nose in a strange fashion
8. I rely on God when walking through automatic doors, of which I am afraid (still can't tell!?)
9. I love Ostriches! (God put them in the Bible, therefore he loves them, therefore: we are super alike!  RELATED: Ostriches)
10. I go to church
11. SUPERCEDES ALL FAILURES OF #s 1-10:  He is God.  He loves because of who he is, not because of me!!!!

Thank you so much Lord!  I am so grateful that I don't have to rely on my own good deeds or my own atonement.  You have paid it all.  Thank you for dying for me, and for rising again.  Help me to love you more, to cling to you more and to lean on you more in everything, knowing that you forgive me when I fall short.

Faith

I just saw this on Pinterest-- of course-- and had to share!

The unexpected

     In case you've been lodged in a cave the past year, I'll let you know that gas prices have gone up.  A lot. I don't know how much, because I haven't been driving for decades, but I do know it's enough to make me cringe at the pump.  Today, my dad went with me to the gas station to pump up the tires, which were apparently very low.  I also was going to stop for gas since I have to drive somewhere pretty far tomorrow morning.  "I'll get your gas," he said.  I profusely thanked him, glad not to have to suffer in the cold.  I handed him my debit card, but he said, " No, that's fine.  I'm going to pay for your gas."  I asked him why, and he said it was just because he loved me.  How awesome is that!?  I am so grateful for those little things, the times when God knows I am needing to receive some love.  He knows me.  He knows that right now is a dry period.

     I've been feeling guilty about that, because its so easy to think, "if I read my Bible more..." or "if I prayed more," or "maybe if I were more perfect.  The fact of the matter is- he loves us.  I've posted about perfectionism on more than one occasion, because its something I struggle with.  I struggle to wrap my mind around someone knowing all my flaws and still wanting me.  My dad is the height of that example, as he's been with me through all the struggles I've faced.  Today, he reflected that message that I think God has been trying to communicate to me: "I love you," and maybe a little paraphrased: "Stop freaking out about not 'feeling' me, and just relax in me.  You'll never be perfect, and the longer you seek your own perfection the farther you run from me."
     And isn't that true?  I trust that someone else needs to hear that today.  Someone else needs to know that God is constantly doing little things for us just because he loves us.  Not because of who we are and not dependent on whether or not we "feel" it.  He just is, because that's who he is.  Isn't that something HUGE to be grateful for.  I mean, think about that in the context of the awesome verse: Zephaniah 3:17-

The Lord your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
    but will rejoice over you with singing.”


     Thank you Jesus for again reminding me :)

Hut-to-hut dream vacation

Lake City, Colorado.  Ran there while in Colorado
(photo credit: pinterest.com)

     Like the nerdy runner I am, I was reading through an old Runner's World magazine today-- Spring 2011 in case you want to take a look in your own pile-- and finally found the article that captivated me two years ago and I've been looking for ever since.  It's called Cabin Fever, and detailed places in the US where runners can run all day from one lodging to another, all out on trails, and all beautiful!  Once I read that, it was sealed into my brain as something I will not die without doing.  I mean, can you imagine: nothing but God's creation, a Cambelback, and an agenda to run.  After my amazing experience in Colorado last summer, I am even more set on doing it, whether it be in Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon, New Mexico, or Nevada-- I could go on forever-- I will get there.  Hold me to it!

Santa Fe, New Mexico

     We had already spent a good hour wandering around in the wind and snow, numbing our hands and feet.  With grit determination now frozen from our faces, we retreated back to the hotel fire.  I stood by that fire for a good fifteen minutes before I could feel how cold my hands were.  During the warming phase, I had a lot of time to reflect on my stupidity that had gotten us in this situation in the first place.  Namely: I was stubborn.  
     "Try calling dad," my brother suggested, "his meeting may be over by now.  Sure enough, my dad picked up and asked us how the adventure was going.  "It's freezing," I said, "we had thought it would be so warm!"  He reminded me that he'd warned us-- which I vaguely remember, but probably blocked out in denial-- and I reminded him that I was still frozen.  "We tried, but we didn't actually make it to the historic district," I confessed.  He seemed bewildered at that, "How?  It's just down the block."  My brother, overhearing the conversation, shot me a look that said: "you mean I'm suffering hypothermia for nothing!"

     My dad had a business trip during my brother and I's spring break last year, so instead of rearranging things, we came along.  Before spending a few days in New Orleans (RELATED: Unforgettable Runs: New Orleans), we headed to Albuquerque and then Santa Fe..err-- that was the plan.  In reality, our flight got cancelled and the only other one they had that day was through Roswell, New Mexico.  Surely you've heard of this alien crazed town.  In fact, it's too much of an experience to squish into this post right now.  I will however, explain the rest of the story.

The fireplace I was raving about
(photo credit: www.lanl.gov)

     We landed in Roswell, stepped off the plane-- onto the runway mind you-- and were immediately shocked.  New Mexico was supposed to be warm!  I panicked and lunged for my phone to check Weatherbug (RELATED: My Essential Apps, all interesting, all free).  "It's probably just a freak weather thing," I assured my brother-- and myself.  Unfortunately, Roswell doesn't have a very good, or any, T-Mobile coverage at their airport, so I left the town without getting the gist of the little surprise.
     We got into Santa Fe later that night-- too late for a run, so I hopped on an elliptical in the workout room.  I'd slept on planes and in the car all day, so after my workout: I was wide awake.  I walked around the hotel a bit, curious to see more of the beautiful southwestern design and architecture.  There was plenty of it, as we stayed in the Hilton Santa Fe Historic Hotel.  After some exploration, I sat down by the fireplace with an complementary apple, munching away as I watched to flames lick the logs.  It was so warm and homey, that I figured I could just sit there till I fell asleep.  It did the trick though, and I was soon back to our room and ready for lights out.
     The next morning, my dad had a business meeting till noon, so my brother and I were on a lone adventure to see the city.  I grabbed my jeans and the sweatshirt I'd brought.  Since he didn't bring jeans, my brother had on shorts and a sweatshirt.  We went for a quick breakfast down near the lobby, where we were greeted by another warm fire and a beautiful fountain.  I was beginning to think it was quite curious that there were so many fires in such a warm place.....then we stepped outside.
     To be honest, it was more of a dart in and out kind of thing.  Turns out, the elevation and mountains make Santa Fe a pretty cold destination in March.  We had not known that when we'd packed our swimsuits and tank tops.  My dad had told us about the historic district though, so we set out to find it and hopefully duck into some warm shops.  Not more than five minutes after we'd emerged from the warm hotel, did it start snowing.  Snowing!  I'm sure we reeked of tourism-- with our heads tied up in our hoods and I navigating the way on my phone.  As I've mentioned in the past, I'm directionally challenged.  We were quickly in the heart of the business district, with only a tattoo shop and a law office as our shelter options.
     Yep.  Turns out, we only needed to turn left and walk for two minutes to reach our destination.  In fact, my dad was already there.  Cutting out the complaining, I mustered up my last dignity.   "Warm yourself for a few more minutes and prepare," I told me brother, "we are going back out!"  And so, we made it.  We got to see the tapestries, the old church, the quirky shops, and the shelves and shelves of cowboy boots.  It was pretty cool, even cooler knowing the struggle it took to get there!

This shows the hotel on the left, and the street of the historic district to the right of point "A".  Yes, it was THAT close the whole time!

     I can't wait to go back to Santa Fe--in the summer-- when I can hike and explore more of the amazing New Mexico landscape.  I had such a fun time there, even in the bad weather, that I can't imagine how great it is when Santa Fe is basking in the New Mexico sun.

10 ways to be awkward in the gym locker room

     I just returned from the gym, and once again my teenage mind is swarming with ideas.  Please tell me I'm not the only one who stands in the locker room wondering if everyone else feels as awkward as I do.  It's just an awkward place!  Aside from one lady who wanted me to join her efforts to defy the pool schedule, no one even talks in there. That brings me to my next question, the immature teenage one: what are the funniest things to do in the locker room?  Don't worry, I've compiled a list for you.  All you need to do is risk your reputation and sanity by testing the waters with one of these next time:   

*This article and the contained list are clean and appropriate of course!  


1. Run into all the bathroom stalls continuously flushing the toilets.  If someone tries to use one, forcefully assert: "Excuse me!  Can't you see I'm using this equipment right now?!'
2. Hide in a locker until someone opens it later that day--WARNING: this one could occupy you for a good 6-19 hours-- once they suspiciously place their stuff in another one and hopefully don't lock it, put their bag in another locker and jump in again.  It'll be even better the second time!
3. Bring your trumpet into the shower and begin playing some sick jazz music!

Oh...the many awkward options at the gym

4. Roll around on the floor, moaning: "germs! germs!"
5. Put on your best Bear Grills attire and explain to others that you've been searching civilization for the three days, but cannot find your way out of the thick forest terrain.  Ask them to join you on your journey.
6. Hand someone you camera phone and ask them to please take a picture of your foot, because your worried the fungus is coming back, and need to show your doctor.
7. Spring into the locker room in a beeline to the sinks, screaming: "Water! Water! Water!"  Proceed to turn on the faucet and just stare while singing a hip-hop rendition of Kumbaya.
8. Ask someone to spot you while you climb to the top of the lockers and practice your Spidey-skills by shooting webs at them.
9. Stand inside the locker room door and ask those who enter for a shoe, in return for admittance to your kingdom.
10. Come prepared with a two cartons of eggs.  Crack and deposit one into each unlocked locker, whispering tidings of "Happy Easter!" as you go.

I'd sure like to hear your stories of being kicked out of the gym!  And do tell me: are there any others you would add to the lists?

Awesome rain boots

My purple rain boots: courtesy of Nordstroms.com

     I forewarned readers that my main purpose for having and starting this blog, is to recount all the things I'm thankful for.  This includes-- especially-- the things I often take for granted.  So, with two straight days of rain where I am, I am extremely thankful for the rain boots my mama got me for Christmas.  My favorite color is purple,and although I'm fashionably-challenged, these are right on for me.   Not only did they keep me dry when sprinting like a dork into school yesterday morning, but they also made me feel super slick walking through the hallways.  "I knew it was going to rain," they say to students in the hallways, "and I'm looking good!"  

     Okay, maybe they don't say that, but I've yet to receive criticism...although that's not exactly a fair judgment, It's my blog.  Long story short: I love my purple rain boots.  They make rainy mornings a little less drab and a little more pizzazz!