Counting Game

Today, Elizabeth and I worked up to eighteen miles. This sounds like a number you might say if you were going to be sarcastic when someone asked you how long you went running. 

When I thought about this morning's run last night, it seemed daunting.  But, we chunked it and ran 6 miles, and then we met up with two more running friends to run the last 12 miles. The thing is that it was so much easier with others alongside. 

My prayer for you today is that when a big task is before you that you will break it down into bite sized pieces and that you would know many who come alongside you when it feels like a long road. 

  

Laughing is the best exercise

Sometimes, the best thing to do is shake things up and LAUGH. 

Praying for days when you laugh so hard that your belly hurts... 

Below are ways that Janie, Anna and I laughed a lot with each other and with the goats....

  

  

Bubble

Today, as I ran on a busy road, I had a picture in my head of a shield around me-- 

almost like a giant bubble to protect me from the cars- 

and it was a simple reminder to pray for you for protection - 

for God to guard your heart and mind in the coming days... 

The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever. Psalm 121: 8 

and a quote from Wicked below to add to the post: 

May God's love be all over you...

Today, when I got back from my run, I got down on the carpet near Molly and Lily to do my push-up and plank routine.  I knew the risk involved in choosing this spot, but I thought it was worth it because of the sweet company on the rug. 

 Not long into trying to hold my plank, Molly and Lily came over and started licking my face, my hands, my arms. It was a full-on spit bath, and I laughed out loud.  

  

I was reminded by the way Uncle Dan signed off in a letter one time. It was something like this:

"May God's love be all over you like a labrador puppy." 

That could just as easily read: 

"May God's love be all over you like a golden retriever puppy." 

So, that was my prayer for you today that you would experience God's love in a tangible way and that it would make you laugh and keep coming back for more. 

recipe

Today, I had an interval workout to do and ran over to Parmer Park...

I kept my phone running app going while I was doing the intervals (not during the rest times).... 

I was thinking about how this whole marathon training thing is like a big recipe: 

Throw in a dash of hill workouts along with a mix of long runs, trail runs, interval runs, speed workouts, easy shake out runs and rest days.  If there's too much of one thing, it can throw the whole thing off so the trick is trying to find the right mix of all of these ingredients to get ready to run 26.2 on June 10th- two months from today.  

In thinking about this recipe idea when I was running today, 

I thought of what ingredients I hope for you to go in the mix as you turn 13 

and this verse came to mind below: 

I am praying for just the right mix of these ingredients 

and for friends, mentors and family 

to be there for you along the way to help you grow this fruit... 

Glinda the good witch

Today, Kim came to visit and it was such a treat to catch up with her. 

You may remember that she is the one who blew bubbles along the way as I tried to qualify for Boston. 

My prayer for you is that you will have many Glindas along the way to cheer you on in your many endeavoers and that you will always remember that I will be among them. 

surprise gifts

I've covered some good miles the last few days, and I've been thankful for health and strength and time to run.  (A fast paced 5K at Green Lake on Friday in 21 1/2 minutes and then 16 miles running from downtown to Discovery Park and then back home on Saturday)  

The weather was CRAZY on Saturday morning. While we were watching your soccer game, the rain was coming down in sheets, and the morning took "April showers" to a whole new level. Then after the game, the rain was letting up, and I gave the keys to Janie & Abba to drive you home and picked up my run from there. It was such a treat to run over to Magnolia and through Discovery Park since that is not part of my usual stomping grounds.  This view below overlooking the Puget Sound seemed like a pipe dream just a few hours before, but it was the surprise gift of the morning.  

Praying for you, Taylor, for surprise gifts of grace for you today and for gratitude to soak them up...