Short Story Continued

Toe pain continues - feels best when leg is propped up. Slight black/blue coloring happening now. Didn't go for x-rays - because even if it's broken, there's not much that can be done. Using a hard-soled boot I have from surgery last year (though I never wanted one - my collection of medical supplies is impressive)
No runs for now :( Maybe some biking next week - cause that won't be as much impact on it as running would be.
So now on the recliner - writing!! Working on my book proposal - pray for wisdom, it's a hard task!

Short Story

It was a dark and stormy night. Lights were out. Candle was burning. Sleep called. Moved across room to blow out candle. Toes met ottoman. Pain! Question now is - is it broken or just badly bruised? UGH!!!

Third Thirsty Thursdays on the Thun Trail

Say that title 5 times fast :) Third Thirsty Thursdays is a race that is run once a month from May to September on the Thun Trail in Reading, PA

Had a great time last week running my first 5K (3.1 miles) with others from our running club. It was at 7pm and still hot (close to 80 degrees) It was hard work, but I did enjoy myself. Felt better than I thought I would. I was sore the next day, but not too bad. I'm constantly looking for that 'line' of pushing myself, but not too far. I've had too much pain and have no desire to hurt myself, but want to do as much as I can.

Finishing!

Five years ago this week - my life hung in the balance. Praising God for the amazing way he created us, so our bodies can heal from trauma - maybe not back to the way things were, but well enough to do this!

Psalm 34:1-9

¹I will always praise the LORD.

²With all my heart,

I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad.

³Honor the LORD with me! Celebrate his great name.

⁴I asked the LORD for help, and he saved me from all my fears.

⁵Keep your eyes on the LORD!

You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame.

⁶I was a nobody, but I prayed,

and the LORD saved me from all my troubles.

⁷If you honor the LORD, his angel will protect you.

⁸Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind.

Come to him for protection, and you will be glad.

⁹Honor the LORD!

Rambling Thoughts about the Unfairness of Life

The unfairness of life can be so crushing, at times. A gentleman from my church was in an accident a few days ago. He's stable, but still in ICU with two small brain bleeds, a broken neck (thankfully no spinal cord injury) and some broken ribs. I know this man's wife, two daughters and families well and my heart breaks for all of them. This family has been through too many 'tough things' - too many accidents, injuries, fires, heart attacks and other health issues.

At one time, I would have had some fairly mean and unbalanced thoughts about why God is 'doing' all this to them, but now I view it so differently because I don't think God causes harm to us. (John 10:10 and Matthew 7:9-11)

God is love and God is good!

I recently heard Jonas and Anne Beiler (Auntie Anne's Pretzels) speak ... they gave four reasons why bad things happen.

1. Choices we make
2. Consequences from choices
3. Accidents happen
4. Satan

My counselor says that while Old Testament scriptures show that God did cause tragedies in that time, things changed when Jesus came. Because of his victory over death, we now live in the time of grace where God's connection with humans doesn't include him 'hurting' us. Yes, he can use (redeem) any situation but that doesn't mean he needed it to mold you or I (or anyone) into a 'better' person.

My Pastor Art says, "We live in a Satan-dominated world and he's out to kill, lie, steal and destroy." I agree - God is not in charge here, Satan is. My other Pastor Vince taught on hell recently and for the first time, I realized Satan was not thrown into hell when he was thrown out of heaven. No, he was thrown to earth (Revelation 12:7-9) and he's here to harm.

Yes, God is all powerful and all knowing, but just because you have power doesn't mean you have to use it. At this time, I think God has chosen to give us and Satan free will and choice, so I don't think God causes the 'bad things' to happen.

This quote from The Shack says it best -
"Just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn't mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don't ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me. Grace doesn't depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will see grace in many facets and colors." - William P. Young

Relay Team

Whether it is a friend, family member, the neighbor down the street, or our own personal experience, unfortunately we have all been touched by cancer in some way. That is why the running club I'm a part of - Running ... Because I Can has chosen to join our community by participating in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Twin Valley on June 19 and 20, 2009.

The Relay is a team event to fight cancer and is a great time to party and run or walk all night (each person picks the time and distance that works for them) to help find a cure for cancer, giving others hope for many more years of running or walking because they can!

If you want to join the party ... see our team page and think about supporting our fund raising and/or joining the team!

We'd love to have you!

Running on the Thun Trail

Wonderful spring honeysuckle along the trail.

Running is feeling better and better - yippee! At first, I walked more than ran, but now it's reversed. Today Jerry and I ran on the Thun Trail, starting at the parking lot at Ridgewood Soils (Take Exit for Route 724 off of 176, go 724 E for a few feet, then turn left and follow 'Trail Parking' signs) We went east on the trail towards Gibraltar - 2.1 miles one way.

I usually walk between 1/4 mile and 1/2 mile and stretch lightly before I run. After running a mile or so, if I feel any tight 'spots' on my legs, I will stop and stretch again, to make sure everything is working as smoothly as it can. Then at the end I try to stretch every area/muscle for at least 30 seconds each. (hips/thighs/calves/ankles/etc)
I was excited after my run today - I high-fived Jerry as I finished saying, "Another miracle!" Other than the day of the Garden Spot Marathon Relay, this is the longest I've ran without taking walking breaks - 3.75 miles - other than a short break half-way through to stretch a tight spot or two. Thanking God for the way our bodies can get stronger - slowly, but surely!