Be Still

For anyone considering training for a 5K, I highly recommend the Couch to 5K program. However, I would advise you to take it slow. As in, do not run 5 days a week, do not feel like you have to keep up with your running partner and do not run if you are hurting. Also, buy good shoes and replace them as necessary. I was doing so well! I had finished week 6 and that means I was running 25 minutes...a little over 2 miles! If you know me at all, you know this is a HUGE accomplishment since I have never been a runner and I actually hated it all my life. I actually am starting to like it and look forward to my time outside running and thinking through everything going on in life. It was becoming relaxing and enjoyable. And I was so close to my goal of running a 5K in April. SO CLOSE! Now...

My right leg is in a boot. The doctor said according to my x-ray (which I got to see and now have in my living room) I have a stress fracture on my tibia from running. How does that happen? Oh yeah- running too fast and through the pain of a shin splint. So after the doctor told me I was off running for a while I was mad. Mad at myself, mad at my running shoes, mad at my running partner who gets to keep running, mad at God. The doctor also told me when I do start training again I have to start over and take it slow. And then, to add to that, I had a flat tire when I got home. Fortunately I just made a new friend who so willingly came out to change it for me and put the spare on so I could drive to the tire store the next day. He made sure to remind me I had to drive slow on the spare. I kind of laughed it off. By the way, I was late to work the next day because I had to drive slow. And it was hard to walk down the stairs.

That night I was still mad. I didn't want to talk to God or read my Bible. So, being the amazing God He is, He kept bringing a verse to my stubborn mind. "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) I couldn't stop thinking about it! I googled it and found the Hebrew translation is "rapha" and literally means "to be weak, to let go, to release". I realized that maybe God is trying to tell me something. Maybe He's telling me to slow down. Maybe He is telling me to give it up to Him. Maybe, I just need to be still and let Him drive. Ironic that we have been studying these very concepts in church on Tuesday nights...or maybe not. Maybe I'm just that stubborn.

I've had the boot on for less than a week and have definitely had to slow down. It's hard to push the gas pedal while I drive (don't worry-the brake pedal is much easier), I have to take stairs one at a time (and have almost fallen many times), I can't walk fast, and I'm tired. I've had to be weak, I've had to let go and I've had to release control. I've had to let down my pride and let other people help me. And you know what? I'm ok! Everything is still ok. He's still got the whole world in His hands. It's not going anywhere!

Catching up...

I don't think anyone reads this and I think I'm ok with that. I'm not a consistent blogger so I don't know that it matters anyway. Life is different from my last post. I am LOVING my job! I have the best kids who bring constant joy to my day and my coworkers are amazing. I can't say that my job is perfect, but I think it's as close as possible! I'm hoping to move at the end of the summer because I live too far away from church, grocery stores, shopping and friends. I have to find somewhere soon because I won't be here for much of my summer. I'm going to move in with Jason and Carmen so I can take care of my niece, Ella Jane. She is adorable, don't you think?



I'm very excited to get to love on her and watch her grow! Babies are amazing! One day I hope to have one of my own but who knows when.



I will miss some things here but they'll be waiting for me when I get back! I found a church I love and am being challenged by the messages of truth. It's a place where they preach the Word and push you to be a better Christian and hopefully I'll meet some friends soon. That's kind of a struggle for me- I don't seem to meet many people and make many friends. It is frustrating at times but I know it is all in God's hands right now. He's def been teaching me and stretching me past where I thought I could go but I still need a lot of work.



I've been running- c25k again! I'm on week 7 which is running 25 minutes every day!!! Whoa! Never thought I would make it this far. I have the best running partner and last week we got fitted for shoes at Luke's Locker. They watched us walk and run barefoot then tried on lots of shoes. Mine are awesome!


You can't really tell from the picture but they lace diagonally from the big toe to the ankle instead of straight down the middle. It is great and keeps my heel from rubbing against the inside of my shoe! Unfortunately, I may have to postpone the rest of my training. I have a shin splint and today it got to the point where I couldn't even finish my run. I got through 13 minutes (yikes- bad number) and had to stop. I was halfway finished. I'm calling the doctor on Monday. I have to call her anyway to let her know about my ankles. I've been in quite a few times since the beginning of the year. I have some crazy swelling in my ankles and they can't figure out why. They've taken lots of blood and tested me for lots of different things but can't seem to figure out why my body isn't working quite right. I'm on some medicine right now for it and it seems to help but not always. I'm not sure if this is a permanent fix or not but I'll do pretty much anything to not have swollen ankles. Contrary to popular belief, I do actually want to find a man and I don't think that any guy would find that sexy.

Anyway, I'm off to bed now. It's the end of spring break and tomorrow will be busy with church, making lesson plans and first grade play stuff and finishing cleaning my apartment. Then Monday it's back to work for about 10 weeks! Wow- crazy! This year has flown by!