My study this week is on the letters John wrote the seven churches. I am still working through the homework, but I've already had lots of personal revelation.
The Lord won't make us listen to Him. We must be ready to hear Him. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." This passage also teaches me that we must overcome to receive His promise and that just as we began in a garden, we too will end in one.
Reading the letter to Ephesus I am reminded of the genuine nature of God. He commends them for their hard work and perseverance, even their discernment, then brings to light their faults. Many years ago I did a study on depression and realized Cain's reaction to the Lord's punishment was very similar to how someone who is suffering from depression would react - they have no concept of reality. Satan works this way. He works in generality. He is big and wide, while the Holy Spirit is specific with his convictions. When the Holy Spirit convicts us we hear, "Stop Gossiping, Exercise, Love your Husband."
A previous commenter had posted about the hypocrisy of the church. I am not sure any church-goer would disagree. Christians can let their fire slip from their hands. They didn't realize it happened, but at some point their focus was no longer on their first love. Others are angry. They are ticked. They continue attending and working in the church because it is their routine, they want salvation, but serving the Lord isn't their heart's desire. Others are simply too busy. If Satan can't make you mean, he sure can make you too busy.
Another reminder, every virtue carries within itself the seeds of destruction. This has been a repeating trend in my life. An example might be discernment. The desire to exclude all impostors can create a climate of suspicion in which love within the believing community could no longer exist. This policing turns us into Pharisees. You simply can not love God and despise his people. Another example might be having great talent so that you do not have to impose yourself to God. Leaning only on yourself. I've really had to tame my virtues to be of use to God.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Undergoing so I can Overcome
I'll admit that since I've had awareness of God's existence, I have prayed for Him to allow me to glorify Him. Use ME! As a child, I thought He would allow me to grow up to be Super Woman. As a young adult, I was prayerful I would become a suffering missionary. In my third decade, I have come to realize that all my trials and tribulations have been the answers to my prayers. How can I become a conqueror for God, if I have nothing to conquer? I can not overcome, if I don't undergo! The Lord's will is for me to stand on top. I sense the Holy Spirit's presence during Lyric's anniversary dates and He whispers to me, "You Won!"
What I am now working to wrap my brain around is that it is our human nature to think, I've paid my dues. I am good to go. Life shouldn't be so tough from here on out. However, if I remain in the will of God, I'll have more mountains to stand on top of, to conquer for Christ, which also means I'll have to undergo more trials.
Does that mean, as a close friend of mine once spoke to me, that I bring these trials on myself? No one really is given a life like Job. Well, I guess I can respond, "I hope so." I hope I live a life that allows the Lord to trust in me, to trust that I am genuine in my faith, and that I'll be obedient particularly when it is hard. I hope that when I face trials, I can praise Him and persevere with great endurance. I do prayerfully seek His glory, just please Lord, don't kill me...yet.
What I am now working to wrap my brain around is that it is our human nature to think, I've paid my dues. I am good to go. Life shouldn't be so tough from here on out. However, if I remain in the will of God, I'll have more mountains to stand on top of, to conquer for Christ, which also means I'll have to undergo more trials.
Does that mean, as a close friend of mine once spoke to me, that I bring these trials on myself? No one really is given a life like Job. Well, I guess I can respond, "I hope so." I hope I live a life that allows the Lord to trust in me, to trust that I am genuine in my faith, and that I'll be obedient particularly when it is hard. I hope that when I face trials, I can praise Him and persevere with great endurance. I do prayerfully seek His glory, just please Lord, don't kill me...yet.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Revelation
I am thrilled that I am getting comments from some serious intellects! Love it! There are a few I'll have to come back to...vaccinations...female circumcision...and my previous Revelation post, so stay tuned. I wanted to share a bit more however, of what the Lord has revealed to me through studying Revelation.
I identify with John. I spent many years pleading to be of use to God only instead to be left wondering why I was so isolated. I questioned why the persecution I had faced hadn't killed me? Why did I have to continue in this world, like the energizer bunny, if he wasn't going to use me or take me home and relieve me of my misery? I knew in every dust particle of my being that I had a calling and I was eager to obey. Why did I feel so useless and broken? I was so incredibly homesick, stuck on my own island of Patmos.
He never left me like an orphan. He was there with me, held me as His child. I felt His presence throughout, but I wanted desperately to bring Him glory, desperately. I felt so completely useless and lonely in this world that I became so heavenly focused, that I was no earthly good. What I needed to focus my mind on is living a life that attracts revelation, even in the simple things. What I hadn't realized is that I was walking from tribulation to kingdom bliss and in the meantime needed to apply some patience.
One of my previous commentators discussed having a relationship with Christ and not depending on fellowship within the church, which often time is far from righteousness. Amen, sister! The Lord is found in worship and in the spirit and just like Christ, we need to seek Him when no one is looking. Christ was seeking God while everyone else was falling asleep! I think an important point to is that our Lord is a Lord of relationships. Times are going to get tough for Christians. I don't think it is entirely wise to disconnect. The community will turn against us and being separated from the church might isolate us more than God intended. There are many reasons people, even Godly people, avoid church but most often these are "rib issues" and not salvation issues. They don't represent issues in the spine of our faith. Jesus Christ cares deeply about the church.
My cause of separating myself from those that frequent the more typical brick-and-mortar church is because my ministry is still misunderstood or ignored by those that congregate there. The church we were "raised within," as well as the church we are currently members rejects all that the Lord has put in my heart. I feel a bit beaten and torn down. As a mother as well, I am often judged as a working professional who has selfishly applied her attention outside the home, rather than a family who has recognized their mission and stepped out in faith. If I were doing the same work in another country, we would be praised by our brothers and sisters. To attempt to make churches aware of their blind spot right here in my own backyard is a bit too John the Baptist, I suppose, for many churches comfort. The Lord is giving me just enough light so I know my next step; however, I have on my heart a great deal of reconciliation in my future. Part of that is letting go of bitterness that has separated me from communion.
I have learned too that walking in the spirit is a decision. It is quite easy to walk in the flesh. In fact, I think we default to walking in our sinful ways. Through my grief there were many times that I felt so desperate that insanity knocked on my door. The Holy Spirit was aggressive with me and would quickly direct me to have the Lord clear my mind, to stand up and to walk...anywhere, but away from falling over the edge. It is rather amazing to come up from your knees and realize how great the Lord is, great enough to deliver me from such darkness and where I've been, the depth of that darkness, trust me, that takes a rather enormous God.
I've shared on my blog before some of my "God Moments" and while those are precious, validating and so incredibly encouraging, I am realizing as I read Revelation that I haven't had near the reverence for them as I should. There are those times we meet God daily, times that we are awed by His greatness, moments of transfiguration, revelations of His suffering, and sights of glorification...but did I ever grasp how truly HOLY it is for God to go out of HIS WAY to REVEAL HIMSELF TO ME!?!
This week in our mid-week Bible study our leader shared a smidgen of his testimony, most of which I missed as I tended to children, but I believe he shared an up-bringing within the church and a loving family. Every other member had been saved as an adult, which as a very humble man seemed to maybe intimidate him a bit. I found his perspective very enlightening because he said his faith never had a transforming moment; he couldn't identify the moment his ground was shaken in realization that Christ consumed his heart.
He also shared that he found "Adult Christians" often dove into the Bible seeking truth and understanding after their heart caught fire for the Lord, but his own learning was more of immersion through the church teachings. He sort of questioned if he had the Biblical knowledge to lead our group. Can he whip out reference scriptures as maybe an "adult Christian" might? The irony is that had I known his background before having such thought-provoking conversations, I potentially never would have considered gathering together for study. What would I have to offer a sister or brother that began their walk decades before myself? It's intimidating to share my own testimony and to reveal a background of great unHoliness, which I still continue to battle daily. I don't want to humiliate myself.
Christians are at risk of becoming too loyal with their doctrine that they talk them self right out of a new revelation. There's a lot of Bible and maybe the beauty in God gifting some of His children with faith later in life, is that they challenge those with life-long conceptions? Not one of us have enough wisdom and knowledge to assume we will not be altered by studying the Word. On the other hand, I would argue that "Adult Christians" can sometimes dig into the scripture so diligently that they are almost unweaving the rainbow. They fail to just behold the beauty of the Word. Maybe I need to be humiliated and maybe he's in for some perspective! Maybe he will cause me to just be still and breathe.
This is getting lengthy, but I can't help but share a new vision I have of the Lord as John describes him in Revelation 1:12-18. His voice like the sound of rushing waters -- and not a peaceful trickle of water, but like standing behind a forceful gorging waterfall. I have no doubt this sound would cause each of us to quickly cover our ears and gasp at the consuming rush. Out of His mouth came a double-edged sword -- what does that mean? Does that mean that the Lord doesn't have to call legends of angels, flood the earth, bring fire to the land, or torment to end all humankind, but that just as He said, "Let there be light" and there was light, he can say Drop Dead and it will be done? No joke. He is that great. We will loose the power to disobey, each and everyone of us.
Though Christ is highly exalted, He still leans down and touches me. He is The I Am.
I identify with John. I spent many years pleading to be of use to God only instead to be left wondering why I was so isolated. I questioned why the persecution I had faced hadn't killed me? Why did I have to continue in this world, like the energizer bunny, if he wasn't going to use me or take me home and relieve me of my misery? I knew in every dust particle of my being that I had a calling and I was eager to obey. Why did I feel so useless and broken? I was so incredibly homesick, stuck on my own island of Patmos.
He never left me like an orphan. He was there with me, held me as His child. I felt His presence throughout, but I wanted desperately to bring Him glory, desperately. I felt so completely useless and lonely in this world that I became so heavenly focused, that I was no earthly good. What I needed to focus my mind on is living a life that attracts revelation, even in the simple things. What I hadn't realized is that I was walking from tribulation to kingdom bliss and in the meantime needed to apply some patience.
One of my previous commentators discussed having a relationship with Christ and not depending on fellowship within the church, which often time is far from righteousness. Amen, sister! The Lord is found in worship and in the spirit and just like Christ, we need to seek Him when no one is looking. Christ was seeking God while everyone else was falling asleep! I think an important point to is that our Lord is a Lord of relationships. Times are going to get tough for Christians. I don't think it is entirely wise to disconnect. The community will turn against us and being separated from the church might isolate us more than God intended. There are many reasons people, even Godly people, avoid church but most often these are "rib issues" and not salvation issues. They don't represent issues in the spine of our faith. Jesus Christ cares deeply about the church.
My cause of separating myself from those that frequent the more typical brick-and-mortar church is because my ministry is still misunderstood or ignored by those that congregate there. The church we were "raised within," as well as the church we are currently members rejects all that the Lord has put in my heart. I feel a bit beaten and torn down. As a mother as well, I am often judged as a working professional who has selfishly applied her attention outside the home, rather than a family who has recognized their mission and stepped out in faith. If I were doing the same work in another country, we would be praised by our brothers and sisters. To attempt to make churches aware of their blind spot right here in my own backyard is a bit too John the Baptist, I suppose, for many churches comfort. The Lord is giving me just enough light so I know my next step; however, I have on my heart a great deal of reconciliation in my future. Part of that is letting go of bitterness that has separated me from communion.
I have learned too that walking in the spirit is a decision. It is quite easy to walk in the flesh. In fact, I think we default to walking in our sinful ways. Through my grief there were many times that I felt so desperate that insanity knocked on my door. The Holy Spirit was aggressive with me and would quickly direct me to have the Lord clear my mind, to stand up and to walk...anywhere, but away from falling over the edge. It is rather amazing to come up from your knees and realize how great the Lord is, great enough to deliver me from such darkness and where I've been, the depth of that darkness, trust me, that takes a rather enormous God.
I've shared on my blog before some of my "God Moments" and while those are precious, validating and so incredibly encouraging, I am realizing as I read Revelation that I haven't had near the reverence for them as I should. There are those times we meet God daily, times that we are awed by His greatness, moments of transfiguration, revelations of His suffering, and sights of glorification...but did I ever grasp how truly HOLY it is for God to go out of HIS WAY to REVEAL HIMSELF TO ME!?!
This week in our mid-week Bible study our leader shared a smidgen of his testimony, most of which I missed as I tended to children, but I believe he shared an up-bringing within the church and a loving family. Every other member had been saved as an adult, which as a very humble man seemed to maybe intimidate him a bit. I found his perspective very enlightening because he said his faith never had a transforming moment; he couldn't identify the moment his ground was shaken in realization that Christ consumed his heart.
He also shared that he found "Adult Christians" often dove into the Bible seeking truth and understanding after their heart caught fire for the Lord, but his own learning was more of immersion through the church teachings. He sort of questioned if he had the Biblical knowledge to lead our group. Can he whip out reference scriptures as maybe an "adult Christian" might? The irony is that had I known his background before having such thought-provoking conversations, I potentially never would have considered gathering together for study. What would I have to offer a sister or brother that began their walk decades before myself? It's intimidating to share my own testimony and to reveal a background of great unHoliness, which I still continue to battle daily. I don't want to humiliate myself.
Christians are at risk of becoming too loyal with their doctrine that they talk them self right out of a new revelation. There's a lot of Bible and maybe the beauty in God gifting some of His children with faith later in life, is that they challenge those with life-long conceptions? Not one of us have enough wisdom and knowledge to assume we will not be altered by studying the Word. On the other hand, I would argue that "Adult Christians" can sometimes dig into the scripture so diligently that they are almost unweaving the rainbow. They fail to just behold the beauty of the Word. Maybe I need to be humiliated and maybe he's in for some perspective! Maybe he will cause me to just be still and breathe.
This is getting lengthy, but I can't help but share a new vision I have of the Lord as John describes him in Revelation 1:12-18. His voice like the sound of rushing waters -- and not a peaceful trickle of water, but like standing behind a forceful gorging waterfall. I have no doubt this sound would cause each of us to quickly cover our ears and gasp at the consuming rush. Out of His mouth came a double-edged sword -- what does that mean? Does that mean that the Lord doesn't have to call legends of angels, flood the earth, bring fire to the land, or torment to end all humankind, but that just as He said, "Let there be light" and there was light, he can say Drop Dead and it will be done? No joke. He is that great. We will loose the power to disobey, each and everyone of us.
Though Christ is highly exalted, He still leans down and touches me. He is The I Am.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Buddies
Noah wanted to celebrate his birthday at the Indianapolis Museum of Art with his best friends - Cory, Josh and Samuel. Both of these friends (we're keeping Samuel) have had plans over the last year to move and each time it is mentioned, Noah gasps in anxiety that he may loose the ability to hang out with them at a moment's notice. I was grateful that they were available for his birthday party and of course, for his sake, hope they have a long future together as friends.
There were lots of photographers at the IMA with families. I hadn't realized before what a perfect backdrop the gardens are for family pictures. I also hadn't realized there were bike trails and the Lilly home to tour, and lots of other exciting opportunities that could keep the family busy for an entire weekend.
I had planned to take a picnic lunch with a bucket of chicken legs, but just like gardening brings on labor contractions in my clientele, so do the kid's birthday parties. Mike had to take over and the chicken legs were scraped for video games.
Definitely, this will be a trip we make again very soon.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Maverick Triathlon
The anticipation of the race. She really does enjoy this. By the time she wakes me up in the morning she has already packed herself, ate breakfast, and checked her list to be sure hasn't forgotten anything like her helmet or directions to the race. I never would have thought Keely would genuinely enjoy competing.
Below is Keely just entering the water and waiting for the officials to give her the go.
She swam freestyle the first twenty-five meters and back again, but then did back stroke the entire rest of the race. She refused any of my direction to flip back over, but at least she got farther away from the lane divider which kept slowing her down.
Speedy transition -- even though you're freezing!!! Go girl, Go!!!
Below is Keely just entering the water and waiting for the officials to give her the go.
She swam freestyle the first twenty-five meters and back again, but then did back stroke the entire rest of the race. She refused any of my direction to flip back over, but at least she got farther away from the lane divider which kept slowing her down.
I think she lost some time at the end of each leg because she was worried she'd hit the edge about five meters before she even reached the wall.
Speedy transition -- even though you're freezing!!! Go girl, Go!!!
Maverick Triathlon
One of the Lafayette High Schools sponsored a triathlon as a fundraiser for their swim team. That was creative thinking! Most of the participants had never competed in a triathlon before, which even for a naive spectator was a bit funny to see. Transitions looked like recess as some of the racers chatted with their friends in the audience, stopped to chug an entire bottle of Gatorade, sit and catch their breath...clearly unaware they were still on the clock. Still everyone gave it their all and impressed me greatly.
This is Keely just starting the bike leg after finishing her 300 meter swim. It was really cold again and she was sopping wet. I don't have any pictures of her on the actual bike leg, which was thirteen miles, but here she is below returning. Even though she walked, she was one of the very fast in transitions.
Here she is starting her run and while she said this was one thing she wanted to correct, not starting in a walk, when I tried to encourage her she gave me a nasty little look. I think her body is in shock during these transitions and we really need to train more here.
As you can see, they wrote everyone's age on the back of their calves. While I was a bit surprised to see that it was nice to see that there were a large portion of older adults.
Here she is running to the finish line. The run was 5 miles which is two miles longer than the last race and two miles longer than she has ever ran in her life. I was shocked to see her that soon!
Crossing the finish line with a bit of a smile even! Not sure if you notice the little dixie cup in her hand. She was given a little cup of water in the bike transition and I offered to take it from her when she started the run but she still had water in it and wanted to keep it. She said she didn't want to just throw it down so she carried it the entire five miles! It gave her a bit of a distraction anyway.
Good job Keely!! Her final times was ten minutes faster than the previous race. They didn't catch all her times, but her swim time was 7:38:22. They didn't catch her first transition or entry onto the bike for some reason, so I don't have a good number on that, but her run time was 40 minutes. That's about an 8 minute mile. Not too shabby. Her overall time was 1:47:01.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Revelation
I always wanted to save studying Revelation (which is not plural, there is only one Revelation) for when I was a smarter Christian. I knew understanding the other books in the Bible would bring great revelation to the last book. However, it just so happened the Lord seemed it was perfect timing and I'll admit, I am one to do things backwards.
I realize I am in over my head, so I'd love your comments, but this far I have learned that the Book of Revelation was treated almost immediately - if not immediately - as scripture. The book was meant to be read aloud. The authors not only chose the words to convey meanings they intended, but also chose words whose sounds effectively communicated these meanings. John 12:49
The Lord not only sent the message of Revelation, but He signified it. He drew a picture, a figurative representation, of what we can not picture with what we can. This is similar to parables of Christ's teaching. The symbols in Revelation is so we can picture what we can otherwise not fathom.
The seven churches of Asia - seven is perfect. There is significance in seven churches. This might represent seven types of churches that represent the church as a whole. The message was passed from the Lord, to Christ, to His Angel to John, to the seven churches.
The seven spirits before the throne - are they seven angels? I suspect they are the seven attributes of the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 11:2
We are a direct result of our belief system. What do we believe in that vry dark place, when we are all alone?
They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of Kings - and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers. Revelation 17:14
I realize I am in over my head, so I'd love your comments, but this far I have learned that the Book of Revelation was treated almost immediately - if not immediately - as scripture. The book was meant to be read aloud. The authors not only chose the words to convey meanings they intended, but also chose words whose sounds effectively communicated these meanings. John 12:49
The Lord not only sent the message of Revelation, but He signified it. He drew a picture, a figurative representation, of what we can not picture with what we can. This is similar to parables of Christ's teaching. The symbols in Revelation is so we can picture what we can otherwise not fathom.
The seven churches of Asia - seven is perfect. There is significance in seven churches. This might represent seven types of churches that represent the church as a whole. The message was passed from the Lord, to Christ, to His Angel to John, to the seven churches.
The seven spirits before the throne - are they seven angels? I suspect they are the seven attributes of the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 11:2
We are a direct result of our belief system. What do we believe in that vry dark place, when we are all alone?
They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of Kings - and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers. Revelation 17:14
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Six Years
September 5th marks six years of missing Lyric. The Lord continues to wrap His arms around us, reminding us He still remembers. I think this year I've had a bit of revelation as to part of why we had to suffer.
I think we all have an Exodus in our life and mine was Lyric's birth and death. Loosing my son allowed me to escape my Egypt. My life now is evidence that God has been good to me and that I am loved. What more can anyone ask of their life, that they can say the Lord has been faithful? This journey has been a painful one, but I see more everyday how the Lord has been glorified.
I also realize that the Lord has answered my greatest prayer, that my mother would find healing from the guilt she has harbored for so long. I believed her salvation would bring that peace, but I understand now that while my personality is really hard for her to bear, it wasn't entirely me that she rejected. It was what I reminded her of. She needed relief. She needed to escape me for true healing. Lyric's death provided that for both of us. I was freed from the rejection and she was freed from her guilt. We'll find healing and the Lord, the Great Comforter, will bring reconciliation in His perfect timing.
Coming through the persecution has also been quite revealing to me. Psychological persecution is rather intense and I think also one of Satan's most powerful weapons. I was taught well through our grief that we are alone in Christ and that the world will turn their back on you. They will judge you and call you stupid. I still, prayerfully, have no regrets with our decisions and to be frank, I think birthing Lyric at home was still the most obedient walk I have ever offered the Lord. It's painful, but now as I face what might also be a dose of psychological persecution as a homebirth midwife, I can't help but find great peace. It is sort of validation that I am on the right path...still.
Where am I headed this next year? I am searching my heart. I am ready to find joy in the Lord, peace, forgiveness, renewed strength. I have been blessed with contentment for the first time in my life. I have been freed. I am praying the Lord will bring me back into fellowship within His church.
I think we all have an Exodus in our life and mine was Lyric's birth and death. Loosing my son allowed me to escape my Egypt. My life now is evidence that God has been good to me and that I am loved. What more can anyone ask of their life, that they can say the Lord has been faithful? This journey has been a painful one, but I see more everyday how the Lord has been glorified.
I also realize that the Lord has answered my greatest prayer, that my mother would find healing from the guilt she has harbored for so long. I believed her salvation would bring that peace, but I understand now that while my personality is really hard for her to bear, it wasn't entirely me that she rejected. It was what I reminded her of. She needed relief. She needed to escape me for true healing. Lyric's death provided that for both of us. I was freed from the rejection and she was freed from her guilt. We'll find healing and the Lord, the Great Comforter, will bring reconciliation in His perfect timing.
Coming through the persecution has also been quite revealing to me. Psychological persecution is rather intense and I think also one of Satan's most powerful weapons. I was taught well through our grief that we are alone in Christ and that the world will turn their back on you. They will judge you and call you stupid. I still, prayerfully, have no regrets with our decisions and to be frank, I think birthing Lyric at home was still the most obedient walk I have ever offered the Lord. It's painful, but now as I face what might also be a dose of psychological persecution as a homebirth midwife, I can't help but find great peace. It is sort of validation that I am on the right path...still.
Where am I headed this next year? I am searching my heart. I am ready to find joy in the Lord, peace, forgiveness, renewed strength. I have been blessed with contentment for the first time in my life. I have been freed. I am praying the Lord will bring me back into fellowship within His church.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
I want a Bob stroller. Keep you eye out for a really cheap one for me!! I simply won't be able to keep up the regimen without a way to take the kids with me.
Running Update
Noah and I went to town to find some running shoes. I was lucky and was told I have a rather natural walk. Ha! Keely pronates and Noah has a high arch that needs fairly good support. He also has wide feet so we had to order him shoes. They'll be in next week, but we've all decided to train together and I think Keely has talked my sister and her two girls into joining us! Fun!
We also searched several stores and finally found some bras that we liked, although they completely broke the budget. I never would have imaged that bras would cost more than running shoes, or even the long-time desired iPOD that I still can't afford.
Noah and I did go walking tonight. Well, clarify, he rode his new ripstick and I walked. My running inspiration, Dana, reminded me tonight to take baby steps. The program she has started me on essentially begins at being able to run 3 miles which made me fret for a brief moment, but then she reminded me of the page she had already tabbed for me - the building up to three miles stage. It seems so incredibly slow, walking thirty minutes just three times a week. The key is not to get injured through preparing your bones and muscles. I was a bit too eager this evening and did run a block-and-a-half just to see if I can make my body run, and in fact, I was pleased. The shoes were comfortable. The bra proved it could hold its own. However, my knees couldn't bear the weight after the first minute.
This is just how a woman with no children feels when she babysits her friends three and six year old. I can never be a mother!! She didn't get the practice and maturing with the baby however. You don't start with the three year old. You grow up to it! Baby steps.
Week One is 2/3's done. Fun!!
We also searched several stores and finally found some bras that we liked, although they completely broke the budget. I never would have imaged that bras would cost more than running shoes, or even the long-time desired iPOD that I still can't afford.
Noah and I did go walking tonight. Well, clarify, he rode his new ripstick and I walked. My running inspiration, Dana, reminded me tonight to take baby steps. The program she has started me on essentially begins at being able to run 3 miles which made me fret for a brief moment, but then she reminded me of the page she had already tabbed for me - the building up to three miles stage. It seems so incredibly slow, walking thirty minutes just three times a week. The key is not to get injured through preparing your bones and muscles. I was a bit too eager this evening and did run a block-and-a-half just to see if I can make my body run, and in fact, I was pleased. The shoes were comfortable. The bra proved it could hold its own. However, my knees couldn't bear the weight after the first minute.
This is just how a woman with no children feels when she babysits her friends three and six year old. I can never be a mother!! She didn't get the practice and maturing with the baby however. You don't start with the three year old. You grow up to it! Baby steps.
Week One is 2/3's done. Fun!!
Go Girl - The Pictures
This is somewhat hard to see, but the gals swam straight out into the water to a large buoy and then turned right and swam what I guess was a straight 300 meters and I am sure they weren't able to touch and then another right around a buoy and back to shore. I didn't see a single woman back-stroke and I watched until the last lady came to shore. Most everyone swam free-style the entire way, very few moments of breast-stroke, although a large number of women did freestyle with their face out of the water.
Those blue pads I first thought were for runners to lay upon for massages afterwards, showing just how new I am to triathlon racing. They are actually for recording times between legs. Each runner has some sort of timing device on their ankle that is activated by these mats. I imagine the course was rather enjoyable as it was quite beautiful in the park. (This man with the hat on directing women towards either the bike or running leg has the skinnest legs I've seen in a long time!!)
This was at the onset of running and I believe there were water stations all along the way. Nice. Only two or three women walked here, which increased the intimidation factor for me. Later was when I realized it was the very beginning.
Here is the finish line. The winner for the individual race was Cate Kelley, age 23, finishing with a total time of 0:59:27.2. She had a 10:05 swim (ranked 27) and a 1:06 transition (19), with 0:27:02.3 bike leg (ranked 6 with average mph 22.2) and a transition of 01:08.0 (12th), and a run time of 0:20:04.4 (ranked 4th with a pace of 06:41.5). Wowzers! The next runner up finished at 1:02:05.8 and was 40 years old, with the third place runner a minute behind at age 39.
The slowest of the entire individual race was at only 2:37:21.6. That is intimidating. She did her swim at 20:47.2, a rather slow transition at 5:34.6, and her bike at 1:09:06 (8.7mph) and transition at 2:35.9, with a run time of 59:18.0. I'd be happy with that.
Last note, this man, I pray attends my first triathlon. Clearly he was a high school cheerleader. He rooted for every single woman, no joke. EVERY SINGLE woman. He would yell, "You're doing fabulous, 234! She's gaining on you, 291! Excellent run, 473! Good stride, 465!" It didn't matter how packed in those women would get, he wouldn't miss a single runner. We first saw him at the end of the swim leg and I assumed he knew a club of women, then I soon realized he was just a fabulous triathlon supporter. He was present the entire way, rooting each and every racer. Sure put a smile on my face. He'd be a great obstetrician!
Last note, this man, I pray attends my first triathlon. Clearly he was a high school cheerleader. He rooted for every single woman, no joke. EVERY SINGLE woman. He would yell, "You're doing fabulous, 234! She's gaining on you, 291! Excellent run, 473! Good stride, 465!" It didn't matter how packed in those women would get, he wouldn't miss a single runner. We first saw him at the end of the swim leg and I assumed he knew a club of women, then I soon realized he was just a fabulous triathlon supporter. He was present the entire way, rooting each and every racer. Sure put a smile on my face. He'd be a great obstetrician!
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