Run with Perseverance the Race Marked Out For You…

What I week this past week was! I did two 5k, one last Sunday, the Save the Boobies run in Lawrence and then the Diva Dash today in Leawood. I loved it! I have learned a new level of understanding of what Paul mentioned about running a good race for the prize at the end. There is something special about visualizing the final 500 meters of a race, seeing people cheer you on and imagining those you love chanting you into the finish line. I have been able to appreciate it more what it must be like to cross that line into my Heavenly Father's presence some day. I never was able to picture it before, but within the last week, I have made a bigger connection with the verse in Hebrews 12:1-2, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

My First 5k on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011 – My parents came to cheer me on!

Approaching the finish line…BIG CHEER coming on!

Diva Dash today, Saturday, March 5, 2011 - Ashleigh coming out to cheer me on…really did run with my crown on.

I feel more energized this week! I feel like I have more of a long term goals of what I want to accomplish with my life and new goals which I am setting up for myself. I will do a 5k at the end of March and push myself to accomplish a 10k by April, and the latest in May with my students for the Heart and Soul. Betsy and I talked about the St. Louis Rock and Roll Marathon in October, which is over conference weekend for both of us…I am going to begin training for it in the next few days. I cannot even believe that I have even considered such a thing as a half-marathon, but not only that, I WILL run it and complete it. These things are simply goals which I never imagined being able to accomplish in my life. "I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13.

I have also began some new long-term life goals as well. I have a few dreams which I would like to fulfil before I am 50 years old. I am not sure how the Lord will help me do them, but I believe he is setting the fist stages into play. I may become a barista this summer just for fun at a friend's coffee shop. Her husband and her are both from Ethiopia and are considering teaching me the art of coffee…a serious passion of mine along with high quality foods.

I also accomplished a few goals on my Happiness project this past week. Not only did I do two 5k's in under a week, I tried out two different recipes. Both of them were by one of my favorite chefs to watch, the Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten. Watching Ina is like watching an Aunt create and inspire. I love seeing Jeffery her husband pop in at the end of the show to give her a kiss and see what "Friday Night Chicken" looks like. Nothing she creates is remotely figure friendly…the first was Peanut Butter Brownies for my students (Picture Below) and then tequila lime chicken. Betsy and I are using the leftovers for fajitas on Sunday night…drunken chicken is simply divine. Yes, the brownies really did take up an entire shelf in the fridge and I had to purchase a special cookie tray for baking them.

Read Across America was on Wednesday, I dressed up as best I could for the current read aloud book in my room…Anne of Green Gables. I am of course lacking the red braided hair and the carrot colored temper to match. Kelli, one of the most lovely ladies I know, and phenomenal co-workers had her birthday this past week and dressed up as another literary character that has captured my heart…Fancy Nancy. What can we say, blondes really do have more fun! I created a second donorschoose.org project for math manipulatives in my classroom. I am believing that the funds will come in not only for this project but my other project for reading as well.

I was also very blessed this past week…I had my final taping with Fox 4 News…they are doing the final edits on my situation and journey thus far. They are sitting on the story for up to two weeks before going public about the Problem-Solver crisis which they are looking to correct. I am believing for good news, already this past week, BCBS contact me and has reopened my file for evaluation…God is Good!

Rounding out the week…I was able to go and see Jenna, her husband Jesse, Laura and her fiancé Kevin, Amanda from Texas and her boyfriend David. Amanda is a sorority sister who I haven't seen in nearly three years and came in town for a couple's engagement celebration for Laura and Kevin at Laura's aunt Kathy's. What fun we had simply talking, remembering, catching up and seeing Laura and Kevin's family and friends for celebrating their upcoming nuptials in July.

Myself, Laura and Jenna



Myself, Amanda, Laura and Jenna