Volkslaufe 2009...

The Peoples Race! A few friends have asked how the race went on July 4th, so I thought to write a post for you. Volkslaufe, which means "the peoples race" in German, was amazing: many different racing events, lots of excitement and a perfect day weather wise!

Preparations. I was excited to prepare for another race, my first one of the year, but it was a challenge. After the pneumonia, my lungs have been so resistant to improving. Thank God for the patience He's provided! I took it slow and kept pushing myself little by little, but after only a week I knew I'd only be up for a 5K this year.

Once a runner, always a runner. The day before the race, I went out for a light jog to prepare for the race. I was testing out some new shoes and it was a hot day, but I was unprepared for the brick wall I would hit. After only a mile, I became sick and struggled to keep myself moving even at a walking pace. It was then I realized that on my own I could not possibly run this race. I paused on a footbridge overlooking the Shiawassee River, and humbly bowed my head to pray, "Lord, I cannot run alone, I need your strength, your breath, your life. Tomorrow, I run for you. (and should I need to walk, I walk with pride for You too:) Amen." I felt such a peace as I lifted my head to be sure that no one was looking and kept running, this time with ease.

The day of the race. Beautiful outside. Excited. Nervous (this kind of energy tends to be good:). I was so thrilled to accompany the Egger family for the event. Nate, a friend from high school, ran on the same cross country team as I. His wife, Kristen, is an enthusiastic runner who brings a smile wherever she goes. Bethany is also a high school friend, actually Nate's sister, who I played soccer with. Many family members came to support, including baby Aoife, Justin, Becky, Linda and Daniel.

The race. A blast! Because of the 2200 or so runners, it took us at least 20 seconds (which felt like forever) to even move when the gun went off. The course was marked on the roads through Frankenmuth and several music bands and water stations provided excitement along the way! The finish line fooled me because I thought it was sooner than it actually was...but two kicks helped shave seconds lost off of my time. I finished fourth in my age group. A little disappointing because only the top three are awarded a really cool, engraved German beer stein, but I was pleased nonetheless and enjoyed seeing Nate's first place stein!

Racing provides experience. Running is a mind game and makes a beautiful analogy for life: It's not always easy, but one must keep going! Whatever your condition, don't give up! Running is a great way to clear the mind and release unwanted toxins! Pregnant, nursing, injured, recovering, young, old...everyone alike has a different challenge but the game is the same. I encourage you to keep persevering as you run!

"Let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1).

God's Chisel

I just watched this 9 minute video and found it well worth it! Click on the link below and take the time to watch this today! YOU ARE A BELOVED CHILD OF GOD! You are HIS masterpiece!

"God's Chisel" by the Skit Guys: http://www.ingham.org/PK/BUR/burtrips.htm.

Eph. 2:10, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Timing & Trust

A pair which go hand in hand. Today I read that timing plays an important part in learning to trust God. If He did everything we asked for immediately, we would never grow and develop. Timing and trust are twins. They work side by side. "But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand." Psalms 31:14

Have you held someone's hand when life was good and full of ease, the hand full of warmth and assurance. Have you held the hand of another when pain struck...cold and clammy, shakey, almost lifeless yet hanging on. Jesus promises to always hold our hand, lead us, comfort us, and even hold us up when our strength has failed. In times that are unsure, let Jesus be your refuge and strength. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped." Psalm 28:7

When God plants a dream in your heart, he starts preparing you for its fulfilment. He strengthens your character and deepens your spiritual roots. Don't try to bring it to birth prematurely, instead trust God's timing.

Family Court

For the first time in my life, I have had first hand experience with our family court system...most of us have nowdays in some form. Nearly two weeks ago, I appeared telephonically, due to distance, in court to witness my marriage being dissolved. This was an experience that crushed me and left me heartsick, not only for my husband but also for families in the United States that are daily subjected to the same kind of treatment that I experienced, perhaps even worse, especially when children are involved. I don't want to go into bitter details, I just want to share with you my experience and pray you never have to go through it for yourself.

In an article I read titled "Divorced from Reality," Stephen Baskerville makes the following points. I have summarized a few of them that struck me. "The decline of the family has become a dangerous epidemic and major source of social instability today." I personally run into its effects on a daily basis, in the classroom, at the grocery store, etc... "For a little over thirty years now, the government has had the power to disolve a marriage over the objection of one spouse, an act known as unilateral, or no-fault, divorce." 80 percent of divorces today are unilateral, according to Frank Furstenberg and Andrew Cherlin in Divided Families. "Divorce dissolves a private household and subjects citizens to state rule and authority. Police and jails enforce the divorce and the post-marriage order."

My marriage was happy, never perfect, but always happy. My husband and I met at an early age and fell in love. We married and in service to one another became advocates for marriage and families for the near decade that we were together. Our marriage ended abruptly and with little closure, the pain for me came with a breakdown in communication and witnessing my husband turn against me in a chosen effort to walk away. I wanted to reconcile, he wanted out. Our marriage ended.

I will always love and pray for my ex-husband, a legal term I must now become comfortable with using, and possess memories with him. Nothing could change that, even if all of the memorabilia from our relationship was burned. I have been advised to move on, and I have, otherwise the pain would consume me; it is a slow process and takes time. Although my life again will be filled with happiness, I forever bear the wound of a pain worse than the death of a loved one. During our court hearing, the judge spoke routine and disturbing words to us. He said, "I hope you two will be able to put the past behind you. I wish you luck in the future. Thanks for calling in (somehow my husband was given permission to not be present!)." I found his words and treatment of us heartless and the very behavior of the judge, for lack of a better word, flaky.

In Matthew 19:6 it says, "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must never separate" (NIV). May we not forget that the marriage relationship was designed to be a symbol of the relationship between Christ and His bride, the church. God's love for us is everlasting and never changes, just as the symbolic ring has no ending. If you are considering separation or divorce, please reconsider. You have made a marriage vow before God and this is a covenant. Don't let our family court system tell you otherwise! Stick together, work out your issues together. Wives, respect your husbands and husbands, love your wives as you have been called to do, and you WILL be blessed (Eph. 5:22-33). Most importantly, pray for each other and never give up!

If you are struggling in your marriage, don't worry, you're not the first! Seek the help of a biblical counselor (to find a biblical counseling center, just google "biblical counseling" and include your city and state). Seeking the help of a third party is never a shameful thing, it is what we are called to do in scripture if there is an issue that cannot be worked out between two. Also, check out retrouvaille at http://www.retrouvaille.org/. It is a program designed to help you rediscover your marriage! Marriage is tough, let God heal yours today, just stick together!

One day at a time. His grace...His pace!

Winter Break!

Picture of the Amaryllis a student got for me, which bloomed on my birthday!

Today begins a short winter break for the teachers at Lansing Christian! Praise God! I am told that from now until Spring Break (which is the first week in April) can be very long because we don't receive any breaks throughout the 3rd marking period, at the end of March. Today I am spending getting some errands done, doctors appointments, etc... in preparation. This evening I will go to visit my Grandma G. because her birthday was Wednesday.

It's been such an eventful start to the year. School is nearly in full gear with concert season fast approaching. In the high school, we just had auditions for the Spring musical Beauty and the Beast last night, we have a great cast picked out, which is such a blessing! In the middle school, 7/8 grade is preparing to go to festival, all 88 of them! In sixth grade we are building our song repertoire (the girls LOVE to sing!). In fifth grade we are preparing the musical play 13 Colonies to be performed March 24th. And in fourth grade, we just finished our Recorder Karate kickoff and students are practicing away to see who can obtain the desired black belt first; we hope to have an in-class concert at the end of March opened to parents only. In addition, the weather here in Michigan has begun to warm, although we don't expect Spring for a good while. Other items of praise: my birthday was really nice and I enjoyed all of the lovely cards, flowers and gifts from friends and family...Thank you! Also, there are a couple family members who are pregnant. This is the greatest item of praise and also prayer!

The truth remains: "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord." A new chapter has turned in my life, and I don't know what it contains. I am really clinging to Romans 12:12, "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer." Our God is a great God, His mercies are new everyday and His love endures forever! Call anytime, or write, I'd love to hear from you!

You were made for God!

It's been a while since I've really written, yet often it takes reading the works of another writer to inspire. :) I just read an interview of Rick Warren and wanted to share with you several points that struck me; I hope they encourage you. First of all, "We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense." Once you realize that it's all about God and not about you, peace flows in. I have had moments where I give in to doubt and despair one minute, then the next a lightbulb comes on (aka obedience to God) and I am reminded of the love God has for me. When you seek Him with your whole heart, it gives your life purpose. Oh, beloved brother, dear sister, wandering sheep, return to Him and seek His rest. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Today if you are doubting His unfailing love for you, read I John 4 and Romans 8. God is love and His steadfast love endures for ever!

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.

Reminders

Ten Things God Wants You to Remember:

1. I am for you. (Rom 8:31)

2. I love you. (John 15:9)

3. I believe in you. (Rom 8:37)

4. I will bless you. (Acts 3:26)

5. I will give you rest. (Matt 11:28)

6. I will be with you. (Matt 28:28)

7. I will not fail you. (Josh 1:5)

8. I will provide for you. (Phil 4:19)

9. I will strengthen you. (Eph 3:16)

10. I will answer you. (1 John 5:14-15)

Have FAITH. You and I serve a great God who is able to do above that which we ask or think (Eph. 3:20). His word is the key.