keep on, keeping on ;P

It's the end of my third week in the couch to 5k training although I am not sure I have progressed beyond the first week really. :( I am trying hard to not be discouraged.  To press on.  To push myself harder.  All the while wondering... Can I really do this??  Is this crazy?? Will I really be ready to run a 5K by August 17?

Press on Amy.  Lace up... you can do this... right?????

Press On

Friday my cousin emailed me to tell me if we were going to run in this 5k we better register ASAP.  The race was selling out fast. :/  I was at work and vowed to sign up when I got home.  Before I had the opportunity, I heard back that the race was sold out.  There was a glimmer of hope...our other cousin *the team leader* was trying to see if  he could get ten more slots for their team.  She would let us know.

I was more bummed than I realized I would be.  I really wanted to do this.  To prove to myself I could do this.  All the while being slightly doubtful I could pull it off.  My husband laughed when I emailed him that I was discouraged and not sure I could do it (you know a whopping two weeks into my running career/training).  You should read you email signature, he told me.  I did.  This is what I found.  I laughed too.

--
~Amy

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."    ---Philippians 3:14

Okey then.  Press on, I shall.

I waited.  Today I went through a bout of discouragement.  Figuring I had lost out on this opportunity.

While working at OMX my phone started buzzing like crazy in my pocket.  I sighed.  Not at a point I could whip out the phone and read all the messages.  At one point I was able to sneak a quick peak and saw a glimpse of exchange between my cousin and sister.

--Is Amy at work? Should we sign her up?
--I'll sign her up.

What?!? I could hardly stand it until my lunch break to read the conversation in full.  The short of it being.  Eric had indeed succeeded in getting a few more slots for his team.  However the window was brief and we needed to sign up like NOW.  My sister signed herself and me up.  So its official.  We are running in August, my first 5K.  Ever.

I went out this evening and ran. I pushed harder. I hope I am getting stronger. Press on. I shall be ready.

 I can't wait to post a picture of myself, my sister and my cousins on race day. Some of my favorite people.  <3  August 17.  Let the countdown begin.

from the overflow of the heart

Time is not running out.  This day is not a sieve, losing time.  With each passing minute, each passing year, there's this deepening awareness that I am gaining time.  We stand on the brink of eternity.
                                                                   --Ann Voskamp, 1000 Gifts Devotional pp44

Deep Breath.  Slow down and enjoy.  So much of my time is spent running.  Hastening from one task to the next. Yesterday I rushed to church feeling harried and late.  Frustrated for being late to my appointed task.  Frustrated I was going to miss being in service at all.  As I breezed into the nursery I was urged to go sit in service instead.  Its OK go.  As I slipped from the nursery and up the stairs I felt a bit of the weight slip away.  As I listened to the message I felt my soul being restored.  I felt God's Arms. I knew I was home.  After Church we had yet another fellowship dinner.  It seems this season of our Church has been filled with dinners and farewells.  But this one was different.  Or maybe I was different.  I didn't feel rushed or urgent.  It was quiet, relaxed.  We could just be.  I could chat with my husband and daughter.  I could catch up with friends.  I still sat at the table as tables and chairs and table clothes were whipped away.  It felt like home.  It felt strange that Pastor and JoAnne were gone.  And yet so many things were the same.  That the way of life.  Things change, things stay the same.  Time moves on.

This week I am looking to God for strength.  For energy.  For wisdom to know what to keep.  What to let go.  To enjoy every summer moment I can with my children.  Not to fret about moments missed.  But to breathe deep.  To be fully present in the moment I am in.  Not wishing it was over so I could be somewhere different.

 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 NIV

happy summer?

What a week it has been.  I started my new job.  Hannah graduated Kindergarten.  Mikayla went to her 8th grade farewell dance.  Today is the last day of school. 

I am struggling a little bit as I get ready to head out the door.  Today is the first last day of school I won't be here when they trot off that bus.  Giddy and bouncing that summer has begun.  My heart is sad.  I keep thinking of all the things we usually do in the summer.  All the things we may not be able to do this summer.  Working 6+ days definitely stinks.  I am trying to focus on the time I still have with them.  The things we still can do not the things we can not.  But its hard.  Even trying to figure out when to go grocery shopping seems an impossible task.

My beautiful girlies~

Day 3

Much to my chagrin today it is raining.  I hesitate to call myself a runner.  I mean as of this morning I had gone on one measly pitiful walk/kinda run.  I spent last night and this morning perusing pinterest for inspiration.  I could not stop thinking about running.  About actually getting to the point I could confidently say; I am a runner.  Then I found this on pinterest.

Ok so--  I am a runner. :D

Truthfully the only reason I did not go on a walk/run yesterday was the training program said not to.  I didn't want to be one of those people who burned out or got hurt trying to do too much too fast.  I didn't do nothing yesterday though.  I did yoga in the morning.  After supper I rode my bike down to the park with the kids.  Hannah and I swung high up into that bright beautiful blue sky.

Today I battled with myself.  I wanted to go out and run so bad.  The rain was deterring me. And it is supposed to keep up at least through Friday... Finally I decided enough is enough.  I was just sitting around stewing. I should just bite the bullet and go.   So I did :D And I am happy and proud.

I also figured out the fitness tracker thingy on my ipod.  According to it my "workout" {mostly walking with a bit of running} was 21 min 39 sec and 1.57 miles.  I recognize this is probably terrible.  But looking forward to improving! :D

couch to 5k - day 1

I actually put on my sneakers this morning and headed down the driveway.  I discovered I am wildly out of shape. I was tempted to despair. Feel like it was an epic fail.  But it was not.  OK so I can barely run.  I got out of the house.  Got some fresh air.  Worked up a bit of a sweat.  Did not quit.

Some hurdles I need to get over.

1. I am kinda embarrassed to be seen running on my road.  Why? I don't know.  I have issues.
2. I am mildly afraid of getting hit by a car
3. I need to make a running play list on my ipod.
4. I need a better time keeping system.   I wish there was a way to get the couch to 5k app on my little nano shuffle ipod :S

Over all pluses

1. I got out and ran/walked (ok mostly walked ;P) 
2. that's pretty much it ;P

Goals

1. Be slimmer and trimmer by summer's end
2. be more healthy
3. run the 5k in August with my sister

See I am Doing a New Thing!

This has been such a hard week for me.  Some of it I can't share.  But its been hard.

I am nervous about a new start.  The next couple weeks are bringing new changed.  My pastor of over 20 years is retiring.  I am sad to see them go.  He has been at our church since I was 11-ish.  Been such a big part of my life.  He baptized me when I was 16, was my VBS teacher and Sunday School teacher.  He preformed my wedding ceremony and 11 years later officiated as we renewed our wedding vows.  He dedicated each of our three children when they were babies. 

Also when Pastor leaves, I start my new job as Church Secretary or Administrative Assistant or whatever you want to call it.  I  am exceedingly anxious about this.  Seems to be such a big responsibility.  But at the same time I am excited! I am excited to play such an integral part of our Church.  Our Church is such a big part of my life.  And for such a long time I have said we are the future of our church.  I recently realized we are no longer the future but are indeed the present! Our time is now!  Its so strange to me to realize that I am indeed an adult.  Our new Pastor is roughly my age.  My generation.  I am also excited about the future.  I know God has great things in store for our Church.

This week my grandfather is in the hospital.  My mom made an emergency trip to PA to be with her family.  I was nearly beside myself.  It had been so long since I had been down to visit.  Even before this week I had been feeling the need to get down to visit Grammy and Pa.  Friday Mom called to say that he was having surgery.  My sister was driving down after work to see him and called to see if I wanted to come along.  I quickly realized I needed to come.  I am so glad I did.  It made me so happy to see my Pa.  He is doing well all things considered.  I am eager to return again in a few weeks with my kidlets.  They were quite upset they could not make this trip.  But its better that they see him at home when he is more himself.  Thank you Heavenly Father for taking care of Pa.

It was so good to spend some extra quality time with my sister.  And be here with Mom and Grammy.

Tonight my cousin was in telling us about a half marathon he was going to run this summer.  I have long wanted to be a runner.  If you look back at my early blog entries you will see my bouncy ponytail, jogging stroller mommy envy.  I am well beyond the stroller mom thing now.  But am becoming increasingly aware of my need to become more fit.  I am seriously thinking about training for a 5k down here in Erie in August.

Also I have decided to take place in the Out of the Darkness Walk  this October.  It is a cause that is near and dear to my dearest friends heart. Its one that also seems to be popping up a lot lately.  I am happy to help support this cause.  I have added a badge on the top of my side bar if you are interested in donating to our team.

I have so many new things happening.  At times I feel like my life is spinning out of control.  But I am seeking God's Will.  God's plan for my life.  I hear if it is something He has called me to, He will give the strength to see it through.  I am so thankful for the wonderful family and friends God has given me.  Who stand behind me and love me.  No matter what.

“Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland."

Isaiah 43:18-19

Concert

Last night was Mikayla's concert.  They all did a great job.  The band I think was phenomenal.  i also enjoy listening to the kids playing their music. :)

Here is the video~

May video

Some of our May highlights~