Setting an Intention

Over the last few years, I’ve felt nudges from the Spirit to use my training as prayer time for specific people and circumstances. And I’m pretty sure these nudges came because God knew that I could use some help in this area. Listening in prayer is a definite growth edge for me as I’m one of those people with a bunch of plates spinning simultaneously. In short, I don’t slow down very much, and yet, with running, I already have this training space carved out for me. God has been gracious to help me learn to make space for him through these times.  

I have been grateful for the last couple of months that I've set aside to try to listen in as you are  about to turn 13, Cazden. 

This quote below is a favorite of mine: 
"My favorite part of my yoga class is when my teacher asks us to ‘set an intention’ at the beginning of class….At the end, she often asks us to check back in with that intention that we set at the beginning of class.  I like that part; it means something to me. I have begun to incorporate this idea into other areas of my life. I try to set an intention before I run, work out, write, meet up with a friend, make a speech, eat a meal, discipline my children, state my opinion, or say yes or no to a request.  The more I set intentions, the more I realize how many opportunities I have to do so in the span of a week, a day, or even an hour.  I realize how often in the past I have not checked in with my intention or even made one to begin with.  How easy it is to waste time, get off track, or miss the moment when I forget where my heart is?"  -Kristin Armstrong Mile Markers

My intention has been to keep you in mind when I run and to ask God to help me know what I can be praying for you.  It has been such a gift to have you along for the ride. 

I know that some of this stuff may not mean much now, but if you don't hear anything else, I hope that you hear this behind all of these posts: 

Celebrating all that you are and anticipating all that lies ahead. 

HAPPY 13th BIRTHDAY CAZDEN!!! 

Run the Mile You're In

It was race day today!!! 

What a gift to tiptoe out of our room early this morning to get ready and find this note waiting for us from Anna... 

RUN FOR CAZ!!! 

Our Bellingham Half Marathon crew 

As I was running and praying for you this morning during the race, Cazden, 

this phrase above kept going through my head.  Running the mile you're in is great race advice- but it also applies to life. It helped me to think about the years ahead of you and I asked God to show up at each mile and to give you the presence of mind to not get too far ahead of yourself that you lose steam and perspective for the mile you are in.  

The other thing that kept going through my head was this piece of insight. 

Bach wrote J.J. Jesu Juva which means "Jesus, help" at the beginning of all of his compositions, 

and at the end of them all, he wrote "S.D.G."  (Soi Deo Gloria) which means "To God alone be the glory."  This reminded me to simply pray for help in the run and for this little race to bring God glory.... May this be so in your life too, Caz.... that these would be your bookends and that you could ask for help each step and give God the glory when you finish each chapter. 

warming up in the car after the race (as I was one wet rat...) 

YAY! 1st in my age division! 

powered and inspired by CAZDEN!!! 

our two cheerleaders in the run!! 

(Guy and Olive were there around mile 10 to cheer us on!) 

'Twas the Night Before Race Day

part of our dinner tonight...  

Cazden, there have been over 30 little entries on this blog.... 

Know that it has been a sweet thing to tie you up in my shoelaces with some prayer in the last two months of training and running-- bringing you along the way and holding you up to the Light. 

I just googled "night before race day" and found this very funny poem.  

‘Twas the night before race day, when all through the town

No sleep would be had by the runners around;

Their race clothes were laid by the door with care,

In hopes that a PR soon would be there.

The rest of the world – they were snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

But for runners like me, sleep would not come,

We tossed and we turned until up came the sun,

Only then did our bodies succumb to a nap,

But then – BOOM! Our alarms went off like a slap.

We frantically pulled our clocks to our faces,

To make sure we hadn’t slept through our races.

Next: Check the weather. Sunny or Snow?

Running through heat or twenty below?

Even though we’d stalked the forecast forever,

We needed that last minute check on the weather.

Time to get dressed, get stressed over layers,

Yes, it’s cold now, but what about later?

Sure we can shed some clothes as we go,

But where goes the damn race bib? We know it must show.

Once our wardrobe is finally complete,

It’s time for the Glide and to deal with our feet!

Glide is easy: everywhere it goes

More difficult is dealing with feet and with toes.

Long or short socks? Compression or not?

Too risky to try the new ones we’ve bought?

And no matter how much we adjust our right sock,

There’s a bump in it that feels like it’s hiding a rock.

Next come the sneakers, a whole different stress

One wrong lace and BINGO! Your feet are a mess.

First they’re too loose. Then they’re too tight.

On race day they never ever ever feel right.

Next up: some food, though it’s barely daylight

And who wants to eat when it’s still kind of night?

So we choke down bagels, maybe oatmeal instead,

And toss back some coffee to wake up our heads.

Breakfast is over, so now we must pack

Some fuel to eat for a mid-race snack.

Chompers or gel? Sport beans or Gu?

Too many choices, so we just grab a few.

We’re dressed! We’re packed! We finished our meal!

Time to head out – it's sure getting real!

But of course we cannot just head out the door,

Without visiting the loo, at least one time more.

Off to the race site, time to check in,

Stare at the elites – those guys might win!

Then straight to the porta potties – get in a line,

We know that is where we will spend most of our time.

After spending quality time at the John

We realize the moment has come to move on

And make our way over to the starting line;

Adjust our Garmin and pacebands one final time.

Do a few stretches, hand to your heart,

As the national anthem signals the start.

Excitement builds, you’re ready to burst,

Whether it’s your fiftieth race or your first.

The countdown begins and off goes the gun,

It’s finally here – the race has begun!.

So we look up and wish on the new morning star,

“HAPPY RACE DAY TO ALL, AND TO ALL A PR!!

You'll definitely be with me in spirit tomorrow. :) 

Sleeping in

I was so grateful to sleep in this morning as it's been a crazy week at work with the first week of classes and also a few fires I had to put out with a few of my students in their internships. 

This week is also officially our taper week since the race is on Sunday so it's been good to have today as a day to recoup.  My prayer for you as I rolled out of bed was for God to lead you beside a few quiet waters and restore your soul this weekend.... 

"He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake." ~Psalm 23:2-3

Voodoo Doll Day

On Tuesday, I had a full day with my first official day of classes for this quarter.  The day started with opening chapel on campus followed by two classes back to back. I had a cart I borrowed from our office in which I stacked a bunch of books to bring over for my children's literature class along with a bunch of goodies for the first day of class to welcome students. 

As I rolled this cart out of my office, I tweaked something in my back, and it really hurt to walk. OUCH!  Then after class as I was coming back to my office, I was wheeling the cart down a slight hill, and the cart rammed into the back of my right leg leaving a bit of a battle scar on my right ankle.  I got to my office and wished I had a band-aid so that I wouldn't get blood stains everywhere. Once again, OUCH!  I was relieved that I was in good enough shape to bike home even though I felt a little rough around the edges.  

I laughed to myself wondering if someone had a voodoo doll and that I was getting poked a few extra times that day.  And, it made me pause and think about you and times that you might feel that way too at times with OCD or with the changes that come with puberty.  

So, know that even with my middle-aged aches and pains (and ridiculous injuries from trying to haul too much stuff around for teaching), you were in my prayers today as I asked God to give you help and grace when life seems to be sticking a few too many pins into your days.   

Scaffolding

scaf·fold·ing

ˈskafəldiNG/

noun

1. a temporary structure on the outside of a building, made usually of wooden planks and metal poles, used by workers while building, repairing, or cleaning the building.

   • the materials used in scaffolding.

   
   

There is a bunch of scaffolding on a building down the street from us, and every time I have run or biked by it this past week, I have thought of you. 

I am thinking about this milestone of a birthday for you coming up and about your teenage years ahead, and I am praying for there to be just the right scaffolding for you along the way as you continue to grow. That might show up in your parents or grandparents or godparents (who love you so so so much I might add!) or in your teachers or in your friends.  But however God shows up to help with the "building, repairing or cleaning" in your life, my hope is that you will be open to these supports and that you would allow God to work in you to make you into the person he designed you to be.  

Old Stomping Grounds

This morning, I ran down through campus and then back around on the Burke Gilman trail to our house for a short run. As I was going on this route, I realized I probably could do this blindfolded as it is my go-to route and is often included as the beginning of other routes too. Red Square here on UW campus has been the spot where we had Anna's unicycle birthday party along with the Harry Potter birthday party too.  I've chosen this route for so many walks with friends through UW campus as the views of Rainier from this spot are pretty spectacular on a clear day. There are so many good memories here.

It made me think about what your old stomping grounds are there in Missoula, and I simply gave thanks for places there that you know so well like the M, the Big Dipper, Splash Montana, DQ, fishing holes, bike trails, 333 Agnes, Flying Squirrel, hikes, and Glacier just to scratch the surface.

I don't know where God will lead you as you head off on your own one day, but my prayer is that you will establish roots somewhere so that you have some old stomping grounds somewhere one day that you can call home. Praying for wherever that spot is and for God to prepare the way...