"More Than Anything" --Songs and Scripture Series

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I’m not going to lie, this song is kind of depressing, BUT it is also full of hope. While it can be scary to think that our negative situations may not change, it is encouraging to know that the deep-down things that truly matter are already taken care of. It is a tough concept to grasp, but it can help calm a lot of fears in the unknown. (Fear of the unknown is one of my biggest challenges.)

More than Anything by Natalie Grant

I know if you wanted to You could wave Your hand

Spare me this heartache and change Your plan

I know any second You could take my pain away

But even if You don’t, I pray

…You know more than anyone that my flesh is weak

And You know I’d give anything for a remedy

I’ll ask a thousand more times to set me free today

But even if You don’t, I pray

…When I’m desperate and my heart’s overcome

All that I need, You’ve already done

…Help me want the Healer more than the healing

Help me want the Savior more than the saving

Help me want the Giver more than the giving

Oh, help me want You Jesus, more than anything

Over the years, this idea has come up in my life through various situations, most profoundly when I’ve had to remind myself that I will be just fine if I can never run again. Being honest, that is also one of the scariest things I’ve had to tell myself. It’s been basically my life for so long, but I know that sometimes that is how God works. His plans are not always what I expect or hope.

Balance. What a concept.

Hope and reality. Desire and contentment. Perseverance and acceptance. Work and patience. Just to name a few.

It is easy to begin to lose hope when things go downhill, especially when multiple things start to snowball. Even with a strong faith, the hard love facts of this faith can be depressing. “God might take away my greatest treasures? Why would He do such a thing? If He loves me, He will keep me happy; He will heal me. Life will be good. What kind of a God makes bad things happen?” These are all questions that people both new and mature in their faith may ask in times of trial, and it’s real. Why would God take away what we love? Because He wants us to love Him more. He has a greater plan to use us beyond what we are comfortable with.

I get stressed when I think that my life may never be the same in a variety of circumstances. For example, with injury, I can cling to the hope that He has the power to heal anything beyond what seems humanly possible, but I also have to come to terms that He may not. He had the power to take Jesus down from that cross and save His own Son from death, but He didn’t. Why should I, a sinner, expect anything better than Jesus, His perfect Son? He has a plan for our pain. Just as Jesus rose again to save the world, there is a greater purpose beyond the pain I go through.

While I can’t ignore the fact that things may not get better, I can’t lose hope in the fact that they can. And through it all, I have Jesus, and that’s all that matters. I have all I need because my eternity is secure in heaven.

Through my trials of life, I have grown closer to God and more satisfied with my life than I ever could have if things always went smoothly. I didn’t get all the opportunities that I had thought of or hoped for, but I got some that changed my perspective and made an impact on others’ lives in ways that would not have happened if things went my way.

What God’s Word Says:

“For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37

“The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matthew 26:41

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26

“…he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead…yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised…not for him alone, but also for us…” Romans 4:19-25

“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed. Save me, and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise.” Jeremiah 17:14

“See now that I Myself am He! There is no god besides Me. I put to death and bring to life. I have wounded, and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of My Hand.” Deuteronomy 32:39

“You restored me to health and let me live. Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In Your love, You kept me from the pit of destruction; You have put all my sins behind Your back.” Isaiah 38:16-17

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

“Lord, be gracious to us; we long for You. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” Isaiah 33:2

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:17-18

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13

“Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” 1 Timothy 6:6-7

“Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” Psalm 27:3

“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” Psalm 51:17

“…Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

“Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You.” Jeremiah 32:17

Why I Jumped on the Trendy Train

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Following the latest health and fitness trends is not always a good idea, but after some serious knots in my back and glute caused some unbearble pain that kept me from walking, I needed some relief. The physical therapist I started going to proposed a solution that I had only heard little and knew even less about--dry needling.

I didn't know what to expect, but I can't put into words how thankful I am that I decided to try it. After the first day, only five needles, the transformation in my pain and movement was night and day. It wasn't gone, but I could freely walk without crying and only a slight limp, while that morning I was in tears with most steps and could barely walk into the clinic. 

What is a trigger point?

Trigger points are typically caused from repetitive use or acute trauma that damages tissues. This creates inflammation, causes tissues go into a protective state, inhibits circulation, limits oxygen and blood flow, and prevents waste from leaving the area. This congestion of tissues causes what is commonly known as a muscle knot. They can also cause scar tissue and put pressure on nerves. Trigger points can be painful in their own area as well as cause referred pain to another part of the body. In my case, the knots in my glute felt funny, but the sharp pains were referred to my SI joint (lower spine and hip areas).

What is TDN (Trigger Point Dry Needling)?

Trigger point dry needling, TDN, is called "dry" because the needles have nothing in them that is injected like with a shot. The needle itself is the treatment. The very thin filament needles are inserted into the skin and muscle to release myofascial trigger points. The needles can be of various lengths and left in the body for various amounts of time. Mine were 60 mm (about 2.4 inches long) and were left in for generally three to ten minutes.

When the needle goes into the muscle, it can cut between three to fifteen thousand individual muscle fibers. The body will react to the needle as if it is a foreign invader, triggering inflammation and immune responses in the area and throughout the body to further accelerate relief.

Does it hurt?

The needles are inserted into a contracted, painful muscle to create a local twitch reflex. Patients may not even feel the needle break the skin--I never did. When a twitch is elicited, it can produce a very brief pain that patients usually describe as an ache or cramp-like feeling. These twitches and little pains are good! That is the sign of the knot breaking up. My PT and I both knew when she hit the right spot. I would flinch a bit and feel a sudden jump in my muscle, like a small spasm, but within a split second, that pain was gone and I couldn't feel anything again. When the muscles or skin were tighter, they would kind of hold onto the needle, and I could feel it sort of slide when they were removed, but there was never any real pain in my hip or all the way up my back.

Are there side effects?

Dry needling can cause soreness and occasional bruising. You may also get dizzy or nauseas, but that can be more psychological than physical, especially if you are squeemish. Luckily for me, I was lying down for all my needle sessions, and I could not see what was going on since it was on my back and hip. I experienced intial soreness, especially in the areas that had a big twitch, but this went away within an hour or so if not sooner. I also never bruised even though a pain-relief shot the week before had left me bruised!

What ailments can TDN help with?

A large variety of pains can be eased, including, neck, back, shoulder, knee, hip, glute, chronic pains; tennis elbow; headaches; tendonitis; plantar fasciitis; sciatica; and sprains.

Where I stand

On both legs! While dry needling is a relatively new practice, it is one trend that I have experienced success with firsthand from some of the worst pain I have ever been in. I was able to start cross training the day after my first needling. After each day I had this done, there was tremendous progress. I was so fascinated with both how I couldn't feel such long needles going so deep into my muscles and how effective it was at releasing my knots and pain. They were so happy about my progress, but my parents probably got annoyed with me telling them all about it. Now, exactly four weeks from the onset of my muscle spasms, I can do all my daily activities with no pain and have been able to add in running again. It will still be a slow comeback into full training, but I can't imagine how long it would take if I had not jumpstarted healing with dry needling. Unspeakably thankful, I will proudly toot the horn of the trendy train for TDN.

If you are having tightness pains that other methods are not helping, I highly recommend it! A limited number of physicians are certified with this new technique, but it is important to find someone who is qualified.

This Post was Inspired by Physical Therapy

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"You may be pain free in a couple days, but the weaknesses that are causing the problems will still be there."

Long story short, I have weak glutes, uneven hips, and they have caused me some major problems over the past few months. One little thing led to a big thing, more imbalances and weaknesses, long recovery and lots of pain, but I finally healed. Then I suddenly went from the best running since February to basically not being able to walk. My hip healed, but after months of limping, several muscles that had been having to do jobs they are not meant to do decided that they had enough. Some spasmed, some knotted up, and all the pain culminated in my lower back, leaving me helpless and afraid.

Thanks to a lot of help from my mom, a generous check on me from a friend/physical therapist, and a visit to my doctor the next morning, I felt a little better physically and emotionally, but for someone who is used to training twice a day barely able to get out of bed or off the couch, this was not familiar territory. As the day went on, with lots of time to think and pray, I started to see ways that this could be good. I knew I couldn’t let myself get too discouraged; I’ve been through so much already, I can make it through this, too. I had been kind of discouraged in myself over the summer for not getting little fun projects done at home, like crafts and reading, as well as going fun places and getting extra sleep. Well, now I can read and work and sleep lots. I can take time to do things that I didn’t while I was more focused on running. I have so many weaknesses I can work on—sleep, hydration, muscles, getting organized, etc.

 

The next day I started physical therapy, and something my PT said really stood out. It was obvious, and I knew it, but it was good to hear and inspired me to really work at it in a lot of areas. This was Thursday, and she said I could very likely be pain-free by Monday. But—but I would still have the weaknesses and imbalances. If I don’t correct those things, then another injury could come up just as quickly as this one.

It can be so easy to make things look better on the outside when on the inside they are still messed up. Covering up our problems, pains, and weaknesses doesn’t fix the issue and doesn’t mean that it won’t pop back up and cause another problem later. This isn’t just about muscles. Yes, if you are weak in a certain area, if you don’t address it and make it stronger, it can very easily cause another injury even if you look and feel healthy. However, this can go into so many areas of life, especially emotional and spiritual.

If you’re struggling with something but just cover it up, ignore it, it isn’t gone. We can hide our weaknesses the best we can, and no one may know…for a while. Things happen that bring out our blemishes. No one is immune; everyone has weaknesses. That’s part of being human. It’s not wrong, but what is wrong is when we know there is something we ought to work on and we don’t. If we want change, we have to change. There’s a saying I’ve heard at church many times that goes, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.” It sounds obvious, but we humans tend to avoid change yet we want change at the same time. We can’t just temporarily push a struggle aside; we have to fill that space with something better. If it’s a person, find someone who will move you forward. If it’s a habit, find something positive to do instead. If it’s a junk food, replace it with something both healthy and satisfying. If you’ve got a weak butt, do some clam shells. If you’re sidelined from your sport (or other job), make good use of your time.

Let’s not ignore the foundations. Let’s get back to the basics and build ourselves up so we are ready when it counts. Let’s embrace our weaknesses so we can grow stronger. 

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I believe things are always more successful with inspiration, and there is no greater inspiration that God's Word. Here are some things the Bible says about change:

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

Ephesians 4:22-24 “With regard to your former way of life, put off your old self, which is being corrupted, be made new in the attitude of your minds, and put on the new self, created to be like God n true righteousness and holiness.”

"I Have This Hope"

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Songs are something that have been able to click with me in many ways over the past several years. Sometimes it is like the song was literally written for me. There are so many I could outline with how they relate to my life and faith, but this is one that I did a Bible study with myself with a couple months ago.

I Have This Hope

by Tenth Avenue North

As I walk this great unknown

Questions come and questions go

Was there purpose for the pain?

Did I cry these tears in vain?

I don't wanna live in fear

I wanna trust that You are near

Trust Your grace can be seen in both triumph and tragedy

I have this hope

In the depth of my soul

Through the flood and the fire

You are with me, and You won't let go

But sometimes my faith feels thin

Like the night will never end

Will You catch every tear, or will You just leave me here?

So whatever happens I will not be afraid

Cause You are closer than this breath that I take

You calm the storm when I hear You call my name

I still believe that one day I'll see Your face

I found so many verses to go along with these lines of the song, and I didn't even have the internet to help me. Just my handy Bible keyword help in the back. Imagine how many I could've found! That just goes to show how relevant the Word is to everyday life.

Through school last year and many things this summer, I have felt hopeless. Depression is a real thing, and it is hard to get out of. Many times and in many situations, I have felt completely alone. However, something always keeps me going. I know that I could not have made it through with such a positive (relatively) attitude if God was not there igniting a little flame in my soul to keep me from totally giving up. He was the only thing I had, and in these times (and helpful now) I saw that He is all I need anyways. If I can make it through the worst of times with only Him and me, imagine how great life can be when I am back on track with friends, family, school, church, and sports! I know that God led me through these awful times so that I can learn to fully depend on Him so that I can have this story to tell. I am prepared for anything that comes my way because I know that He will never fail me and never leave me. I have seen it in my own life and have lived to tell about it, and that is what I intend to do. I am alive, and I am going to tell about it!

Time after time I have gotten my hopes crushed. Literally everything that I thought was good or headed in the right direction. Things would go good and look hopeful, then bang, farther back then when I started. Things get better, smack, back further again. I quit getting my hopes up for anything. This world does nothing but disappoint. It will never give us anything that is certain or totally satisfying. I quit letting myself even get excited and just expected the worst. That can be good preparation to not be let down, but it's not a very fun way to live either. But God. He is certain. He does totally satisfy. He never disappoints. All good things come from Him, and He wants to give us good things. By setting my hopes on His work alone, I am able to find joy in my circumstances because I know that that part of life will not be a failure. 

(To the song...) Heck yeah this life is uncertain. I have questions out the wazoo. Why do things have to keep going "wrong"? Is this even worth it? I have a tendency to act out of and live in fear, but I want to know that God is with me, and I don't have to live that way. His grace is with me in the highs and lows. The hope I have comes from the parts of my soul so deep that it is not of myself. I wonder where that comes from sometimes. I ask myself how I am making it through another day. But it is because I know God is with me through it all. Sometimes I feel like I have nothing left and there will never be an end to whatever struggle I am facing at the time. Still I am reminded that God can calm any storm that comes my way, and one day I will have perfect peace for eternity.

(Now also out the wazoo are these verses, so I'll list the references and a few of the words)

First verse-

Acts 1:7, Isaiah 55:8-9, Job 37:5, 1 Timothy 6:17 "...wealth, which is so uncertain..put your hope in God, who richly provides us with everything we need for our enjoyment."

James 1:2-4, 12, 1 Corinthians 15:57-58, 1 Peter 1:6-9, Hebrews 13:6, Psalm 23:4, 27:1, 34:4, 1 John 4:18, John 14:27, Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 1:8, Matthew 10:31, Mark 5:36, Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 56:3, 147:3, Romans 5:17, 20, 2 Timothy 2:1, Hebrews 4:16 "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.", 

Psalm 9:9-10, Ephesians 1:7, 2:7, Titus 2:11, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Chorus-

Romans 5:1-5, 15:13, 12:12, Hebrews 6:19, 1 John 3:3, Psalm 62:5-8 "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress; I will not be shaken. My salvation and honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock , my refuge. Trust in Him at all times; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." 

 37:34, 33:20-22 "We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You."

 42:5 "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." 

46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble."

Isaiah 43:2, 1 Peter 4:12-13 "Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed."

Romans 8:35-39, Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 147:10-11, Matthew 26:41"Watch and pray so that you do not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

11:28

Second verse-

Romans 1:17, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Romans 8:26-27 "The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. He who searches our hearts...the Spirit intercedes...in accordance with God's will."

Psalm 30:5 "Weeping may remain for the night, but joy comes in the morning."

Revelation 7:17

Bridge-

Isaiah 40:11, Psalm 145:18, Isaiah 26:3, 1 Corinthians 14:33, Psalm 130:5-6, Proverbs 8:17, 

Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek me with all your heart."

Here was just a little bit of hope from God inside of me shared with you :)

So when you find yourself feeling hopeless and let down by the world, remember that God is always there and will never let you down. 

I have this hope.

Weary yet Wonderful

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It's been said time and time again that the most beautiful things can come from the most terrible circumstances.  I totally agree.  During the lowest times of my life, I learn more than I ever do when I am on a mountain top.  Since I am a stubborn person, learning the hard way is often how I have to do it.  I hate feeling totally broken, but I have learned to be thankful for those moments.  They are all a part of what Christ uses to get our attention and rid us of our selfishness.  Another relevant quote:  "When God is all you have, you'll realize that He's all you need."

 "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.'  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."  2 Corinthians 12:9-10

This basically sums up the things I've learned so far in 2015.

Learned:  You may never realize how much you enjoy something until you make yourself (or have no other choice than to) do it.
One example of this in my life is taking some easy days.  I always hate the feeling of "doing nothing," so I try to do little bits of things throughout the day, but I have realized that it is really great to just have a day to spend extra time on other things.  For the second half of the track season, I rested the day after night meets.  Those were always long days because I would run the 1600, sometimes the 800, and always the 3200, which is the last event except the 4x400.  That means I'm not even done racing until after my bedtime.  Then I still have to cool down.  I haven't had dinner or dessert yet either.  And sometimes, we are an hour away from home.  Then once we finally get there, I still have to shower.  Yeah...nights like that killed me this season.  Saturdays after those races ended up being awesome, though.  Sleep, rest, recover, enjoy

"Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." 

Ephesians 6:10

Exhibit A

This was my dinner after a meet at Anderson County, where I barely made it to Bojangles before they closed.  Luckily it was literally right next to the school.  They were cleaning everything up to close at 11:00.  We walked in the door at 10:56.

This is one of my favorite fast food meals, so I was incredibly thankful.

In the car, I had to use my iPad as a light so I could see what I was doing!

Another reason I was thankful for this Bojangles in particular was the atmosphere.  These signs were hanging in the entry way with Matthew 19:26, Proverbs 3:5-6, and Philippians 3:14 on them.  They were also playing KLove music!  One of the songs that played while we were there was one that I had in my head during the races.

Jeremiah 29:11 is probably the most well-known and fitting verse that could go with this quote.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.'"

Not coincidentally, as I am posting this just now, I realize that the man who is quoted here wrote the book that I have been doing occasional devotions with, The Purpose Driven Life.  Not only that, I found this picture in April, and I just read those exact words in the book last week at the beach.  Along with the theme of this post, life is tough; we get weary.  But in those times, that is not what we are to focus on.  Although we may be weary, every part of our situation part of the wonderful plan that God has to make us more like Jesus and to share His gospel to the world.  In fact, when I focus more on the wonderful plan and try to ignore myself, I feel so much more joy in serving others.

This is something that I use to remember my purpose for the opportunities to run and all the blessings that I experience in life.
"...From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."  Luke 12:48
I have been through two sides of this.  On one hand, starting in cross country season, I saw how blessed I was.  That was the most running success I'd had in my life!  I had so many chances to make an impact.  With all those blessings given, God expected me to use them in mighty ways for Him.  This spring, I still had many opportunities, especially with so much success in indoor track, but I let the worries of the world wear me down over time.  The more I thought about those things, the less faith focus I had.  More things started to crumble as I wasn't focusing on God more than myself.  If we do not use God's gifts the way that He intends, He will take them away so that we shift our focus back to Him!


Anderson County actually has a really cool track and football stadium!  The bleachers were concrete, but the view was great!

Megan and I were taking a picture being the "not fun ones" because we had a lot of homework to do before this meet, then a couple guys wanted to join in the photo, too.

This was a rough race.  After running one of my worst 1600s ever, I broke down to God.  But that got me refocused.  I was so ready to be finished, all I did the whole race was sing songs and pray.  I felt so much better, though!  Taking my thoughts from stress over my performance to rejoicing in running changed not only my attitude, but my physical feelings as well.

Song lyrics that fit the race and filled my mind:
Lift Me Up by The Afters
"You lift me up when I am weak...so I'm letting go!"
and
The Well by Casting Crowns
"When you're running on empty, and you can't find the remedy, just come to The Well."

I like to fix peanut butter oatmeal with some kind of fruit before races, and I even get the matching spoon!  Apple chips and the spoon says "chip away."

The Downhill Stretch

Here's some highlights from the time after spring break to the end of school.  Summer and Jesus were the only things keeping me going through the constant tests, homework, and stress of never having enough time to accomplish anything!

Some mornings when I get to school, Mom would text me a picture of a comic she thinks is funny.  I loved this one, so I cut it out to keep!  I run track, so I know all about improving splits, and ice cream is my thing.  Put them together, and well, there's not much more to me.

I found this picture on Picky Bars' instagram page, conveniently just days after racing in the pouring rain at Hardin Valley.  This is something I need to remember:  I hate the weather, but everyone else there has to race in it, too! 

Heading into the park before practice one Wednesday, Vanessa, a local runner and elementary teacher was in front of me, and I had to take a picture of her license plate!

 

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."  Proverbs 17:17

"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."  Proverbs 18:24

Although there really was no time for me to do this, I always feel better after doing something "spiritual" for lack of better terms, so I made some decorative verses for some friends who I felt, like me, may be struggling to make it to the end of the school year.

Ain't he photogenic?

This came to my mind as I listened to the KLove Morning Show one morning on my way to church.  Things don't go wrong to torture us; things go the way God has planned to glorify Him.

This one came to me as I was reading my devotion that same Sunday morning.

Jesus didn't unfortunately experience the most terrible death; this was the plan for our salvation.

I don't remember what made me think of this one, but I was laying in bed.  Lots of good thoughts come to me there.

This is my life-long best friend/almost family who is a senior this year, Erika, before a chilly track meet at school

I was very tired and weary, in need of restoring and refreshment!  This verse coming up was an encouragement to my day.

Here's me and one of the top high school runners in the state, and even up there in the country, Wesley Pectol.  He's also the one that girls go crazy over at track and cross country meets.  At this meet at Tennessee High in Bristol, we were awarded the most outstanding runner male and female.  I won 2 events, the 1600 and 3200, while Wesley won 3, the 800, 1600, and 3200, while also running the anchor leg in the 4x400 right after the 3200.  Talk about endurance on a hot day!  It's great to see and get to know runners from right here in East Tennessee be so successful.

Although Greeneville is a "small" school in the A-AA division, Wesley won 3 events at the state meet last week and received a golden ticket to the dream mile.

This is an old picture from several years ago's Easter, but what beautiful verses to remember during the holiday celebrating the best thing to ever happen to the world.

I got invited to the family birthday party of one of my friends who lives in a nearby neighborhood, Abby!  Her dad was my elementary and travel basketball coach, and we got to be best friends, along with our entire families.  Her younger brother was actually my first real boyfriend in 4th/5th grade, and he is still one of my best friends because he's just such a sweetheart and good guy!  I am so thankful to have this family here treating us like their own family, too.  She has also come to the beach with me twice!

The far right is Ericka, who I used to go to church with.

 

Abby, me, and Noah

I want a man who runs, is not afraid to talk to me, and loves the Lord most of all!  My friend posted this quote on instagram, then I went online and searched for it.

I got to try something totally new on April 18th, and I fell in love.  This was a 2-day meet in Johnson City at Science Hill High School that is called the Tri-Cities Track Classic.  They have an amazing stadium there!  I had heard of people running the steeplechase, but really had no idea what it was.  We don't have many opportunities to race it around here like in other parts of the country, but this was one meet we went to that offered it.  My coach asked me one day earlier in the week if I would like to try it, so of course I said yes.  Never in my life have I jumped a hurdle or even watched other people in a steeplechase race.  Many adults were worried that I would hurt myself.  I was just out there to try it and have fun, so I just kept telling them that I would be fine.  We showed up on Friday night, having no clue what to do because I was the only member of my team who was already there.  The steeplechase was the first event, starting at 5:20.  I talked to the Science Hill coach because I figured she would know what I needed to do since their school was hosting the meet, then went on my warmup.  There were some of the barriers in the field inside the track that we could practice on before things got started.  I stood around and watched other people jump it for a little bit, while I tried to figure out how I was going to get over that thing.  I awkwardly tried a few ideas and couldn't help but laugh at myself because I knew I had to look silly.  After all, the thing is about half my height.  Luckily there was a girl from nearby Greeneville that I knew, so I had someone to talk to and tell me a little bit about it before the race started.  I didn't even know that there was 5 barriers on each lap for 5 laps, as this was a 2000m race.  We got in just a bit more "practice" as we waited behind the start line, but I still had no idea what I was getting into.  My mom refused to watch the first few laps and never even watched me go into the water until we watched the video online late that night.  They did a great job of posting results on Tennessee Runner for this meet.  Watch the video if you would like.  It's quite humorous in my opinion.  Starting out, I took off in front, not that I knew what I was doing.  Mom and Dad said they kept laughing at me, saying, "What is she doing in front?  She doesn't know what she's doing, she should just follow somebody whose done this before!"  That is not how I work.  I was there for a race, not a game of follow the leader!  Funnier still, for the first lap or so, on the running, I would get a big lead, but get passed as we jumped over the barriers.  It took me about 2 laps before I figured out how to jump it more efficiently.  I have always been the type of kid to climb fences and trees and play in the water, so this was just a more "sophisticated/organized" form of that for me.  I had so much fun!  I wish I had the opportunity to do it again, because with practice and experience, I could do so much better!  We were all astonished as I finished in 7:28, destroying the school, meet, and current state record (for this season).  It even qualified me for the USATF Junior Olympics, although I am not going.  Imagine what I could do if I actually trained for it!  Everyone got the biggest kick out of watching me race that, and I really enjoyed it, too.  That night and over the next few days, I kept getting asked, "How did you do that last night?" "What do you do to train for a steeplechase like that?" and I just had to laugh and tell them, "I had never done that before.  I'd never practiced; my coach asked if I wanted to try it, so I showed up!" and they were amazed.  I feel so blessed to hear people tell me at almost every meet how much they enjoy watching me run.  I just can't explain the joy that gives me in knowing that I have such a platform to share God's love with the world.  I pray that I use these opportunities to do so every chance I get.

I am also in the 2 mile for that night, blessed to set a PR for that point in the season.  The man who was lining us up at the start line looked shocked when he saw me and asked if I was back to race again after winning the steeplechase earlier.  I replied "Yeah, I am!" with a big smile on my face, never feeling better.  It is an indescribable feeling when God just lifts you beyond what you know you can do and help you feel so good.  This was one of my most memorable nights all season.  Only one coach showed up and a few teammates who raced events later that night, but we had a great night.  The next day was the majority of the events, so we all went down for that.  I ran the 1 mile the next day, too, but it was a few seconds off my PR.  After a night off my legs after those races, I was feeling it the next day!  My left calf took all the pain from the steeplechase, always jumping off of and landing on that same leg, so my calf was about to snap for almost two weeks.  Luckily, soreness is okay!  Building muscle...

I felt amazingly blessed to have felt so fresh and able to run like that!  You may never know what you are capable of until God gives you the opportunity and the strength to take advantage of it.

I used to really dislike coconut shavings, flavor, and stuff like that, but now, I am in love!  TCBY has also been stepping up its game lately, partnering with brands like Silk and Mrs. Fields to get new, tasty flavors.  My new favorite that I pick up almost every time it is on the calendar at Morristown's store is Silk Coconut.  I love to mix things in with my yogurt, too, so with this I add Light & Fit Greek Toasted Coconut Vanilla yogurt, Luna chocolate dipped coconut protein bar, dark chocolate and coconut Newtons Fruit Thins (another new thing I have tried and loved), chocolate Fiber One squares, and a dollop or two of cool whip.

This verse came up on a day close to the end of school.  I did not yet have many things that I was hoping and waiting for, but I am not a very patient person.  AP tests, Algebra II final exam, Spanish II final exam, final grades, the trip to Murfreesboro, the state meet, sunshine, relaxing, sleep, knowing the outcome of the races, just wanting so much uncertainty to be behind me--all these things were wearing me thinner than thin!

However, God leaves us with things unknown in life so that we cling to Him.  Although it is wonderful to have times of rest here on earth, there is no R&R that will ever compare to what we will experience in heaven.  Each day is a step in our journey to eternity, so we should embrace it.  Waiting patiently for things that we have no idea when or how they may happen is difficult, but all we really have to do is rest in Christ's embrace, trust in His plan, and use every opportunity He gives us to serve Him in some way.  By focusing on things other than ourselves, life becomes so much better before we even realize it.  

Easter afternoon, I had had a tough previous day and was in need of a big fuel boost, so I came inside from the trampoline and whipped up some pancakes.   That Reece's Pieces carrot was part of my Easter gift from Mom and Dad, so I added them to the batter, spread Bee's Knees and honey on top, and sliced a banana on there, too.  I really wish I could have a life-time job of hosting cross country camps and coordinating activities and meals for people.  I'll have to look into that.