Sometimes You Just Need to Embrace

The word embrace is so broad.

I typed into the search of pinterest the word "embrace" and quotes, pictures, and even bras appeared. It's something that I have been challenged with these last few days. "Embrace each moment and live to its fullest." "Embrace life because you don't know what is to come." "Embrace people with love." 

So what does it really mean to "embrace?"

Maybe people embrace the wrong things. What I am learning is that if I embrace God, I embrace life. When I embrace and seek Jesus in what I do, I embrace everything around me. 

Today is Tuesday. Tomorrow is Wednesday. Next week is dead week (the week before finals; we call it dead because everyone runs around at night getting work done and are zombies the next morning in their classes). Here is the cherry on top to finish my junior year: 

Next week is dead week.

May 5th is my birthday. 

May 6th is the starting of finals. 

May 10th and 11th are conference.

Mom will be here for Conference on May 9th. 

Nationals?

Challenge of the day!

What are you embracing?

Happy Tuesday :)

Boston

My prayers go out for Boston.

Story and updates at http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/15/explosions-near-finish-of-boston-marathon/?hpt=hp_t1

What kind of a world do we live in to be surrounded with fear? A world that needs prayer. As an update from Yahoonews says, there is a moment of silence at 6:30 pm tonight for the victims of the two explosions. 

Pray for Boston.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13

Tables May be Turning

These last couple of days have been feeling new. I think there are a couple of reasons for this "new feeling." 

1. There are three more academic weeks left of school. I always get anxious when this time comes. Anxious in such a way that I roll around in bed not able to sleep. I have things to get done, track meets are coming to an end, and something that really keeps me from being settled is knowing that I won't be sleeping in the same place in a matter of time. I know this is a silly thought, but it is how my mind works. Remember, change is not my favorite thing, and when I know that the end of the year is coming, I also know that a new apartment is coming as well, only to leave my old apartment behind. 

2. Summer is soon! Even though change is not always my favorite time of life (which is silly because it is ALL the time. Honestly, it's one of the things that is actually promised for everyone.) it means that seeing Kelsey (my horse), my goats, family, friends, and home soon. That does mean I leave my home here for a temporary time as well. The "new" feeling is technically a "transition" feeling. There is nothing new about what is happening, only what is to come after the transition. 

3, 4, 5, 6...I'm not sure of the other reasons at the moment, but I am sure when I stop writing I will think of many more :) 

Today is Saturday and I did not have a track meet. It has been such a weird season. Indoor Nationals created a short outdoor season for me, but it sure has been fun. Yesterday, the team and I traveled only 20 minutes down the street for a fun, relaxing relay meet. I only ran two 100 meters in two relays and I high jumped FOR FUN. My friend Deb and I made a deal. Deb said, "if you high jump, I will run a 200 meter dash." Well, there is no way I would pass that up, because she defiantly got the hard end of the stick! I jumped 4'4" (not too shabby for never jumping!) and Deb ran her way to the finish line of the 200. The first thing out of her mouth while she laid on the ground was, "why would anyone ever do this for fun?!" It was a great memory. My 4x100 relay team ran a 49.99 seconds. That is a season record, so lets see if we can make another season record. Nationals is in the low 48s. 

Meet Deb :)

Fast Flashback: Three minutes after the parents left all of the new freshmen at college in 2010, Deb and I were standing alone wondering, well...now what? We were in a new place, we knew no one, and our parents had just left back to their states. I was wearing a track sweatshirt. Deb tapped my shoulder and asked, "do you run track?" 

It all started from there. 

Listening in life is a key component to where someone wants to go, and where they will go. I believe that God speaks to people in so many different ways; dreams, signs during a day, gut feelings, conversations, anything. I bring this up because I feel like God is doing something in my life that I wasn't expecting. I need to pray about it, see what he is up to, and when I find more out I will share. I am sharing this small glimpse because I think that thinking before speaking is important. Sometimes God wants you to only listen to him, and other people's opinions may not be from God. I can't wait to share what is going on within my life.

Happy Saturday everyone! 

I treated myself to a pedicure today. What will you treat yourself with? 

You deserve it!

Accomplishments

Today I feel accomplished.

I woke up early to come to the library, printed two papers, finished five pages of notes, and even have time to blog! 

This weekend was filled with fast flying days and some good memories!

Saturday I had a track meet. Both of my relays took second place and I took 3rd place with a 12.89 in the 100 meter dash. Considering that was my second time running an open 100 this season, I am excited to see where my time will end. Nationals is 12.20 so lets see if I can go to outdoor nationals.

Sunday at Freedom Church we had 29 adults and children. We are outgrowing a one car garage and we are now looking for a facility to rent. Freedom Church is growing, and I am so blessed to be a part of its foundation.

This last week my head coach announced that he is not returning next year. What does that mean? That means that there is a potential for an entire new team of not only athletes, but coaches. Talk about a change. For my senior year I will be looking into graduate school, working toward my psychology degree, and ending my track career with an entirely different coach. This will be a new experience for me, but we grow from experiences. Right now I will focus on today, and only think about tomorrow (I have a problem of worrying about tomorrow).

What challenges me on a daily bases is the future. Yesterday, I found myself in one of the best stores. It is called World Market, and it's amazing! Alija and I had a fun time exploring all of its authentic treasures. I was looking at table cloths, beds, pictures, plates, matching dish mats, cups, tea mugs, anything and everything I wanted for my future home. I was matching colors, imagining where a deck would go in my back yard, placing summer dish mats on the covered patio, and this went on and on in my mind. Then I realized and had a small fear of when that will come. What if it doesn't come when I need it to? What if my plan doesn't work out the way I want it to? That's the funny thing about life that I am learning (I have always known plans don't always work, but now as I get older it's becoming more apparent), life will just happen. Whether we like how it happens or not, tomorrow will come. I guess where I am getting at is this...try to not worry about the small things. Have fun with matching dish mats and patio chairs, because one day it will most likely happen. Most of the things we worry about don't happen, so why not think about what we want to happen? When we focus on fear, it can undertake our thoughts and over take our emotions.

Focus on all of the good, thank God for all the days that come, and know that when God changes your plans (my plans) that he is protecting us from something that is less than the best. 

4 more Mondays left of school...and that even includes the Monday of finals week!

Forgive any errors as usual. After two papers and five pages of notes, my brain does not want to think, its just wants to do!

Today Can Mark Everyday

Happy Easter Everyone! :)

Today was started at 6:50 AM arriving at a theater to set up for church. Freedom Church had about 55 people our service in the theater. This is a big step for us, considering that we meet every Sunday in a garage with about 28 people. Our small church is slowly growing, and today was only a small glance of what is to come in our future. We are growing, and it is amazing!

Today marks the last day of spring break, and tomorrow is the first day of the last 6 weeks of school. WOW! Summer, here I come. 

One of my best friends, Mariah came to Portland for spring break. She was here for a week and 3 days. Talk about having a blast! We did "all the things" in Portland. She said one of the best quotes I have ever heard. So simple, but so amazing.

"I am made in God's image. I'm a little crazy, so God must be a little crazy."

Isn't that great? I love it :)

Last night I had dinner at a professor's house. He and his wife cooked a wonderful dinner for Alija and I. Sitting at the table, we talked and talked. At their home, people can just be. We are truly human beings, not human doings. The most amazing conversation grew at our table (meals grow lovely friendships). Between 3 Christian's and 1 Muslim, we all talked about God. We talked about love, grace, Heaven, people, creation, wonders, questions, prayers, family. We all talked about how amazing he is, how amazing our creator is. He created nature. Without the sun trees would not exist and without God we would not exist. Lets just say, it was an amazing dinner. I felt God in the room, watching us. One moment I felt his presence, and you know what? He was proud of us. One of the largest topics in the world that causes so much fighting and confrontation was being talked about in love. 

Now I will put away my computer, lay in the sun, and enjoy the 70 degree weather. 

Today is beautiful.

Lately

Timeline Time!

Here has what has been going on within the last three weeks.

I am back from nationals, starting outdoor track, and trucking through school.

I miss my horse like crazy, and life is full of decisions. 

Geneva, Ohio was where nationals took place. I can say that I am the 24th fastest girl in the 60 meter dash in the nation for the NAIA. My goal time was not met, but I was there. I worked hard, learned so much, and now it is time to work hard for outdoor. 

The last two weeks I have only ran the 4x100 meter relay.

Lately, it might seem that I have posted all about track...that is because lately that is what my life has consisted of. Here is the 4x100 meter relay team competing at University of Oregon last Saturday. We took fifth place, and will compete again this weekend. Lets see if we can have a season best and work towards nationals!

Right now I am working through decisions and changes in life. With small decisions and large decisions, each one takes places in my future. I read an amazing story in a book last night for an assignment. I really want to share it with you...

An American tourist found himself in India on the day of the pilgrimage to the top of a sacred mountain. Thousands of people would climb the steep path to the mountaintop. The tourist, who had been jogging and doing vigorous exercise and thought he was in good shape, decided to join in and share the experience. After twenty minutes, he was out of breath and could hardly climb another step, while women carrying babies, and frail old men with canes, moved easily past him. "I don't understand it," he said to an Indian companion. "How can those people do it when I can't?" His friend answered, "It is because you have the typical American habit of seeing everything as a test. You see the mountain as your enemy and  you set out to defeat it. So, naturally, the mountain fights back and it is stronger than you are. We do not see the mountain as our enemy to be conquered. The purpose of our climb is to become one with the mountain and so it lifts us up and carries us along."

When All You Ever Wanted Isn't Enough

By Harold S. Kushner

I share this because lately, tasks and decisions have been a battle. I have had the mentality of conquering and mastering just to work toward my future, when in reality, I should really be enjoying each moment and letting life carry me where it wants me. 

God has his plan. I just need to live it. 

Challenge of the day: Notice how many times you say "I or me." Ask questions, and listen to those around you.

Devotion: 

I speak to you from the depths of your being. Hear me saying soothing words of peace, assuring you of my love. Do not listen to voices of accusation, for they are not from me. I speak to you in love-tones, lifting you up. My spirit convicts cleanly, without crushing words of shame. Let the spirit take charge of your mind, combing out tangles of deception. Be transformed by the truth that I live within you. 

The light of my presence is shining upon you, in benedictions of peace. Let my light shine in you; don't dim it with worries or fears. Holiness is letting me live through you. Since I dwell in you, you are fully equipped to be holy. Pause before responding to people or situations, giving my spirit space to act through you. Hasty words and actions leave no room for Me; this is atheistic living. I want to inhibit all your moments...gracing your thoughts, words, and behavior.

Romans 8: 1-2; Colossians 1: 27; 1 Corinthians 6: 19

Jesus Calling

by Sarah Young

Remember

As of right now, I have ten minutes before my first class this morning, eating sausage and eggs for breakfast in my school cafeteria. Today is Thursday, and in six days I will be leaving for Ohio for Indoor Nationals Track and Field for the 60 meter dash. NATIONALS!! I will flash back this picture...

Remember this? :) 

Well, my hard work is finally paying off. 

I read a quote the other day that said, "don't give up. The moment you want to stop, is only a few moments before a miracle is about to happen."

Well, the other day I felt like giving up. I was tired. And I was tired of being tired. I was tired of being busy. And I was tired of feeling stressed. With the help of Mom talking some sense into me, tears turned into laughter and the feeling of being tired became a motivation.

Indoor Nationals 2013, here I come.

60 meter: 7.80 (qualifier)
200 meter: 26.4