Training Well for a Faith-Filled Journey

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you."    John 15: 16

Having a fear of change mixed with a love for adventure can be an interesting combination at times. Abrupt changes can at times freeze my ability to move forward in what God has called me to do. When those situations arise, the promise from John 15 that God has chosen me and appointed me for a specific task and role is very encouraging and helps me to move forward. God has been so good as to pave the way, placing wonderful people in my path who are encouraging and supportive. It is exciting to watch how God uses each one of us to encourage and support each other! 

As I continue my journey of raising support, I am reminded of how God is sovereign and is ready to meet all of my needs. He has all the resources to provide for my spiritual and financial needs. I love this time when I learn to trust Him even more as I have conversations with people He has placed onto my path. Before I even contact someone, I pray over people, conversations and appointments that God would touch hearts, give me clarity in my speech, He would be glorified and that I would be a blessing to those I connect with. I trust those seeking to invest in a ministry are asking God in their hearts where to give as they consider opportunities. God is so good to me and continues to bless my life with so many lovely family and friends and new friends. For all of you who are supporting me through prayer and/or finances, you are investing in me as I invest in the lives of missionary families and children. Thank you! YOU are a huge part of touching these young lives and I could not do this without you faithfully praying for me and providing the finances for me to live and serve in Germany. Thank you for continuing to give as I am in the US on my Home Assignment providing the rest, academic and spiritual training to return to BFA next summer and to travel and make connections with family and potential supporters. 

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Jesus Christ has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained." Philippians 3:12-16

I love these verses in Philippians as I love to ride and run in the Colorado sun, uphill, of course. I have been concentrating more on running the past few weeks and am visiting my favorite spots for trail running. I used to run at Pine Ridge Open Space all the time since it was just down the road from where I lived. If I needed a more intense run, I would go to Maxwell behind where Hughes Stadium used to be. There is a steep climb up to the road over the dams then I would run along the trail by the road before heading back down. Last Sunday, I made it to the top of Maxwell and my goal is to run along the road as well. Endurance sports like cycling and running help me to think and process. I even come up with really good ideas but forget most of them by the time I am done. That could be a good thing. ;)

I love the verse in 2 Timothy where Paul encourages Timothy to keep going so as to gain the crown of righteousness. Life is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Joy, my principal from the last five years, always encouraged her teaching staff that a BFA school year is like a marathon and we need to pace ourselves. Sprinting will drain, exhaust and cause the runner to stop. Learning to pace well happens through strong training. Training for a marathon is hard yet kind of seems exciting where the athlete runs at least 4 days a week with strength, core training and cross training included (swimming or cycling). I have not run a marathon but did enjoy training for four different half-marathons plus the Mt. Evans 14.5 run from around 10,000 to 14,000 feet. I was able to run from 10,000 to about 12,000 feet then needed to walk with little bits of intermittent running. My Skype picture shows me running at 13,000 feet where the photographers took my picture. I had about 30 seconds of extra energy before I started walking again. Starting a training program is fun yet can be difficult to keep the motivation and discipline. Being disciplined is what provides the ability to run strong on the race day but also helps me to keep going on days when I don't feel strong and want to quit. Being disciplined in my faith-walk on a daily basis gives me the strength to get through the tough days and weeks and will ultimately bring blessing and the reward of being a good and faithful servant. While I love the physical challenge of getting stronger and building my endurance, my ultimate prayer is that I finish the race God set out for me and finish well. With that being said, I need to go and do some strength training! :)

2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but to all who have loved his appearing."

A picture of me running at 13,000 feet. I smiled for the cameras. :)

One of my Colorado mom's, Carole and I after getting back home from the Mt. Evans Ascent. Behind those smiles is intense relief at being finished! And, "were we crazy?" Don't answer that!

My brother, Daniel and I at the top of Mt. Evans, riding up from Morrison which made the ride 50 miles up and 50 miles down. Cause, why not? Riding up Mt. Evans is definitely easier than running up!!