Why Do I Run?

Why do I run
It ain’t no mystery
I wanna have a good medical history

Dr. told me runnin’ is great
Helps them blood cells circulate

Great for the lungs
Great for the ticker
Nothin’ can getcha in better shape quicker

Feels so healthy
Feels so sweet
Pumpin’ my arms
And flappin’ my feet

Keeps me youthful
Keeps me loose
Tightens my tummy
And shrinks my caboose

Beats being sluggish
Beats being lazy
Why do I run
Maybe I’m crazy.

--author unknown

Who can slay the mighty Zeus?

Yesterday was a sad day at the Beracah house.

Our beloved fish, Zeus, has died. He was sick. And to be honest, I'm not quite sure how he died. But in his last days he turned completely red, except for a white, bloated face and big black eyes. Oh, it was dreadful!

We gave him a proper funeral (complete with a reading of the poem below) and have now entered a indeterminable time of mourning.


Ode to Zeus DeChildensen

Zeus, we knew that you were sick
When Kevin said you had "the ick"
It happened only yesterday
And we tried to make it go away

You were once Beracah's token male
But now to the heavenly fishly seas you'll sail
Your blueish-green iridescence we'll certainly miss
About your striking beauty we'll ever reminisce

Belly up is how we thought we'd find you
Instead your face was buried in the depths of blue

You always welcomed us home at the end of the day
And listened to everything we had to say
As sensitive a man we'll never find
Zeus DeChildensen, you were one of a kind!

(original post can be found here: http://thebeckster.blogspot.com/2006/09/my-new-roommate.html)

I'm a Rock Star!

So pumped about this. LOVED IT.

You're looking at runner no. 1336 who finished her first- ever-5k in 38 minutes 52 seconds WITHOUT EVEN STOPPING!!! I'm more excited about not having to stop and walk than my time...which was an average of 12 and a half minutes per mile.

Wow. Seriously, I exceeding my goals by.. a lot. I'm really pumped and can't wait for my next one on Feb. 17th. Wanna run with me?!?!

Okay, some other people wanted details. So I rolled in from my weekend rendevous in Jacksonville at 11pm on Saturday night, got everything ready for the next morning, had a bowl of cereal (last minute carbs), and was in bed at 11:30. Starting at 2am, I awoke every hour until the alarm went off because I was afraid of oversleeping. Argh. I was a little nervous when I awoke at 6:30, I'm not gonna lie. So I kept telling myself,"I'm just going for a run, no big deal." But when I got close to the site at Mead Gardens, the parking was horrendous. I parked about 1/2 a mile away, so I ran from my car to the Gardens just to warm up.

Next thing you know, I hear a gun shot and we're off! Apparently, I was too close to the front, because I was getting pushed and passed by for the first several minutes. It was a funny scene - 1300 women in a literal stampede. And it's motivating with all those women running around you..I wanted to go faster and not let them pass me by! But I just settled into my own pace.

Surprisingly, when I hit mile marker 1, I was feeling pretty good. So I kept on pumping. We were running through some gorgeous neighborhoods with the trees overhanging the streets (classic, beautiful Winter Park. I love where I live). As we were rounding one corner, I heard some music getting louder as I gained ground. ?? Turned the corner and found a house with all the windows and doors open blasting some kind of high energy music, with the owner of the house standing in the driveway cheering and waving us by. It is about 7:45 in the morning at this point; the neighbors were loving him, I am sure. I smiled a few minutes later as we passed another house with a young 10-year-oldish looking boy out in the front yard with his dad and Ipod speakers blasting the theme song to Chariots of Fire. :)

At the halfway mark, they were passing out cups of water. Watching the people in front of me, I followed suit and slowed down to grab the water, drink a few sips, and chuck the cup as I kept on running.

At mile marker 2, I decided no one could stop me now. I was gonna finish this thing without stopping. By halfway through mile 3, I was fighting myself to keep going. I was banking on hitting that "runners high" at some point, but it never came. Once I saw my mom and uncle cheering me on, and then my coach, Scott, though, I was smokin'. At mile marker 3, I picked up speed, passed a few slow pokes, and finished on a strong note. :) I'm telling you, it was exhilarating!

well...here we go....

It's official. I just signed up. I've paid. I'm getting a T-shirt. And I'm running a 5-k this weekend.

Eeek! Will I make it? My training schedule has been...lets say...a bit random.

But, by golly, I'm going for it.

(I know you don't believe me.)

reflection

Whenever I have my earphones on at work, my co-workers know that I’ve effectually “closed my door.” I don’t want to be bothered.

Well, I’ve got those earphones on right now. My soul (not to mention my body) feels weary today….no particular reason…just weary and aching for something more.

It’s an interesting feeling, really. Somewhat perplexing, I must admit. How does it work? Where does this gnawing originate? I usually refer to these feelings in reference to my soul, because I can’t pinpoint the soul either. Where is it? Why does it feel this way? Gnawing is just one of the regular symptoms of having a soul that has been awakened. What about the aching? the hardness? the softness? the pruning? the stretching? the bliss? the thrill? the chase? the simple, satisfying stillness? So varied, my soul is! I’m telling you…perplexing. I’m perplexing.

Yes, my friend, this awakened soul of mine is also an amazing, sacrificial gift.

Remember the LORD’s promises to the people of Israel: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

It was a rich promise to Israel – one they fought for and wept over and craved with everything in them – but it’s a reality for me. Without question. The Father promised, then sacrificed His Son. Jesus left riches to humble himself in more ways than I can count, and endured the pain of death. And now the Spirit seals my soul as belonging to Him…and gnaws, aches, hardens, softens, prunes, stretches, multiplies joy, pursues, and satisfies my soul to a depth of intimacy that is perplexing!! (I’m still not over that.)

Seriously…one of the first things Lauri said to me this morning (beyond telling me how big of a fish she caught yesterday) was in the form of a shriek of wonder that we have the Spirit living in us. It’s a wonderfully perplexing thing, when you really get to thinking about it.

So, my soul outlook today: weary and aching for something more. But Praise Jesus for an awakened soul. Because of Him, I have something bigger and better to long for, namely, His glory and His Kingdom in all its fullness. I haven’t been lost. I haven’t been forgotten. My soul matters to the King of Kings. He’s calling me deeper and deeper into Himself.

From my headphones today, you would have heard this song on repeat…

Searching for truth, longing for peace
Nothing satisfies – the ache will not cease
Come fill me up, as only You can
All of my times, Lord, you hold in the palm of your hand

Worship the King, all heaven and earth!
Gratefully sing of his power and love
You are the Lord, the Ancient of Days
We will bow down and live for your praise

You are the first, You are the last
You’re our hope to come as ages pass
You are the one – faithful and true
All that I need, Lord, is found only in you

Worship the King, all heaven and earth!
Gratefully sing of his power and love
You are the Lord, the Ancient of Days
We will rejoice…rejoice!

Worship the King, all heaven and earth!
Gratefully sing of his power and love
You are the Lord, the Ancient of Days
We will rejoice and live for your praise

We will rejoice and live for your praise….may that be the theme song of my soul, no matter what the outlook.

Pics from Urbana

I'm so behind on posting...sorry...more coming soon!

Our awesome booth! Check out the globe..it was revolving.

Our team (most of them)


Working hard or hardly working?

Now...where should I go??