The North Face

It was March 2006 when I had first discovered "Runners World" magazine. I remember reading about Dean Karnazes and how he was going to run 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. Dean is the spokesperson for The North Face, the Ultramarathon Man, and the world's fittest man. At that time my plan was to run a 50 miler but after reading on Dean (and talking with Jeremy) I decided to do a marathon.
In one of my previous posts I describe what it was like to run with Dean. It was my first blog and may sound crazy to others but it was the one of the best days of my life. It was also then that I decided to do all 50 states.
Fast forward 4 years. Here it is October 2010 and the time for me to run my 4th marathon is here. I was keeping up with Chicago marathon through Facebook. All the updates of runners and expected people to fill the course. All that was fascinating but one thing stuck out. Dean was going to be there! I immediately was brought back to that initial feeling I had when I experienced running with him. If you read the post you would have read that Dean was "Mayor of the road." He didn't hang out with the top runners at the front or pick and choose who to talk to. He talked to everyone. And when hypothermia hit me at mile 18, he was there. Trying to shield me from rain and eventually giving me his jacket, until I had to quit. That was the most memorable time of running. It was also the time that I was introduced to The North Face, I love that brand!
As we drove in to Chicago on Friday, I got word that Dean was going to be at The North Face store that night. But big cities and traffic determines your arrival and we didn't make it on time. I was told by a friend of mine that he would be at the expo the next day. And since everything has a purpose and I got to experience that.
We showed up at the expo at noon only to find out Dean would be there at 1:00-2:30. Jeremy and I looked at each other and said, "well, looks like we're waiting an hour." The volunteer showed us where to stand and as we arrived we noticed we were 1st in line. Maddy having a bored look on her face couldn't understand why I was so excited to see Dean. She patiently listened to me tell my story and she responds with, "I know mom. I saw him before." I had to laugh as I put myself in her shoes.
A guy came and stood behind us asking if we were in line for Dean. When we said yes he introduced himself to us and we talked for 45 minutes. It's amazing how when you start talking to fellow runners you are instantly family. Although this guy runs 2hr 45 min marathons, he was so welcoming and encouraging and interested in my story. I was able to share how God brought me from Lame to Leaping once again showing me my purpose.
The line began to get longer and my heart started to race. I get to reunite with the person who gave/gives me inspiration to go for my goal! With my map in my hand, I was ready for him to see my accomplishments and have him sign it!
"Hi!" he says as he pops out of nowhere. There he was. His running gear on, camelback in tact, and The North Face gear on-he had arrived. "Sorry I'm late. I had planned on running all the way here but I got lost. I see you guys are the first in line. How are you today?" he says. I had been rehearsing "who I was" in the mirror earlier that morning and finally got to say it. "My name is Wendy and I ran with you during your 50/50 plan in 2006. I am from Wichita and didn't get to finish with you due to hypothermia." He then hugs me and says, "YES! I remember! You poor thing! Wasn't that a brutal day! Did you see the video? Wow, the weather... Did you go on to do the marathon?" "I did. Here is my map. You inspired me to do all 50 states and I was wondering if you could sign it for me."-I nervously say. He looks over the map, takes a photo with me, hugs me again and says, "see you in a couple of states."

Something I learned from that experience is how excited I was to reunite with Dean after so long. I wanted to share my experiences with him and show what I had accomplished. It made me think of how God wants us to be that way with Him. We have so many experiences we could share with Him and rejoice with Him if we would get that hyped to reunite with Him. I don't do that enough. That experience showed me how I need to be excited to share those things with God too. I have to look up and forward in everything I do. I mean after all...God is The NORTH Face!

"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back."-Philippianss 3:12-14 The Message

Tug-O-War

This past Sunday our message at church was about "Matters of the Heart." We were unexpecting this message because we were going over a series called "OMG" and talking about different religions. It's amazing how you go through things in your life and God speaks so clear through something. I have to admit I was really enjoying our series and when we walked into church and the message had changed, I was kinda bummed. BUT, God quickly turned that around.
I have been struggling with forgiving someone who I feel wronged against. This person has been going through a lot lately and really "needing" me. I haven't been the best communicator in contacting them a lot and I was confessing to someone that I feel justified not to. I mean I was wronged, I was hurt, I put up with a lot...so, I can be this way right? I am sure you know the answer to that.
I have also been seeking God on an issue of me having to ask forgiveness from someone. While praying on these matters I felt the question arise of "if you can't forgive this person how would you feel if someone did that to you?" I had to think about that and it actually made me sad. It humbled me to the point of empathy.
Our pastor said that forgiveness is a choice not a feeling. How true is that. I remember all the time telling people how much I had forgiven this person for "wronging" me and then something would appear that would make me angry and put right back in the place I was before-justifying why I had rights to hold a grudge. How selfish.
Confessing my heart to a friend was a hard thing to do and my heart didn't look so pretty. When the things you think about come out in words, you end up looking rediculous.
This life can be a "tug-o-war" at times. You know you need to pull from this direction because it's what God wants but you end up pulling from that direction because it's what you want. No one wants to get dirty so they do the things that seems easiest to "them."
"What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise."-Romans 7:15 (The Message)


Well, I have decided to get dirty. I'm going to get in the mud and cut the rope that pulls me from one direction to the other. It may get hard, it may get tough, I may get weary...but you will never know until you let go.

The Game of "LIFE"

I picked up Maddy from school the other day and she told me she had gotten in trouble. After going over some of her "avoidable" circumstances and getting on to her pretty good, she says to me "I am not good at anything." At that moment God had humbled me. I could feel the frustration going down about her situation and my heart preparing to build her up. I shared a story I felt God putting on my heart.

God had showed me of a time Jeremy and I were playing the game of "LIFE." It was given to us, by his mom, for our first Christmas together. He and I sat and played it one night. Well, he beat me...and I got mad. I was used to winning when we played Scrabble...and he never got mad.

How many of us are "sore losers"? We get to be involved in this "game of LIFE" and we get mad when someone "wins" or succeeds at something before we do. How many of us feel "behind" on LIFE and we just quit? How many of us get distracted by things in LIFE and we detour from the "board game"? I can tell you now, I have.

I have gotten angry when someone "got ahead" of something I have strived for, I have felt "behind" on things and gave up and wondered "what if?", and I have been distracted by things and wandered off of the "board game" of LIFE.

Do you want to know the secret of having a win? Allow God to move you. He created this LIFE. Why waste your time "struggling" to get to the next block in LIFE if it wasn't your time? God has a plan for EVERYONE. You may have similar plans to get to that point but your journey won't be the same. He has a plan for you. And even if you wander off...He'll bring you right back. When you get to where He originally intended for you to be, you will wonder why you never stayed on the path to begin with.

Start now. Allow God to be your hand. Let Him move you to your win!

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps"-Proverbs 16:9

Basic Training

This past weekend I got the privilage of reuniting with a good friend of mine. The reunion was more than just a "I haven't seen you in a long time..." It was a testimony of what God can do through you if you let HIM.

I have known Alisha for about 3 years now. We began working together, in the same classroom, in May 2009. We immediately had a connection. We communicated through "The Office" quotes and observing children. I told her I wanted to be a "Super Nanny" for military families and she was going to school to be a psychologist. At that time I had been going through a lot of things. She was one person who knew and gave GRACE.

After I began suffering with anxiety and depression, Alisha was the most encouraging and uplifting person I could turn to. Crying with me, hugging me, and helping me through the most difficult times I had gone through. Her skills and knowledge in psychology had helped me more than she realized.

It was August 2009 when she began talking about joining the military. At first I thought it was just talk but the more she sought God on what she was supposed to do, the more confident she became in her purpose. Have you ever met someone that was so confident in what God wanted them to do that nothing else mattered? I admire that.

We said "good-bye" on June 25th, 2010. She entered basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. A piece of me felt sad and happy at the same time. Sad because I would miss the talks we had and the bond we had built but happy because she was going after something God put on her heart.

I began writing letters. One letter a week would have me writing 8 letters. I mean that is the least you could do for someone giving their all to fight for your freedom, right?

Well 8 wks went by fast and my good friend Sarah (I met through Alisha) and I were roadtripping down to San Antonio to see Alisha. Nervousness in my stomach, I felt as if my own child was graduating...and there she was.

Watching flights march together and B.T.I.'s yelling with pride, she had made it. Eight weeks of intense training and once a week communication with family members. No t.v., no radio, not knowing anyone, and basic necessities that we take for granted...gone. One thing did remain though...her God, our God. The strength given to her through purpose, prayer, worship, and love. HE had brought her through the roughest she has ever been through.

Watching her in formation reminded me of something I had heard on a podcast. The pastor was saying that we (Christians) work together to get to the same goal. Same as a baseball team, football team, or any other team. Well, Alisha had joined a new team. They had pressed long and hard for many weeks to get to the point where they were. They had used sweat, tears, and emotion to get through the roughest times and here they are. All cleaned up and showing off their accomplishment.

Well, that's what we have to do. How many of us are using up our "sweat, tears, and emotions" for Christ? How many of us have heard that calling that God has placed on you and go with it full force, no questions asked? I can tell you I haven't. What faith that takes to hear God tell you, only having a year left of college, to join the military...and you say "okay" and go. Oh God, how I desire to have faith like that.

And then I hear God tell me I can. You have to get back to the basics...the "Basic Training" of HIM. Read HIS word, pray, love HIM, and have faith. I know when you press in for that goal, you will be all cleaned up and your reward will be greater.

"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back."-Philippians 3:12-14 (The Message)

Oldies but Goodies pt. 4..."Come back race! (OKC 2008)

Here is the blog about my first "long" run after my illness in the summer of 2007. Let me just say I would NOT have done this race if weren't for my good friend Nicole. She was "inspired" by me running marathons and decided to train for her first half marathon. After completing that she wanted to do another. Nicole encouraged me to get back out and run. I was nervous to at first because I had gotten "out of the game" and she just kept encouraging me. She, in return, inspired me.
You are never "out of the game." There are times when you will be dry or feel worn out and weary. Keep moving on! One of my favorite quotes is by Dean Karnazes, "Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up."
I think this is for life in general...there is a reward when you don't give up.





"Sunday, April 27, 2008
Come back race! (OKC 2008)
This past year has been the most challenging time of my life.

As most of you know I have Lupus. It is an autoimmune disease that attacks healthy tissue, usually major organs. It attacks my kidneys.

A year ago I ran the Oklahoma City marathon and couple of days later began swelling. I gained 30 lbs of water weight on my body over 1 month period of time. I thought it was from running but my doctor said it was a Lupus "flare up". Since I had a flare up I could not run. That was very hard for me but I learned that running did not define me. I pressed in on the Lord and kept the faith. I was put on all kinds of medication and homebound for 2 months. I could not work, walk, or play with my daughter.

People would come to my house to bring us meals, spend time with us, and mainly pray for us. I really grabbed a hold of what it means to have brothers and sisters in Christ.

During this illness my daughter, who has Cystic Fibrosis (lung and digestive disease), became ill and had to have an i.v. in her arm for 2 weeks to help fight a bacteria in her lung. We had to do antibiotics through the i.v. and it went away (thank the Lord).

My husband was wonderful. He was patient, caring, and loving. He took care of us so well and we experienced the meaning of through "sickness and in health".

I got permission from my doctor to start running last September after all the weight fell off. I was scared to. I prayed for God to show me the right time to run.

Patience paid off and I began running again in February. I entered a couple of small races and placed second in one. I decided to train for the OKC half marathon (13.1 miles). I wasn't sure how I could do it but I remembered it is never my own strength anyway.

Today I completed the half marathon. I got up at 4:30a.m., it was low 50's, and 15 mile winds. My husband and daughter bundled up to support me. I was ready to go.

About 8 miles in I noticed 2 girls with a scripture on the back of their running shirts, it read "With God all things are possible" Matthew 19:26. That was a reminder to me of what is true.

I finished (thanking God) in 2 hours and 7 minutes. When normally my time would be 10 minute miles, I ran 9:31 minute miles. Only strength from my Lord can help me, I am weak.

If there is something that I learned is to have faith. You may hear it all the time but really that is all we have. When it all seems to be "taken away", faith is all that remains. I am not sure where my health is going to go but I do know my heart is in Jesus hands."

Oldies but Goodies pt. 3..."My Answered Prayer"

After completing my first marathon, I went through this thing that no one warned me about...post-marathon blues.
Everything I had trained for had come to an end. I had accomplished what God had whispered to me one day in January 2006. What now?
Well, He sent someone to help me get through and to show me what my purpose in running was all along. One thing I got out of it was not to give up.
I didn't write a blog over this one...but I did copy and paste this years ago. The writer in this blog articulates a lot better than I can. She was an answered prayer. All the trainings we did in the freezing cold weather sharing stories, our favorite movies (The Wedding Singer), and how to be better spouses/parents. These were the greatest times of my running days...




"Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Oklahoma City Marathon blog!
I recently completed the Oklahoma City Marathon with my friend Lacy. Oddly enough, we finished this race in the same time I finished the Wichita Marathon...5 hours and 20 minutes.

Check out this awesome blog, about our run, written by my answered prayer...Lacy!"

lacy's blog

Wichita Marathon 2006

I didn't have to write a blog for this one because my sweet husband made a video for me. The whole point in the video was to show others that with Christ anything is possible. This video reminds me of why I began running in the first place...for Him!

Something that I learned today was, "if you wait until you are 100% sure of what you are supposed to do you will never do anything. Be 80% sure and just have faith."

Whatever God is doing in you today-whether it be a new job, starting a family, renewing your relationship with HIM, or anything...you don't have to be 100%...you just have to have faith!