The Girls are Back!

I crawled up to the back of the school amid dozens of dorm vans and parents' cars loaded to the brim with high school and middle school students. Realizing it would be impossible to find a place to park, I meandered my way over to the gravel lot, and parked illegally next to a trailer. It was the first Wednesday of Small Groups, and the sound of squealing and excitement could be heard the instant I opened my car door. As I rounded the corner of the building, a group of girls caught sight of me, and the next thing I knew, a flash of color was coming at me as two of my girls launched themselves into my arms. And wow, did it feel good to see them again.

My co-leader and I have the privilege of walking through this Sophomore year with the same 5 girls as last: HR with her innocent questions and sensitive heart, CB whose quiet quirky sense of humor and artistic eye impress us every week, PM with her bubbliness and genuine desire to grow more like Christ, HH whose heart bleeds for the world and who longs to feel Christ's affection for her, and EE who - with her mothering capabilities - rounds out the group and pulls truth out of the depths of our hearts. What can I say? I simply love these girls!

The photos below are from last week when I was able to pass along some gifts that my supporting church (Treasure Valley Baptist Church of Oregon) sent with me this summer. To say that they were thrilled is an understatement. Thanks TVBC!

Fall is here!

And the most vivid evidence that Fall is indeed here is less in the colors and more in the fact that Fall Party happened! The theme this year was Comics, and the M.S. staff pulled together to bring Disney to life. Sadly, Mickey couldn't make it, but we did have Minnie, Goofy, Donald & Daisy, Scrooge McDuck, and the three boys - Huey, Dewey, and Louie. I was Dewey. I think we had more fun creating the costumes and parading around downtown in yellow tights than at the actual party! :-)

Of course, there is other proof that my favorite time of the year is here: flowers, grapes from my neighbor, pumpkin, carrots, and salad from the Farmer's Market. I'd blog more, but I need to get outside for a walk. I love Fall!!!

Finishing the race

Courtesy of kidsrunningwild.net

Last year when I ran the 7k in Basel, I really got hooked on running. It's not that I enjoy running all that much. I have two heroic friends who share about the meaningful prayers they have when the run and the joy they feel in the process, the joy they know God feels. I just don't. I've tried. I don't. However, I have discovered that I love love love races! I'm not sure why, but the atmosphere and the crowds and knowing exactly how much ground I covered in how much time and the t-shirt and especially the camaraderie - that's something I can run for.

And there is something to be said for the accomplishment, for a race finished. Hebrews 12:1-2 has been a recurring verse at the Middle School so far this year, highlighting the various aspects of running the race set before us (God's design, not ours) and running it well. It's about getting rid of the things that entangle, about focusing on the finish line where Christ stands, about allowing the crowd of witnesses to be your "cheering squad" as I called it for the Middle Schoolers.

After the 7k last September and watching several friends complete the half-marathon, I secretly added the half-marathon (21k) to my own bucket list. I didn't dream it would ever come so soon, but last Sunday, I was able to cross it off. I owe a lot of gratitude to Jill Musick for her patience and encouragement along the way. My goal was to finish without stopping in hopefully under 2 1/2 hours. Her goal was to help me make my goal. Isn't that what the body of Christ should be doing for each other as we all run the race before us? I also owe a lot to the crowd of ~10 BFA friends who made signs and screamed and cheered and hollered and annoyed all the stoic Swiss onlookers to make sure we finished well. Talk about a crowd of witnesses!

Rounding the last corner (Jill on far left)

the three half-marathoners

with Rachel and our medals
(Photos courtesy of Rachel)

It felt amazing to finish, and praise be to God, I finished in under 2 1/2 hours, just nine minutes before the first marathoner (and yes, we started at the same time...). I had a great time celebrating afterwards with water and medals and friends, but rest assured: the full marathon has not made its way onto my bucket list. I think I'll be content from here on out with 10k's. :-)