Me and my cousin Raquelly.....I love my family!!!

Growing Up

As I sit here on Christmas Eve, the night before Christmas, I think to myself "wow it's just about over". This time of year is very special, to be with the people you love, and make memories that will last forever. I know that I have traditions in my family, but I can not wait to experience my own traditions with my very own little family.

It kind of saddens me to even think about not being home for Christmas or shall I say not being to sleep at my Mom and Dads house and be woken up by three little boys jumping on my bed, begging me to go downstairs to open presents with them. These little boys who are getting so big and before I know it they will be all grown up with kids of there own. But even though it saddens me, it excites me! To think of new chapters in our lives that we shall spend together brings me great joy.

Jesus Christ is the reason I celebrate Christmas, but it’s not only on December 25th its all through year it’s a celebration that is a lifestyle. And during this celebration I do not wish but to nothing more then spend that celebration with the people I love.

Wishing You a Merry Christmas!!!

Keeping Christ In CHIRSTmas!

Stepping Stone....

When I think about the choices that I am faced with I think, wow I am so blessed to even have any choices. I mean think about it, some people only get one choice and that is to hopefully make it through each day with out getting mugged or starving to death. You see I am approaching a very pivotal point in my life, graduating college in May. Yes this is over 5 months away but I do not want to fail to plan! So here are my options as of now.

A. Stay in Memphis, I would have a great Job doing what I love, and getting benefits and all. I can help out with the Cross Country team at my school (which if you know me at all you know that is a passion of mine). I absolutely love my church Fellowship Memphis! I have been teaching the third grade Sunday school. I love those kids. I also am just getting involved with this ministry called digital deacons, volunteering my time to an organization that helps missionaries and churches have affordable websites. And here is the kicker; I will even have a great place to live.

Now here is plan B.

B. I move back to California, I applied for the University of Redlands Credentialing program, to be a high school teacher. I can come and substitute, while I do that. My aunt offered me to live with her when I come back; I have my home church I can always go to. This choice is a little less decided right now.

So you see I have to great choices...but here is the down side to them

If A. then I will be far away from my friends and family!!!
If B. then I will have to search for new open doors, which i know God will open.

So this is what I have been thinking for that past month or so.....

I have come to the grand conclusion that, I never think about what I want!

I always worry about how my friends and family will think about my decision! I am the only one that has to live with me! I guess if I think of myself I always see that as selfish, but God is trying to teach me a lot about living by faith, and not being so caught up in emotions! So with this I am taking another huge leap of faith and I am going to try and stay in Memphis or at least not go home for a little longer, it can't hurt to be away for one more year, I am young and single and God can use that for his glory! I know that I feel that if I am away from home that I will miss out on my brothers growing up and I won’t be there to help out my mom, but I have come to understand that whether I am there or not doesn’t really make a huge difference, they will still grow up!!! I love my family dearly but I know God is not done with me yet here in Memphis!!!

For the Challange...

When one starts to even think about running a marathon, their thoughts are purely optimistic. For the secret to running a marathon has everything to do with one's mentality not the strength of their legs or their lungs. I once heard some one say if you can run one mile you can run 26.2 miles, (a full marathon). This statement is partially true I would like to add, if you will to run one mile then you CAN run 26.2, miles.

I have been running my whole life and competitively sense I was the age 13. I know what it feels like to go to bed with the feeling of butterflies in your stomach, and to wake up with the same feeling. What it feels like to get off that bus and have about an hour to warm up before you hit the trail, and you think to your self “I can do this; all you have to do is finish.” I know what it feels like to line up with the herd of racers at the starting line as you breath as though you are about to give birth. As the gun goes off a huge liberation is thrown off your shoulders. As you run your heart out at that race, and see the fans at the finish line screaming your name, you know this is the end. That was what only a 5k run felt like; a marathon is a whole new story.

For me running this marathon was a personal challenge that I created for myself, to work hard at, to perfect the art of discipline. These days discipline is so lacking in our society, and I have fallen into the trap. We use Cliff Notes instead of reading the whole novel, we send emails instead of sitting down and writing a letter...everything is “ I want it and I want it now” attitude. I remember mornings when I trained, I would hear my alarm go off at 5:30am, roll out of bed and think to myself, “This is why it’s called Discipline!!!” But God is so good and gave me the will to keep on going.

About the race, I could sit here and bore you with the intricate details, but I do not wish for you to pass out and fall asleep on me. I will tell you two things about the race though. First it was the most physically and mentally challenging thing I have ever done and second on mile 18 I was yelling at myself to just quit, that this was so stupid to run 26miles! People were cheering me on, and I wanted to tell them that "we" the marathon runners, were nuts, why! why! why! But then I remembered all the kids at St.Jude and how this race was for them, how I had been training for 4 months for this race, but realy my whole life, and suddenly I got this burst of energy and finished strong. So I finished!!! Ran the whole thing and under the time I expected!

Yes, a marathon is hard, well to say the least, but anyone can do it, you just need the will!!!