Personal Best

Yesterday I went running and ran 4-1/4 miles in about 45 minutes which means I run each mile in 11+minutes. I really want to run my next 5K race in 30 minutes or less, which means I need to be able to run the miles in 9+ minutes, but I can't get below 10+.

When we went to do cardio today, I decided I didn't want to run any long distance because I ran yesterday, so I ran 1 mile and then walked 2 more. I decided I'd go all out on the mile I was going to run and not pace myself like I do when I'm going to run longer distances, and I ran that mile in 8:49!!! I couldn't believe it! It could be a lifetime personal best for me. I was never a fast runner, not that I think that is all that fast, but for me, it is.

So I can run a mile in around 9 minutes. Now if I can work up to running 3 of them in that time, that would be amazing!!!

helpless

Several of my friends recently have expressed to me that they have been in a "funk" or in a "dry place" - basically every one of my friends that I would consider to be a very close friend, and my heart is very heavy for each of them. They have expressed disillusionment with God, Christianity, their lives in general. I am at a loss as to know how to respond. Sometimes my responses to them even sound trite in my own ears; I can't begin to imagine what they must be thinking when I try to offer words of encouragement and hope. I'm not trying to offer some easy way out for them, because I know it's through tough times and times when we don't feel God or sense that He is there that He is even then showing us something, teaching us something, helping us grow, working in us through the struggle.

Each of these friends has a relationship with God that I think is so precious. I have been through some very cool experiences with each of these ladies and I have witnessed special moments of revelation when I have seen God reach down and kiss them on the forehead or draw them into His embrace. I have felt God reaching out to me through them in unique ways that comes out of the depths of their relationship with God, our Daddy.

I have an overwhelming feeling of helplessness, which is probably a good thing. God's probably thinking, "Good, then I can get you out of the way." I may feel helpless but not hopeless. I will hold onto hope for my friends if they ever get to a place where they can barely hang on to it themselves, even if they feel they can't hang on any longer. I will always love them, pray for them, and see the best in them. They are my friends, and my world would be so different without them.

Good rainy day!

Things I've enjoyed about today:

• getting up early with Michael
• not having a lot I needed to do away from the Lofts
• picking Jeep up from the shop and having all brake lights and signals working again
• getting things done in advance for a weekend retreat I am working
• getting some cleaning done
• spending time thinking about things that would bring me closer to God
• seeing the 4 finalists from "Project Runway" on Regis & Kelly

Things I didn't enjoy about today:

• picking up the Jeep and it costing over $200 to get the work done we needed
• having to go back to Walmart because I forgot to get something while I was there
• realizing I've missed the last 6 weeks of "Project Runway" - I thought it was already over and I'd just missed it
• having my arms and hands full and having a hard time managing the umbrella on my way in the Lofts from my car