closing in

August 23 is fast approaching. I'm currently taking my time as I drive across the country to stop and chill with friends, run marathons, go to friends weddings, and watch baseball games. I am both excited for the year in Arizona and a little hesitant. I've been away from the west coast for 3 years and was supposed to come back home this year. I know my friends will understand and of course still be there for me when I do finally move back to the great state of California.

I think this will be a nice break from my hectic lifestyle of working full time at the hospital, part time at the gym and doing my master's degree full time while still traveling like a mad woman. I'm surprised my grades were still as high as they were when I was off in another state every other weekend over the past two years.

I'm looking forward to getting back in shape and living a more simplistic lifestyle. I can't wait to ride my bike instead of drive everywhere (like I did while in college in San Luis Obispo), fighting off sleep and falling asleep at the wheel even on the short drives to and from work (40-45 minutes in Virginia). I love cooking and I'll have ample opportunities in Arizona to do so and since I'll be at the food bank and farmer's market as part of my job, I will be able to help guide others toward living a healthier lifestyle as well. I'm excited at the prospect of living out my faith and sharing it with those around me through my actions and having people alongside me doing the same thing.

Honestly, I'm a little concerned about keeping relationships strong and I am praying that even with distance, that God will keep us close. He has helped me over the past three years and my best friends who were over three thousand miles away are still my best friends even though we only got to hang out once or twice a year. True friends are hard to come by! I've learned that once I find them, I should hold on tight.

God please help me to be the woman that You created me to be. To continue to be a relational person and keep in close contact with those who are important to me. Please help me to do Your will and to share Your word and the joy that You have given me with those around me now and in the future. Thank You for everything that You have given me, especially for my friends and family. I know that everything will work for Your glory for those who love You and thus, my life will glorify You. I keep my eyes focused on You as I head into this new season of life.

-run for life

Support Flyer

I finished my support flyer! I also wrote my letter and am collecting addresses. I like snail mail and although I could send out my letters via e-mail, I think I will most likely send out most of them via the good old United States Postal Service. I feel like it's a little more personal that way. More to do, but it's getting done! One step at a time.

- run for life

raising support

I never liked "asking for money" or "raising support" when doing mission trips, but it is a necessity. I'm trying to view it more along the lines of allowing others to participate in my mission with me. I began to write my letter and put everything together today after work. There is a lot to get done just to send out these letters! I need to buy envelopes and get more stamps too. I forgot how much work there was before even going on the trip. I've been praying about who and where to send letters. I know God will provide and I will be taken care of. It's always interesting to see how God will answer our prayers though.

Well, I have to work tomorrow so I should get some sleep. I officially graduate next Saturday from Northeastern, but I'll be in Louisville, KY to run my 12th state (plus DC) marathon/ultra. Good night!

- run for life

acceptance of appointment

Today was a big day. I feel at peace with where God is leading me. Not only was it my final day of winter quarter at Northeastern University, but this quarter is my final quarter of my Master of Science degree in Applied Nutrition with a concentration of Nutrition & Fitness. Relief washed over me when I turned in my final paper last night. It hasn't quite hit me that I'm not longer a student. I've been a student since I was 4 (preschool) and I'm 57 days from 27! (I'm only counting down the days till my birthday because that is the last day that I'll be working here at Southside in Virginia, after work I'll be heading out to Ohio to visit Jecca and Dan and begin my 2nd cross contry road trip back home.) I'm looking forward to Monday: my first week day as a non-student since I was 4! Some of the girls at work and I are going out to the Phoenician for dinner after work to celebrate.

Another reason today was a big day: I accepted the appointment with the Presbyterian Church USA with for the position of Young Adult Volunteer in Tucson, Arizona. I'm very excited. I'll write more later when I'm not so congested and tired. Allergies here are back with a vengeance after the snow and cold winter. I'll try to keep everyone updated and I need to start working on raising support!

- run for life