Woo hoo!

My dad is a retired Marine. When I was a kid, about 10 or 11 years old, he was involved in some kind of American Heart Association event. There was something for adults and then all the kids got to go to this big tent and do kid activities. They were all about staying active because it's good for your heart. One of the activities I remember was running a couple laps around the tent. I began to run with everybody else and it was hard. I began to fall behind, my shins were KILLING me, and I had a hard time breathing. I quit running and went and told the leader I couldn't run because I had asthma. I knew that kids who had asthma had breathing problems and they didn't have to run. So that must mean I had asthma too. I eventually realized asthma's a legitimate thing and I had unintentionally lied. Regardless, from that point on I can remember knowing in my head 'I'm not a runner.' 'I don't run.' 'I hate running.' I always considered myself someone who could walk for miles, but couldn't even run for three minutes.

Well, ladies and gentleman, I have some great news. Today I ran 3.58 miles!!! I'm ready for next week's 5K! It's going to take me like 40 minutes, but I physically CAN do it! Thanks to my sister, Julie, Mika, and Shin for encouraging me and even keeping me accountable. Also, tons of thanks to God for giving me the ability and motivation. So many times I've been literally praying to make it the next step. He's always kept me safe and allowed me to continue! Woo hoo!

Widows and Orphans

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27

This verse has been weighing on my mind for a few days. My mental interpretation is "God is especially pleased when you're involved with caring for widows and orphans." Then I feel guilty. My guilt comes from the fact that I don't personally know (or can't easily think of) any widows and orphans. Adding another layer of guilt: I don't actively seek out widows and orphans in my community. 

The other night when I read this verse, something occurred to me that may seem obvious, but it sincerely lifted my spirit. "Widows and orphans" of James' time were the people who were helpless and neglected by society. Widows were powerless (couldn't own property or manage their own finances) and relied solely on the benevolence of others to live. Orphans were children who were completely alone; they needed guidance and someone to meet their very basic needs. These two groups of people have significant overlap, but I can now clearly see the verse is calling us to care for people who are lonely and/or helpless.

I know in the past I've specifically prayed, "God, please make me aware of *literal* widows and orphans so I can care for them." But once I realized that the verse is calling us to concern ourselves with people who are helpless and lonely, I was amazed by how many people God has placed in my life to help and spend time with. I don't know any widows or orphans, but I do know an old man who is lonely and a group of kids who just need to know somebody cares.

So, if you've read this verse before and thought "widows and orphans? how can I do that?" Then I would encourage you to open your mind to anyone who is lonely or helpless, and then try to serve and bless them as often and consistently as you can. With this idea in mind, I feel more willing and open to serve anyone in need who enters my life.

Oh, and if you are interested in helping literal orphans, I hope you'll consider India Child Sponsorship. Many of the children in this program are orphans or have parents unable to care for them. The school these kids attend and live at is directly involved with physical, spiritual, and emotional care for North India's orphans. I hope you'll become or stay involved with orphans in your community, but also consider supporting an orphan on the other side of the world.

Pictures

Not a lot happening around the Jeongle these days. We went to a Halloween party as a Cereal Killer and a Pig in a Blanket. Julie sent me an adorable cat card which I temporarily decorated my desk at work with, turning me into a full-blown cat lady for a few days. And we've babysat for friends allowing me to watch two of my fav movies, The Muppets and Beauty and the Beast. I promise I don't just TV babysit, we did other stuff too. We read stories, played outside, took a cake break, etc. :-D

Camping!

Wind Creek State Park was wonderful! We camped and hiked and had a lovely time.

Weekend Update With Alycia

Not as funny as Seth Meyers, I can assure you. But an update nonetheless. :-)

Campus tour from Jules, an evening with Pippin (and Fassy), and fun with family = great weekend.

Today was

A good day. I promise this isn't going to be a running blog, but I ran a whole mile, walked two tenths, and then ran another mile! Total distance on the treadmill was 2.3 miles. And most of it was running! Woo hoo!

I also got to take a friend out to celebrate her 16th bday and she let her little cousin tag along. It was a lovely afternoon for everyone.

Unfortunately, it's my sister's 20th birthday and I did NOT get to take her out or do anything with her. But I sent card & $, texted, called, and sang. So I'm hoping all of those make up for not actually being there. I also publicly blogged about it- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY SISTER!!! (see picture to appreciate her cuuuuteness)

Oh! And I have some shmancy photos to share. The other night, Shin and I were invited to join his boss' family at a fundraising event featuring Laura Bush. We got dressed up real profesh! Laura looked decent too. ;-)

Great Day!

I got a raise! Woo hoo! It was totally unexpected, and totally awesome.

I bought ticketS for us to visit my mom, sister, and grandma!!! (And step-dad and grandpa and step-sister and Belgian waffle and Norwegian elkhound... we're visiting a lot of peeps) It's a big deal that Shin is going with me because we didn't think he could. So that's doubly exciting.

And possibly more exciting for me in this moment, I RAN A MILE! Now, you may not think this is a big deal. Shin definitely did not grasp the significance. But basically, my whole life, I've never thought I could just run a mile. I have no problem walking forever. I like walking, nay, I LOVE walking. But I've always thought I hate loathe running.

Tonight I was at the gym with Shin and we literally dragged ourselves there just to walk. I was so sleepy and so tired, I was proud of myself for going just to walk. And every time I'm at the gym I always respect the chicks with tight butts who just run and run and run and run and run for. ev. er. So I was telling Shin that I can only run for like two minutes and then I have to stop or fall dead. At the end of our walking time, I wanted to see how long I could actually run - I assumed it would be like three minutes MAX. I hopped on the treadmill and I just kept going!!! It wasn't easy, but I didn't die! I really didn't die! I ran a whole mile and could have done more, but we had to go and I wasn't mentally prepared to go further than that.

Next time... next time I'm aiming for 1.5 miles. :-D We'll see how this goes.

Anyway, I truly a great day. I hope you had a good one too!