My Super Unspectacular Life

I will find a way...

2011-12-20T07:01:00.000-06:00

I am a very forgetful person when it comes to God's faithfulness. I, like the Israelites, am quick to forget God's future promises and His past performance in history and even in my own life.

The reality is that God is the one who pursues me for relationship. He was so intense in His pursuit that He found the most creative way to reach me. He sent Himself to me.

I'm reminded on this quiet morning, listening to Christmas songs, of God's faithfulness in finding a way to have a relationship with sinful old me. He is Emmanuel, God with us. I cannot offer a better Christmas gift to anyone than God has given to me.

So, as I finish making my purchases, wrap my presents and pack to go home to Kentucky, I'm reminded that there is no greater gift than the presence of Christ in my life. May I cling to that as I am so prone to wonder away from the reality of Christmas in my own life.

I wanted to share a song with you - it's become one of my favorites over the past year because I feel like it is so true to how God works. It is a Christmas song, but is appropriate for all seasons because of the truth it holds. I heard it for the first time last year at the Behold the Lamb of God concert at the Ryman. You can find it on the album Christmas by Andy Gullahorn and Jill Phillips. Enjoy!

I'm not who I was...

2011-12-11T23:25:00.000-06:00

It's weird living in a place where almost all of the people I see every day have only known me for the last 5 months. My friends here have very little of an idea of where I came from - both literally and figuratively. They know what I do now, who I am today and how I came to be here, but not much beyond that. They haven't been a part of the first 30 years of this monumental journey that I've been on called life - which is true of me in their lives as well. I only know them as they are now - they're last 5 months of life and what they've shared of their pasts...

When I look at pictures of me now, I am still surprised that it's me. I'm still working to have my brain catch up to where my body is. In my head, I'm still who I was before - 80 pounds ago, unable to run a mile, unhealthy and unhappy but not sure how to make it better. The thing about making a new start in a new place is this - I've essentially been rebranded by proxy - my new friends know me as a runner, as a health conscious calorie counter and at the size I currently wear.

What I'm learning is that God makes all things new and He makes all things beautiful. A lyric from a favorite song of late says, "You make beautiful things, You make beautiful things out of the dust. You make beautiful things, You make beautiful things out of us." God is making me beautiful and I'm just now beginning to understand what that looks like and how He loves me so much that He changes me from the inside out. I'm finally in a place where I really want my outside beauty to match that inside that God has already made knew... And here's a taste of the result.

For those of you who have known me longer, you know how unusual it is for me to dress up (in an actual dress), wear makeup and jewelry, paint my nails and the like. Even just a year ago, I'm sure I wouldn't have had the confidence to pull off the ensemble I'm about to show you. :) But, I'm not who I was...

At my office Christmas party - Makeup, heels, nails!

A Thanksgiving to Remember...

2011-11-27T17:10:00.001-06:00

My Thanksgiving break didn't start exactly the way I had planned.

On Wednesday, I was off work and started my day with some errands I needed to run. I filled up my car's gas tank, went and got my race packet for the 10K Turkey Trot the next day and drove to Memorial Park for a short run before I completed my errands with a run to the grocery store.

My day was interrupted at Memorial when I arrived back at my car 35 minutes later to find my front passenger window broken out and my purse missing. Thankful that I run with my phone in an armband and my keys in my pocket, I unlocked the car to survey the damage and called 911. Police were dispatched and while I waited I called the bank and the credit card companies, my parents and texted several people to just ask them to pray. I felt sick inside and even stupid for leaving my purse in the car - even though it was shoved under the seat.

All told, I lost my driver license, about $8 in cash, all of my debit/credit cards, a small book of stamps, a Lowe's gift card, a pair of glasses and a pair of sunglasses... and other miscellaneous things that a girl keeps in her purse (pens, gum, lip gloss, etc).

I spent a huge portion of that day in task mode. I called the insurance company, I got my window repaired with help from my dad, I received a very generous wire transfer via Western Union from my mom... Even made it to Target to get a new wallet. At the end of the day, I was thankful that everything that was taken was just stuff - that in no way was I physically affected by what happened. My stuff can be replaced and is in the process of being replaced even now.

I was invited to go to Rockport, TX with my friend Amy for Thanksgiving to her roommate Julie's family celebration. I took the invite and spent a lovely evening at the beach with the Taylors and Amy - I got to feed some birds, hang out on the dock and see some stars, watch some football (the Texas vs. A&M game was especially intense)... and experienced the fullness of Texan hospitality. Thankful for the hospitality, good food, a good opportunity to rest and get away from the city.

Feeding the birds!

Sunset in Rockport.

Me and Amy.

On Friday, I drove back to Houston to meet a friend and go to see the Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens in Galveston. It was fun to walk around and see the lights and to drive along the coast in Galveston and see the waves cresting. Thankful for new friends and new experiences!

Boot w/Yellow Rose of TX

Giraffes in lights.

And on Saturday, I finally used a Groupon I had bought to take Cy and her Nana to the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. It was a great thing to do on a rainy and dreary day and we had fun exploring the exhibit and seeing all of the butterflies and other assorted bugs.

Butterfly in the butterfly refuge.

Moths!

Today I've spent as much time as possible at home, figuring out what I need to do to get a new driver license, calling the bank to dispute the charges made on my account (since they cleared finally) and just resting without the feeling that I need to be somewhere.

I found many reasons to be thankful this Thanksgiving, even in the midst of the drama of what happened on Wednesday. Thankful that the God I trust has a plan for me, even when I can't fully understand it.

Thanks to everyone who prayed and sent kind words during this first holiday away from home... and to my parents who made sure that I was taken care of from 900 miles away. I'm looking forward to being home soon and seeing everyone! 26 days!

A Texas Sized Gratitude

2011-11-21T20:33:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving is right around the corner... and I'm nearly 900 miles away from home.

This is one of those times I wish I was a heel tap of a pair of ruby red slippers away from being home.

I've never spent a major holiday away from my family. I know this is a common thing that lots of people do, and as dysfunctional as my family can be sometimes, I still love them and wish I could be with them for the big (and every day) events of life.

I console myself with the fact that I'll be home in another month for almost 10 days. I have worked to plan some things this holiday weekend that could possibly become new traditions for me. I'm sure, at this point, you won't be surprised to know that one of them involves running (a 10K Turkey Trot!).

I am going to spend some time drinking coffee, thinking, processing life and where I am and how I got here and where I'm going... and I'm going to spend as much time as possible being thankful for the things I do have!

So, in honor of Thanksgiving, I'm making my Texas-ish list of things I'm grateful for...

I'm thankful that in the midst of this lonely-ish time in my life, God is renewing my relationship with Himself.

I'm thankful that through the wonders of technology, I get to talk to my friends and family face to face.

I'm thankful that I continue to meet new people and build new relationships with folks here. And in that, I'm thankful for BSF, the Sunday school class I've been going to and some of my awesome coworkers.

I'm thankful that I have some pre-move friends here in Texas.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to branch out and try new things I wouldn't have imagined doing a year ago (or less).

I'm thankful for my job (and that it allows me to be off work for 5 whole days)!

I'm thankful that my life here feels more normal and that the feeling of normalcy continues to grow. I don't wake up anymore feeling so out of place.

I'm thankful for my friends, my family and all of the people who enrich my life.

Most of all, I'm thankful that God is working and changing me every day. I'm thankful that I can look at this week, the next and the next and trust that God has a plan that He is working to complete in my life. I'm thankful for the truth of the Gospel and that my home isn't in Houston, or in Kentucky, but with Him. I'm thankful that Jesus is better. Better than what I can make for myself. Better than what the world can offer to me. Better than my idea of who He is.

What are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Monthly Miscellany

2011-11-12T17:33:00.001-06:00

Some random things about life lately -

1. I'm learning a lot about potty training. We routinely potty train kids at work and this week, I got to see first hand as one of our kids (he's 2) got the hang of the potty. Day 1 was so full of accidents, we designated a chair for him to sit in so we would know which one to clean. Day 2 was still full of accidents, but at the end of the day, he finally peed on the potty. We were so ecstatic and enthusiastic in our response that EVERYONE in the building (and probably beyond) knew that he had done it AND he was slightly terrified. Days 3, 4 and 5 were accident free at work for him... My biggest take away is that positive reinforcement and sticking with the plan yield the best results. His parents were diligent in using the same plan we did, and he is succeeding because of it.... I'm interested to hear how the weekend went!

2. I am really enjoying running and ran in another race yesterday. It was the Energizer Night Race for a Brighter World. I ran 11k in a surprising 1:13:35, shattering my 10k personal record. The race swag was fabulous and included a long sleeve running shirt, a dog tag like finishers medal, a headlamp and some pink Energizer bunny ears. The post-race party was also pretty fabulous and included BBQ and beer for all runners. :)

Pre-race headlamp fitting.

Post-race bunny ear fitting.

3. I'm reading a book called The Voice of the Heart by Chip Dodd and it's kicking my butt. I recommend it to anyone who will listen and needs to take some time to get in touch with how God uses our emotions to bring us closer in our relationship with Him and with others and how we can be most in touch with who we are and how to live fully in light of that.

4. I went to the Italian Festival at Saint Thomas University a few weeks ago and enjoyed watching a grape stomping and eating some good food (the cannolis were the best).

5. I finished my 60 day training period at work! Welcome to bonuses, benefits and vacation days! :)

6. Today I went to a Women's brunch with some people I met at church last Sunday. It was enjoyable and I feel like I connect well with that group and am looking forward to getting more involved at this particular church and in this particular Sunday school group. I'm excited to get plugged in and meet some more folks... and I'm exceedingly grateful for my friend Rebecca who connected me with this particular group!

7. I also participated in Houston's Walk Now for Autism Speaks! event a few weeks ago. I worked one of the bouncy houses that my company sponsored for the event. It was a long 3 hours of labor, helping kids get up the ladder to the slide - I spent most of my time actually inside the bouncy obstacle course ensuring safety and whatnot. It was a fun event and I got to see some of the kiddos from work with their families having a good time.

I'm sure there's more, but I'll spare you any more miscellaneous info... Til next time...

Open my hands...

2011-10-31T23:08:00.000-05:00

I love Sara Groves. She is a talented songwriter and musician and I greatly respect her work. When her latest album, Invisible Empires, came out, I knew I wanted it.

One song in particular from the album has been on repeat in my heart and mind over the last few weeks.

The song - Open My Hands - speaks very clearly of God's faithfulness and His desire to work ALL things in our lives for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). And He withholds no good thing from us (Psalm 84:10-12). The part that really gets to me is the chorus....

Because God withholds no good thing from me,

I will open my hands, will open my heart.
I will open my hands, will open my heart.
I am nodding my head an emphatic yes to all that You have for me.

What does it mean for me to "nod my head an emphatic yes"? I'm not entirely sure. I know I'm on this journey of trust and risk that I wouldn't have imagined 10 months ago when I set forth my resolution for 2011 to fear less and risk more. I know that the last 10 months have brought me through disappointment and uncertainty but that even in those things He has been faithful. Even more so, the last 10 months have brought me deepened relationships and blessings that I can't describe because He is so faithful to me.

I want to nod my head an emphatic yes in obedience to what God is calling me to do, no matter what that looks like for me or how crazy the decisions that come from that may appear. I'm praying that He would show me what it means to be fully obedient to Him and to discover the true calling He has placed in my heart and on my life. I want to be transformed - just like the after photos from one of those P90X commercials - I want to grow in a way that not only is it obvious to me that God was at work, but that it is obvious to others.

I'm praying that I would trust His faithfulness and His promise to withhold no good thing from me as I pursue Him... and in doing so, that I would open my hands, open my heart and nod an emphatic yes to all that He has for me.

Half Marathon Finisher.

2011-10-23T17:18:00.000-05:00

Today I was branded a finisher.

I have always struggled with finishing the things I start. There are stories all over this blog and in my life of things I've tried and then given up on - whether it be reading the Bible in a year or pursuing the deepest dreams of my heart. I would qualify today's run as a deeply and intensely spiritual experience for me because today God showed me that I am capable of way more than I ever could have imagined.

Today, I'm a finisher.

In January, I started training for a 5K. I finished it in March. The day I ran my first 5K, my friend Rebekkah was running the half marathon. I remember at the pasta dinner the night before thinking that a half marathon was something I would never be able to do or want to do. I'm pretty sure I even told her that she was insane. Little did I know that almost exactly 7 months later, I would do it.

Today, I'm a finisher.

The race started at 7 a.m. which required me to wake up at 5 so that I could eat something and get there and parked and such. It was dark when the National Anthem was sung and the race began. I watched the sunrise through the first 2 miles in downtown Houston. The first 3 or 4 miles were virtually painless and I felt compelled by the excitement of being in a race and all of the people around me pushed me to keep a good pace. The middle miles were hard and painful. I was motivated by getting to the next water/gatorade station and the thought that if I kept running, I would be finished sooner. Somewhere around the 11 mile mark, it got easier again... Adrenaline pumping... And when the finish line came into view, there was no stopping me - I heard someone yell "Chief!" and I looked to the sidelines and saw my people had surprised me there to cheer me to the end...

Today, I'm a finisher... And I have a medal to prove it. :)

A special thanks go out to the many people who have cheered me on in this and in so many other things. I am undeserving of the love you show me and yet you do it anyway. Countless times today I was reminded of how loved I am and gave thanks for you.

At the finish with my banner & medal!

Half of the dynamic duo at the finish line for me. Hands down best surprise of the day!

6 days to 13.1

2011-10-17T21:32:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe that back in February I ran 5K (3.1 miles) for the first time (at least as an adult). Oh the days of a 3 mile run being counted as my 'long run'!

In 6 days (Sunday, 10/23), I'll be running in the Houston 1/2 Marathon and Relay. 13.1 miles from start to finish. My goal is to simply complete the race - I don't care about the time, I don't care about my pace, I just want to finish.

I've thought often lately about why I run and why this race is important to me. Thinking about running always brings me back to all of the analogies in the Bible about it... Hebrews 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 9:24, Isaiah 40:31, Philippians 2:16.

When I run, I get to tune everything else in my world out. I have to focus on my breathing, focus on the steps I'm taking, focus on going the first mile, then the next, then the next. Running forces me to remove all distractions and by doing so, allows me to feel free and allows me to freely connect with the One who created me to run in the first place.

I'm not sure how I'm going to make it to the finish line, but I trust that I will... and this applies to the half marathon as much as it does to my life on the whole. He has a plan and He will carry me through. Finishing this race, for me, is a very tangible example of how far I've come and hope for where I'm headed. It, like many other events in my life, will be a memorial stone to look back at and remember God's faithfulness in this small thing and in so many other things.

I pray that 13.1 is just the beginning of a far larger story that God is writing in my life.

Deep in the heart of Texas...

2011-10-13T20:39:00.001-05:00

If you'll own up to the fact that you've watched Pewee's Big Adventure, then I know you've heard this song...

The stars at night, are big and bright,
deep in the heart of Texas,
The prairie sky is wide and high,
deep in the heart of Texas.
The sage in bloom is like perfume,
deep in the heart of Texas,
Reminds me of, the one I love,
deep in the heart of Texas.

The coyotes wail, along the trail,
deep in the heart of Texas,
The rabbits rush, around the brush,
deep in the heart of Texas.
The cowboys cry, "Ki-yip-pee-yi,"
deep in the heart of Texas,
The dogies bawl, and bawl and bawl,
deep in the heart of Texas.

At any rate, I'm still very much in Texas and learning to adjust to life in a place where bigger isn't just better, it's completely necessary.

I wanted to post briefly about my first real journey outside of Houston. Last weekend, I went to visit my friend Amy who is on staff with Athletes in Action at Texas A&M. We had no real plans for the weekend, but Amy toured me around campus at Texas A&M and took me to several local eateries (i.e. we walked a lot on campus and I used that walking to justify eating more than I would normally eat). I really enjoyed my weekend away and the quality time I got to spend with Amy.... she's a bit crazy, but we had lots of fun just hanging out, watching youtube videos, playing guitar and talking (we are both very loquacious).

Here are some photos of my time in College Station (unfortunately there are no photos of me and Amy together, but alas, another reason to go back!).

Breakfast at Sweet Eugene's. I had a crepe filled with bananas and nutella and a pretty tasty cup of coffee.

The Ring. Every student at A&M gets one of these and pretty much every single one of them wears their ring with insane pride. Seems a little bit too much like a certain "ring of power" to me.

The Century Tree. The story is that if you walk under this tree as a single person, you'll stay that way forever. Needless to say, we walked around it (no need to test that theory :).

Double Digits.

2011-09-24T20:52:00.000-05:00

I completed my first double digit run ever today.

10.5 miles.

What kept me going? Well, a Golden Girls marathon on the TV in front of me at the YMCA, the fact that I have widely advertised this run (so, pride), and the voice of my friend Rebekkah echoing in my head swearing that she believed I could make it.

To celebrate, I ate this S'mores cupcake from this place called Sugarbaby's....

It tasted as good as it looks... It was fabulous!

And for dinner tonight, to continue to make up for my calorie deficit - I ate this burger and sweet potato fries. Yum!

Beef. It's what was for dinner.

I'm definitely hoping my next really long run feels easier than today's. And that I'm ready for the Houston Half and Relay on October 23. I'll keep you posted!

A Slice of Life Lately...

2011-09-12T04:51:00.000-05:00

via iPhone photography (and a couple I stole from my dad's Google+ page)...

I spent a lot of time at Ikea during my 1st week in Houston. Surprisingly, I've only been back 3 times since my dad left! Not the same without someone to help you construct your furniture...

The bed in which I sleep... Thanks, Dad and Linda!

My awesome, funky shower curtain...

Saw this rainbow on the way to work during my first week at my new job.

Hands down the most overwhelming place I've experienced in Houston thus far - the Galleria.

The flavor of home via Spencer's Coffee in my kitchen here in Houston.

I'm not a doctor, I just dress like one for work (this is my uniform at The Shape).

Downtown Houston

First trip back to Kentucky involved my sister's wedding. I caught the bouquet... Could I be next by marrying a nice, handsome Houstonian?

Me and my lovely sisters... Sisters gotta stick together!

My breakfast was not impressed that it was Friday.

Cookies and Milk - Texas Style. These cookies have cayenne in them and a bit of a kick at the end.

Cy got this fabulous butterfly painted on her arm at the Chick-fil-A one evening.

And for reasons I will have to explain later, I've spent a lot of time in antique stores with Cat and Cy. This is how Cy feels about antiquing...

That's all for now... Excited about this week and BSF getting started! I'll post more later about all that!

Making a home in Houston

2011-08-19T07:10:00.000-05:00

It's kind of funny to me that I'm writing this post from the airport in Houston, preparing for my first trip home since the move (yes, I'm going home just a month after I left - for good cause - my sister is getting married tomorrow).

In the last few weeks, I have done all of the important things...

I have Texas license plates, a Texas driver license, filed my change of address forms, submitted address info to every possible source of mail, bought and assembled furniture, found the nearest Walmart, Target and grocery stores, started a new job and got the electronic card I need to do laundry at my apartment complex.

I'm mostly settled with the things I was able to bring with me here (although the few photos and art pieces I have are sitting against the wall in the living room).

I'm now embarking on the much more difficult part of getting settled - building community.

Houston (and the immediate surrounding area) contains about 6 million people. To set some perspective, the entire state of Kentucky has 4.3 million people. That being said, there's no shortage of people to get to know and to be surrounded by, but building friendships and intimacy with others is a long and slow process.

There are lots of opportunities for me to build community and engage with others. A primary is work, other places include the gym, a church, Bible Study Fellowship (can't wait until September!). I'm getting settled into my day to day here. I like the people I work with and have enjoyed getting to know them during our lunch breaks and such and look forward to getting to know them better outside of work. I'm figuring out the church situation and found one that I really enjoyed and am looking forward to going again. And of course, BSF will be a primary input for me and I'm definitely excited about this evening women's class that will help me meet other women of all ages and backgrounds.

At the same time, I still very much value my community at home in Kentucky and in other places (I realize I have friends scattered to the four corners of the world). I am working to maintain those relationships from afar, while still engaging in the world around me here.

And to top it off, I came to Houston with some built in community as my friend Catherine and her daughter Cy live here. I am exceedingly grateful for that friendship and the way I feel at home with them.

I guess all of this is to say - I'm adjusting. It's a process. It will take time. And my poor impatient self struggles with that reality, but I know this is what I need to be doing and am excited about the opportunities I have to step outside of myself and experience new things.

Thanks goes to all who are a part of my family both here and everywhere. I love you and miss you!

Just keep running...

2011-08-06T00:58:00.000-05:00

These shoes were made for running...

To anyone who has been keeping track -

I ran 8.5 miles last Saturday for my long run. I'm hoping to do a 10 miler in 2 weeks when I'm visiting Kentucky for my sister's wedding.

I'll keep you posted - I think reaching double digit distance will feel like a tremendous achievement. :)

I'm planning to run in the Houston Half Marath on & Relay on October 23.

I'm trying hard to stay on track with my running schedule but long runs are not as fun without my running partner on the treadmill next to me or helping me keep pace on the road.

Also, someone asked me if I was running outside here. The answer so far is no. I think I'll try a short run outside at Memorial Park (because that's where everyone says I need to go) in the next few weeks.

And thanks to those who have been asking about the running and encouraging me to continue. You guys are the best support a girl could ask for!

Moving is quite a process.

2011-07-31T17:34:00.000-05:00

I'll say that though my going away party and the ensuing familial goodbyes were as upbeat as possible, goodbyes are not easy even when you know that you will see the people again.

My dad and I spent the night at his cabin out by the lake and I think the reality of the move hit me really hard when I laid down to go to sleep. Thankfully, there are no pictures of how puffy my eyes were on Monday morning when we got up to leave Kentucky.

After stopping for one last coffee from Spencer's and to check my mail, we left Bowling Green around 9 the morning of the 18th. We drove to Texarkana on day 1 and then on to Houston on day 2. Some photos from the drive...

Flowers at an Arkansas Rest Area

Car loaded up and on the road with Dad.

Barbecue just does a soul good.

Mmmm.. Beef Brisket

First photo taken in Texas.

When we arrived in Houston on Tuesday afternoon, we immediately set forth to find me a place to live. We saw an apartment locator and he sent us out to some complexes that had availability (it's interesting to arrive somewhere on Tuesday and try to have a lease signed and move in date of Thursday). We went to visit one complex and the apartment they had available was musty and old looking and the pool was murky and kind of creepy. Then we went to the next place and toured the show unit, walked the grounds and felt good about it. We talked for about 10 minutes about affordability, location and safety and then I gathered the nerve to put in an application.

I filled out my paperwork, gave them copies of every W2 I had in my possession (One advantage of carrying all of my worldly trappings in my car) and left praying that they would approve me! We left the complex, checked into the swanky hotel that I had gotten rather cheaply on Priceline and ate dinner.

Downtown Houston as seen from our room at Hotel Derek.

The room.. $55 a night for us, average price $200 a night.

Dinner at Pappadeaux. Shrimp, Scallops, and a crab cake. Tasty.

On Wednesday, we decided we would scope out Ikea for all of my furniture needs and to kill time while we waited to hear if I had gotten the apartment. We ate both breakfast and lunch at Ikea that day... and we were okay with that. While meandering through the mattresses, I got a call that simply stated that my application had been accepted and that I could move in anytime after 9 a.m. on Thursday. This was quite the relief and so we started making plans for how to get everything together for Thursdays move.

Thursday morning we unloaded my car (finally!) and checked into a different hotel (for $45/night this time on Priceline) and then we went to pick up a Ford F150 rental truck to get everything we had previously chosen at Ikea and then to make the trip Friday morning to Austin to pick up some things that had been brought there for me by my friends Jenny and Jamie's parents. Special thanks to all the Rones for helping transport and then storing my TV, the funky green chair and the TV stand.

By Friday afternoon, we had unloaded the truck, returned it and gone back to Ikea for a mattress (which we carried in my car) and then came back to spend the first night in my apartment. We survived Ikea furniture assembly... And both had somewhere to sleep that night by 12:30 a.m.

A panorama of the apartment pre-furniture.

My new Ikea bed assembled by Gary Guss himself.

The fabulously comfortable futon/bed assembled by me.

In between trips to Ikea and other assorted things, we also got my car registered with the state of Texas, ate some good meals, stimulated the economy of Texas at Wal-Mart and Target... and continually thanked God for air conditioning and a fully functional blower fan in my car.

On Saturday, Dad assembled my bedside table and I provided him some coffee and unpacked my kitchen. And then I took him to the airport and sent him on his merry way back to Louisville.

I could not have done this move without my dad. Not only was he great moral support, he put things together, loaded and unloaded more furniture than I care to think about and he paid for way more than he should have or had to. A huge thanks goes out to him and also to my stepmom Linda who let me have him for the week.

Also, in terms of financial gifts and the like... I was very well set up by my friends and family in Kentucky. The Ikea furniture, most of my kitchen belongings (plates, cups, silverware, etc.) and many more practical start up things were provided by you guys. I could not have done this move without the loving support of my friends and family in Kentucky. Many of you cheered us on as we traveled, sent texts and emails of support to check in with me as we got settled and cheered with me as I got approved for an apartment and moved. I'm extremely grateful. Thank you simply doesn't cover it... And yet it sort of has to (actual thank you notes are forthcoming)... You guys are the best!

See you later, Bowling Green.

2011-07-31T16:32:00.000-05:00

First and foremost, before I post anything about my life in Houston (so far) I must post about the celebrations of my departure from Bowling Green.

Something I've learned over the years (especially as a single woman) is that family isn't just the people you are related to by blood. The word family has expanded tremendously in meaning to me in the last few years.

I have awesome friends. I have an awesome family. So many people showed up and helped celebrate this change in my life and I'm so incredibly grateful.

My departure from BG started with a pool party with the women in my leadership circle of BSF. We had lunch, talked and swam together and they prayed with me and thanked God for the answer to so many prayers this last year for my life's direction. I left the party encouraged and certain that God's hand is in the midst of this move.

That night I enjoyed dinner with Liz, the mom of one of my clients, at the Bistro. It was fabulous and although she was sad that I was leaving, encouraged me to learn as much as possible and pass it along to help aid in the therapy with the kids in Bowling Green.

On Friday, my friend Quinn came down from Louisville and we went out and ate sushi, drove a bit around Bowling Green and she helped me pack up my clothes and prep for my yard sale. I've known Quinn for 17 years and it was great to get to see her and catch up and say "See you later".

Saturday brought the yard sale and the help of my friend Beth who picked me up from the mechanic, helped me set it up, and then watched it for me while I went for an 8 mile run with Rebekkah (who also picked me up at home and brought me to my car at the mechanic!). Other friends stopped by the yard sale and then a load of people actually ended up taking the leftovers to consignment after I departed for Houston.

Saturday evening found me back in Glasgow for a bit for my sister, Tracy's, wedding shower and trying on my bridesmaid dress. I got to hang out with my family and get a break from packing.... It was nice.

Sunday, I spent the morning at Grace & Peace, grabbed lunch in Scottsville at Dumplins with my dad and step-mom (to pick him up and take him back to BG with me so he could help pack the car and prep for our trip) and then packed the car. The car packing did not go at all how I had intended, but it was ok. I have everything I absolutely have to have here and the rest will come later (either by mail or in a bag with me when I'm in Kentucky in 3 weeks).

And Sunday evening, the epic going away party thrown by my G&P people at Spencer's. We had food, we had photos, we had fun.

I can't thank all of you enough for the way you've blessed my life over the years. So many people have contributed to this move in countless ways - people gave me money and gift cards, gave their time to help me get stuff done and gave their prayers. I'm overwhelmed with how loved I felt as I left Bowling Green in pursuit of this new adventure. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I love you all and miss Bowling Green terribly, but am sure I am doing exactly what I need to do (even though some days are harder than others!). My life is far richer because of you and you really are my family (all of you blood relatives too!).

So much to say...

2011-07-25T22:38:00.001-05:00

A much longer and overdue post is being written in my head but has to wait until after Saturday to make an appearance here because that's hopefully when I will have Internet access at my apartment.

I wanted to say in the meantime that in my last few weeks in Kentucky, I experienced a phenomenal outpouring of love and hope for my future.

I need to say thank you to the many people who have loved me well and have helped provide for my every need in this transition. I'm forever grateful!

I miss you, Kentucky folks!

Location:Richmond Ave,Houston,United States

How I got to Texas.

2011-07-20T23:27:00.001-05:00

Me & Lewis on my last day of work.

Just over 2 and a half years ago, I volunteered for something that has completely changed the trajectory of my life: Team Lewis.

Team Lewis started as a rag tag group of volunteers who wanted to do whatever we could do to help equip Lewis to function (with his autism) as independently as possible in the world around him. We all got trained to do applied behavior analysis therapy (ABA), we all got the feel for how the therapy worked and we all got to work doing whatever we could do to help. I have been privileged to be one of Lewis' therapists ever since.

Lewis has changed a lot since we first started. When I look back at pictures or videos of him from the beginning and then consider what he's like now, I'm amazed, not only by how he's grown physically but how he's grown in every other way as well. When we started therapy, Lewis couldn't speak my name. He made up a sign for me (that also happened to be his sign for my iPod touch) and he had a pretty broad signing vocabulary, but he didn't speak. I was gone for the summer of 2009 at Campus Crusade's staff training and when I came home in August, Lewis was saying my name (and lots of other words). Over time, our goals for Lewis have grown in complexity as he continually masters through the tasks we place before him.

Lewis is super smart and gifted in music. He can hear a song once and sit down at the piano and work it out with great accuracy. He's reading and doing math way beyond his level. He remembers pretty much anything you say to him (which can be dangerous!) and often finds reasons to laugh (and sometimes it's because he's figured out which of your buttons to push!).

I say all of this because without this experience of working with Lewis, I wouldn't be sitting in this hotel room in Houston, getting ready for my next major life experience and this job with Shape of Behavior. It is my hope and prayer that I would be equipped through this job (and soon graduate school), to be even more helpful with Lewis and with kids all over who are like him and need people who are willing to invest in their lives.

Lewis (and the entire Shepherd clan) have been such a huge part of my life over the last several years and it's hard to think that I won't be going to their house almost every weekday. I wanted to share with you (the blog world) one of my greatest blessings and privileges.

Lewis running at the park (he told me he wanted to go jogging)

Lewis has a long road ahead... but I'm excited to see how he continues to grow and change!

I'm on the move...

2011-06-22T13:56:00.000-05:00

I got a new job!

I'm moving to Houston in July to take it!

I will be working as a direct care therapist at the Shape of Behavior doing Applied Behavior Analysis therapy in one of their centers. I'm extremely excited about the opportunity for training, coaching and lots of learning that they are offering me. I'm also excited to experience what Houston has to offer - I really enjoyed it when I visited there back in March for my graduate school interview - and look forward to learning a new city.

On the other hand, I've lived in Kentucky for most of my life (24 years, to be exact) and the bulk of the last 13 here in Bowling Green. So, this is definitely a bittersweet move as I begin the process of preparing for what's next. I'm hopeful that the next few weeks before I leave, I can spend time with the people I love and really enjoy them with the mindset of seeing them again soon!

So, I'm excited, grateful for this awesome opportunity, but scared and nervous and a little sad.

I'm sure I'll post more as things start to come together, but for now, I'm just trying to tell folks about this change, thank many many people for praying for the direction of my life, and find affordable, but nice housing in Houston!

One-derland!

2011-06-20T11:10:00.000-05:00

I have finally hit another healthy lifestyle milestone... One-derland!

When I started out at the gym just over a year ago, I weighed 267 pounds. For the first time in my memory, I weighed less than 200 pounds when I stepped onto the scale yesterday. I am proud of myself as I've seen the results of the work I've put into this for the last year. I still have around 20 pounds to lose and will continue to work at it, but more importantly, I feel better about myself and am the healthiest I have been as an adult.

The comparison shots are below. The before is a picture from the summer of 2009 in Fort Collins, CO at staff training for Campus Crusade. The after is a few weeks ago at a waterfall my friend Whitney and I hiked to when I visited her in Tennessee.

Tonight I'll celebrate by going to the gym! :) Thanks to all who have supported and encouraged me as I've come down this path, I couldn't have done any of it without you!

Still on the run...

2011-05-31T21:29:00.000-05:00

So, I've made it to the 10K distance.

I ran it on Sunday on the treadmill - 6.2 miles in 68 minutes - an 11:00 min/mile pace.

I was incredibly happy with that time. I was also incredibly happy with hitting that distance (with almost 100% running) for the first time.

My long distance running friend is continuing to challenge me and we're hoping to meet about once a week or so to run together. Rebekkah definitely pushes me to run faster and farther and keeps it interesting by throwing conversation into the mix. She is an encouragement all around and just one of the sweetest coaches I could ask for! :)

I'm still really enjoying running and looking forward to adding mileage as the weeks progress. I'm definitely getting my money's worth out of my Asics!

On another fitness related note, it was a year ago this time that Catherine convinced me to join her for a spin class at the gym. I'm equally thankful for her and her encouragement in this journey of becoming a healthier person (in every way). I wouldn't have stepped foot in the gym without her encouragement and I wouldn't have had a clue what to do there if she hadn't guided me in the beginning. Catherine really helped give me a solid foundation to build on.

One year later, I weigh 65 pounds less and am looking forward to another major milestone that I'll post about when it happens! :)

Thanks also go out to all of the people in my world who have encouraged me with their kind words and thoughts as I have pursued fitness as a lifestyle!

An Enduring Sisterhood

2011-05-04T21:15:00.000-05:00

Today was my last day as a leader in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) in Bowling Green.

I have been involved in BSF for the last 3 years. So far, I've studied Moses (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy), John and Isaiah.

At first, I was slightly intimidated by the guidelines and structure of BSF, but quickly grew to appreciate it. The consistent focus on God's word, the emphasis of being non-denominational and respecting other views and the ever so important 4 fold approach (Personal Bible Study, Small Group Discussion, Lecture and Notes) kept me coming back for more.

In August, I got a phone call from my friend, Julie, asking if I would be willing to pray about being part of the leadership of BSF in Bowling Green. I said yes... and the rest is history!

The study of Isaiah itself this year has been incredibly challenging for me in every way, but has been one of the biggest blessings of the last 8 months of my life. The consistency of being there on Tuesdays to discuss my lesson with the leadership group and praying together on our knees for one another and for the women that we led was amazing. The love in that room is indescribable. I have been loved well and spoiled by those women.

And I have a hard time even beginning to describe how amazing the group of women I was given to lead was. I was often impressed by their honesty, their willingness to share their struggles with one another and their encouragement of each other and of me. I would make phone calls/send texts/emails to gather prayer requests and check in with them and often they would ask me how I was and/or tell me how they had been praying for me. I have been loved well and spoiled by these women, too.

BSF is a family - a worldwide family at that. And I'm grateful to be a part of the sisterhood that exists here in Bowling Green.

Measuring My Life.

2011-05-01T19:42:00.000-05:00

While I wait here in Kentucky, people in Texas, Massachusetts and Illinois are making decisions about me based on a compilation of 3 references, a 2 page essay, a test score, transcripts and my resume.

I wonder who I appear to be in these pages that they have before them. My adult life is essentially summarized in about 10 pages of materials.

I have consistently questioned my own motives for applying for grad school. I have been questioned by others, too. Is this something that I really want? Does this really fit the trajectory of my life? Will I be dedicated to this for the long haul? Will I be able to do this?

I am often left feeling vulnerable and uncertain. But perhaps that's where I need to be right now.

This is a step of faith. It feels like a leap at times... And I have to believe that God's got a net there waiting to catch me.

No matter the outcome, I need to remember that I'm still me. I am not defined by those pages sitting on an admissions director's desk. I'm not defined by what other people expect of me or want from me.

I need to find hope in the unknown and uncertainty instead of being afraid of it. That's a hard thing for a cynic like me to do - but I'm working on it...

On the road to 10K

2011-04-22T20:02:00.000-05:00

I think running a 5K is the gateway drug to running farther and running more frequently.

Last Saturday, I ran in my 2nd 5K race and had a slightly improved time on a more difficult course (hills!), in worse weather (it was 40 degrees with wind gusts up to 40 mph).

I've started actively training for a 10K distance (that's 6.2 miles for anyone who is counting). And I've been issued a challenge by my friend Rebekkah (who somehow manages to run half marathons while raising 4 children 3 and under, including 8 month old twin girls) to consider working toward a half marathon (13.1 miles for those of you who are still with me).

I am really enjoying running - there is nothing else quite like it. As I run, I have to focus on breathing, on putting one foot in front of the other and find peace in that. The demand of keeping my body upright and on course forces me to push most of the other competing things aside and relax. Weird, I know... but I rest better when I'm running than when I'm laying in my bed.

As long as my legs and my lungs keep up, I'm going to pursue this and see where it goes. I'll keep you posted.

Houston, We Have A Problem...

2011-04-11T10:59:00.000-05:00

Everything is not A-OK.

Last Monday, I received word that I had not been accepted into the Graduate program for Behavior Analysis at the University of Houston - Clear Lake.

I had felt so hopeful when I left the interview process and was excited about the program at UHCL and the possibility of living in Houston. One of the things I think I'm looking for now in a graduate program is a place I could see myself living for a longer haul, a place where there are possibilities beyond getting my Masters and I definitely saw Houston as one of those places.

I still have other universities to hear from, so I am not completely without hope, but if I'm honest, UHCL was my first choice (for lots of reasons) and not getting into the place you want to be is very disappointing. So, here I am, waiting again for word from the other schools (and trying to finish another application!) and wondering where I'll end up!

I just wanted to inform the world that, for now, Houston has been marked off the list.

And say thanks for everyone's continued support as I wait to see what happens next. You guys have been awesome to be praying and asking how things are going. I know I am well loved and I am grateful! Hopefully I'll have better news soon!

I did it!

2011-03-26T10:38:00.004-05:00

Proof of participation!

Proving to myself that I really can follow something through to completion, I ran in my first 5K race today. And I did it all while setting a new personal best by finishing in 35:42.

5 years ago, I started and stopped running.

3 years ago, I started and stopped running. Documented here for the world to see.

Today, almost 3 years exactly since the last real post series about trying to train for a 5K, I completed that goal with no walking and a couple pretty significant hills!

I hope to run faster and further, so expect more of these kinds of achievements to come your way!

All in the name of my motto for 2011 - Risk More. Fear Less.