snow run

Snow, falling, is one of the most beautiful sights to behold. One winter evening it was falling. My lesser known, shier, adventurous side decided I needed some exercise at that moment in the form of a run. Surprisingly the fair weather runner inside of me was all about it too, no debate ensued. This photo was from a few weeks later on a much colder day and in the morning but represents the ridiculousness of the adventure. Take note of the frosties on the eye lashes, the frozen hair on photo left, the frozen condensation on my face mask and head warmer.
Now that I have one experience of night time snow running in, I want to catalog what gear was needed and what ended up being dead weight. I was out about an hour and 15 minutes and varied the run between easy jogs, fast strides, stumbling all over the place which caused laughs of joy, making snow angels on the ice down at the lake, and attempting to shovel a porch only abandoning the job after a few minutes because it was a big job and I was starting to cool off i.e. freeze my sweat.

1. wool blend socks - kept the toes toasty and dry
2. running sneaks - ok. didn't keep the socks dry
3. long johns - good for first half of run, then an excess of heat
4. wind pants -great, especially because it was snowing
5. long sleeve mid-weight shirt - wonderful
6. mid-weight fleece - a bit much (though nice for the first few minutes of warm up). ended up taking it off and wrapping around waist
7. t-shirt - good layer
8. wind breaker - excellent, esp for pockets to hold excess items
9. eye protectors - were from my eye surgery. good for keeping falling snow out of my eyes so I could have them open but ultimately useless upon fogging up
10. scarf - great for assisting breathing but added to fog problem and didn't stay situated
11. watch - useless. a few minutes into run it was doing a crazy dance on the screen. Has since died. RIP.
12. rubber duckie - unnecessary in some hearts but who else would have witnessed the snow angel?! Also, it was there to talk to any woodland creatures we came across. Its not safe to run alone at night
13. beanie with chin strings - yes!
14. gaitors - WONDERFUL! kept the ankles from unwanted snow trap
15. strings to tie gaitors under my shoes - priceless and cheap
16. headlamp - nice at times but unnecessary since snow reflected plenty of light to see the basics
17. energy - obviously
18. adventurous spirit - don't leave home without it

All this reviewing is getting me in the mood. Excuse me, time to go suit up!


(try to overlook the fact that my nose looks Gi-ginormous here!)

remembering why

I was very encouraged to be a part of the Jr. High Retreat, one of camp's biggest non-summer events of the year (actually its comparable to a full week of camp), this past weekend and wanted to share with you some direct feedback I received from the youth leaders. It was a reminder of what camp means to the kids, how God uses this setting to connect with his children and that camp shows people that being a Christian is FUN!

And let me tell you… these kids were EXCITED to come. One kid’s mom told him that Wednesday was too early to pack for the weekend. Another kid broke his foot a few weeks ago and after not being allowed to even sign up, begged his parents to let him come… and that he was indeed going to play Gold rush in the snow! (don’t think that happened but I did play some Dutch Blitz with him). One group wanted to add another girl and I said there are no more beds – someone would have to sleep on the floor and they’d be really cramped. She still signed up and brought her own fold up cot. Another girl had a hard time sleeping the days leading up to retreat saying “I’m just so Excited!” During check-in between 7-8 pm I ran from the Upper Room to the office to make a copy and the noise level of kids jabbering caught me off guard!

The 3 sessions focused on the book of Jonah.
1. Attitudes (we all need to hear this one J),
2. Like Jonah, we all have a “Nineveh” God is calling us to – what is yours?,
3. Monday is what counts, don’t fall flat on your face, go live it out.

One Jr. youth group wants to start helping to lead Sunday morning services. Another group wants to help decide what is taught at Sunday school & have their current leaders teach. One youth leader told his kids tomorrow (Monday) is a special day. They asked if it was Pastor’s Day & if he was coming to their schools? He said no, they are the “pastors”, the ones who are to be the light to their fellow classmates. THEY can do something.

Still other leaders were telling me this Jr. High Retreat at Camp Hebron is THE big event of the year the Jr. high kids look forward to and get excited about every year because it is a lot of ‘firsts’ for them – first weekend away with a speaker, first time to climb the rock wall, maybe first time away overnight from parents, etc.

One youth leader’s youth group is made up of troubled kids he gets referred that are in trouble at the public school where he is a counselor. Two little boys he brought have rough, unstable home lives – abuse, no dads, no bed at home, etc. They thrived on the activities and were even attentive during sessions (under the watchful eye of their leader) and came up with good and practical ideas during small group discussions. For one weekend at least, these boys had a bed to sleep in and were shown nothing but the Father’s love and heard of the good life Jesus wants them to have.

All of these conversations reminded me of why we do what we do at camp. In your own little part of the world, consider how to do your best (both in and outside of your ‘job description’) to help create an environment for God to move. Ask the Lord on a personal level what is the Nineveh He’s calling you to. And come see for yourself the joy and impact these weekends have.

very bun-y

Saw this on a friend's facebook notes.

Subject: Sad News

Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.

Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours.

Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Born and bread in Minnesota, Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half- baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times, he still was a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, three children: John Dough, Jane Dough and Dosey Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart.

The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

TLC

i think my car is breaking. More than likely just from a lack of love. The power steering has been demanding I use power to make the car steer. After awhile, it starting making a churning sound when I would turn to the left. Uh-oh, that's not a good sound. And what did I do about it? Nothing. Except cringe. And feel more embarrassed and a bit helpless whenever I had a passenger. Which isn't often and also maybe why it took so long for any action to correct the problem to happen. Oh I did put "look up online power steering location" on my mental to-do list. And eventually "buy power steering fluid" made it on my to-buy list.
Add to the concern, the check engine light has been coming on. :(

On a trip to Wally World I found some power steering fluid. Then I looked up online where to find the blasted power steering tank so I could check its level (I DID look for this months ago but couldn't find it). Finally found it, wow, right in the front passenger corner under the hood. It got a much needed drink. Fingers crossed that I didn't cause super serious damage. It hasn't been churning as much when turning left but its not completely gone. And I think its turning a bit easier but needs to be checked again to see if the level went down again.

Conclusion: it really would be nice to have a man in my life to keep me accountable to make these maintenance issues get taken care of sooner. I try not to utilize my mechanic more than necessary because he tends to want something from my check book in return. :)

Oddities

So many quirks about the gym.

I already mentioned my thoughts on watching food shows while working out. (Maybe we need to define the definition of "working out")


Then there's parking as absolutely close to the door as possible. Hello. You're at the gym. To workout. To burn calories. Parking to reduce walking (which burns calories) is probably part of the reason you even need the gym membership. Because you don't take advantage of opportunities to walk for health at other times. At least I try to park 2 spaces from the door, even if the closest one is available. (haha, as if that's noble.)
Alas, I don't really judge as I do it too. ESPECIALLY when it's cold. and dark. and wintry wind. ew. I've become some what of a pansy fair-weather runner. That is why I joined the gym. Limit this silly 16 layers for winter runs business. Funny thing the gym manager said to me in the fall when I started hittin the gym after crazy summer season when I become as scarce at the gym as a school boy at bath time. He said - "You're probably the only gym member who looks better not having been to the gym in months." (Touche' summer of playing WPSL, running all spring and being so busy at summer camp actually sitting down to eat a full meal is a luxury.)


And how about the massive amount of motivation it takes just to get to the gym. Stay cuddled in my sheets a few more minutes or roll out of bed, change, get in the car and drive 5 miles to work out. I can go later today. Or tonight even. UM... if I had a dollar for the times I chose the first option, I'd have me-self a wee little nest egg.

Conclusion: keeping oneself in shape is mind over matter. Oft times, the mind loses. And shape is up for your own definition. Main thing - view your body as a temple, to be kept pure and holy, as a vessel available for the Lord to use however he sees fit. THAT, is the calling of brothers and sisters.