when i can't explain it...

it must be God!

My mind is a whirlwind, almost making me dizzy, jam-packed full of far too many details. [inbetween the last sentence and the next to come I opened 3 web browsers to check different things and started 3 to do lists!] There is so much on my mind right now that it makes no sense why I am so excited except that the Lord has given me enthusiasm to do what he's called me to do. I am coaching and pastoring Elementary Soccer camp at Hebron this week. I meant to spend the afternoons last week in the word coming up with my little sermonettes (side note: I don't like preaching and dread it really) because I didn't have specific responsibilities last week. HOWever, on Tuesday the Lord saw fit to change all that. My coworker who was leading a backpacking trip called and asked me to come relieve him because of a bad cough. So I packed my gear in half an hour and jumped in the car to drive 3 hours to meet the group at a bail out point. Then I was hiking through Friday afternoon. So much for spending hours in the Word. I'm just believing God's got a plan in all this because I can't explain it.

All I can do to respond is be thankful that He's given me an excitement to see what He's going to do and let me be a part of.

The travels of DuckLee

Ducklee found his way with us to Guatemala. He was a wonderful source of fun and kept things light when we were tired of cultural barriers.


After a sleepless night in a hotel lobby, Ducklee made us smile as we check in at the airport at 3 a.m. for our first flight from Dulles to Atlanta, then on to Guatemala City.



Amanda takes Ducklee through customs, less than 3 ounces!!
(WHY do we use "oz" as code for ounces?)


I was tired so I had a disability: I licked things. Thanks Ducklee, that's a real friend.



DuckLee poses with Gary, super nice guy on the plane who gave us money to go out for a nice dinner. He said if I lived closer to DC he'd set me up with his son... haha

Mandi & D enjoying Pepsi (minus the ice!) at our nice dinner.


Ducklee & Ro-Do. (we wanted ice cream but the pastry shop closed so we had to do the walk of shame to Micky D's - worth it for a sundae)


Enchiladas y Gallo Cerveza (not pictured)

D at Lake Atitlan (there should be some accent in there but I'm not sure where so i just left it out)

Ducklee backseat driving our cabbie during our jaunt to downtown Guatemala City. Ohh Duckles!

Humdinger

that's a fun word to say. It may also well represent a new little hobby that has stumbled upon my path in life. My friend Nancy prodded me to join her in a race. Not your typical, ho-hum road race where all you think about is how slow you're going, how much you want to stop and all the parts of your body that hurt. No, this was a real HUMdinger! The website describes it best, read here and come "experience" it next year!

Staying warm by the PA Valley Team's soccer mom support mini-van with Ray & Nancy Adams pre-race.

My brother Kirby has a lil addiction to these trail runs which to be honest I did not understand. After experiencing one (because it really is an experience, not just a run) and processing/exclaiming the results to him he hinted that I have now had a good go at it and understand the fun and may myself get hooked. I fear he may be right! :)


My "uniform". Oh yes I did. this was my coping mechanism not to be so intimidated (7.1 miles with hideous elevation change) for the race... dress like the soccer player that I am. And no, those aren't polka dots, they're soccer ball print! Touche' for this Goodwill-find-of-a-gem.

A couple pix from the race website:
Yet another hill... nooooo!
In action on the course

Me & Nancy post race, 'death' faces.

Runner's pose. Heidi would say "Kendra you have the weirdest ideas for photos". What can I say? Life is fun!

This was how everyone finished the race before crossing the timing mat. I slid down head first and it was a truly fantastic way to end the race!


My bragging rights - scraps from the briers

Race Results