O.C Half Marathon

I realized today I haven't wrote about the half marathon I will be doing this Sunday May 2nd, not sure why.  I think part of me does not want to come off as boasting as I know it is a big accomplishment for many people, including myself.  But I think instead of looking at it as an opportunity to boast it is truly an opportunity to give glory to the creator for allowing my body to achieve such a strenuous task. 

Two Sunday's ago I went on a long run before church in the morning.  I was at about mile 9 and had 2 more miles to go.  As I was running down Farrol St. in Arroyo Grande I saw a man in a wheel chair who had no legs.  We exchanged waves and I could not help but feel sorry for this man who would never experience what I was feeling in that moment again (unless the Lord restored his legs, may that be so).  Although it was a glory moment for me (a moment of praising God) for having legs.  Over the past ten weeks of training I have had many glory moments.  You see running does not come easily for me.  I have to mentally push myself to places I have never been before, mainly because I grew up dancing so running is like learning a foreign language.  A foreign language I am progressively growing stronger and more confident in. 

Please pray for rest, rejuvenation, and safety on my run Sunday!! 

 Some reasons I like to run...

• It is hard for me.  
• I get to see my body go to new levels it hasn't before
• It is always instantly rewarding after I reach the end of my run
• I feel empowered when I use reverse psychology to talk my body out of tired places
• I see progress weekly as I complete runs harder and longer 
• I get to just be! It is probably one of the only times in the day when I have no-one around me
• I listen to worship music blasting in my ears
• I get to smell the salty air or hints of eucalyptus
• I get to explore back country roads
• I get to be free from my mental check lists, worries, or agenda for the day
• It always gives me a reason to praise God for my health! 

Big Sur

Plaskett Creek Camp Site 

Our stove, we are quite the high rollers! 

Big Sur Coast at Sea Level

Big Sur Coast at 5, 148, the visibility was so clear we could see the Sierras 127 miles away

Cone Peak Trail, you can see where the fire came through

Redwoods 

My heart is sincerely overwhelmed at the wonder of HIS creation.  Michael and I are overwhelmingly thankful for this beautiful place in which we get to live and dwell this season of life.  We took a few days away from the business of life; work, school, house chores and other obligations to enjoy one another and our AWESOME God.   As usual we ended up on the Big Sur Coast camping for a few nights.  We had several encounters of Gods grace along the way as things usually don't go as planned.  We left almost two hours later than planned as we spent the morning visiting with a friend who was in town, Michael listening to some random man talk for half an hour in our front yard, and Michael once again being kind helping some British tourist use American gas pumps.  Like Heidi Baker says, "Stop for the one."  Our selfish driven culture is uncomfortable with this phrase, as myself live in this tension of wanting to love others yet wanting to mark another item off my check list.  But His little graces were among us: finding a campsite at 2:30pm over spring break, getting half off our campsite fee, free kindling and wood from our neighbor, and over $2o dollars of free wood from a family leaving, a beautiful warm day hiking over 5,000 feet in elevation 16 miles later with only a small blood filled scratch, a sleepy red wood trail with no one in sight, a cascading waterfall from the heavens, no mosquito bites and 3 perfect days in Big Sur.  We are so thankful! 

California Valley

Wild Flowers

my bouquet from Michael (we pressed the flowers and framed them) 

Poppies, baby blue eyes, gold fields, lupin, and yarro covered the hills in the California Valley this month in March.  This was our second annual motorcycle trip to see the wild flowers in season.  This is quite the spectator sport as people religiously will watch and wait for Gods little gifts of glory to pop! We ventured off into the afternoon cruising up hwy 101.  The air was warm.  And my mind was flooded with early memories on Night Hawk, my stomach always turning with butterflies as I held tight to this mysterious Michael Paine.  We packed a picnic lunch, our bibles, and a blanket that day.  I am always brought to remember how wonderfully good our God is when I look upon His creation.  He created the earth so man would dwell in it and enjoy it.  How good and loving is our Father to paint a world so beautiful.  

Planting

Growing...

We moved into our little cottage by the sea almost 6 months ago.  After countless hours of sweat, dirt filled shoes, and exhausted muscles we are at last beginning to really enjoy the fruits of our labor.  This past week has been in the 70's and the nights are in the high 50's with sunsets around 7:30pm it is quite glorious!!  Our hearts are always in a state of inexpressible gratitude when we gaze upon his majesty just 50 yards from our house.  

About 3 months ago Michael had made two vegetable beds for our yard and we FINALLY got around to planting in them this past weekend.  Winter sowing and harvesting slipped right by us but we snuck up on spring and were able to plant quite the variety last weekend.  The process was as follows: 

1.  We literally kicked down our fence and used some of the wood for our two vegetable beds 

2.  We dug up old raised planter beds and transplanted the dirt into our beds.  Michael always says how rich our soil is the happier the veggies!

3.  We went to the Mushroom Farm out on Huasna Rd. to get free compost.  Well I knew compost contained horse and cow manure but I did not know there would be so much of it in the mix.  Were talking almost 12 inches in diameter of horse dung.  I wore sandals and shoveled away as we flung dung into the trailer.  I felt like real country folk! 

4.  After combining the soil and the compost we planted our veggies and herbs.  Zuchinni, Squash, Spinach, Kale, Red Leaf Lettuce, Tomatoes, Snap peas, Strawberries, Oregano, Cilantro, Parsley, and Mint.  

5.  We watered the beds and now we just give them some tender lovin care and wait for summer to come to enjoy with our friends and neighbors. 

Little Snap Shots of our Yard 

French Lavender 

Princess Flower 

Kangaroo Paw

 Pittisporom 

hummings_not sure why

My split personalities can be seen in two shades, blue & yellow.  My blue shade comes out three days a week when I am working with foster teens 16-20.   Characterized by clarity, sharpness, and boldness as I cannot skip a beat to the sound of their beating drums.   So three days a week I coordinate with 10 foster teens.  I speak to their answering machines, their disconnected phones or if I am lucky in person. Cynicism and sarcasm or surreal pain and emotion from their past can be the beat of their drum.     I find myself wanting to bend towards the loaded and general ways of sarcasm  at times but realize at the end of the day they need to be loved.  I am learning patience, humility and love.  A snapshot of JESUS's heart.  

Then there is my yellow, two days a week.  On these days I tend to lean towards a more type A personality.  Waking up with plenty of time to brew the coffee, make a salad for lunch, take a shower, put on my eye liner and pick out my school teacher uniform.  Usually I go with something more neutral (weird, today I wore floral tights at Department of Social Services, something I probably would not wear teaching elementary schoolers:) I always arrive an hour early usually to be welcomed by the secretary " Wow, you are early."  I like to be prepared.  After a dozen times of looking over the lesson for the day I feel comfortable enough to sporadically glance at the lesson throughout the day.  I want to be natural, comfortable, and seem like I know what is going on not with papers in front of my face rambling like a nervous little girl.  I am happy teaching.  I feel like I am a natural.  Not in an arrogant way but I love the concept of developing a life.  School is much more than the content.  If you peel away the fractions and cursive writing you are dealing with some of the most foundational and character developing years of a child's life.  Communication, integrity, conflict resolution, identity, discipline, exploration...and the list goes on.  

Some highlights from substitute teaching: 

1 Mrs. Paine, I got hit, as he holds himself below the belt.  Just walk it off you'll be okay.

2. Mrs. Paine she poked me. Well what do you think the right thing to do is? Poke her back (the whole class giggles).  "Now is that being a gentleman?" Whatever happened to opening the door for girls?  

3.  How old are you? 60.  NO, you look like you are 16.  Well thank you. 

4.   Is that how you treat your brother? He is not my brother. He's your brotha from anotha motha! 

5.  I have picked up kids desks and moved them from their friends. I have read books in southern accents when necessary and always get the most amazing stares.  I have squeaked like a cat and a mouse. On several occasions I will be on my knees teaching real truths of repentance and forgiveness.  I have had 3rd graders follow me around the basketball court during recess to tell me every pizza place in town they like to eat at along with all their pets names including their 5 fish.  

6.  My favorite is sometimes when I get the eye roll ("Okay teacher!") I usually proceed with, Do you have something in your eye? It always gets a good laugh!

7.  But most of all I love to encourage them.  Whether it is reading out loud, sharing an answer with the class, or helping me pass out papers.  

Matthew 19:14 "Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray.  The disciples rebuked the people,   but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.  And he laid his hands on them and went away. "

Capture

Friends from home 

Harmony 

Under the Cherry Blossom's 

Knocking

American Classic 

Cambria 

Driftwood ART

Be Still

His Abundance My weakness

I cannot believe a month has already flown by and Michael will be leaving for China in a few days. I am not quite sure how the hours just continue to slip away as I am fighting to do so many things in my day. Transitioning back to work after 8 months of not working has brought a greater sense of my need to be disciplined and manage my time well. Before, enjoying the Lord, running on the beach, cleaning the house, helping friends, running errands, and making fresh home made meals seemed easy. Now all of those things seem to be slipping through the cracks as I wake up and go to work each day. And usually at the end of the day I ask myself, "how will I find time to quiet my heart and hear your voice Lord?" I have not figured this out yet. Even now as I type I am thinking how I have a test and quiz in Anatomy, the kitchen is a mess, I need to take a shower, and work on some projects for Michael.

Which leads me to the purpose of this post a reminder from the last, His abundance. His abundance is more than enough and it is what I need for each day. I need to remind myself of His abiding power in me throughout the day. Maybe then the daunting list won't seem so daunting and more of joy for rather than a check list.