Another mission accomplished!

Another successful run! I participated in the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning out at McAllister Park. It was a beautiful day for all 2,500 of us that were there. And best of all, I ran all four miles! I don't know exactly what my time was, but I think it was somewhere around 45 minutes, which is fine with me! I am just happy I finished. With the GRE the week before, I had only run twice in two weeks. But I felt fine, and was happy with myself. Yay! I love accomplishing goals. :)

I will have more to say soon, but this week I am moving. I get my wireless router in a few days and will finally, after seven months, have internet at home again. Hurray!

GRE is over!

I have taken the GRE. And I am SO glad it is over!

I had such a stressful week last week besides having to study for the GRE. I didn't work out once, ate poorly and slept not nearly enough. I packed in some last minute cramming on Friday, particularly focused on math (a lot of good that did me). Saturday morning, I woke up early and went running for 30 minutes to wake up and feel good. It made me feel so much better, and it was a beautiful, quiet, cool morning.

I arrived at the testing center around 8:30 am, and though the test wasn't scheduled to begin until 9:00 am, you can begin check in when you arrive and start the test sooner, which of course I did. They are very serious about ensuring your identity, and that you are who you say you are and no one else is taking the test for you. My first hurdle, however, did not even involve the test. As part of the identity verification, you had to write out a statement that you are who you say you are. And you had to write it in cursive. I haven't written in cursive in years. It was like a 7 year old trying to learn to write. I was so slow because I couldn't remember how to do some of the letters, like a cursive capital I. Then they had us put our belongings in a locker, and for some reason none of us could get our lockers open. I finally figured out the catch, and then was the official person showing all of the other highly educated people how to open their locker.

Then they compare your signature to that on on your ID, and they also take your photo. Next, they take you into the testing room, which is dead silent and full of cubicled computer areas. You are assigned one, and then you have to watch a whole tutorial about how to use your mouse to answer questions.

Finally, it began. Essays were up first. I had 45 minutes to defend an issue (why government involvement does nothing to interfere with the integrity of the arts) and 30 minutes to critique an argument (something about eating fish to better your health). I know I did good on my essays, so it was nice to start with a confidence builder like that.

Next was math, which I was soooooo confused by. I spent so much time studying, learning formulas, taking practice tests. And the math was nothing like what I'd studied. Needless to say, I scored low on math. Oh well.

And then came verbal. I feel like I should be good at verbal, but right off on the directions, they tell you there are only 'shades of difference' in the answer choices, and you have to pick the 'best' one. Well, that's where they lost me. There are several that could work as answers, but are not necessarily the right choice. It confused me. And the vocabulary are words no one ever uses ... EVER. I did all right, but I wish I'd done better.

Finally, they make you take a test section, ie where they test out new questions on you. You aren't scored on it, so of course I didn't feel much need to try. And it was more math, so even more reason I didn't care. Of course, they offer cash incentives for those who do well, as their motivation for you to try. But really, I didn't care. I knew I wouldn't even be in the running, since I hate math.

Then it was over. You get your score automatically since it's computerized (except for the ssay, which I have to wait for the score). It took a little over three hours. Claire and I (she also took the test) headed out for a celebratory lunch. What a good feeling to be DONE. No more math for me! But now, I have to apply for grad school. But I am going to enjoy the holidays first. Yay!

Change is Good

As I was driving in to work this morning, I started thinking about how my gifts have changed over the past few years. I remember in early 2004 hearing a sermon about missions (this is back when January was G5 month at Grace Point) and I thought to myself, "Go and Give are my two weakest points."

How things have changed! Since that very first mission trip to Piedras Negras one Saturday in 2004, I've now been to Mexico multiple times as well as Kenya, South Africa, and Hong Kong. And I LOVE it! I see it so much differently than I ever did before, back when I honestly thought, "That's for some people, but not for me." God really made a radical change in my heart. The trip to Kenya in 2004 was the real turning point, where I came away actually believing moving overseas could happen. Then I spent much time worrying over how hard it would be to leave here, to miss my friends, to learn a new culture and to meet new people. Wow! My mindset has really changed and God has proven to me (once again!) that when He is in charge and I follow, He does huge, great things!! I was reading in Mark last night about the Widow's Offering. And while there are many lessons in this short illustration, one is that God always gives back what you put in, and restores what you lose. Even though I went to a new place, with many adjustments needing to be made and the threat of loneliness hanging over my head, He gave me a place to live and amazing friends to join me on my journey.

And as for the gift of giving ... that's another one six years ago I would say, "That's not me!" But now, I have to watch myself to be sure I don't give away more than I can afford. I want to give to every missionary who asks. I want to donate to every food drive, clothing drive, toy drive, and whatever else you put in front of me. I want to drop money into every hand that begs. I want to buy you dinner when you tell me you want to hang out but can't because you're broke. I want to take you to the movies when you tell me you need refreshment but are trying to pay for school and can't afford even the simple things. I want to GIVE. And I love giving! It's an immense blessing to the one receiving, but also an immense blessing to me!

And I guess even another one would be discipling a new believer. I probably wouldn't have ever volunteered for that job a few years ago, but now when it happened, I was ready and excited, and I love the challenges and revelations and new friendship this experience brings me!

So there you have it. If you ever wonder or desire for God to change how you feel about certain gifts (maybe leading or discipling, or giving or missions), He can do anything! And if He wants to get you there, He will.

Spursday

From the Spurs 5K, I was able to get a free ticket to a game, and a second ticket for a super low price. I took advantage of the deal, and took my dad to the game last night. He's a big fan, and had never been to the AT&T Center.

It's so interesting to people watch at an event like that. For example, there were people screaming obscenities at the opposing players and refs. It was more funny than anything else, because I just couldn't believe how angry these people got. And we were way up in the top, so it's not like anyone could hear these people screaming their colorful opinions. It sort of reminds me of when you'll yell at other drivers from within your car, but if you were each not in your car and were somewhere else, you would not be yelling at them but would handle it a different way. Know what I mean? I'm sure if the refs and players were closer, and there was an actual chance they might beat you up, these people would shut it fast.

I also live in fear that the roving camera will land on me and I'll have to wave on the big screen. Thank goodness that never happened. Some people really warm to it, and love being on the big TV. I really, really don't want to see myself up there.

It's also funny how the crowd sort of forgets these players are real people, and not just figures on a video game or on TV. The noise of "booing" at the other team, for one thing, is just interesting to me. Or when they introduce the other team, and everyone boos some more. Just funny how people can get.

Overall, it was a fun (though late) night. My dad had a great time, and already wants to go again, so this may become a thing for us. That's good, because we need an activity that we can do as father and daughter, since we never do that. I guess God can use a Spurs game as easily as anything else. :)

Such Cool Stuff

I think God is pretty awesome, don't you?

I have started meeting regularly with a girl I know, who is a brand new Christian and trying to figure out just how to go about embarking on her new life. It's awesome. We have started reading through Mark, just to give her some foundation and idea of who Jesus is, and what He did during His three years of ministry. I have read Mark several times, but reading it through the eyes of a new believer is making me see things I had never noticed. It is also making me do a lot more homework so I can be prepared to answer her questions. Who exactly was Mark? How did his story end up in the Bible? Why are there four gospels instead of one? Why did John have to baptize Jesus? Why were so many people wanting to kill John? Who exactly were the Pharisees? Who is Elijah, and why do poeple think Jesus is Elijah? The questions go on.

Wow. Some of those things I feel like I know pretty well, but I also know my answers are mostly composites of stories I've read and countless sermons I've heard. How do I boil that down? And do I really understand the significance of each answer?

This week she and I are reading Mark 6-9. Doesn't seem like a lot, but it took me an hour just to get through Mark 6 last night. I was reading the commentaries, and looking up all the reference verses, then reading passages again and comparing them to other gospels. It was intense, and I don't know that I've studied quite like that before. But I feel like I absorbed a lot of new insights and appreciation for how the whole Bible fits together.

She told me last week how much she appreciates doing this study with me, but almost like it might be an inconvenience because I have already read the book of Mark. I assured her, I am being challenged and learning as much as she is. And when it comes to studying the Bible, it's not the same as re-reading a regular novel, where you might get bored with the story since you know it so well. This is nothing like that, and I can find new things each time I read it.

New Life!

God has given me the amazing privilege of walking a new Christian through learning about her new life in Christ. Talking with her has reminded me how confusing those first days are, and how important it is for the rest of us to be sensitive to that. Her questions challenge me to really know what God's Word says and to see what Scripture looks like to someone who has never read it before.

It's an exciting time, and I love this new challenge and new friendship. Tonight we are digging in to the first five chapters of the Gospel of Mark. There is SO MUCH to learn just in those chapters! Who is John the Baptist? How did Jesus choose His first disciples, and what is significant about those twelve men? Why does Jesus speak in parables, and what is He teaching us through them? And so much more.

She is so excited about her new life, and that burst of energy has given me a new excitement too, which has been refreshing. I wouldn't have said I was stagnant, but with the new injection of energy, it is a tangible difference. I've been looking up commentaries, and even though I've been a believer for several years now, I'm still learning a lot of new things, and I'm still in chapter 1!

Amazing!

The Thorn in my ... Back

I always get this cramp in my upper back/neck region. It's always in the same place. I hate it. It's painful and annoying. Sometimes when I get home at night, I stand under a super hot shower trying to massage the knot out of my muscles. Other times I just rub it while I am at work. I guess this is the price you pay for working at a desk and on a computer so much.

Recently, I had the brilliant idea of paying a professional to massage it for me. I know this is probably an obvious solution, but I'd never thought of it.

So, I have an appointment for a 30 minute spot massage on Friday after work. What a perfect way to end the week! The spot massage is specifically for people wanting a certain area to be focused on. That's me!

I'm a little weirded out about a stranger touching me, but I figure, it's a normal day of business for them so I shouldn't care. And of course, I requested a woman. I don't even want to imagine the awkwardness of the alternative.

Maybe this will become a regular thing, and I can be one of those people who always gets massages. I feel like a grown up.

Another 5K Success!

Saturday's 5K was a roaring success! I finished in 33:45, which was 15 seconds faster than my last time! Go me! :) My biggest problem, however, is I had left my ipod at work, so I borrowed one from Claire. But her earphones are the kind that wrap over your ears and they were too big for my ears and kept falling off.

The race began and ended in Joske Pavilion in Brackenridge Park. By the time I reached the first mile marker, I had to check my watch because it had gone by too fast and I couldn't believe Mile One was already over! I grabbed a cup of water, and spilled most of it on me but managed to get a few sips before trashing it. Then I promptly dropped my ipod and had to stop to reconnect it. How annoying! That, on top of the constant earphone re-adjustment, was why I will never ever leave my own ipod at work again.

Mile Two went well, but I was feeling the pain. We wound through the park, and I was anxious to see the next mile marker. Finally, I rounded a bend and there it was. Only 1.1 to go.

At around 2.8, however, my car key - which was tied in my shoelaces - fell off. I had to run backwards several paces to pick it up, and then start running again, with my shoe untied. I was praying I wouldn't trip on the laces and plant my face on the pavement.

Right towards the end there was one more water station. The kids giving water were from a high school, and all dressed the same. Their teacher wanted to take a photo, so as I came in to grab a water, all 15 teenage boys, dressed in red, rushed at me with a cup, trying to get me to take theirs. But of course, only one was lucky enough to win.

I kept running, and running and running ... where is the finish line?! Turns out, it was right around a corner. They really shouldn't do that. I need to see the end.

A school band was there, and as I came in they all started beating the drums. I could feel the punding in my bones. I crossed the line and checked the clock and also my ipod timer (this race didn't give us timing chips, so it was up to me to time myself). I was so happy with myself! Despite my few problems during the race, I still beat my previous 5K time. Hurray!

Claire and I headed off to breakfast afterward, happy with ourselves (she also beat her previous time!).

Next stop: Turkey Trot 4-Miler on Thanksgiving Day! Wish me luck. :)