Thursday, August 30, 2012

the right start to the day

I guess I would describe myself as a runner. 

I quite enjoy running and when I don't run, things just don't feel right.  I know that in the midst of training for two 1/2 marathons this fall, I do have 'rest' days built into the training...but those days have a weird feel to them.  (Don't worry, I do honor them....my legs remind me to!)

But I read this great article at Runner's World.com.  And what I took away from it...among other things was not to hit the snooze button.  So I better be ready when the alarm goes off in the morning.  But the run will feel so good when it's done, that it's totally worth being ready for bed now.

So I'm ready for bed....a good night's sleep and an early rise for a run before it gets too hot tomorrow!

+paz

Monday, August 27, 2012

smile and wave, boys (& girls) smile and wave

 
First off....a picture from yesterday's ride:
 
 


That was at the end....and hopefully not too close up that you can see the sweat!  A good time was had by all and we all made it back in one piece!  (huzzah!)

I must share with you my highlight of the day for today.  It happened this morning on my run.  I was in my new shoes (which made me happy) and my pace was rockin' (which made me happy) but when I made it down the big hill and started to see the school traffic, I was SUPER happy to get a smile from one youth....and a wave and a shout-out from another youth!  That totally made my day.  I can't express how happy those moments make me....and how in those little moments I feel so happy to be here in at Trinity.  I love being a part of this community! 

I hope that all folks out there are able to find those little moments of joy each and every day.  I know that each of us face challenges in life....even in the good times, there are moments when we struggle or grieve or worry or stress out.....and that's okay.  But be reminded of this, that God is present in those moments with you....that you are not alone...and that a great cloud of witnesses surrounds you and walks with you each day.  So look for those little moments of joy everyday.....and put them in a place (in your heart of mind) that you can recall them when you need them....and find someone to share them with, too....and take time each day to laugh and love and be a part of this great community. 

I pray that the first day back for students, faculty, support staff and all others in our community in vocations that provide safe spaces for our youth to grow went as smoothly as possible.  Blessings to you all in the upcoming year: in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, on the court, in your homes, in the hallways and in this year of life! 

+paz

Sunday, August 26, 2012

The Happiness Project

I finished The Happiness Project yesterday.  It was a good read.

Among many of the 'take home' ideas from the book was that the author, Gretchen Rubin, wanted to blog regularly.  She stuck with it and blogged 6 times a week.  I hopes of more regular blogging, I'm also thinking about how she wanted to journal everyday, but wanted to keep if from becoming a daunting task.  I think sometimes blogging becomes something I *have* to do....and then I don't want to do it, or think, woah, I don't have anything good to blog about anyway.  So when Gretchen started journaling, she did it with one sentence a day...sometimes she cheated and wrote a few, but even just thinking about (and blogging) my highs and lows from each day is a way to get something out there.  

So, that's really it for today....except that my high was biking to and from the Jigger Shop with some amazing youth.  
My low is that I had too many lattes yesterday and didn't sleep well at all last night.  

We'll see what tomorrow brings.  

Until then,
+paz

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Summer: a recap.

The summer of 2012 was stellar, busy, life changing, busy, awesome, full of fun and adventures....and did I mention busy?  

It started off with a great week of music camp.....and the opportunity for youth to tell the story of Job.
Then I headed to the Beach for the Senior High Beach Retreat.
There was a week with time in the office...and a wedding at the end of that week.
Oh, then there was a week of vacation and a trip to New England with my boyfriend to see my folks and my sister and brother-in-law.
Back for another week in the office to get ready for the NYG in NOLA!!!!
It was an amazing week+ in NOLA with over 35,000 Lutheran youth and adults, being warmly welcomed by the people of New Orleans, serving the folks in the lower 9th ward and being blessed by the presence of God in our midst every day!
We came back (and missed the first day of VBS) but jumped right in the second day...and splashed into God's word!
At the end of that week, the church celebrated the Weiser wedding...had a few days to breathe and then it was off to Family Beach Camp down in Wildwood!
The next week (we're at August 6th, by the way) Trinity hosted the West Berks Mission District Day Camp.
After that, I spent the week at Nawakwa, making new friends and seeing 3 youth from our church have a GREAT first time at camp!
So...at the end of that...I was totally ready to sit, breathe and take some time off....I was beat!
It was a stay-cation I had planned...and while I'm normally a to-do list kind of person, I thought a stay-cation agenda was better, that way I didn't deem it necessary to accomplish everything on the list.

This is what I had on the agenda:


Lots of time with BillyTackle spare room (sort through old summer clothes and other piles in this extra room)Trip to Goodwill (to drop stuff off and to shop)Brew (beer) and smoke (meats or fish)Trip to the craft store so I can complete at least one of the many craft projects pinned on my pinterest page. Run, Run, Bike and Run some more!Read a few books *on the porch swingBlog!Sort through wall decor & hang it up (after being in the house over a year and a half)Print some pictures and frame them for friends.Passport.  (you know, just in case)
Day one of my stay-cation was off to a great start: 
Needless to say, the more mundane things on the list did not get accomplished this week.  



A 30 mile bike ride......then Billy and I were going to hang out.  
He arrived....we chatted for a bit....and he proposed.  :)

I did spend lots of time with Billy.
I did run, run, bike and run.  
I did shop at goodwill....and pulled all the Large sized and double digit items out of my closet:



These will go to goodwill this week.


I also picked up some new running shoes today....that I'm eager to break in on Monday:




I did finish The Happiness Project....albeit not on the porch swing today, as my tasty treat from Panera had attracted some wasps.....but it was a good read.  I'll give some feedback on that tomorrow.


I tell ya...starting a pinterest wedding page wasn't on my agenda....but brewing the Engagement IPA was (even if I didn't know that would be it's name).

The other stuff on the list will happen eventually....I actually have all the parts needed for those scrabble tile coasters I pinned months ago....we'll see when they get done.

All in all...the summer, with it's highs and lows, has revealed God to me in unexpected ways...because that's how God is always at work in our world.  In the midst of it all...

The stay-cation was epic....obviously....(as was the summer) and the warm wishes from friends and family has been a true blessing.  Here's to whatever the future brings....as we wait and see where God at work through each other next...

+paz