Operation: Reconciliation

He knew I deserved the Crown of Thorns yet He let it rest on His head.

He knew I earned the flogging in the streets yet He took my place.

He knew I could never settle the wages of my sin or tear the veil on my own, yet He wanted a relationship with me that would last for eternity.

He knew that I, the wretch, would need a Savior, so He hung on a tree, pierced for every single transgression He knew I would commit.

He knew that I , the powerless, would need the power of His resurrection, so He conquered death, leaving my sins in His grave and giving me freedom to live life abundantly.

He wrote the greatest story of reconciliation the world will ever know... for ALL the people, all for LOVE. May you be reconciled this Holy week, this Holy life to your Savior and also to each other - all for Love.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perserveres. Love never fails." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Scripture on the Run

Memorizing scripture used to be one of those things that I thought I ought to do. When I realized that, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God….and the word became flesh.” Well, somehow that just moved it up the priority list for me. Bread of life, God was the Word, God’s word. A sharpened perspective, wisdom waiting on every page to be discerned, taught by the Holy Spirit. Disobedience is one thing but ignorance – well how much sin could we avoid in our life if we only knew!

I’m a kinesthetic learner, which is a fancy way to say I gotta do it to get it. I have to connect physical with mental to get it to sink in deep, carve it long into my aged brain cells. So when it comes to memorizing scripture, I could write it out a hundred times like writing sentences in the 3rd grade, but who has time for that?

So when it came to the task of memorizing scripture I needed to find a way to connect physical, spiritual and mental for it to soak in deep and saturate my heart. Again He calls me to the running trails to show me, teach me, remind me. Heart, mind and soul unified - Faithfully Fit.

A verse, a phrase, a word with each heel strike on the trail… Step towards Him. Breathe Him in deep. “Love is patient.” Step closer. Breathe Him in deeper. “Love is kind.” Step into His presence. Breathe in the Word. “… It is not proud.” Step. Breathe in healing, comfort and peace. “… It keeps no record of wrongs.” Steps become easier. And His words become the air in my lungs as I inhale the goodness of Christ and exhale the misery He rescued me from. Breathing in Yahweh, the Word, breathing Him in when I am gasping for air in desperation as the world tries to take hold of me, has me in its clutches. Breathe in truth, power, freedom. Wrestle with the flesh through the lungs and breathe in the victory. “Love never fails.” Never.

Will you join me? I'm memorizing 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Maybe your verse is different. Maybe your methods are too... I'd love to hear your approach to memorizing Scripture.

Praying for Japan

Earthquake after earthquake, tsunami waves and warnings, nuclear explosions, terror, destruction, uncertainty, the most desperate of conditions. The island of Japan is not what it once was and I'm sure the people have had little time between searching for food and loved ones to stop and try to make sense of it all. And what sense can really be made of it? I mean, sometimes there is no explanation other than God is God and we just don't see what He sees. It is in the midst of these times of complete chaos and uncertainty that He invites us to seek refuge in His throne room, to fall to our knees, to enter His presence, with thanksgiving and praise. They call this the hard thanksgiving. When everything you see is falling apart, being thankful that what you don’t see is still standing - firm and steadfast, unshakeable, good. It is times like these we stand to find the purest of blessings, our way to the only true and good place– real safety in His arms, at the center of His will, a shelter from any storm, certainty beyond circumstances.

My heart breaks for the circumstances in Japan, and my heart leaps at the hope and opportunity to be found by the Japanese people, by us all. Hope in a God that is good, all the time, even in 10 feet of debris and destruction with fires raging on and loved ones buried alive. Even in these circumstances, His message is the same.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

“Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” – Isaiah 43:1-3

Believing that He still has a plan for you, even after the shattered pieces fall to the water-soaked, debris littered, hopeless looking earth, and hoping that maybe, just maybe, He can put all the pieces back together more beautifully than they started? That’s faith. That’s a hope that is secure.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6

Let’s pray for the Japanese people and those God has called to serve in this crisis…

Abba Father, thank you for your goodness. Thank you for seeing what we can’t and loving us in the middle of our unbelief and doubt. Thank you that you get our attention, that you love us enough to remove scales and show us a little more of your glory every day. We know that you are in the middle of this disaster, calling brothers and sisters out of darkness, reminding us all that there is no other God apart from you. We lift up a nation that as a whole does not know you and we pray that your message will be heard in the midst of the debris, despite the destruction, for the glory of your kingdom. We pray for the ones you have called to serve and minister to these people, as well as the nation of Japan. Lord, we ask for your hedge of protection around the physical land, around the nuclear power plants, around the hearts of the people there. Lord, thank you for your sovereignty and for meeting us right where we are today and waiting for us in tomorrow. We ask that you rain down your mercy and peace on the island and people of Japan. Reveal yourself to them, God, so they will know real safety, certainty, peace. Lord, we pray that you bless the efforts of those you have sent to clean up, minister, serve. Lord, we praise you and honor you, the only one worthy of it. In Jesus’ precious, powerful, holy name. Amen.

Run the Race Marked Out for You

For those of you interested in running a road race or two, I thought I would compile a list of some of the most popular local races. But please! See below for resources on how to find races that will suit your interests.

Just in case anyone is not up on the lingo of racing, here is a mini-glossary:

1K - .62 miles
5K – 3.1 miles
7K – 4.35 miles
10K – 6.2 miles
½ Marathon (1/2M) – 13.1 miles
Marathon – 26.2 miles
Mile split – how fast you run each mile
Pace – this is your general speed which will vary depending on length of race. In training often times, there will be a call to run at your 5k pace or 10k pace.

Race for fun (listed in order of occurrence, I think):

Runnin’ of the Green Lucky 7K

Cherry Creek Sneak 5 Miler

Colorado Colfax Marathon

Mother's Day Title 9K+ (women and kids under 18 only! Race category for moms with strollers!)
Bolder Boulder 10K (hands down the funnest race I've ever run. You run into Folsom Field and a crowd cheering for the finish line... pretty cool for us mere mortals! I'll be there!!!!! Will you?)
Garden of the Gods 10 Miler (one day I will run this race. It's been on my list for years... the vistas, the challenge of elevation and distance mixed together, and it's in a place close to my heart... but not this year)
Slacker ½ Marathon, ½ Marathon Relay and 4 Miler (Most challenging race I've ever run, which may not be saying a lot as I'm not super experienced at racing. But I did lose 2 toenails in this one - just sayin...)
Boulder Marathon (same course as former Boulder Backroads Marathon and 1/2M, I believe) - hurry for this one as registration is capped. Backroads of Boulder are BEAUTIFUL!
Rock –n- Roll Marathon,1/2M, ING Marathon Relay
So Long to Summer 5K (usually in August though no info as of yet-this one may not be terribly popluar but it's in Parker)
Georgetown to Idaho Springs 1/2M


Run for the cause:
Denver Komen’s Race for the Cure 5K
Check http://www.active.com/ for the multitude of races benefiting a variety of causes.

Racing and training resources:
http://www.active.com/ (find your own races based on location, distance and level)
http://www.runnersworld.com/ (also a good resource for races as well as training)

Training programs:
The Couch to 5K: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml.
The Complete Book of Running for Women (5K, 10K, 1/2M, Marathon)

Also, keep in mind that entry fees vary for each race depending on size of race and the goody bag/t-shirt you receive with your entry fee. Most of the races I've listed are professionally timed, usually using a tag timing system, so it's pretty official and you don't really need to time it yourself. Be sure to check the race websites for up to date information on each race (including parking, race course, rules and limitations, etc.) before you register.

Seriously, this is just the tip of the iceberg of the racing world. Racing can be a fun way to stay motivated and remember the real race we all run everyday!

Running In All Seasons

In this season of my life, with littles running around, tugging at me, using me as a human napkin, asking a million questions a millisecond, and doing their best to challenge my sanity, my “workout program” consists of grabbing what I can when I can (aside from the obstacle courses I’m privileged to endure around my house every day). It’s far less intentional than it used to be… as it should be in this blessed season. I don’t have log books anymore or highlight races I’m training for, and I certainly don’t clock my runs anymore. For me, I can’t do it all so I don’t try – I just try to enjoy the moments I’m given. I mean God gave me these precious littles for such a short time. Running can wait if it needs to. But it doesn’t always need to if I can accept that running in this season may not look the same as previous or upcoming ones. As a mom, I consider it my responsibility to teach my kids about being healthy, taking care of God’s temple. So lately, I’ve been taking them along. Here’s what running looks like for me, in this season.

My daughter is six, and she’s fast… period. When she builds her endurance, I won’t be able to keep up. She loves to run and has been running laps in our house since she was two. When we go outside to play, anywhere, she runs… fast, forever, talking the whole way. My kinda girl! So, she comes on foot. We don’t go for a 3 mile run… we play tag or try to stomp each others shadows. The expert runners call this a fartlek run. (I promise – it has nothing to do with gas.) I love that my daughter has no idea what it means - to her we’re just having the time of our life, together time, outdoor time.

My son is four and isn’t really a runner. He is getting faster but shows no sign of a natural runner’s gait like my daughter. He hasn’t been running since he was two, he’s been riding his bike since then. So, he comes on wheels. And he’s fast, really fast. He can’t go for 3 miles either, but he gives me a good, unofficial pace workout.

Rarely, I go running by myself. Sometimes, I go with you lovely ladies. And often, a little girl is running beside me with a wide grin and a noisy stride while her brother, Ironman, is on wheels ahead of us announcing his intentions to anyone who stands in our way. And you know something? I wouldn’t have it any other way. No race training can compare to this.

Some of you are in the same season I am, and some are in a variety of other seasons. Make it work for you by keeping your season of life in perspective. We’re maintaining His temple, not trying to attain some obscure goal that has no eternal value. There are ways you can participate in your health, even when your season of life does not allow you to hit the trails as often as you’d like. Here are some more ideas for the challenging seasons of life…

All seasons:
:: Proper nutrition.
:: Adequate rest.
:: Water. Water. Water.
:: Simple stretches while you are waiting for the microwave to beep, or your son to get dressed, or your husband to kill the spider, or…

Career-building season:
:: Take an exercise ball to work and use it as a chair. This builds great balance and core muscle strength and creates a great conversation piece that could lead to sharing the Gospel message.
:: Take advantage of conference calls. Unless it’s a video call, stretch, stand up, walk around – this actually helps you remember what was said and sound alert.
:: Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Yes! 36 flights if you need to!
:: If you have a gym near your office, pack a lunch and choose to workout at lunchtime and eat (a healthy, nutritious meal) at your desk.

Children too young to participate in activity with you:
:: Strap ‘em in a baby jogger.
:: Go for walks with your littles. Take a different path every time. Children love to explore the outdoors – no matter the temps. So dress for the occasion and get out there. Go for little “hikes”. Pack in a picnic. Collect nature objects. Come home and make a nature book. It won’t even feel like exercise!
:: Gym membership with childcare.
:: Fly a kite – you have to run for it to take off.
:: DVDs for mom while littles are napping – Pilates, yoga, whatever suits your fancy.
:: DVDs for mom using baby.
:: Jump rope, hoola hoop – your kids will love watching mommy do these silly things and they’ll probably want to try. Kids and hoola hoops are hours of entertainment!
:: Dance with your kids
:: Spin your kids
:: Take them “swimming”. Now that’s a workout! If you have more than one that can’t swim, tie noodles around them (or put 'em in a floatie) and they just became your water weights.
:: Start teaching them to play catch or soccer… my kids keep me running all over trying to catch their throws and chase down their kicks.
:: Trade childcare with a friend. You watch her littles while you hit the trails and vice versa.
:: Wake early before hubby leaves for work or go after he gets home – get into a routine, make it a habit, make it your time with God.

Empty-nester season:
:: I gotta be honest here… I have no idea – this is the season I dream about but I know all seasons offer their challenges. Maybe this is an opportunity to reconnect with your spouse out on the trails. Maybe try a new sport or activity together. Or maybe you can stay connected with your children through running/activity.

More ideas? What do you do?

Word for words

I used to write New Year’s resolutions. I put words to the change I so desperately wanted to see in my life, in my heart. I made a declaration resolving to transform, to grow, to leave this year better than I entered it. My intentions were noble, maybe even righteous, longing for His beauty in my life. I professed to God all I would do for Him in the coming year. I vowed to be better, be more, serve wholeheartedly. I resolved and expected the birth of Christ-like character in an instant. And usually by now, I failed to realize the change I so passionately longed for and I was discouraged, living defeated, feeling useless. I failed because I tried in my own strength. I relied on my own power. I authored the words of my resolutions in the first place. My words weren’t what He had in mind.

This year, I decided to approach things a little differently. I asked God for words, the Word. He is the only Author worthy of putting words to my transformation, and He promises those words do not come back empty, but will accomplish His desires and achieve His purposes. (Isa 55:11) He knows the Word we need at the moment we need it. The Word that became flesh that is the very breath in our lungs. As we labor, the Word beckons. Rest. Lean in firm. My yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matt 11:30)

Somehow I missed the miracle of my beginning. The scars on His hands existed before my declarations, before my vows, before He started His work in my heart. When I was still His enemy, He hung at Calvary, all for love, to assure me even I am worthy of it. Me. At the beginning of change. Before change at all.

So, this year, I don’t resolve to change. I mean who am I to suggest to the Maker of oceans and skies, rain and mountains, mangos and flowers the things I think need changing. Instead, I resolve only to offer my life and give thanks that I have it to offer. The disciples had five loaves and two fish to feed 5,000 people. In faith, they handed it all over to Jesus and had 12 baskets of leftovers! He is the Supplier who multiplies! If that’s what He can do with some bread and fish, what can He do with a whole life, wholly surrendered?

The gap between us and Christ is a vast canyon that will never be filled this side of Heaven, no matter how hard we labor. And, yet, He still authors a beginning for each of us, not because of what we do but because of who He is. He etches stretch marks of growth deep across our lives, testimony of new life emerging - from the inside out. Evidence of the birthing process, the Christ-child growing within us… over time. His perfect time. With or without our resolutions... because of His Word, not ours.

"Let's Start at the Very Beginning...

...a very good place to start. When you read you begin with A, B, C." When you run you begin with "Follow Me".

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." - John 10:27-28

I love the portrait of Jesus in this verse. Gentle, faithful, powerful, mighty, protective, loving - He knows us. All we want in this life is to be known, loved. Here we are given that unfailing promise! He asks only one thing from us - to follow the sound of His voice, to know Him.

He will take care of the wild beasts circling to devour us - whether they be the voices in our heads or the world who tells us we can't because they don't. This walk is against the grain for sure! But we have a Mighty Hand clearing our path - we only need to walk in it, to follow, to know the sound of His voice. Sounds so easy, doesn't it? But we know it isn't and we also know, if we are honest with ourselves, that it starts with us. Our choice... to know. Our choice... to listen. Our choice... to be obedient. Our choice... to choose good foods. Our choice... to get proper rest. Our choice... to put one foot in front of the other. Our choice... to deny ourselves. DAILY.

What is He asking of you? Where is His voice leading you? Are you afraid? Are you weary? Do you think it is impossible? That YOU couldn't possibly run a 10k, that YOU will never feel comfortable in your own skin, that YOU will never run with confidence, no matter your pace. That YOU could never give up those certain foods. Sister, Jesus has ahold of you... take hold of Him! If He is asking you to do this, to be healthy, to take care of His temple, don't you think He will enable you, carry you, love you through every step, every mile?!? He will meet you wherever you are! His scars assure us of that!

You will never see His glory relying on your strength. Jump into His arms and see what finish line He carries you across! My guess is you will never be the same!

Let's Pray...

Jesus, you know right where we are, what we face, what you are preparing us for, the true condition of our hearts. And as shameful as we could be about it all, we rest in the sufficieny of Your work on the cross. You are an amazing lover of our souls. This side of heaven, we will never comprehend. All we can do is understand we don't fully understand - that the grace and mercy and power that we do see is only the beginning, the very tip of an enormous iceberg. You are greater still!

As we enter into the Sabbath day, we rest in your love, we find contentment knowing you are all we need and that you know all we need. Sometimes, Jesus, we don't even know - but you do - every detail, every heartache, every suffering, every tear, every hair, every breath, every soul, every heart. You know all this and more. So. Much. More.

Lord, we just ask for Your presence in our lives - remove the scales from our eyes so we can see You working all around us! Work in our relationships, bind them in You. Guide our words, Lord, so they give wings to dreams and encourage souls. May we focus on Your people and not our tasks. In Your holy, precious name. Amen.

Happy New Year

As I come out of hibernation, with winter in full force here in the Rocky Mountains, I find many of you motivated and ready to start the New Year off right – with laced up running shoes and eyes fixed on Jesus. Oh, how you beautiful ladies inspire me! I look forward to seeing what God has for each of us as we grab a run here and there together.

If you are finding this cold weather far from motivating, try hot yoga. As you know, I love this practice for its physical benefits – the best hour you can physically invest hands down. It can also be a good mental exercise to drown out the “noise of this world” and actively focus on Jesus. Give it a try. Core Power Yoga here in Parker has hot yoga every Tuesday night at 7:15. Check out their schedule online at www.corepoweryoga.com. Look for the studio nearest you. This is a great way to wake your body up for running after a long period of rest, as well. (Ahem - guilty as charged!)

More posts to come on other ideas for getting started, staying motivated and keeping Christ in the center of it all.

Have a blessed weekend!

Help Me Help You

Are you in the Faithfully Fit email distribution list? I sent a survey to those in the list to help me serve you better. If you are not in the distribution list, contact me to receive your copy so I can get to know you a little - more about your running, your family, your life. The more I know, the better equipped I am to serve you!

Stay tuned for Meet and Greet announcements, changes to the blog and advice for surviving the winter months!

In all we do, let it be for Christ!

A Snake in My Path

I remember a few years back, I was out on a run in the mid-July heat. As I was running, I looked down at my watch to mark my mile split and looked up just in time to see a snake sunbathing on the path a few feet from my next step. Talk about perfect timing! After doing the heebee jeebee dance, I mustered up the courage to jump over it and continue on my way, cursing the snake for costing me at least 30 seconds! (It was a pretty intense heebee jeebee dance.) It amazes me even today that I mustered up the courage to jump over that snake! The path of life has its fair share of snakes crossing, sunbathing, or plain coiled along the way, and I for one don’t want to be staring at a watch just to log a run the next time one comes along. The running should never be the focus!

In my season of life, I don’t know from one day to the next if I’ll be able to get out on the trails. I am on a journey with God and my life is not my own, so sometimes the running trails will have to wait. But every time I slip on my running shoes and strike my feet on the path, I will count it as a blessing and savor each step while thanking Him for the time and ability to meet Him in one of my most favorite places – a place He knew I would love, a place where His voice is clear and His presence is undeniable. And, because this is one of Our places, I know He will move mountains to create the opportunity, so I should leave the watch at home and focus on the “miracle of the moment.”.

I guess all of this is another way to say I’m throwing the weekly training schedules out the window. My new training schedule can be summed up with the brilliant words of Forrest Gump: “I just felt like running.” Yeah, Forrest – I’m pickin’ up what you’re layin’ down!

If something is working for you and you love it, GREAT!! Keep it up! If it's not fun and you're not feeling it, switch it up. I'll still be throwing out ideas, but no more regimens. Get out there when you can, take care of His original workmanship, sign up for the races that sound fun to you or don’t sign up for any and check out the countless running resources available to meet you where you are in your fitness abilities like http://www.runnersworld.com/, www.active.com/running, and some listed on this site. Cross train, drink lots of water, and, remember, muscles need a Sabbath, too.

But whatever you do, do it with the guidance of our Savior and let’s catch up as often as we can on the running trails because God gives us Sisters to help us see the snakes in our paths.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together…but let us encourage one another..."- Hebrews 10:24-25a

A Few New Recipes

Found a few new recipes that I had to share...

1. This fruit salad is a little time consuming to make but is great for summer get togethers (double the recipe) or having ready on hand in the fridge for a few days. If you are going to store it, I would recommend holding the dressing until ready to serve. Mine wasn't nearly as photogenic but still delicious.
2. Quinoa Salad with Chicken, Grapes and Almonds: I didn't have grapes so I used raisins and I won't spend money on sliced almonds so I just chopped some. My version was good too, but can't wait to try with grapes!
3. Powerballs: These are awesome! I brought them to Ellie's soccer game as snacks and the kids who tried them loved them (and so did the parents!). I even had a little girl ask me for the recipe! These are great for runners too! It's like a homemade powerbar, complete with flaxseed! My kids have no idea how good these are for them. Hee! Hee!

Enjoy!!!

Fasting for Margin

I have been out of sorts the last week or so. Everything feels off. Mood, productivity, quality time with kids (or lack thereof), communication with God. I really blame the Easter candy… damn chocolate! See how my mood is off! Ok, maybe it’s something else…

I find it so hard to find margin in my schedule. You know – space for life! Unscheduled, happy a friend stopped by, hangin' with the family, let’s build a fort, lost in real, live conversation, sit at the feet of Jesus time. You can look at my calendar and think that it is there, but curiously it’s not. Time flies when you’re chasing preschoolers, or teenagers, or grandkids, or whatever you’re chasing in your world. So I’m going to conduct a little experiment. I invite you to join me...

Fasting is taught about in the Bible, both in the Old Testament and by Jesus, and usually involves holding back food. A food fast is its own post entirely, but that’s not the kind of fast for this post. I want to see how much of my time is sucked away by this thin box with a keyboard. While I think I just send an email here or check Facebook there, how much of my time is really spent on this little machine? Is this the robber of my margin? Time will tell! Three days of time to be exact - three days of no email, no internet, no computer power. So if you need something, dear Sisters, call me! ;)

Do you have margin in your life? Do you have suspicions of what robs you of it? I encourage you to pray about it and consider fasting from the alleged culprit for a time to see if it does anything for your pace of life. Are you on American time or God time? A New York minute or a Jesus moment? The difference spans eternity!

TRAINING WEEK 4 & 5 - April 10-April 23, 2010

Ok... since I haven't been great last week or this week about getting the training schedule up in a timely fashion, I am posting 2 weeks at a time.

Week 4 Training Schedule:
See Week 2

We had a great 3 mile run on Saturday and were delighted to see some new faces on the trails! We missed those of you that couldn't join us!

Week 5 Training Schedule:
See Week 3

I would love to hear your input as to when works best for you to get together for the group runs. Please comment below as to your dream day and time for group runs.

I'll be taking it easy this week because I never heed my own advice and listen to my body. So learn from my example... injuries happen when you ignore your body!

Happy trails!

Running on Purpose

As women after God’s heart, we are called “to open our arms to the poor and extend our hands to the needy”(Proverbs 31:20). Doing so on our own has its own share of blessings, but how much more impactful could we be together? So, I thought we could sprinkle a little fundraiser in with our training…with the idea of donating the proceeds to an organization that reaches the poor and needy in the name of Jesus.

Remember fundraisers when we were in grade school? Perhaps many of you are doing this with your own kids now. You went door to door and asked your friends and family to pledge an amount for every hour you jumped rope or every lap you completed around the track? I thought it would be fun to see how much money we could raise as a group for each mile of the Bolder Boulder we individually complete. These days, fundraising seems like it would be easier. Sure you can knock on doors – or you can just jump on Facebook!

So where should the money go? Well…

Lately, God has been teaching me a lot about sufficiency – His definition versus my own. Every time I think I need a divinely decorated house, or a snazzier wardrobe, or a bottomless checking account to come and go as I please, God gently reminds me of the privileged life I already live – without all those things. I open my refrigerator or pantry and select a variety of foods I want to prepare in my suitably equipped kitchen to serve my healthy family on a kitchen table with enough chairs for everyone in a pest-free house with multiple rooms that registers a comfortable temperature on a programmable thermostat ready to heat or cool as needed. When I lift the handle on my faucet, clean, purified water always comes out and at a flip of some switches, I can flood the house with light. I watch my TV or jump on my computer with high-speed internet to see what the weather is going to be like so I can choose my outfit for the day from my walk-in closet. And when I am ready to leave my dry-walled, carpeted, insulated house with a shingled roof, I choose from a variety of pairs of shoes in my garage before I jump in my over-sized vehicle to travel 4 miles to shop at one of the 7 grocery stores in town in order to stock my already stocked food supply.

Out of all the things I’ve mentioned and the countless privileges I’ve left out, I think the fact that I have shoes for my feet is what I take for granted the most. I mean doesn’t everyone have at least one pair of shoes. The shocking, desperate reality is, NO!! We have shoes for warm weather and cold weather, snow and rain, running and working, Uncle John’s wedding and the 2006 family reunion… but in stark contrast, there are millions of children around the world who don’t own a single pair of shoes to protect their precious feet. And as a result, they contract serious infections and parasites because of cuts and sores they get from traveling more than 30 miles in bare feet, just to go to school for an education that offers a glimmer of hope that one day it might be different for them. Heartbreaking!

So… I got to thinking. We rely so heavily on a good pair of shoes to run in that maybe as we’re running in these well-suited shoes, we could at least be earning a pair of shoes for someone who is without. A subsidiary of Campus Crusade for Christ, Soles Blessing Souls needs just $3 to provide a pair of shoes to a needy child. Just $3 will protect a child’s feet from disease and disaster. How many $3 pair of shoes can we come up with, Sisters? Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, “…I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” How many pairs of shoes can we give Jesus when we run in our own well-cushioned soles for a measly 6.2 miles? Ooh, I love the smell of a good challenge!

If you are in the Faithfully Fit distribution list, I will be emailing you a pledge form, if you care to use one. That’s the Type A in me – and you know you love it! If you wish to make a pledge email me at mikelisafischer@msn.com. Dear Sisters, this is not meant to be one more task. The Lord loves a joyful giver, so don’t feel obligated to donate or participate. But I would encourage you to at least pray about it. Let’s pray together, now…

Thank you Jesus that we have shoes on our feet, clothes on our back, food in our pantries and freedom to worship You at will. Thank you Lord that though these may be tough economic times here, we do not know poverty like what exists in many parts of the world. Lord, I pray for the millions of children in the world without soles on their feet. I pray that You would strengthen them and protect them and give them hope in You. I pray that hearts around the world are not only breaking for the poor and oppressed but moving for them out of their love for You. Lord it is our highest honor and greatest privilege to do Your work, work you prepared in advance for us, and work you long to bless us each with if only we could see it, if only we would grasp the opportunity. Give us eyes to see what You see, Lord, and may You alone be glorified in everything we do! I pray this in the precious, powerful, sufficient name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

TRAINING WEEK 3 - April 3 - 9, 2010

Happy Belated Resurrection Sunday!!! He is not here, He is risen! Oh, how I love Easter. It’s a good reminder for me that, as I endure physical challenges such as training for a race or just trying to keep His original workmanship in tact, no physical challenge I will ever face is greater or more brutal than what Jesus endured. And nothing I face do I face alone.

O, Lord, may I be my whole life devoted to You as You are devoted to me! And may Your light pour out of my brokenness and every one of my pores so that I am unrecognizable. May they say of me, she is not here but she is risen in You!

As you enter into this training week, which is a little late (I apologize), I encourage you in your prayer time to thank God for the abilities He has given you, even at the most simple level of being able to run - however slowly or quickly. And let it resonate in your soul that Jesus endured an atrocious injustice to justify us all and set the captive free. "I am free to run!" from the Newsboys can be taken by this group literally! ;)

And please, above all, remember, this is about BEING with God, not DOING for God! Just be with Him this week. If that doesn’t look anything like the training schedule below, so be it. We all have different physical abilities and goals. Just BE with your Redeemer, your Counselor, your Prince of Peace this week.

Week 3 Training Schedule

Saturday, April 3:
We had a great 4 mile run this Saturday. We missed those who were unable to join. This was the long run for the week!
Sunday, April 4 – Recovery run: 2 miles
Monday, April 5 – Rest: 0 miles
Tuesday, April 6 – Pace run*: 3 miles
Wednesday, April 7 – Easy run: 2 miles
Thursday, April 8 – Easy run: 0-2 miles
Friday, April 9 – Rest: 0 miles

*Week 3 Pace Training:
½ mile easy
¼ mile race pace
¼ mile recovery
½ mile race pace
¼ mile recovery pace
½ mile race pace
¾ mile easy

I am praying for each of you, dear sisters. I pray that you don’t get overwhelmed by the task but that you are carried away by your Prince.

“The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.” – Psalm 146:7b-8

Faith Like a Child

Jesus said that our faith should be like that of a child (Luke 18:17). Why? Because children are filled with hope, ready to love and trust wholeheartedly in the ones who love them the most. I can read Jesus’ teachings and conceptually understand His point; however, this part of Scripture had little impact on me, until recently.

Two weeks ago, we lost someone very dear to our family. He was someone my children knew and loved – they called him Uncle although he was of no relation. My husband and I admitted our sadness to our children – no sense in hiding it – and prayed that Jesus would welcome Uncle Jerrad. My three year old son offered us joy in hope that we WOULD see him again someday. To my son it was simple. Uncle Jerrad left us to be with Jesus. Faith like a child. And while we are sad our loved one is not with us anymore, my son knows without a doubt that he is Home, waiting for us all. Do we know? Do we really believe? Do we have faith like this child?

One week ago, we had to put our beloved family dog, Tobi, to sleep. It was her time. She was in pain, she was old and she lived a good life. No need to be heroic so we made the decision to send her Home. My five year old daughter was hit the hardest because Tobi slept in her room every night. When I told her, she wept, we cuddled and she disappeared. I found her in her room, on her knees, praying. Faith like a child. After hugs and comfort from her earthly mother, she ran to her Heavenly Father. Are we so quick to fall to our knees? Do we seek the Prince of Peace in the midst of our storm? Do we have faith like this child?

It’s amazing how someone’s death can instantly remind you of all the things you didn’t say, all the things you didn’t do, the ways you could have showed love but refused, the times you should have reached out but were afraid. It’s easy to see the missed opportunity of yesterday using our wisdom from today. Children rarely miss opportunity. Whenever opportunity presents itself, they readily reach for it – especially when it is offered by a parent. They trust without understanding.

It seems only in death can you get a true picture of someone’s life. And only in death can you have a true appreciation for life. God uses death to propel us in the direction He desires for us. He uses it to give us perspective, to remove the scales from our eyes. He uses it to give the cynical, broken, hardened heart faith like a child.


“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” – Luke 18:17

Steel-Cut Oats

Steel-cut oats are one of the most nutritious carb sources available, which is vital to a runner's diet! Oats are naturally nutritious but since steel-cut oats are minimally processed, the nutrition is left in tact compared to rolled oats and instant oats.

My struggle with steel-cut oats is taste. I've tried and failed with several recipes but keep trying because I know they are so good for you! I finally found a winner with this recipe... it's a keeper.

2 C. water
2 C. low-fat milk
1/4 t. salt
1 C. steel-cut oats
1 t. vegan butter
1/3 heaping C. raisins (or other dried fruit without added sugar)
2 t. agave nectar
Fresh fruit, cinnamon, and honey to taste

1. Combine water, milk, salt in large saucepan. Bring to boil.
2. Slowly add oats, stirring constantly with wooden spoon. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Stir in butter, raisins, and agave nectar. Cover and continue to simmer another 10-15 minutes, stirring often to prevent cereal from sticking to pan, until oats are soft and mixture is creamy.
4. Refrigerate or serve immediately. When ready to serve, add cinnamon and honey to taste. Top with apples, peeled, cored and chopped (or other fruit as desired).

Serves 4-6.

I'd love to hear how you prepare steel-cut oats if you eat them.

TRAINING WEEK 2 - March 27 - April 2, 2010

I hope everyone had a good week one. The weather here in Colorado is always unpredictable this time of year and this week certainly kept me on my toes. From 70 degrees to 30 degrees in a matter of 24 hours! Gotta love it!

Here is the training schedule for Week 2.

Saturday, March 27 - Long run and our first group run!: 3 miles (email me at mikelisafischer@msn.com if you haven't received emails regarding this already)
Sunday, March 28 - Recovery run: 2 miles
Monday, March 29 - Rest: 0 miles
Tuesday, March 30 - Pace run*: 3 miles
Wednesday, March 31 - Easy run: 2 miles
Thursday, April 1 - Easy run: 0-2 miles
Friday, April 2 - Rest: 0 miles

Week 2 Pace Workout:
Same as Week 1

This should all look pretty familiar. You're not crazy - it's the same as Week 1. ;)

Eating Differences

I can tell people think I’m crazy when they discover that, generally speaking, I cook 2 meals every night. I don’t impose my dietary beliefs on my family (yet!), and so every night at the Fischer house 2 meals are served. That’s usually when I hear, “I could never do that!” It floors most women because let’s face it – that’s the worse part of our day, at least for the mortal mom. We can manage our way through any temper tantrum, come up with 100 ways to use a popsicle stick, conduct the most interesting science experiment in our backyard, and power our way through any work task with grace, but dinnertime is the monster that most often defeats us. Well, it’s easier than even I thought it would be to do this and I’ve only been cooking for the past 18 months.

I thought sharing one of my weekly menus would show how easy it really is.

Monday
Family:
Spaghetti with ground beef, marinara
Salad*
Bread

Me:
Spaghetti squash (cooked in microwave for 7 minutes) with marinara and chicken breast
Salad*
*Prep enough salad to store in Ziploc with wet paper towel for next few days.

Tuesday
Family:
Pizza (frozen not homeade)

Me: Chicken breast
Rice* with sautéed veggies
Salad
*Make 2-4 cups of rice for lunches during the week.

Wednesday
Family:
Chunky bean and chicken chili (everyone in my family loves this BH&G recipe and my
husband hates chicken typically)
Asparagus

Me:
Chunky bean and chicken chili
Asparagus

Thursday
Family:
Heavenly Ham Casserole (Crock pot recipe)
Bread
Edamame

Me:
Baked salmon filet
Quinoa with black beans* topped with avocado
Mango-jicama salad with cilantro dressing*
*Since this is a crock pot day, I make a batch of these recipes that will last me for lunch or other dinners in the week to come.

Friday
Family:
Breakfast night (pancakes, bacon, eggs, grits)

Me:
Something egg based like breakfast burritos with corn tortillas or omelette with spinach
and mushrooms, grits with sea salt and vegan butter

Saturday
Family:
Leftovers

Me:
Leftovers

Sunday
Family:
Steak
Baked sweet potatoes
Edamame

Me:
Baked tilapia
Baked sweet potatoes
Edamame

What are some of your tips and tricks if you eat differently than your family? Would love to hear everyone's ideas...