40 days and 40 nights

That's how long Jesus prayed and fasted in the desert before facing Satan's temptations. The story of the temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11) was the focus of the Ash Wednesday service at our church last night. I've understood the concept of fasting for several years but I didn't know that the tradition of fasting during Lent - the 40 days preceding Easter - symbolized Jesus' time of prayer, fasting and temptation in the desert. Apparently this is the first time I've actually paid attention during the Ash Wednesday service - it only took 33 years!

At work yesterday I heard someone saying they had given up elevators for Lent (they would be taking the stairs instead) - I thought that was pretty clever - especially if they plan to focus on their reliance on God as they climb and descend. I've never been very good at giving things up - for Lent or otherwise. One year I gave up my morning mocha for Lent. Instead I drank coffee-hot chocolates each morning and called it good - not one (or 40!) of my prouder moments.

Recognizing that it's the spirit - not the letter - of the law that is important I've begun adding a behavior that draws me closer to God during Lent rather than eliminating one. This year I am committing to spend quiet time with God each day. I would love to say that I already do this but the truth is I don't - so for the next 40 days I will. It will be hard - the business of life will become overwhelming, other activities will compete for priority, I'll come up with several reasons why it would be better if I skipped my quiet time for a day, I will get tired - but I will still spend quiet time with God each day knowing that in my weakness His strength is perfected and that the days that are hardest might also be the most profound.

I'd love to hear how you are preparing for the Easter Season - leave a comment if you'd like to share!

A New Goal - 13.1

After experiencing the duathlon last summer I realized how much more effective I am in my workouts when I have a goal I am working toward and a plan to get me there. Before I started training for the duathlon I would never have even considered a two hour workout. In fact - I'm sure I would have convinced myself that a two hour workout was actually unhealthy. I did end up referring to the two hour workouts as 'the crazy-hard' workouts but I pulled off several off them last summer and am definitely more healthy as a result.





I've enjoyed some downtime for the last few months. I've spent more time doing things I didn't have time for during my training like rock climbing and yoga while still running and biking but at a much more moderate (and lets be honest - realistic) level. As much as I have loved this time it wasn't too long before I started craving another challenge. I considered several options including another dualthon and and indoor triathlon but it was the half marathon that seemed like the logical next step.

Yep - a half marathon. That's 13.1 miles. I have been running for a few years but I still consider myself a beginner. I typically run about 3-4 miles at a time at a relatively slow pace or in intervals that include short, relatively fast runs followed by extremely slow running or walking. Even though I've never raced more than 4 miles I'm actually v. confident my heart and lungs will make it - with relative ease (key word = relative) assuming I keep up with my training. My biggest concern for the training and actual race is my right knee which tends to hurt - to the point where I actually have to stop running - somewhere between mile 4 & 6. During the height of my duathlon training last summer it would start to hurt about 1.5 miles in. I've used my down time to focus on strength training for my quadriceps and knees and ran 4 miles last Saturday with no pain - v. encouraging! 5 miles next week will be the real test : ).

More on the half marathon in a later post - I would LOVE to have a running partner - let me know if you're up for it!

(This post inspired by my cousin Melanie - check out her blog!)

It's February

How did that happen? It seems like January just started and now it's already over. 2009 is 1/12 complete. How did that happen? And with February being a short month and all I hold out very little hope for it moving ahead more slowly than January - hmmm.

So I guess the most exciting news is that the 2008 remodel is basically complete! We're still waiting on the rug and a couple of ottomans but it will be a few months before they arrive. The rest of the furniture is here, the shades are up and the accessories are in. My favorite part of the day is walking down the stairs in the morning and being greeted by the peaceful space that I am so blessed to call my living room. The sunlight through the shades produces the most serene light I have ever witnessed - It makes me smile and fills my heart with joy and content. I love it. I was going to post some pics of the finished space below but now I feel like I should take some pics tomorrow morning - see if I can capture some of the serenity and joy for you :).

The least exciting news is that our cleaning service botched up our brand new hardwood floors :( The situation will be rectified to our satisfaction by the end of the day tomorrow but it has been a long and relatively painful journey to get to this point. Needless to say we have canceled our service and are now in the market for a housekeeper. I think the worst part of the whole experience was the realization that the people we trusted to care for our home didn't value that trust enough to behave in a manner that deserved it. Their lack of respect for our home and our family is evident in their carelessness. Call me naive but I honestly don't understand how someone could walk into my beautiful home and not use the utmost level of care. [Big Sigh]- it makes me sad to think about it. So - lesson learned. Move on and be thankful for the ability to be in the market for a housekeeper. And be much more careful when selecting the next person to place your trust in...