runners are crazy

runners are a funny. this morning as I ran I couldn't help but look up at what appeared to be 1000s of people running this 10K. Why? good question, some Im sure it was for fitness (these are the ones in all Nike gear warming up as if thier lives depended on the outcome of this city race)others for thier kids (crazy parents making thier little ones run such a distance), others for the sheer fun of it(these are the ones wearing pink too toos and wild socks or the wedding party to be dressed in well wedding atire). Me, because I can. As I was not feeling all that good for most of the race i wondered why do I do this? the only answer I came up with is because I can. I am so grateful that God has given me the ability, no matter how slow compared to others, to finish races. I think that I will take the opportunity to run more. It was a reminder that God has given us talents each different but they are ours to enjoy and share and glorify Him. So whether your a runner, a walker, a preacher, a social worker, do it all for His glory!

catching up!

Ok it has been a really long time since I posted. but since I am home today due to pink eye in both eyes and have no TV and don't feel like cleaning but cant go to the beach b/c eyes hurt so bad when light hits them, I thought I would blog.

First on monday took all three of the boys for a walk at the same time by myself. If you have had the privaledge of seeing how hyper my dogs are multiply that by 10 as to their energy level when you bring out the leashes and harness. Now imagine me on my knees trying to put the harness on them three dogs jumping up and down and ontop of me and each other I some how managed to get them on with only a bruised pinky finger(didn't realize this til Tues morning painful sprain) then the joy of getting them in the car. The puppies jump in no problem but big sam cant so I have to lift him up while yelling at the other two not to jump out of the car. We finally arrive at the park and I get all three out praying that I can grab the leashes as they leap out of the car before they get away. Sam found some interesting sent right by the car and stopped to sniff Aussie took that opportunity to mark sam by peeing on his head! Next we start our climb up the hill sniffing as we go things were going alright until sam had to take care of his business and assumed the squat position, Max had to check out what he was doing and walked right under his tail as Sam relieved himself. So now Sam is marked by Aussie, Max is pooed on by Sam and the walk continues. They sniff and stop and mark everything and finally max who lifts his leg to pee only then puts it down and squats somehow got aussie. So at least it is fair! we made it to the top but I let them lead the way they found this not so well traveled path down and max stopped I looked he had huge thorn covered thing stuck on his leg then I look down they are on me 2-3 inch needles sticking out of these things MI rax got his out with his teeth but Aussies was stuck so there I was on a hill 3 dogs tring to use the lease to pull this thing out of aussie's food one needle remained pulled that out while trying to keep them all still as to not roll down the hill. Really you had to be there too funny. I really do love them!!

I realize that I never blogged about the last leg of the trip. The Gold Coast. It is about 4hour flight (maybe less) up there from Melborne. The last day I was in Melborne was the windiest day ever, warnings for people not to go outside, supper rain I have never seen it rain that hard so fast ever!! the next day was not as bad but still really windy. So the plane ride for the first hour not so fun Dramamine was a must! When I got there took a shuttle to my hotel which was beautiful, if you stay in the fancy hotel you get this really swank glass bottle of carbinated water which I think is gross so I added my emern C vitamin packet to it and drank up!! I then went to find a computer to find a hotel for the next 3 days. no luck that night so I went back to the hotel and went for a swim in the pool. it was beautifully landscaped with trees all around and lights, only I was the only one there so I felt like I was staring in a horror film where some creepy murderer was going to ambush me in the pool. So I didn't stay long. The next morning went and found a hotel but left my stuff at this one so I could enjoy the beach without having all my bags with me. Broad Beach is where I was at. It is broad! lots of white sand. I hung out there watching the locals and the not so locals surf and play. The next day I took a bus to Byron Bay. This is where I stayed in college. The town has changed some, but for the most part it is the same drug filled hippy town it was in college. The place we actually lived is about a 5 min. drive from Byron or 20 min walk (if you know the way which I forgot somehow in the 11 years that I was away) so I walked for about 3 hours by way of the lighthouse and 3 other beaches then took the 5 min. cab ride after all. Tallow beach is the name of my beach, It is the most beautiful beach in the world I think. It is now a dog recreation area so I had a great time watching the playful pups who like the people of australia are all really nice. Then went had dinner which although they said had no garlic really did, not a fun night as I waited for the bus which was over an hour late. Sitting at the bus stop however there was a live Irish band playing at the bar which was fun to listen to. But a reminder of how lost this town is. It is like going back in time hippies everywhere high on meth or drunk to the point of not being able to stand up. its a very scary place at night, but a place that intrigues me the same. The next day was my last day in Australia so I went to an outdoor market to get some presents for people and then hung out at the beach. I packed my bags and thought I better eat a good dinner so went to the steakhouse next to the hotel, but it wasn't very good:( Next morning got up to take a cab to this random hotel where a shuttle would meet me, it turns out the cab took me to the wrong hotel and I had to walk about 1/4 mile or more to the actual place with all my stuff, yea for being a determined person! It was late then we hit traffic in Brisbane due to a marathon being run so you know how you are supposed to be at the airport at least 2 hours before well I got there about 1 hour before and the line was out the door. The Transplant world games were held the same time I was there and Team USA was on my flight. so lots of people!! which also meant every seat was full. the flight was long but I watched 4 movies I think and people watched. I am glad that I had the opportuntiy to go and have learned a lot which I will share maybe later or better in a real conversation! but thats my trip,

now Im back at work full time and school full time and wishing I was doing neither, but thankful that God has provided both and looking for opportunities to share his love in both places.

heaps of wildlife

Today was wildlife day. We drove to this island and saw the biggest pelicans ever really bigger than most of you reading this. then off to a farm where there were cows (hairy ones), new born goats and lambs (3 days old), horses, sheep (ready to be sheered), big goats and varriety of birds. Then off to Koala park. Lots of pictures for Leilani (its against the law to touch them, so no pics of me holding them) but one with a baby too cute and others hanging on for dear life at the tops of these trees with monster winds swinging them every which way there were also wallabies there too. Then off to penguin parade. Its a beach where these penguins nest and at night they come on shore, too cute. they are the fairy penguins so they are tiny and they come in little groups talking to each other its like watching people interact. Anyways photos forbiden so you'll have to take my word for it the cutest thing ever. ONly down fall so cold, litterally i was wearing 3 shirts,1 scarf, 3 jackets (all with hoods that I wore at the same time) and still was numb and looking fabulous(you could only see my eyes, hehe)!! Tomorrow not sure but they are going to make me a traditional polish dinner cabbage roll of some sort. Never had cooked cabbage so we will see. then wed i leave for the gold coast. I only have a place to stay the first night Im there so pray I find something for the other 3 nights.

Melborne

Im in Melborne now which is in the south part of Australia. I am staying with a family who are fabulous. Thier daughter Olivia came to the states last January and well ended up at my house. Small world Im at her's and could not be happier. Her parents are from Polland and well perhaps that will be my next trip. They are so nice. I am however glad I am only here for a few days as the amount of yummy food I have eaten just today I will be 500 pounds in no time. The dad Max is a chef- cakes!! but made a fabulous dinner (not to mention breakfast of odd meats which Chris or any of my carnivorous friends would have loved) chicken and cheese potatoes and amazing vegitables- it is so nice to eat home cooking after 2 weeks of eating out! and also had amazing wine. I know I don't drink but really it was so good! then came dessert Stasi made this amazing almond cake tonight this fabulous coffee cake this morning (slight variation from the one my mom makes if any of you have had hers really good) so I asked for the recipes. SO when I get home I am going to try to convert the measurements of a "little of this" and "well like half of this cup of that" and 200g of butter into a cake that tastes hopefully like the one she made. I want to ask about the chicken too, really the best chicken ever and I have eaten a ton of chicken in my life. Anyways This meal was after a day that we picked up Olivia's god daughter Charlie who is 3 and went on an old steam train through the country side and rainforest then we stopped at a park and watched wild kangaroos eat just before sunset. Oh 3 year olds. So much fun no matter where they live. Cute and amazingly she loved me straight away. Fun day nice to be in a family environment. Tomorrow off to Philip Island hope it doesn't rain. It was cold today and I sent my big coat home with Libby so I hope not to freeze, and I hope my pants are dry, Stazi insisted she wash some of my clothes so I now have a few clean pairs only they don't dry things so hope is was windy enough today to dry them. Great people God has provided amazingly for my needs.

Trip Update

Ok this will be brief as I am being charged by the minute to type so here is my trip so far
Mon-Flight long, but muscle relaxer and a row to myself I amazingly slept most of it no food so starving when I got off!!
Wed- found food (as Mon-wed all one day really) then we took a boat to Davenport hiked around north head and Mt. Victoria beautiful, WW2 history stuff ate John Dorry fish
Thurs. -Boat to different island for worlds best beach- rained tons!!! wine tasting- will have great story later! interesting locals at dinner
Fri-RAIN, RAIN, RAIN, so we went to the west coast and hiked in the rainforest to the top of the falls some more beaches Pihu a surfing legend beach but really wet pictures are hillarious
SAt museum, best chocolate shop ever, ate lamb, saw Dralion!
Sun-boat to dormant volcano, hiked in the RAIN surprise we were wet but views were amazing
Mon- flew to Sydney, walked around botanical gardens, darling harbor (best lunch here at a brewry) worst dinner ever!
Tues- road subway system(funny stories to come)hiked the Blue Mountians, no rain!! beautiful waterfalls and rainforest
Wed-Boat to Manly beach-beautiful and sunny!! then tea at the opera house so much fun!!! girls I wish you were here!! then fancy dinner at this premire res. but I didn't like the food-shocker!
Thurs-zoo-lots o baby animals supper cute, then the bridge climb. Yes all the way to the top! amazing views but cant take camera due to safety will try to get more photos today!
Fri-trying to do laundry but not so successful yet so maybe blow drying my handwashed undies tonight!! not sure what today holds thinking city pictures and maybe a trip to manly beach agian it the most beautiful day today!

I am having fun, pray for safety as from today on I am on my own! I will have tons of stories and pics for you when I see you in 12 days! I am off to Melborne tomorrow pray I can contact the girl I am staying with before I leave!

On my way

i am all packed and will board the plane in a couple of hours. my intention is to keep you all posted as the days go. i make no promises. Thank you all for praying for me i have some amazing friends and while I knew this before the trip your phone calls and texts today are proof. i will miss you all! See you in a couple of weeks!!

old letters

Today I opened up my Bible that I used in college. I couldn't find my other Bible, but in opening it I found lots of old papers, sermons, and letters from my parents and friends that for whatever reason I kept. I found a letter from Mike dated 1/16/99. Understand that on that date Mike and I were not dating and were just getting back to being friends and still he wrote words of encouragement all based on scripture. During this time I was facing some challenging situations at school and was so confussed as to what God was doing. Sound familiar (my current life is not much different) So Mike wrote "The most important thing I can tell you is to keep your eyes and focus on God....The Lord will answer your prayers (Jer. 33:3) and He wants to know about your problems (Ps. 142:1-2) The Lord still hears all of your prayers and requests (Ps 77:1) the Lord is living with us even when life hurts and things don't seem to make sense. I know I can't feel your pain and can't make things make sense, but I know that God makes all things work together and beautiful in His time. Don't give up on God or yourself things will make sense soon enough." Pretty funny how life cycles. I grew a lot during that last semester of school and well maybe that is why the trials where there. Now agian God is stretching me and yet I still struggle to trust that His plan is best, and turn to Him in prayer rather than just handle things on my own. Funny how Mike still talks to me through old letters and sermon notes. I am so thankful that I had him as a friend who directed me so often to the scripture and not to himself for emotional comfort and support. So now that I don't have him here for comfort and support I can still be directed to God who loves me more than Mike did and who is living with me working all my situations out for good. Mike left a legacy, I hope I live in such a way that my life will count for Christ and people will come to know Him better. Pray for boldness. Its what I had to be in college during that last semester and its how I need to be now. To live Christ to die Gain!