I Have Already Won

So it is decided

I am going to run a half marathon

I ran a half marathon on my 25th birthday and though I was so thankful for my friends and sister who trained with me and ran with me, I have never been so sore in my life! 

Seriously, afterwards my head felt like it was split in two!

I told myself I would never run another half again

Fast forward two and a half years

I ran a few 5k here and there but never another half

The Wednesday before Christmas I met with Olivia, who is the St. Jude rep for Seattle

We have talked about our "running" workouts before 

During lunch that day she mentioned the St. Jude Country Music Half in Nashville

We talked about training together, being a St. Jude Hero, and the fundraising incentives but even then I was still pretty closed off on running another one

Side Note- I am NOT a runner. Sometimes I think I am but then I never attempt anything longer than around Greenlake  

Then I went home for Christmas

Thought about it, prayed about it, talked it over with my family

Then something crazy started happening..

 my excitement of running started to increase

Am I really going to do this?!

St. Jude is a huge passion for me

Helping children is a huge passion for me

If my purpose is to help spread hope to children then becoming a St. Jude Hero and raise funds for St. Jude is no brainer

I will train for their Hope

I will raise funds for their Hope

I will run for their Hope

This is definitely the motivation I needed

I will admit it does help that the half marathon is in Nashville and country music will be everywhere:)

Bring it on! 

(headache, soreness and all!) 

On a more serious note, I am going to be more vulnerable here

Though I am BEYOND excited for this race, I am little really intimidated by it all

Not because I don't believe in St. Jude-FAR from it

But because I don't want to fail

What if I don't reach my fundraising goal?

What if I don't beat my running goal?

What if people think I am trying too hard?

Am I being too "pushy" with my beliefs?

I want to make sure I go about this (running, fundraising, training, etc. ) with integrity and authenticity 

I mentioned this to one of my co-workers the other day and in the midst of talking about ideas and how to use this at a ministry tool he said something that struck me hard

"Doesn't matter what happens anyway, you already won"

Wow, I needed to hear that

I needed to be reminded that no matter what happens:

If I am last to finish

If I don't reach my goal

Even if I only raise $1!

God doesn't care how much money I will make or if I finish last 

He cares about my heart

He cares about my intentions

He is giving me this opportunity to minister

To help His children

To spread His glory

You better believe I am going to take full advantage!

He already loves me

He already cares for me

He already forgives me

He has already saved me

That sounds like a pretty good win to me

I finally get to see this little chubby bunny on on Sunday!

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Falling in Love all over again...

...with Seattle

After spending New Years at Sarah's place, she had to leave in the morning to pick up her parents at the airport leaving Lisa and I to have the whole day to explore Seattle!

It could not have been a more perfect day! 

I first took her to Gas Works that over looks Lake Union

We had a little photo session with Starbucks

Seattle, Starbucks and sunshine

Perfect!

I am supposed to be creating a heart but I failed terribly!

Seriously Seattle, can you be any more beautiful!

Lisa has been downtown Seattle but never around the suburbs 

We saw some amazing houses, mostly older homes with amazing views

As we were driving around Queen Anne we saw this SUPER cute condo building

and immediately stopped

It was a magical oasis in the middle of a neighborhood

We even pulled into the driveway to get a better view

We sat for a bit and day dreamed what it would be like if we lived in these and were neighbors

Oh, the possibilities...

I had an amazing day showing my best friend around Seattle

I hope one day her and Rob will have the opportunity to live here 

But for now, I will enjoy these sweet moments with my friend 

and explore all the beautiful places of Seattle

What a day!

And just because he is so cute

I guess Jace had a double ear infection for New Years Eve 

My poor baby!

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Looking Into The Year Ahead 2013

Bring it on!

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Happy New Years 2013!

Happy New Year!

May you not be afraid to take risks, dream big, and find adventure

May you live fully, serve passionately, and love deeply

May 2013 be filled with Gods love, joy and peace

The best is yet to come....

Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.
~Martin Luther


Whether we want them or not, 

the New Year will bring new challenges; 

whether we seize them or not, 

the New Year will bring new opportunities.  

~Michael Josephson

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Christmas Cheer

Christmas 2012

I just got back from our Christensen family Christmas

I am sitting at home listening to my last bit of Kenny G Holiday

 Nostalgic feelings always surface around Christmas time

The longing to be home is strong 

Christmas "renews our youth and stirs our wonder"

Though Christmas is still all around me the "magic of Christmas" has come to pass

The presents are unwrapped

The gatherings and get togethers are done

The New Year parties being planned

The stores bringing out Valentines day decorations 

I will have to start taking down and packing all my Christmas decorations

I will have to start planning for my return to work and getting organized for the New Year

Everything the past two months leading to this season is over and done

However, this year is different for me

 Instead of being sad, bitter and horribly anxious that this season is over 

I am HOPEFUL

I am reminded that our true present is our Savior Jesus Christ

We don't have to wait just for Christmas to accept His gift

The Christmas season simply reminds us of this perfect gift 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

His Love

His Peace

His Grace

His Redemption

His Forgiveness

His Acceptance

We can be hopeful

All year long

So I will be! 

I am hopeful that He has amazing things planned for me this coming year

I am hopeful that my life is going EXACTLY how He wants it

I am hopeful that I am being made and prepared everyday for His glory

That is one GREAT gift!

 ---------------------My Christmas in pictures!

Mom and dad say that Chris and I have to take pictures "with santa" until I get married- Oh geez

It has been quite the holiday break for me!
It started with a wedding on Dec. 21st

My sister was my wedding date-or maybe I was hers? :) 

My sister and I have always had a great relationship
But I will always remember our time together before the wedding
We had an amazing talk that I will never forget

I was feeling pretty sorry for myself that day

I did not exactly know what I was longing for or why I felt so empty

That night was definitely an answer to prayer

Being able to talk to my sister and be completely vulnerable was such a blessing

She knew exactly how I felt

We talked for awhile about our dreams, goals, and the desires of our hearts

It was exactly what I needed

What I prayed for

Just some good ol' sister bonding

I am excited to grow closer and stronger in our walk together

Me. Beth, Jordan, Amanda, Bailey
Another NBC girl gets married

Seahawks! Dec. 23rd the Seahawks beat the 49ers in a HUGE Division game!
Jace was just as excited like his auntie  

Christmas Eve night

Christmas night

Reading by the fire with my mom and CHristmas carols playing
I am learning to cherish all the moments being home
The little blessings in life 

I am so excited to start reading these books!

Greater
The Reason for God

And I am so in love with Jace I cant even handle it!
Look at that smile!
One of Christmas's best presents
#onlysecondtobabyJesus

The both love me don't let this one fool you!

Christensen cousins- missing Jon and Joey 

Christmas 2012 you were one to remember!

"I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in Your name, for Your name is good."

Psalm 52:8-9 

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Your power, Your Glory

^“I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.”

Psalm 63:2

Dear Jessie,

My plan for your life is unfolding before you. Sometimes the road you are traveling seems blocked, or it opens up so painfully slowly that you must hold yourself back. Then, when time is right the way before you suddenly clears-through no effort of your own. What you have longed for and worked for I present to you freely, as pure gift. You feel awed by the ease with which I operate in the world, and you glimpse My power and My glory.

Do not fear your weakness, for it is the stage on which My power and Glory perform most brittiantly. As you preserve along the path I have prepared for you, depending on My strenghth to sustain you, expect to see miracles- and you will. Miracles are not always visable to the naked eye, but those who live by faith can see them clearly. Living by faith, rather than sight, enables you to see My Glory.

 Love,

Your father

Living by faith, not by sight

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The Holiday Magic

Life lately has been quite busy  

I am constantly reminded to slow down

The world is not going to end (pun intnded) if I dont get everything done on my "to-do list that happens to get longer everyday

It is OK not have every present wrapped perfectly

It is OK to not bake everything on my list

It is OK to just stop and soak up this special time of year

Enjoy the Holiday

Enjoy the Magic

Enjoy His Presence

Last night my roomate Candice and I went on a spontaneous outing to se Christmas lights

I knew a Starbucks that was opened 24 hours so of course we got our peppermint hot chocolates first

We drove to a place called Candy Cane lane in Seattle

We drove the street and day dreamed what we would decorate when we get our own houses someday

We stayed up late but it was just what I needed

A perfect holiday filled night

Who doesnt enjoy this classic?!

I realized baking stresses me out, yet I still seem to always find myself baking during this time of year



I was squeezing, hugging and kissing Jaceman a little extra last Friday

My brother, Doug and I at my uncles holiday party for Seattle Community Theatre. 

And of course Christmas candles, Christmas music

Filling my mind and heart with the one thing that always brings me peace





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Christmas in Heaven

We will never understand why things like this happen

We only can cling on to God all the more

Cling on to His promise

Cling on to His love

His evertlasting, never forsaking peace, love and comfort

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds

Psalm 147:3

--------------------------------------------

I am praying with and for the world

I am mourning with the world

But honestly, it has taken me a few days to really comprehend what happened

Last night as I was praying
My radio on low as usual

 This song came on

"Christmas in Heaven"

 Is there snow falling down on the streets of gold
Are the mansions all covered in white
Are you singing with angels silent night
I wonder..... what Christmas in Heaven is like
Are you kneeling with shepherds before him now
Can you reach out and touch his face
Are you part of that glorious holy night
I wonder..... What Christmas in Heaven is like

Instant tears
Tears of sadness
Tears of pain
Tears of frustration

Why?

Why another terrible tragedy?

Heavy Hearts

Mourning

Griefing

Questioning

All part of the process

But never really fully understanding

After some minutes of sobbing, God began to reveal something to me
Through the terrible sadness we all are experiencing
Through our human pain and suffering on earth
It is a reminder that we are not home

They are HOME

They get to dance on streets made of gold
Play in the mansions covered in white
They get to sing silent night with the angels
and kneel with the shepherds
They get to touch the face of God
and experience a glorious Holy Night

They dont have to wonder what Christmas in Heaven is like
They get to experience Christmas in heaven
They get to experience their best Christmas ever
How sweet that is!

Dancing with angels this Christmas!

I pray for the friends and families of the victims.

I pray that they will seek the comfort of Christ and that He may give them a peace and healing that only He can provide.

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He from whom all blessings flow

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 150:6

Come to me with your gaping emptiness, knowing that in Me you are complete. As you rest quietly in My presence, My light within you grows brighter and brighter. Facing the emptiness inside you is simply the prelude to being filled with My Fullness.

Therefore, rejoice on those days when you drag yourself out of bed, feeling sluggish and inadequate. Tell yourself that this is a perfect day to depend on Me in childlike trust. If you persevere in this dependence as you go through the day, you will discover at bedtime that Joy and Peace have become your companions.

You may not realize at what point they joined you on your journey, but you will feel the beneficial effects of their presence. The perfect end to such a day is doxology of gratitude.

I am He from whom all blessings flow.

 -----------------------------------------------------------

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰ and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

Colossians 2:9-10

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