Past/Present/Future

I’m not sure I’ve ever had a day quite like yesterday.  Initially I would have called it just a really good day.  However, upon closer inspection I realized that yesterday was a sort of microcosm of my life … a collision of past, present, and future. 

Future:

Yesterday afternoon I visited an old college professor to discuss my future educational plans/goals.  I came armed with my list of questions, thankful for someone with whom I could be honest and transparent about my insecurities and fears.  Said professor gave me an hour of his time, and while I went in somewhat unsure and intimidated by the whole grad school process, I left much more confident and enthusiastic about what the next few years hold.  I am excited about possibly moving to a completely different part of the country, for all the newness around the corner.  I realize lately more and more the fullness of time in regard to this pursuit.  I have said it before, but my heart aches to be back in the classroom.  Much to my delight, I will have that opportunity this next week as I visit my cousin at Wheaton and sit in on fun classes like Principles of Interpretation, Hebrew Exegesis of Haggai/Malachi, and Greek Exegesis of Romans.  Making Chi-town plans with Jayme (including two concerts … yay) yesterday on the drive back from Shawnee only intensified my excitement about not only the next few days, but even more so the next few years. 

 

Past:

After my meeting with Dr. Kelly, I got the chance to be nostalgic.  On my way out of Owens I ran into two more old professors and got to chat for a few minutes.  I walked the halls of WMU, stopping to talk with some of the current RAs.  I visited my old room with its arch window overlooking the oval, and therefore fountain.  I walked through the basement and thought about the sometimes out of the way trips to visit Stacey and then Sydnie on the opposite end of the hall if I didn’t have time for a lengthy visit with Ray, the night security guard.  Walking out of WMU, I remembered the view from my room my freshman year of the sun setting behind Raley Chapel.  I walked through the GC and saw the infamous stairs that led to a broken ankle and six of the hardest weeks of my life.  I ate dinner with my old college roommate at a classic Shawnee joint, and even ran into the parents-in-law of an old friend whose wedding I was in nearly six years ago.  And while I have some good memories, I have some regrets as well.  I didn’t always make the most of college in terms of relationships or class work.  I am a different person now than I was then, which leads me to the present.

 

Present:

Because of dinner with Katie, I made it back to Edmond a little late for church, but in plenty of time for FLOCK prayer.  For awhile now, several people in our small group have felt a need/desire to pray together more often, more than just at meals or before/after a lesson.  We do a pretty good job of devoting ourselves to the apostle’s teaching, the breaking of bread, and to fellowship, but in prayer we could definitely do better.  (Acts 2:42)  So we have begun to meet together after church on Wednesday nights.  Prayer could be its own separate post, but I will say that I am just beginning to learn and see its power and effects.  I am incredibly blessed to pray alongside such amazing people who love and care for our small group and want to see God glorified in all the world.  Anyway, prayer was followed by an intense workout session with my own personal trainer and new friend, Yuli.  She is anxious to put her kinesiology knowledge to use, and I am a more than willing guinea pig!  I’m having just a bit of a hard time walking today after my forty lunges with weights, followed by the question, “Okay, can you do twenty more?”  Um, okay.  It is these things, these relationships and myriad of other opportunities God has brought into my life this semester that leave me amazed.

 

Yesterday I realized that I am blessed to have great memories, but glad not to be the same person today that I was then.  I am content with my life now, deeply satisfied and pleased even.  However, I look forward to the future with a joyful anticipation and excitement, albeit a little nervousness.  So I am thankful for my past, present, and future.  And I am thankful for yesterday and its collision of eras that prompted this reflection. 

26(.2) Miles in My 26th Year

Every month my RAs have to make a bulletin board for their hall on different assigned topics such as health and safety, diversity, academics, etc.  Last month one of my girls did hers on Goal Setting and Values and displayed the following quote on her board: “The difference between a goal and a dream is the written word.”  About six months ago a little dream popped up for me.  I’ve told a few people but haven’t made it that public.  My worry is that I will back out and then have to face all the people that I so enthusiastically shared with in the first place.  I have recently decided, however, that my dream is worth my time and effort.  It’s time to turn my dream into a goal … and a catchy one at that.

On March 15th, I will turn 26 years old.  And on April 27th, I will run 26(.2) miles. 

One of my favorite things about living in the OKC area is the Memorial Marathon.  Three years ago some friends and I made a relay team with me running the final 10K leg.  Two years ago my best friend and I made two relay teams so that we could run the middle 12K leg alongside one another.  Last year I coordinated several relay teams from West Hall and ended up running the half marathon alongside one of my residents.  I had fallen a little behind in my training, so I only got to 10 miles before I had to walk/run the last 3.1.  As I was running that day, however, I couldn’t help but think that were I to put forth the time and effort to really train, that I could totally run a full marathon the following year.

I have no aspirations of becoming a “marathoner.”  Marathons are incredibly hard on your body, and I’ve heard that most of the benefits you get from running are capped out at about 13 miles.  However, just like I jumped out of a plane once and probably never will again, I really want to run one marathon just for the experience and sense of accomplishment.  Considering this is more than likely my last year in Oklahoma, and that the full marathon is the natural next step in my running progression, I think April 27th is the day.

So I have second goal in conjunction with my new marathon goal.  Goal #2 is to be in the kind of shape that were I to run in a sports bra, I would feel no shame.  The other day I went out to run in warmer weather, and when I inadvertantly lifted up my shirt a little, the cool air blowing against my stomach was heavenly.  I consider myself a modest person, but I figure if there is ever an appropriate time to be seen in a sports bra sans shirt, running a marathon would have to be it. 

Well, there it is.  My dream turned goal(s) via a blog.  Today’s weather is super runner friendly, so I’m off to take advantage.