Beautifully Broken

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you'd give anything to make it right or functional, but you just cannot figure out how to do that?  You think up many different ideas on what you might say versus what you should say.  The words are there but you can't organize them into coherent thoughts and points.  The words are there but you don't want to organize them into coherent thoughts and points.  You want to just hit the rewind button back to when things were normal and smooth sailing.  Sounds good right?  Rewind to a time when you had lots to say and it was easy and fun. Now, you're plagued with the thoughts of how your actions might be perceived, or how your communication will be misinterpreted and it slowly chips away at the fun-happy-care free person you used to be.   The harsh reality surrounding this is, you know that the only reason you feel this way is because you care.  "Oh," you'd think to yourself, "If only I could just let it go and adapt to the new normal this situation would be non-existent."

It's frustrating.  You want to stop caring, but you know that's not the right thing to do because being a christian means that part of the call is to be "all about people."  Your mind circles around the topic as if there is a broken record playing in your head.  It's almost as if you wish you could just pluck the situation out of your head, drop it off in the trash can, and never think about it again.  Wouldn't that be grand?

That's me.  Non-confrontational.

I like to be liked.  I like to be needed.  I like to feel appreciated. I like to feel cared about.  I like to feel as if I matter.  I like to feel as if I'm making a difference.  I mean, who doesn't? I don't like when things go awry and there are obstacles that make things complicated.  I would love everything to be honky dory in a place where everyone is happy.

Reality check.

That place doesn't exist on earth.  Not everything will turn out the way we want it to.  Here on earth we have disappointments, obstacles, heartbreaks, pain, and suffering, but along with all of that we can have pure happiness, pure peace and pure joy in Christ.

"'For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,' says the LORD, who has compassion on you." Isaiah 54:10

"Christ the fountain of living water, and happiness drawn from Him can never fail." MB 28

This past week I've been trying to focus on that point.  It's a simple point yes, but sometimes it's those simple points that make the biggest impact.  While we live in such a horrible place where not everything is perfect and happy we still can find comfort in the promises of Jesus.

I've been reminding myself of this too...

Sometimes things are not meant to be as they were, sometimes things are meant to stay beautifully broken.

"If received in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing. The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth will be the means of turning our eyes to heaven." MB 20, 21

Be a Hill Seeker

I don't know about you, but I'm always trying to avoid those hills on a run.  You know, the ones that make you feel like you're going to halt mid pace?  Better yet, if you're a drama queen like myself, they are the ones that put you close to death... 

This week I am staying with my old roommate from college - I just got in from a run around her neighborhood and I found myself turning down all of the roads that didn't have the huge inclines.

But why?

What is so good about flat anyway?  I don't like having flat tires, flat hair, flat returns, and as an ICU nurse I definitely don't like the flat lines... Beeep!

It got me thinking, life happens on the hills.  The hills are an opportunity to prove that you are stronger than you ever thought possible.  If you never attempt the climb, you'll never know the thrill of surging down the other side.  I have found a lot of comfort in applying this concept to all areas of life, and not just the running life.  

As for me, real life has kept me busy, with lots of hills and lots of flat.  I've officially made it back from Arizona! What a long trip that was!  

At the beginning of May, I spent some time with some awesome kiddos in Haiti!

University of Pennsylvania 

Mission Trip

After the Haiti mission, I scheduled an appointment with my hair dresser and lightened things up! 

For the duration of the month of May, I signed my self a contract in good ole Hershey, PA.  I love working at the hospital there.  It's one of my favorite places to be.  It also landed me a whole month at the Laugers.  Needless to say, I was kept busy and entertained.

Took several bike rides with this young man...

Took some dune buggy rides too... 

Dune buggy in the creek... 

It's how these Laugers roll...

And took some jeep rides ...

Enjoyed some yummy fruit bars... 

AirSoft battles...

Injury prevention... 

Afternoon cruising... 

Became an ACLS Provider

Participated in the Hershey Color Run 

5k

Pre Race with Nurse Misti

Spent some major time with my baby sister... 

I love her. 

Attended our sister's wedding... (Christina and Jeremy 5/24/2014)

 Wedding Guests...

My daddy!  

:-) 

 Before I knew it, June arrived! I started my new contract in Philadelphia, and June 12 packed up and headed out to Michigan Camp Meeting! What a blessing it was to spend time with my dearest friends. 

Participted in the Fit for Him 5k 

Michigan Camp Meeting 

Yours truly ... 

Thank you for this photo Scott Bennett!

(There may be a hint of sarcasm going on here...) 

I love you anyway! :-) 

 Cana - 1st female finisher in her age group

Father's Day - 10k 

Micheal and Cana 

Being silly, taking selfies with this cutie!  

I love her. 

I was so sad to leave Michigan to head home for work, but I was super happy to head to Pennsylvania Camp Meeting that next weekend! 

My dad says I don't leave anytime for grass to grow under my feet.  He's right.  However, the people on the other side are well worth all the miles traveled.  

 The Southards - family worship.  

Love this family.

Landed myself another cruise on a beautiful afternoon with this dude.

Yes, he just jumped off a rock 50ft above water... Didn't even flinch. 

That's my brobie! 

July has lots of adventures planned - I'm looking forward to what God has up His sleeve! He is in the business of blowing my mind.  I'm ready.

Until next time!