10K and 100 miles

I just finished up my 100 mile summer with a 10k. It feels good.

I had two thoughts when I was finished: 1) Wow, that wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and 2) Wow, I don't know if I could ever run a marathon.

But then I heard in my head, "That was good, but you are capable of so much more."

What?! I just ran over 6 miles and I'm not even allowed to feel like that was an accomplishment?

Well, if it is just a stepping stone and not the grand culmination of my summer like I thought it would be, than I guess I have a lot to look forward to!

Following the Light of the Sun

I hiked to the top of Mount Timpanogos with some friends this weekend. We set off at one in the morning and hiked by moonlight until we reached the summit. We waited there until the sun rose up from the distant hills and shone its glowing and constant light.

We look pretty happy for not getting any sleep, don't we?!
While we were waiting, someone asked, "Which is better--a sunset or a sunrise?"

Both are beautiful, but I have decided that for me a sunrise is much more beautiful and promising.

It ends the night as it rises from the darkness.
And no matter how dark the night, the sun shines with its radiant light.

We all have or will have times in our life where we will face nights so dark that it may be difficult to remember that there is light or even that the morning will come.

But just as we cannot doubt the reality that the sun will rise in the morning, we cannot doubt that the sun can light a new day in our lives.

We can believe and know that sunlight will come and chase out the darkness.

And isn't the sun just gorgeous? Its light is so illuminating!

I feel that even though at times I feel surrounded by darkness

a sunrise comes into my life.

In his journey across the ocean, Columbus said, "Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World."

I'm ready to leave that old world.

I'm ready to let God "turn my darkness into light."
(Psalms 18:28, God's Word Translation)

Because he always does.

I'm ready to greet life's sunrises, its new days, its light!

My New Friend

I've made a new friend.
His name is Robert.

He calls me every day at work.
Several times a day, actually.

I always answer for him and try to help him, because I think he's really frustrated with his situation in life.

I do what I can.
He always tells me I'm doing a good job at my work and he says I have a pleasant voice.

But there's a little problem.

Robert is in jail.
And he doesn't want to talk to me at all.
He really just wants his attorney.
But for some reason, he just has a hard time getting that attorney's attention.

So I get to talk to him.

From what I can pick up, jail is not such a great place to be.
No one can call you.
You can't get out.
And I get the feeling there's not much to do if you have the time to call an office ten times in one afternoon.

So, Robert? Once you get out, I wouldn't suggest staying there again.

The Rose Garden

There are few places that retain their childhood magic as we get older.

And yet, there are a few that retain their mysteriousness and beauty even as we change.
My grandmother's rose garden is one of those places.

Perhaps it is because it never really changes, it only becomes more beautiful.
Perhaps it is because my grandmother nourishes not just by water and fertilizer, but also by love.
Perhaps it is because when I take a second glance into the garden I can see a little girl walking gently through the sweetheart roses, and I recognize that it is me.

My Grandmother's Roses:

To Be a Hero

Every little kid wants to be a superhero at some point.
So this past weekend I helped teach a group of children how to be one...and hopefully I learned a few things myself.

The Superhero Training Camp was in Granite Creek, Wyoming. A campground, a waterfall, plenty of trails, hot springs, and the infamous outhouses. It was perfect.

My cousin Caitlin and I were the official Superhero Trainers.

The first day at Superhero Training Camp, we gave each Superheros-in-Training secret identities and told them that their mission was just beginning.

They had much to learn if they wanted to be TRUE superheros.

And of course, what is a superhero without a cape?

And so it began, the rigorous training to become a superhero. Each day, the superheros in training received instructions on how to fulfill their mission as a superhero. The first day they learned how to obtain superhero powers. On the second day they learned how they could use their strength for good. On the third day they learned how they could overcome fear. On the final and fourth day, they learned how they could do ALL things required in their mission as a superhero.

The best part? We had two experienced Superheros who gave their stamp of approval to our work.

By the end of the Superhero Training Camp, we had 12 superheros ready to save the world.

Mission Accomplished!

Just for extra fun, here are Mr. and Mrs. Incredible and our Superhero Cheer.