Goals

I am realizing things about myself this year. I like to talk about starting new things and setting goals, but I seem to have some difficulty in following through. This is where the blog comes in. If I post my plans here I might actually have someone ask me how its going (or I will at least be annoyed by looking at the proof in writing).

One of my most recent goals is to attempt a sprint triathlon. My roommate and I have actually started a training plan together, so I have already made some progress. We have a plan to do an event in Arizona in December. We have some short term plans as well--run a 5K in October as well as doing a 25 mile charity bike ride in the fall.

I hope to do another of my goals--blogging--to go along with our training. So...there I go. I may actually get this goal thing down.

Adventures

Two weeks ago I traveled with my co-workers to a campground area in Newport, Tennessee for a retreat/staff meeting of sorts. While we did work, we also adventured a little bit. I haven't had the chance to enter my thoughts from this time...so here they are...

June 3, 2008
So, we tried to hike up the mountain last night (we being 5 other women). We didn't leave until 8 pm EDT so it was close to sunset. We were only heading up to a lookout a mile or so up the hill where you can look over into North Carolina. We thought there was a clearing to see from, so we kept walking. Well...(do you see where this is going)...It got dark. The worst part was I ended up getting separated between the two small groups we had formed.*

I'm by myself on the side of a minor mountain. Did I forget to mention that this is basically the edge of the Smoky Mountains? We have bears (wildcats, snakes, spiders the size of VWs, etc) in East Tennessee. So, I began heading back down by myself when I could no longer hear my friends ahead of me on the trail. At this point in my journey, I discovered a few things about myself.

1) We get so intent upon goals that sometimes we leave the safety of support. I and the two friends ahead of me, were so intent upon reaching the ambiguous "stopping point" that we got separated. I also noticed that I really didn't enjoy what was actually a glorious sunset. We really shouldn't spend life so goal oriented that we live utterly separated from friends and support systems.**

2)Apparently, I panic easy! It seems our true natures can come out when we are left on the side of a mountain in the dark alone (who knew). I made great use of the time to beg God to keep my stupidity from getting me killed (tripping over something; running into a bear, etc.).

3) It gets dark fast when you aren't paying attention. I'll let you make the life lesson connections.

4) God has a wicked sense of humor. My Psalm for this morning's devotion. Psalm 121:1-8 "I look up to the mountains-does my help come from there. My help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth...." (NLT). Thank you, God for the reminder that you are with me, even on the mountain.

I love the fact that I got a good work out--physically and spiritually--all by simply walking/hiking up a mountain. So, I hope I can take these lessons to heart in life.

Now...where did I put the heating pad? Climbing hills ain't easy...



*In our defense, this was a well laid trail (more like a small road that cut across the mountain), so although it was dark and, granted, dangerous from a wild animal standpoint there was little likelihood of getting lost.
**This is as high philosophy as I usually get...don't worry.

Being Forgetful

Is it being forgetful or lazy that I have waited one month to come back and write on my blog? So, let's see...the month of May.
-celebrated Cinco de Mayo with a taco
-celebrated Memorial Day at the pool
There was a whole bunch of other stuff in between that nobody but me would probably care about. The organization I work with spent most of May preparing student volunteers to go out through the state of Tennessee doing summer service projects. I spent most of May getting ready for those students to arrive in Tennessee.

On other points...

As I enjoy the Chronicles of Narnia (hence the title of this blog), I should at least mention that I did go and see Prince Caspian.* Don't worry, no spoilers here. I really enjoyed the movie. I felt that even though in some places it wandered away from the novel, the heart of the story was maintained. What about you?

I also read an excellent book-Gilead: A Novel by Marilynne Robinson. It was a unique book that I definitely want to read again, because there was so much that didn't sink in the first time.** The story is written as a "last letter" from a dying man to his son and covers a lot of ground (both in time and in concepts). I would definitely recommend it.

That's all for now. See you in June.***


*or as my local theater sold it-Narnia 2. How much did that annoy me?
**at some point, I will try to review this book more thoroughly because I really do recommend it.
*** because I'm sure all three of you reading this will be waiting on tenterhooks. Even more so, since you are probably a family member waiting to see if I survive white-water rafting next week.

Reflections on Susan

"Lucy," said Susan in a very small voice, "I see [Aslan] now....I’m sorry....But I’ve been far worse than you know. I really believed it was him....I mean, deep down inside. Or I could have, if I’d let myself. But I just wanted to get out of the woods and—and—oh, I don’t know. And what ever am I to say to him?”—Prince Caspian, C.S. Lewis

Normally when I read any of the Chronicles of Narnia, I automatically want to be Lucy—the one who discovers the wardrobe, who meets Tumnus, and begins the adventures first. More often than not, though, as I reflect upon the stories I feel I’m much more like Susan.

In Prince Caspian, when the four Pevensie children return to Narnia, Lucy is the first to see Aslan. The others at first don’t believe her, but eventually they choose to follow her, following Him. Edmund sees him next followed by Peter. Lastly, Susan recognizes Aslan pacing ahead of her. She admits that she could have believed, if she would have let herself. She fears what Aslan will say to her.

Often, I believe deep down, but my fears or pride or complacency in everyday life keeps me from truly following. I don’t want to believe/trust, because it would force me to admit I was wrong, or change my direction, or perhaps a little bit of both. I get so caught up in doing my day to day life, I’m not willing to stop and see if Aslan is speaking to me just around the next tree.

I hope I can remember to ignore my fears. I want to always be willing to follow the un-recognized and difficult/strange/crazy path. I don’t want to someday find myself living in denial as Susan ultimately does, remembering my faith and Narnia as “the silly games I used to play.”

Just that time of year

I was out at a local park enjoying Spring weather and I began to think about what I enjoy about Spring. Okay, so anyone who knows me can remember how much I wanted out of Louisville when I lived there a few years back…so consider this your irony alert. I miss Louisville.

As a favorite part of spring, I miss this week of all weeks in Kentucky—a celebration of tradition, athleticism, and hats, yep…it’s the Run for the Roses (for anyone not quite there yet, next Saturday is the Kentucky Derby). I never went to the race. I do not feel that I missed anything having never braved the muddle of humanity that is the infield at Churchill Downs. But, I miss being in Louisville for this week.

Beginning with the show of shows—Thunder over Louisville, this week is a fun time. Thunder is the Saturday one week before the Derby (today as I write this). It is an airshow that concludes with fireworks over the Ohio River near the 1-65 bridge headed into Indiana. It is the greatest excuse for cramming thousands of people onto the riverfront. From there the festivities go on to concerts, “hat parades,” food tastings, and then, of course, there are the horses. That is what everyone is in town for.

Like I said, I’ve never been to the race, but I did enjoy Dawn at the Downs. Churchill opens its doors to the public for the morning runs beginning at 6 am on the weekdays leading to the race. I miss the traditional Derby foods-copper pennies (carrot slices), Mint Tulips (the alcohol free version of the Julep), and of course Masterson's version of the famous Kentucky Hot Browns. I miss the joy on children’s faces watching the Balloon Glow and Hot Air Balloon race. I even miss the parade leading to the running of the Fillies for the Lilies (the official kick off race on Friday evening). Last but not least of course, is the race. Even if you don’t enjoy horse racing you find yourself caught up in the fun, watching for the famous faces to come to town and finally picking “your” horse for the race.

Then, the next Monday in May arrives and I’ll remember the parts of Louisville I didn’t enjoy. (Spaghetti Junction, I’m talking to you.) For now, however, I’m content to miss the River City.

Giving this a try

I'm joining the trend a little late in the day, but wanted to try this whole "blog" thing on for size-as a chance to ramble (where others can read it) through the wilderness that is my brain. Sometimes you just need to make someone else read what you are thinking to help you clarify those thoughts.
So...be nice. I'm just learning.