What's in a run?

A few weekends back JMo, her sister and I decided to do a 5k! In fact, a 5k raising money for those who work to help those suffering from HIV/AIDS. I spoke about it earlier here. Well, there we were early Saturday morning in the cool crisp Seattle air that invoked the desire to run right back to the car and blast the heat. The clouds loomed and threatened rain, but stayed at bay and really, it was a lovely feeling to run and take in autumn in the Northwest.

I've reflected on just what the draw is to be active in order to raise money. Relay for Life - you raise money pledging to 'walk all night' with your team, benefit walks and runs, stair climbs for cystic fibrosis... and I realized that it is a place of empowerment. I don't know the cure for AIDS or cancer, I don't know how to research for that cure, I don't know how to medically help those suffering be healed. But I can run (or, well lightly jog/walk). I can try and raise funds to enable those who do know how to research come that much closer to a cure. People can run. But I am also challenged with that idea: was it just a fun morning for me? Is that all this really was?

We are empowered to pray.
We are empowered to raise/donate money.
We are empowered to come together as a community and take a stand.
We are empowered to raise awareness.

Running for those who are fighting to be able to get up and run again. I think we feel that we cannot do much to make a difference, 'measly ol' me, right?. But we can run, we can come together as a community of support, we can be in fellowship together and pray for that cure to come. That's an empowering concept, no?

God's Timing is Perfect

I received encouragement and clarity in unexpected places today, so I thought I would share with you:

"To get something you never had, you have to do something you've never done"

"When God takes something from your grasp. He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better."

"The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you."

God is good. God's will is good, even when it's different than mine.

Today I thank God for willing servants like Heidi and Jenna who were able to bring peace and assurance to me in a time of doubt.

Plaid Time

As autumn rolls in bringing brisk winds and rainy days I have seen an abundance of... plaid!? And, I think I love it! Here are some of my favorites for all occasions:
Plaid Time by bostrj featuring American Eagle Outfitters

My own interpretation of plaid time this autumn...

Missing a piece

Yesterday my family lost a piece of its whole:

I'm teary looking at this picture and remembering the spunk Camy brought to our house.
*Her beautiful blue eyes that could flash red when she was itching to make some trouble.
*Her leap onto your chest and cold nose sniffing your cheek as she nuzzled.
*Her purring which would put a buzz saw to shame and on occasion, snoring.

*Her outright stubbornness and determination.
*Her curiosity - she knew every inch of our house and property and when anything changed or was new, she was Chief Inspector.
*How many times she made us laugh.

I miss her.

And I can safely say, there will never be another like her.
R.I.P. Camy

10::10 October Style

So I keep missing the 10::10 posts. It's the 15th of October already and I'm not really sure where those 15 days went. Thus, I am doing a 10::10 October style, since October's the tenth month of the year, here are 10 pictures of why I love it!

images found via: www.weheartit.com

Yum!

The other night I ran across a recipe on Allie's blog for Tortilla Soup and it sounded delicious for dinner, so after a hike up Queen Anne hill to Safeway for necessary ingredients, Nick and I decided to brave the kitchen!

(don't worry...I made him wash his hands...)

But an hour later and lots of chopping and stirring and burning and overall chaos we had the finished product:

And yes, it was as delicious as it looks!! And I learned that a scallion is a green onion (after scouring Safeway for 40 mintues looking for this so called scallion nonsense), and how to make homemade chips and guacamole! Try it for yourself: Tortilla Soup