Running Update

So, I did stay after work on Wednesday to run on the treadmill. One of my boys and a staff member were in the fitness room too so my pride helped to keep me going. It was still really hard.
When I first started running back in seminary I had a running partner. Amy-Ruth, one of my roommates, started running the same time I did so we would run together. We ran a little bit and encouraged each other and then walked a little bit and then ran some more. Amy-Ruth was the perfect running partner because she talked a lot which meant that I didn't have to talk much and it would make the run go by faster.
One of my conversations with Amy-Ruth came to mind on Wednesday as I ran on the treadmill. We sometimes sang on our runs and the theme song to Chariots of Fire was a frequent one on our playlist. In the movie, the main character, Eric Little (I think that's his name... I've never actually seen the movie... but heard it quoted many times in seminary), said something to the effect that "When I run, I feel God's pleasure." Amy-Ruth and I changed up the quote a little bit and said that "When we run, we feel God's DISpleasure"... and we would laugh as we said it.
I definitely did not feel God's pleasure on Wednesday as I struggled through my 2 miles. But, I'm still glad I did it.
I'm not going to be able to run today because I left my running clothes at home and have somewhere to be right after work. I'll have to make it up somehow tomorrow.
I really wish I had a running partner. I think I'm going to ask God for one. It would definitely make this a lot more enjoyable. I like running with Will but he doesn't talk when he runs. He likes to listen to his Ipod.... and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't want to sing theme songs with me :)

Run, Cheryl! Run!

Lately I have been lamenting the fact that I stopped running. Most of you already know this, but I used to be a runner. For two years, while in seminary, I actually enjoyed running. I ran at least 4 times a week and my favorite and most frequent route was 6 miles long. In April '06, I ran a half-marathon in 1:45. I know that it's not anything to brag about... and I hope it doesn't come across as bragging... its just that now I can hardly run 2 miles without wanting to die. It is so discouraging.

While at Covenant, I had blocks of time between classes or after work to run and explore the roads and neighborhoods around the campus. There were some really big houses, beautiful churches, pretty fields and woods for me to enjoy while I talked with God and solved all of the world's problems in my mind (and mine too.)

I had a lot going on during that point in my life and I know that running helped me to get through it without crumbling under stress.

I really think it is time for me to give it another try. Yes, I know it is the end of January and we are still having highs in the 20s. Great timing, huh.

One bonus of my job is that there is a fitness center literally across the hall from my office. So, I cannot use the weather as an excuse anymore. I have a date with the treadmill tonight after I get off of work . My goal is to run 2 miles every other day for two weeks. Hopefully my boys won't be using the fitness center at the same time. But, that would definitely give me motivation to keep running when it hurts and to go faster. (I'm so prideful!)

I'm writing this post with the hope that I will stick to my plan since other people now know about it. I'll let you know how it goes.

Video of electrical work at 215 Selma

So I thought I'd spice things up a little bit and do a video (or try to). This may give everyone who cant see the house first hand a better idea of the house and the projects going on. This one covers just the latest wiring bits that I've completed; I'll try to do more exciting things later on. Hope you enjoy it!

NB: I said the "screws are just holding it up" and will be removed...that meant that its being held up while the adhesive cured. Sounded a bit strange in the video. Second, yes the dining room is a mess...I work messily--get over it. And the stain all over the baseboard and quarter-round is not intentional, but we didn't try to be careful when we refinished the floors. None of the trim in the dining or living rooms has been repainted yet, so we'll fix that later on.

Stumbling Along

I haven't posted in a couple weeks. I haven't had anything funny happen to me lately and haven't thought of anything entertaining. So I haven't written.

If I were to be honest with myself, I would probably have to say that I've been avoiding writing.

Right now Will and I are both just kind of stumbling along. Waiting. Stumbling and waiting for God to show up. Or at least let us know that "this is the way; walk in it."

We are both incredibly disappointed. We both feel that we were made to do much more than we are doing right now. We feel like we have worked so hard and don't have much to show for it.

Poor Will. After working his tail off to get his MDiv and learn Greek and Hebrew, he now has to be at work at 5am at least two mornings a week to unload dog kibble off of a truck. His schedule changes each week and we are very lucky if we get one day off together. He has to listen to grouchy customers complain all day and I'm sure they treat their pets better than they treat Will. And possibly the worse thing for me is that Will is not able to use his gifts there. He comes up with great ideas of how to make the store better but no one listens to him. All of the store decisions are made from a corporate office in Arizona... even the thermostat is controlled there too. Discouraging.

But, we are both very thankful that Will has a job. So many people don't. It helps to pay the bills while it also humbles and refines Will's character. Priceless, right? Honestly, I usually don't think so.

And for me. I'm beginning to lose hope for the young men I work with. And that is killing me. Not to mention that I'm am cussed out on almost a daily basis and threatened on many occasions. They are resistant to meet with me and reject anything I offer them. I don't know how much longer I will be able to do this.

I keep telling myself to hold on. Wait until Will gets a better job so that I can go into private practice.

But then I start beating myself up because I'm "giving up" on these kids. If I don't help them, who will? And then I have to remind myself that I am not Jesus. I can't be their savior. People even rejected Jesus when he walked on the earth. People still reject Him today.

If I stop to think too much about the depravity I have seen in the past 3 1/2 years, I immediately become tearful. It truly is overwhelming. And my only response is, "come quickly, Lord Jesus!"

So, right now, I'm a mess... I'm a mess; my house is a mess; my paperwork is a mess... You get the picture.

If you think about it, please pray for us. Please pray that God, in His perfect timing, will provide Will with a better job. And please pray that we will be patient and faithful while we stumble along, waiting for His timing. And I could probably use a little more hope (or a better job) too.

Thanks.

Christmas Pictures

Here are just a few pictures of our Christmas decorations in our new house. There are more still on the camera so maybe I'll add those later.

The front door

Our Christmas Tree placed in front of the window in the dining room -which was thoroughly investigated by the cats

(I know the chandelier is really dusty but I'm not touching it until I am 100% certain that it is insured.)

With lights!

(Notice the small table in the corner... Will made it! Isn't it beautiful!!!??)

My 1st White Christmas!

We also placed candle lights in the windows that looked beautiful at night.

Another Scare

Will and I came home from celebrating Christmas with his family to find that Maddie had done a very, very bad thing. We had been gone about 6-7 hours and while we were out, she decided to help herself to a snack. We walked in the kitchen door to find empty bags of Reese's cups and York Peppermint Patty's and an empty box of Whoppers. She had gotten into our stocking and eaten most of our Christmas candy. (The Whoppers were Will's and the rest was mine. WAS being the key word.) She ate ALL of it! Wrappers and all.

Of course we panicked knowing that chocolate is poisonous to dogs. I sent Will out to Walgreen's to get some hydrogen peroxide to make Maddie throw up. (I learned about using hydrogen peroxide when my former roommate's dog got into my wedding M&Ms.) We gave Maddie several tablespoons of it but it was not working. Her pupils appeared dilated and so we called an emergency vet clinic. The receptionist spoke with the doctor and the doctor said that, due to Maddie's size and weight, she should be fine. She will probably just have the "big D" for a couple days. We were very relieved.

Well, the doctor was right...she was ok AND she did have the "big D".... all over our living room. (Thanks, Will, for cleaning that up!)

And if that wasn't bad enough... On Saturday, she tore into a bag of Christmas presents from Will's family and ate 2 chocolate suckers that were in the bag.

I don't think she's learned her lesson yet.

She really is a good dog. She just likes her chocolate!

New Vocabulary

Working with teenage boys has been very educational for me in many ways. One thing that has been especially interesting for me is their vocabulary. I remember when I was a young teenager and I started using the expressions "cool" and "whatever." (May have been pre-teen for those.) Things change over time and I am reminded every day that it has been a while since I was a teenager.

I learned a new word last week. Well, its an old word with a new meaning. The word is "fire." I think it is starting to replace the word "tight." Both "fire" and "tight" are forms of my old "cool." I was introduced to "fire" when a young man said to me: "Ms. Cheryl, that scarf is fire! Let me have it." If I hadn't spent much time around this young man, I could've believed that my scarf was actually on fire. But, needless to say, it wasn't. He just really liked it and wanted one for himself.
Another expression that I'm sure most of you have heard by now is "hella." I think it's short for "hell-of-a" and it seems to mean "very" or "really." "Hella" is a hard one for me because I'm not sure if it is a cuss word or not. Do I get on to them when they use it or just let it go?

I don't know who decides which expressions are cool to use. I guess I show my age when I respond to kids using "cool" and "neat." I think they would be shocked if I ever used "fire." I did use "tight" one time jokingly and the girl laughed and said,"Oh, my god."

I hope everyone has a hella Merry Christmas and that all of your presents are fire! :)