Negative wind chill. On-going fire. Movies. Apple pie. Stockings. Photo shoots. Mexican food. Puzzles. Fun gifts. Cold morning runs. Gingerbread. Family. Rest. Warm. Break.

Here's Christmas, photo dump style:

We announced a few weeks before the marathon that we were expanding to a 6-race series in the coming year. That's right. One annual 5k and one Full/Half just aren't enough when the running community and following has blown up like it has here in BCS. ;) We are excited and looking forward to some very unique races this spring as well as a "Distance Challenge" coming this fall building up to the BCS Marathon. Taking the world by storm, one runner at a time... (details here or click the image below to see larger)

It's a wrap. Year Two of the BCS Marathon has been put to rest, at least as much as it will be. When I moved here last year, I felt like there were distinct sections of the year, divided by fundraising events, holidays, and other annual highlights. But now, they all bleed together. So much so, that we started planning and dreaming for December 8, 2013 within days of wrapping up the 2012 race weekend. And so it goes!

Race weekend was a huge success. 3500+ runners registered, 600+ volunteers, 2500+ gallons of Gatorade, and $100,000+ raised = big win for Mercy Project on many levels. The awareness that is spread as we meet new supporters and the connections that have been built through this event are impossible to count. We are blessed. It doesn't come without sacrifice though – hours and hours of logistics, relationship building with sponsors and vendors, constant communication and "customer service" with runners, and more details than even I can handle. (Shocking, I know.) Our Race Committee did a fabulous job taking on various tasks of planning, and of course, it helps to have a fearless leader with an attitude of "the sky's the limit". Due to the growth and popularity from Year One, we added a Kid's Marathon, Health & Fitness Expo, and Pasta Dinner on Saturday before the race. They were a huge hit!

The Expo was my big project, along with another friend Angie whom I could not have managed without. I also worked on all the runner swag: medals, awards, shirts, etc. Crazy that we started planning and setting everything in motion back in April/May. Race week was intense. Shirts, signage, banners, packet stuffing, bib sorting, balloons, and on and on it went. The Hilton became my home for the few days leading up to race weekend.







Our Expo space was 11,000 square feet of sponsors and running-focused vendors as well as an area for packet and shirt pick-up. It was packed all day long as over 4000 runners, friend, and family members crowded the floor. Honestly, it could not have gone smoother for the first year (though of course I already have a million new ideas for next year).







Come Sunday, it was "play time" for me. I thankfully only took on the Half this year, which has the be the wisest decision I've made in quite some time. Logging that in my memory for next year. After 17 hours on my feet the day before, I was happy to truck through only 13.1 instead of the full 26.2. We had warm temps – "less than ideal" – but with iced towels, cooling zones, and lots of fluid along the way it was quite an enjoyable morning. I was so proud to see everything come together, to see all the efforts that my fellow race workers, volunteers, and running friends invested to make the day a success. Got to see so many familiar faces cheering along the Half route that made each turn something new to look forward to. And of course, the best part was rounding the last corner and seeing 24 sweet, smiling Ghanaian faces lining the way to the finish line. Every hour, worth it for them.

Holiday time is different now. Granted, that "we'll always do things the same as we did growing up" went out the window quite some time ago, but I feel like now, I don't even realize Thanksgiving and Christmas are here until they are. I blame it on the stores that skip Halloween and go straight to stringing tinsel in the middle of the summer. That has me all screwed up.

Nonetheless, I'm more and more loving the season of thankfulness, of being more mindful of others, of giving, of Advent and the celebration of the King in a stable. A season to serve and pour out. A season... of Turkey Trots, long runs, and race planning. :)

Here's how the Turkey festivities went down:

3rd Annual Brazos Running Company Turkey Trot 5k & Family Fun Run:
This was my first Turkey Trot here in CS – the only MP event I've missed in the past. It was such a fun day getting to see families and friends all out for a brisk pre-feast run. And it was also really fun not running and getting to organize and host so many people. And the post-race clean-up? Well, just leave that to the professionals!







C-town:
As soon as the Turkey Trot was over, I drove to Abilene and picked up DM & J to make the trek on to Canyon. Long, long day... we were glad to take that Rockwell Road exit and be "home". Barely over two weeks out from the marathon, and I was a bit stressed going into the weekend. Not the best time to be "off" when so much is going on and needing to be done. BUT, I was pleasantly surprised with how relaxing and needed the time was, to the extent that it was one of the best family gatherings I feel like we've had in a long, long time. There were movies, games, cooking, golf, horses, and visiting with friends and family. Soaked it in.

I had another post for tonight since I am trying to remedy the month off, but I'm just not feeling it. It's been a heavy week in our broken world. And that's just it – we live in a very broken world. A world that is full of the ability to hurt one another and wreak havoc in each others' lives. We've seen a lot of that recently.

But this world is also full of the ability to love one another and speak life into those around us. And I've been blessed to see so much of that in contrast to the broken.

Here are a few responses to Sandy Hook that are way more eloquently written than I could muster:

Lamentations – Jen Hatmaker

God Can't Be Kept Out – Rachel Held Evans

My Musings – Lexi


Choose love today.

Back. Blogging break of the century, or at least it feels like it. What it doesn't feel like is Christmastime. It's like 80 degrees today. Guess I won't waste time asking Santa for snow.

What a heck of a month. A good month. It's been crazy and non-stop and intense, but it's been so fun all at the same time. I'm still amazed that I'm doing what I am, with the people I am. Don't get me wrong, we are all exhausted and ready to regroup going into the new year, but it's been a good season in so many ways.

Here's a bit of life leading up to the marathon:

• Girl's Night at my place with the ladies in my small group – an evening of colored cake in a jar. We wrecked the kitchen and had a lot of fun in the process.



• A quick trip to Dallas (like... 10 hours round trip) for Kathleen's baby shower. Seriously one of the coolest showers I've ever been too, and I've been to my share. Safari animals, omelets and fruit, and fun gifts for Baby Lee. What an honor to spend time with my sweet friend – who looks amazing! – and is going to be a fantastic Mom. Kathleen and I met at CotH in 2004 and became good friends in 2006. Roomies from 2007 until she and Matt got married, and still best buds. What a joy to share life together! I can't wait to meet the new little one!







• An update from Ghana... the final fish cage went in the water at Adovepke last month. The 24 rescued kids remain at the shelter and have even been visited by some of their parents as they prepare to make the transition home. I can't imagine what that must've been like for them all!



• Some of our sweet friends and MP supporters put together an Amazon wish list of items we'd like to take to the rehabilitation shelter for the kids to use – art supplies, educational items, etc. I checked the mail after race weekend and had 15 packages waiting for me! Another 6-8 have arrived at my house since then. There are still several items on the list if you'd like to send a few things to Ghana for the kids. And how are the kids? This:

Well, I have some great posts to catch up on, but it's just not going to happen yet. Because... it's Race Week!!! Yes, that's capital "R" and capital "W". It's sorta a big deal around here. ;)

This is my garage:




This is my bedroom:



This is my car:



This is my desktop:


And that is why I'm MIA lately. We are so excited to host Year Two of the BCS Marathon and dashing around getting ready to host 3500+ runners and their families starting on Saturday at the Health & Fitness Expo. It's going to be phenomenal. And after that, we sleep. Until then, please pray for cooler weather next weekend and check back in after the 9th for a massive photo dump of the festivities. Cheers!

Blog = 100

Gretchen = 0

And so it goes. I really wanted to do the "one thankful thing a day" this month, especially via Instagram as I'm totally addicted, but let's just be honest – I would get maybe 4 days in, miss a day, and totally derail. *Thankfully* I was able to acknowledge that to myself before thinking it would be the best idea ever.

For now, a quick bit on some recent thoughts...

I'm living in great tension lately. It started awhile back, but I haven't put words to it until the last few days or so. (At least, we'll see if I can put words to it or not.) So many things continue to go right here, and I continue to be affirmed – in work, in friendships, in church. But in the midst of all the good and amazing, it's been a hard season. I find myself very vulnerable and open and yet ready to shut down at any given moment to avoid spilling over. I feel as though God is challenging and convicting me, and I'm growing and leaning into Him more than I have in quite some time, but it's so very hard. It's painful. It's humbling. I love it and hate it all at once; I know God is getting my attention in some very needed ways, yet it competes with my "me do it" resolve.

This tension... it's manifested itself in every area of life lately...

...in the coming undone of my typically amazing ability to compartmentalize and accomplish things.

...in the poor handling of relationships, both on my part and the part of others.

...in my drive for perfection, approval-seeking, and fear of failure. And disappointment? I die...!

...in Mercy Project as we grow and become more visible publicly, as we wrestle with perceptions and outside opinions.

...in marathon planning as we aim to go above and beyond for 3,000+ runners but simply can't please every one in every moment.

...in the day-to-day interactions I have with people – wanting to pour into others more than I am and simply not balancing that well with so, so much going on.

But this time, this tension, it's drawing me in. I see the refining and shaping that is taking place – the preference of being closer to the heart of God than exchanging that for perfection and distance. Of course, I'd like to not jinx that and say "bring it on", but there's something so rich about being in a place where, for better or worse, I'm kissing stagnancy goodbye for a bit and diving in to the messy.

And oh, praise God that He deals in the messy. In the broken. In the far-from-having-it-all-together. Praise God for the ways in which He meets us where we are and refines us.


That is right where I want to be.

*****************

Posts on marathon madness, life as of late, a day trip to Dallas, and Thanksgiving festivities to come... eventually.

Cutting it close to get this in, but... a very happy birthday to the coolest SIX-year-old I know. We love you Wyatt Cody and cannot imagine the world without your smile, energy, incredible golf talent, and life-giving personality. And many more...!

I think I've mentioned this idea of "loving people well" on here before. It's a constant work in my heart to really try and meet people where they're at and not where I want them to be or where I think they should be.

I frequent Donald Miller's blog where several folks are now guest posting, and this popped up yesterday: A Tip on Learning How to Love – Dive Into Their World. Instant intrigue and glad I took the time to check it out.

"It’s so easy to love people who like all the same things you do—who never listen to music that makes you cringe, or who believe all the same things you believe. But love sometimes asks you to lay down your preferences, and dive into someone else’s world for a little while... Love asks what's best for the person you love, not what's best or most convenient to you."

A very simple concept, this whole "get outside your comfort zone for someone else idea". I'm just not always good at that. But then I witness people doing that for me, going way out of their way for me, and it makes me want to learn to love others equally well.

It's... let's go where you want to eat today even if it's not my first choice.
It's... my house is your house, towels are laid out, and here's a hot cup of coffee.
It's... I'll change my schedule and cancel my plans to meet your needs.
It's... how are you doing, really, even when I don't want to listen.
It's... my schedule will wait, because you're more important.
It's... we don't always agree, but let's still be the best of friends.
It's... that costs me time and energy, but I'll do it because I know it means much to you.

Little things, little moments making big, big differences.

Happy weekend!

"We are tired of empty rhetoric and stale debates. We want a pro-life politic that looks like Mother Teresa. We want a radical new way of doing business that does not have 5% of the world owning half the world’s stuff. We have the audacity to believe that America can do better than spending 20,000 dollars every second on militarism, as the country goes broke.

We want a new dream – the old American dream is bankrupt.

We are convinced that change is not confined to one day every four years. Change happens every day. We vote with our lives. And we are convinced that voting for a new President may be little more than damage control. For Presidents and Caesars do not save the world. "

Read the rest, by Shane Claiborne... here.

I saved this a few weeks ago as I liked the colors of the print and thought they might be good inspiration for a future art piece. Little did I know how the words would come in handy. But oh, they sure have. So while I'm not there yet, this is where I'd like to be. Maybe I can find some time to paint a little along the way.



via
words by

A friend sent this to me in the bottom of an email the other day, and I've been pouring over it ever since. What an incredible and gracious God we serve.


I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.

Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.

Many, Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
but my ears you have opened—
burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.

I desire to do your will, my God;
your law is within my heart.”

I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know.

I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.

Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

(And so we reach the end of the Ghana saga... this time around; here's the start of the series and more pictures can be found here. Cheers!)

The door bangs open and a flurry of color and giggling girls fill the space – eyes wide as they take in the room and choose their new bunk beds. They are theirs. "Have you ever had a bed like this before?", Chris asks through the shelter manager who translates. "No, never" comes the answer. And in unison, "We love it! We love it!" rings out, reverberating pure joy from the walls. It is life-giving.



I am watching Ruth.

She was wary when we first left the village, caution and anger in her eyes. What was she thinking about... Who am I to be handed off to now? Where are we going? Who can I trust?

I hear her voice over and over saying "Thank you, Madame" as she runs through the rain and darkness next to me that first night; as the oldest girl, she has assumed a caretaker role over little Jacob and is grateful for my carrying him through the storm. She remains cautious, but her guard is slowly coming down. Though we cannot exchange words, I see the anger in her eyes meld into a shy smile for the first time.

Then I catch her in this moment on her new bed, the prized top bunk, and all inhibitions are gone as she flashes a "thumbs up".



Ruth is interviewed at the shelter before we leave. Her story is utterly heartbreaking. She tells of abuse and watching a friend drown in the lake among many other horrors that we suspected but had not been able to confirm with this particular group of kids. And though it matters not how well these kids were treated; a human being as a commodity is wrong any way you spin it, our purpose has come full circle. Every moment has been worth it for this one. Every moment has been worth it for Ruth. She says she wants to be a nurse, and God is redeeming her life before our very eyes. He is rewriting her story as one of hope and freedom and future.

We play clapping games next to the futbol field and the girls attempt to teach us their dancing game. They laugh at my failed attempts at coordination and switch to teaching us words in Twi. I struggle to make the right sounds, much less the right words, but they think it's absolutely hilarious. Out of the corner of my eye, I am watching Ruth. She cannot stop smiling and laughing and hugging us.

And so I leave with an insatiable desire for more. More children, more freedom, more stories of rescue and redemption. It occurs to me later: this is technically near the end goal of our overall process and the time we've worked towards for two years. It felt so much like the ending until now. Now I see that it's truly just the beginning.

These precious 24 are the most beautiful beginning to this journey.