Team in Training

So John Mark and I decided to take the plunge and signed up with Team in Training to complete a century ride (100 miles) in October. I have been talking about riding a century for years...literally, but there was law school, health concerns and the big one...no bikes. Now that bikes have been bought, gone is our favorite Saturday activity: sleeping in. Instead, we are going to train all summer in order to compete in the (very flat) Sea Gull Century, on the eastern shore of Maryland.

The whole concept of Team in Training has always been appealing to me. I really like the fact that you are given coaching, training and a schedule so that you don't have an excuse to get out of a tough endurance event. I for one, need the accountability and the know-how. I also like that's a social event (no surprise there) and best of all, that John Mark and I get to do it together (well, if we don't kill each other).

The somewhat uncomfortable part is the fundraising. Yes, to participate with Team in Training, we each have to raise $2,000.00 for a combined total of $4,000.00 that goes directly to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I am not so great at the letter writing/emailing thing, but we hope to make up for it in the many talents of "enticing people to drink over-priced alcohol for a good cause." In other words, it's a great excuse to throw lots of happy hours and that, my friends, makes us happy.

18 miles into our 36 mile ride...my nostiles are flared because I can barely breath!

So, the kickoff for Team in Training in the DC area is May 15th, but in my best efforts to make sure I'm not dead last during our first group ride, we have been hitting the biking trails early to get in some mileage. Well, in an effort to bike 36 miles 2 days after having two teeth removed, I totally bit it....I mean hard...I mean I cried (the sunglasses and helmet may have helped dsiguise that). As of today (4 days later), I am still pretty black and blue and have to have an x-ray on my wrist (just in case). I was told I am now official biker...hmmm, whatever that means. The good thing is that at end of my day, I still can't wait to get on a bike and for a girl who's not a huge fan of exercise, this is a very good thing.

Lots more to come! In the mean time, here is our Team in Training website.

Gifts

So JM and I are now the proud owners of a new Toyota Venza. Yes, Toyota's PR/recall disaster has been our gain as a car that we really liked, but could never afford, was just acquired by us for a ridiculously low price.

So in telling people how we "wheeled and dealed" and came out so far ahead, JM and I started to feel pretty good about our tag team negotiating skills. We started patting ourselves on the back....and totally missed the mark.

Today, church was humbling as our assistant pastor, Young Lee, gently reminded us that all gifts are from the Lord. In listening to the study in Exodus, it it clear that God always provided sufficiently for Israel whether they deserved it or not. Time after time, God provides for us solely by his grace and not by our merit.

The sermon was specifically on the eighth commandment, "Do not steal." As pointed out today, this commandment preserves the sanctity of God's physical provisions. In this economy, while we may not be driven to commit illegal acts, our heart of "wanting" is amplified. Instead we need to remember that the Lord is our Jehovah-Jireh "God will Provide."

I constantly have to remind myself: I deserve nothing; I've earned nothing; I've been given everything. God has provided it all and His greatest gift is Jesus Christ.

Since recently going through some tough medical issues, I have been working on recognizing God's everyday blessings. Today, I am ashamed at how quickly I took credit for one of those blessings.

Here's to praising the Lord for a very undeserved gift!

I Love My Friends!

A recent text:

me: Just bought a bottle of Hendricks - loving life! ( I know I totally sound like an alchy!)

AC: Whatever hendricks=heaven in a bottle

me: So glad you agree!

FYI- we were referring to Hendrick's Gin, the best thing ever to happen to a G&T!

I Like Leaving Work On Time...

Long story short, JM and I work together a couple of days a week. I like to leave right on time. JM is prone to leave 15 minutes or so after the bell has rung. So in a creative attempt to leave on time, here is our IM conversation: (IM names have been changed to protect the innocent)

weatherly (5:14:18 PM): this is GOD, that's right, I have taken over Weatherly's IM. I am here to tell you that it is MY will that you leave work this evening on time at 5:30pm. I am giving you a 16 minute warning. Obey my commands.

johnmark (5:15:36 PM): wow, that is special

weatherly(5:15:45 PM): what is?

weatherly (5:20:40 PM): This is GOD. You have 10 minutes.

johnmark (5:20:58 PM): blasphemy is a sin

weatherly (5:21:28 PM): what are you talking about...? and what is special?

johnmark is mobile (5:22:58 PM)

weatherly (5:27:55 PM): This is GOD. You have 3 minutes.

Exit time 5:33pm- not to shabby :)

We're Back

So maybe it's the fact that it's Christmas card season and I feel the need to connect with everyone around the holidays, but this blog, that has been lying dormant for a good seven months is now active again. So thanks to you who still kept me in your blogroll even though I stink as a blogger. Updates to follow with lots of fun pics: my new nephew Wade, our new place (we we are gypsies), and new experiences in DC.

Only in Texas...

So I had to share this video! Ha! Only in my home state- love it!

Newborn Super Model

So it's fashion week in NYC right now and I am pretty sure my newborn niece is destined to become a model: http://tinyurl.com/dd48mg