Light the Darkness

An Adventurous Run in the Marsh

I flew to Charleston, SC, to visit Seacoast Church because it is a multi-site campus and it is hosting Network's Multi-site conference.  Whenever I get to a new city one of the first things I do is find a place to run.  I asked at the front desk of my hotel and they directed me to Mt. Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park.  The cost to get in is $1, what a deal.  The park is full of trails.  They go all over and they are not marked very well so I was leary of getting lost but it was a great adventure.  Some of the trails were about 1 foot wide.  They went through marsh so often I was vearing into the overgrowth to stay dry.  Meanwhile there were often sounds in the trees and bushes around me.  I was hoping it was squirrels.  At the same time lizards and insects went scurrying off the path ahead of me.  I saw the biggest snake I have seen in some time, at least six feet, just off the path.  In some places I jogged over a boardwalk that went over a lake.  I could tell I wasn't in Kansas anymore.  I didn't run very far, 4.5 miles, or very fast given the fact that I was constantly on guard against getting lost and all the other distractions but it was a very good run.  I love the variety that is in the creativity of God.  He is an awesome God!  His nature does show His handiwork! 

I did a lot of thinking about a book I want to write--more on that at a later time.  I'll write about Seacoast Church tomorrow after I've visited 2 campuses and 4 venues. 

I'm sorry I'm missing The Church Has Left the Building.  This is the last time I can get this conference this calendar year.  Since we at Indian Creek Community Church want to launch our new site in '09 the work starts in January and I want us to be ready.  I hope TCHLTB goes fantastic!  I'm so proud of Indian Creek for living out the love of Jesus in such a tangible way tomorrow.

A New Start

When I was in Hawaii, the second week of July, I injured my Achilles tendon.  I took a week off because it felt tight and sore but I ran twice about ten days later in Mexico.  Going from running nearly every day to running rarely was hard to do.  Something happened during the second run in Mexico that made things go from bad to worse.  I couldn't pinpoint a moment in time but when I got back to Olathe there was a knot the size of a marble and the pain was considerable.  I laid off a week completely thinking rest was the best thing.  I ran a half mile the first time out before the pain was too much.  I repeated that scenario three times over the next 4 weeks.  Finally I took a full two weeks off which makes it almost two months since the first injury.  Anyway I think the healing is nearly complete now. Yea! I am so excited.

Tonight I ran 2.5 without pain.  I feel a little silly being giddy over such short mileage however the real victory is the ability to run at all.  Living without something I really enjoy only made me appreciate it more.  I totally took for granted my health and the ability to freely exercise.  Thank you God for the ability to run again!

It also gave me a greater compassion for others (especially for Belinda who has been struggling through using a walking boot for her broken ankle). I have a long way to go to get back in shape as two months off is a long time.  However, I can hardly wait.  I don't know what the day after will bring but I'm hoping for a full recovery soon.  This has been a tough season but a good one.  The word for today is:  Grateful.  I'm grateful for healing and grateful for some good lessons learned through the situation.  Rejoice with me!  Praise God for His goodness to us and for creating our bodies to heal.

Congrats Kris

Kristen Levitt finished with a 1:56 in today's Indy mini-marathon.  She's pictured here with her uncle Scott Green who also ran.  Way to go Kristen.  You reached your goal.  I'm proud of you!  Belinda and Luke were able to attend and cheer her on!

She also made ten visits for Project Partner in the days leading up to the race.  Her visits went well and it is likely we will have several new partners.  Way to go Kristen.

They look pretty fresh don't they?  They are wearing their medals proudly and rightly so!