Thank You!

Thank you so much to those who have commented on my races. There is a "time and season" for all things, and this just happens to be my season to be pro-active with my health. When I was a young mom with little children, that was my season to be a mother and all that goes with such a busy job. I love reading the posts of you young moms. I can tell our future will be in good hands.

I will share with you that doing this hiking and running thing began because of an extreme amount of stress I was dealing with in my personal life almost two years ago. It has truly been a blessing and I believe it saved me from sinking into a very dark pit. I thank my Father in Heaven every day for teaching me that sweating, breathing hard, sore muscles, and physically enduring to the end is what I needed. My heart is filled with gratitude and amazement that He loves me so. I am grateful for this journey called Life. My circumstances haven't changed all that much, but the burden has been made lighter and I have been strengthened because of Him. And the atonement makes that possible for all of us.

# 5 Race Now Behind Me

I just finished running my 5th race. This was a really fun one for two reasons: it was shorter--5.5 miles, and it was on a trail. I really like running on a trail with all the challenges of rocks, sand, weeds, hills, stairs (at Catalina State Park), and whatever else.

I got another cool t-shirt!

This race was different because I didn't know anybody else running and there wasn't anyone I knew to cheer me on. It was kind of a solitary event for me even though there were 147 people running. I'm throwing this out--if anybody would like to do the next race with me, let me know. There is a 5 K on October 4th, 5:00 pm, Oro Valley Riverfront Park. And if you don't want to run, you can walk! Go to harvest4hope.org and check it out. Those who live in Tucson, join me!

Now, to begin training for the sprint triathlon I'm doing in November at Casa Grande--whole new thing for me.

The Update On Our Kitchen

And this is where my dishwasher and stove have been for the past 5 weeks!

This picture was taken today, September 22, 5 weeks after the tornado! They say it's usually darkest before the dawn; it gets worse before it gets better; or there's a silver lining in every dark cloud.

I don't care what they say, this is how my kitchen has looked for 5 weeks!

I had reached my breaking point yesterday when I came home after being gone for three days and found that not much had changed except for more roof dirt everywhere in the house and I could see the sky through the ceiling in my kitchen!
I feel better today.
BUT,
my feeling better did not come without pleading for patience and humility. I read a scripture the other day, 3 Nephi 6:13, that hit me along side the head! Ouch!
I must stop railing.

Helping Family

This past week Nick and I worked in Nick Jr's backyard to get it ready for grass! We dug trenches, hauled dirt, raked rocks and more rocks, laid pipe, got bit by mosquitoes, and played with Sammy and Jake. It was a satisfying two days of work and fun!

Look at those muscles!

Young Sam (4) helping Grandpa

Rachel and Jake (10 months)

Nick Jr working the machine

This might sound strange, but sometimes I like to do "man work" such as digging ditches, cutting down trees, hauling trash, etc., etc. It is very satisfying to me to do outdoor physical labor, to sweat, and get really tired by the end of the day. I think it reminds me of my childhood, not that I worked that hard, but I saw my parents work hard and the satisfaction they felt when the yard looked great or the garden was planted or some other task they did. Next week we hope to finish raking more rocks, spreading the top soil, and laying sod. What a great way to spend a couple of days, helping your kids.

SO ... WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT?

Nick and I are always having this discussion, why he should put the seat down. A picture is worth a thousand words!!

Sahuaro National Park Labor Day Run

On Saturday I decided to do this race because I didn't go to LA as planned. Our house keeps leaking and I didn't want to come home to a bigger mess! Anyway, this was a tough race. Only 8 miles, but continuously uphill for 2 of those miles. I am not kidding you, there were people walking up the hills faster than I was running! Which turned into a learning experience for me. I was so determined (or stubborn) that I was going to run the full course that I forgot about running strategy. If and when you can walk faster than run, why not walk? I could have been swinging my arms and using a longer stride. As it was, I was dead tired (as you can see) when I crossed the finish line. I came in 499 out of 552 runners--my time was 1 hour 34 minutes and the first place runner out of my age group was 17 minutes faster than me. Wow! I was 5th place out of 7 in the 60-64 age group.
I was so proud to wear Nick Jr's business logo running shirt that he gave me for my birthday along with a new hat and socks! He has been a great trainer, very patient and helpful.

I had a defining moment while waiting around at the awards ceremony afterwards. I never would have thought 14 months ago that me, overweight, out of shape, and not inclined to run, would be waiting to find out how well or poorly I had done in a race I had just run. I did that for years for my children, but never for me. It was a great feeling. I think I had dreamed about it, but didn't ever think it was in the realm of possibility. Now, I love to run, I like to compete, and when that starting gun goes off, I get choked up and cry every time. "Linda, look at what you are doing!" I'm sharing this because to whoever reads this, dreams can come true! It may take a long time and a lot of hard work, but it can happen!

Reaching the Goal!

Three years ago this month I set a goal to read the Standard Works, our set of scriptures containing The Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price (writings of the prophets Moses and Abraham and Joseph Smith). I arrived at my goal last week by finishing the Old Testament.

Lest anyone think I'm boasting I quote Ammon (one of my heroes in The Book of Mormon)..."I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things ..." Alma 26:11-12


I haven't been perfect, many days I read just to get those 5 chapters read, and many days I didn't read at all (as you can tell by how long it took). But my life has been changed because I read the word of God. I feel peace and my burdens have been made light even where I cannot feel them upon my back (Mosiah 24:14).

The Book of Mormon is certainly another testament of Jesus Christ, The D & C is full of modern-day revelations (helped me become acquainted with Joseph Smith), The Pearl of Great Price contains beautiful visions of the creation and our first earthly parents, The New Testament taught me about the Savior and his earthly ministry and about the early prophets (Paul is another hero), and The Old Testament has all of the stories we heard as children.

I'm going to start all over again by continuing to study The Book of Mormon for our Sunday School class. This time will be more of a study rather than a read. Thanks for letting me share!