A Teacher and Her Tea

Monday, September 3, 2012

26.2 Miles?! 18 miles closer...

For those of you who do not get my emails...I thought I'd post my most recent "China Update"...though I"m not in China anymore.

Hello friends and family!

I wrote this letter over a month ago and I’m embarrassed to say I’m just now getting it out. Regardless of the timing, it is all still true.

I realize some of you I have not talked with since I got back from China. A lot has happened! Last summer I was jobless, homeless, and boyfriendless. 2012 has brought many wonderful things such as a job (preschool teacher at Lydia Home in Chicago), a home (living rent free in a beautiful home as part of my job), and a boyfriend (possibly my favorite part).

With all these changes one word has risen in this season: work
I have to work hard at my job learning new skills.
I have to work to keep my house clean. We end up hosting different friends coming through Chicago.
I have to work at this new relationship. I feel like I'm learning so many good and hard things about myself!

On top of all this I am working towards running a MARATHON. That's right. 26.2 miles of concrete and my feet for 4+ hours of work.

I'm really excited (and scared). As part of my training I've committed to raising money for two (yes, two) organizations. So many opportunities to give!

I am working to raise $500 for Lydia Home Association when I run a half marathon this coming Sunday Sept 9 and $1300 for World Vision when I run the marathon in October. My page for donations for Lydia will be open until the Marathon on October 7th so feel free to give even after the half marathon.

As a recreational runner I've dreamt about and resisted the idea of a marathon. For me its about conquering fears, and lies in my life and supporting things I believe in. This past week I ran 18 miles with some friends and afterwards cried with excitement and amazement at how much more I can do than I know!

I'm often tired in this season of work, but who isn't tired when working hard for what they want.

I've seen the Lords power and.strength in subtle and humbling ways. We serve such a.good God who desires such a good life for us. I rejoice in his strength!

“Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty...” Psalm 104:1

If you would like to give to either charity please follow the links below or email me with any further questions. If you’ve already given...THANK YOU!!!

Lydia Home Association (This is who I work for!!!):
Website with more information about Lydia Home Association - www.lydiahome.org
Website to donate towards my $500 goal - http://www.fundeasy.com/m/893137/

World Vision:
Website with more information about World Vision - www.worldvision.org
Website to donate towards my $1300 goal - http://support.worldvision.org/site/TR/TeamWorldVision/General?px=1241965&pg=personal&fr_id=1670

Or if you just want to send me some encouraging words and prayers...I’ll take that too!

I’m am so very excited to run this marathon and would love your support with me!

Blessings,

Bethany

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

7:00am

It's 7:00am the Tuesday after seeing my parents for the weekend. The Tuesday before the 4th of July. The Tuesday before my 30th birthday. :)

I'm at work - officially on the clock now that it is 7:00am.

So - I just really wanted to check in and say "hi" to the blogging world. I'm still here.

Bullet point life highlights.

I've begun to fall in love with a handsome man.
I'm loving summer at Lydia.
I'm still training for the marathon.
My birthday is Friday.

I need to get back to work because all I can think right now is "I need to be working. I need to be working. I need to be working."

Mucho amor.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

1 step toward #12

#12 Run the Chicago Marathon

Thanks to the support and encouragement of my friend Susan, I registered for the Chicago Marathon last Sunday.

Two days later registration closed.

Registration opened and closed in a record number six days.

Last year registration closed in 31 days.

45,000 people is the max registration.

Amazing.

So, in honor of my long Saturday morning runs I walked over to my gym and peered at the treadmills. Dread was pouring through my pores. I had no desire to run six miles on the piece of machinery while it was sunny outside, even if it wasn't quite above zero degrees.

So, I walked out of the gym, back to my house and bundled up for a long, Chicago winter run.

One hour later I found myself still smiling and enjoying the run in the sun (aside from the slight pain in my right knee...)

And, as a perk a car honked their horn at me and gave me cheering arms while I was running.

Those Chicagoans, they encourage my crazy cold runs.

Friday, February 10, 2012

a highlight of 2012

I'm not much of a Superbowl fan, yet somehow this year I found myself in Indianapolis watching the game. My roommate is from Indy and so we spontaneously decided to drive down to watch the game wherever we could find a TV. We were able to park at her house and avoid the $100 parking prices being asked downtown.

Artsy photos on the drive to Indy...

...and then we found ourselves surrounded by all things Superbowl.

The roommates and I in the middle of the chaos

Yes, ice sculptures. Ridiculous and amazing.

Odd thing was, someone forgot to tell the locals that the Colt's weren't playing.
There were more Colt's jerseys than anything else.
Though it did not take me long to learn that Colt's fan = Gian't's fan

A pic of someone on the zip line through Superbowl Village

The zip line loading dock.

We found some TV's at a little place called The Ugly Monkey.
and here he is THE ugly monkey!

As one not much into football I spent my time taking pics...

End of the game pic before going home...

Friday, January 27, 2012

one of those days...

Today was one of those unexpectedly wonderful days.

I love it when that happens.

Last night I ended the day sharing with my mom how I was not looking forward to today. There were many unknowns, it was a different schedule than my normal workday, different kids...different challenging dynamics between kids...ugh.

I left the classroom with my older kids at 9:30 this morning trying to decide how to kill half an hour. A game of Chutes and Ladders later we walked back into the classroom to a Hawiian party in full swing! Lei's were properly draped, blankets wrapped around as "grass skirts", and a dance contest happenin. Everyone, including my older kids, were enjoying our time on the beach.

My biggest moment of praise was being outside at the park and watching two of my kids who do NOT get along play "pretend" together. They are both older, big and they regularly get in some mean fights. Today they not only played "pretend" together but I also caught them having a regular ol' conversation while we walked down the hall. Not a single fight between them all day!

I think I'm amazed because so often I think I know what the day will hold. In my job now when I think I "know" I'm usually fearful of having a terrible day. Yet today was one of those days when I had many "I LOVE my job" moments. Amazing.

Just a little shout-out and thanks to God for being so much bigger than what I think I "know". Walking by faith - it's for the faint of heart. :)