The Search for Significance

Our small group just started doing this book, the Search for Significance and it is wonderful. It dives into how we view ourselves and how often times that view is not the way God intended us to view ourselves.

Here is the wrong way:

Self Worth = Performance + Others' Opinions

How often do we find ourselves in that equation? I know I am there quite often. The intent of the book is to transform the way you view yourself. In Chapter 2, the author categorizes the attempts we make to meet our needs for success and approval into 2 categories: Compulsiveness and Withdrawal,

Compulsiveness - expending extra effort, working extra hours, trying to say the right thing to achieve success and please those around them. This leads to a compulsive desire to be in control of every situation. Perfectionists tend to fall in this category. - There's a fine balance here that I struggle with because God talk about talents and using them, so there has to be some level of achievement..right? I'm looking forward to discovering more about this in the following chapters.

Withdrawal - trying to avoid failure and disapproval by avoiding risks. These people don't volunteer for jobs that offer much risk or failure and their friendship are with people who are comforting and kind. They avoid relationships that may demand vulnerability and risk of rejection.

Here are a few quotes from chapter 2 that really stuck out to me..

(1) "Isn't it amazing that we turn to others who have a perspective as limited and darkened as our own to discover our worth! Rather then relying on God's steady, uplifting reassurance of who we are, we depend on others who base our worth on our ability to meet their standards."

(2) "When we base our security on success and others opinions, we become dependent on our abilities to perform and please others. We develop a have-to mentality: I have to do well on this exam (or my security as a good student will be threatened). I have to make that deal (or my boss will think I'm a failure)."

I don't have the answer yet on how to change this perspective of ourselves. The general answer is to put our self-worth in God but in practical terms I don't really know how to implement it yet. I am praying that God will help me fully understand these truths and see myself as God sees me.. Genesis 1:27 - 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Here's a link to the book on Amazon.com. If you are in a small group or just looking for a great devotional I highly recommend it!

http://www.amazon.com/Search-Significance-Seeing-Worth-Through/dp/0849944244

Training Plan

Here is the training plan that I am using for the 10 miler in September and the Sprint Triathalon in October. I increase the distance as follows - every 3rd swim I increase 1 lap (each lap is 50 meters), every 2 weeks I increase my running distance by 1/2 of a mile for each day that I run. I actually don't increase my bike mileage much because I am doing a lot of spinning classes as well.

Sunday - Long Run (right now I'm at 6.5 miles), Swim 9 laps without stopping
Monday - Bike 10 miles, work out with my trainer for 30 minutes (target ABS and strength training)
Tuesday - Spinning class for 45 minutes, Ab class for 15 minutes, Run 3.25 miles
Wednesday - Swim 9 laps without stopping
Thursday - Spinning class for 45 minutes, Ab class for 15 minutes, Run 3.25 miles
Friday - Day off
Saturday - Long Bike Ride (right now I'm at 13 miles)

Hopefully this will get me all ready for the races this fall.

Note - it's very important not to increase your running mileage to quickly. Most websites say no more then 10% each week.

Training for a Sprint Triathalon

October 12th I am participating in my first ever Sprint Triathlon. This is also the first race I've done where things other then running are included. It's been really fun training and I wanted to pass along some of the things I've learned so far. As an fyi - the Sprint Triathlon I'm doing is a 400 meter swim, 20K bike ride and 5K run.

Lessons Learned

1) Having a good bike makes a HUGE difference - refer to the posting about my bike. :) On Saturday, Jarod and I did 13 miles in an hour. My target is to get down to around 40 minutes.

2) Good running shoes are key. When I first started running a few years ago I ran in normal shoes. Sure, they said "running" shoes at Dick's Sporting Goods but the fact that they were only $50.00 should have told me they probably weren't really "good" running shoes. Poor shoes plus increasing my mileage to quickly (you should only increase your mileage by 10% a week. I usually do 10% every 2 weeks just to be careful) caused a stress fracture in my heal. I had to quit running for a month and even then it was a slow recovery. Bite the $100 bullet and go to a running store and have them fit you for the appropriate running shoes. Be sure to take your old shoes in with you because they can tell by the wear on the shoes how you run (supinate, overpronate) and can pick shoes that are appropriate for you. And, you can always add inserts to your shoes. I have 2. ;) Currently my best 5K (3 mile) time is 28 minutes. I'd like to finish in under 30 minutes for the Tri.

3) Get a workout buddy or join a club. Both times I've been serious about training I've had friends to help me along the way. In Richmond, my friend Mailoan and I trained faithfully up to the 10K mark. Then Jarod and I trained together and got solid at the 10Ks. Then we moved and I had to start over again. This time around it's been my friend Becci and Jarod really motivating me to keep going! It's funny how we're all stronger at different aspects. I've been running for awhile so running is a strength for me. Jarod is a strong biker even admitted to being almost 'in to' running this weekend. Yeah!! Becci is a strong swimmer and biker. So, I'm learning from both of them. Then there's Dan, Becci's husband. He's an animal. He can run forever! The motivation of others helps keep you going and reaching for the goal.

4) Swimming is harder then it looks. So when I first thought about doing a triathlon I was like well, running will be easy..it's only a 5K (3 miles). Swimming should be easy so I should just worry about the biking part. Boy was I wrong. When I do my laps, granted I'm trying to do them fast..I am totally out of breath. I'm going to have to focus a lot of my time on swimming. I'm doing much better but I definitely need to get stronger here. Last week I did the 400 Meters in 10 minutes but I was completely exhausted after. My target is 12 minutes for the race.

5) Saving your strength. When you're just doing one event like what I'm used to (running 10Ks) you think to yourself, keep going your almost done and you tend to push yourself more. In a Triathlon, you still have more to go. So that is going to be a key point in my training. The last 3-4 Saturdays before the race I'm going to practice doing all 3 and see how I handle the transition points and doing all 3 events.

I'll add my training plan soon! :)

Ukraine Global Impact mission trip

Jenny and Gavin left on Saturday for a mission trip to the Ukraine. Our small group leader suggested we each sign up for a day and pray for them while they are away. I thought this was such a great idea and wanted to pass along what we are praying for so you could join us.
Safe travels for the team.

1. Gavin and Jenny's leadership to their team.
2. Unity and a strong bond being formed among team members.
3. Opportunities to effectively share the gospel.
4. The health and safety of the team. That the team would have sufficient rest during their trip.
5. That the team be challenged to go out of their comfort zone and be bold for Christ.
6. That the hearts of the Ukrainian adults and children be softened when the gospel is presented.
7. Pray for a good relationship between the team and their Young Life camp liaisons. That they are able to effectively work together to achieve their common goal of ministering to the Ukrainian people.
8. Successful R&R for the team. That this trip will be a blessing in Gavin and Jenny's marriage.
9. Safe travels back home. Spiritual growth from the mission trip experience.Successful processing of the mission trip experience. That the team had a life-changing experience.

My Bike is Pimpin'

(as Jarod would say...) I got a new bike the other day. Jarod did all the research and picked it out for me. It's sooo awesome!! Here's a picture:




I will post some pictures of me on it soon with my super cool helmet (it's a requirement in VA to wear a helmet). I absolutely love the bike! I was borrowing a friend of mine's bike (thanks Becci!) and she is 6 foot tall. As you all know I am nowhere close to that tall. It's amazing what a difference (even with the seat adjusted) it makes having a bike that's for your size.

Anyways, Jarod has it all set up for me. I have a water bottle, extra tire and bike pump (since I don't have very good luck with tires. I had 2 flats in 1 week and one left some scars but I recovered. :)! ) pedometer and a super cool carrier for keys and a bike lock. I am good to go!

The main reason for the bike purchase (despite being healthy) is that I am doing a Sprint Triathlon with my friend Becci October 12th. It's a 400 meter swim, 20K bike ride and 5K run. It's been really fun training so far and the new super spiffy bike should help me with my time. I am a little cautious (ok Jarod calls me slow) because of my fall a few weeks ago but I'm regaining my confidence.

{A few weeks ago I went out on the bike and was coming down a hill and the front tire popped leaving me with a nasty gash on my hand and some scrapes on my leg} That and a few other incidents have lead to nick names like "grace" and K2 (klutzy kadie). All are well deserved! :)

But I am determined to keep this bike upright and keep training for October! I'll blog soon about my training plan. I created it but want to see how it works out for a few weeks before publishing.

If you tried bike riding a while ago and gave up, it's time to wipe off the dust, borrow or buy a bike and try again. It's really a lot of fun and can save lots of $$ with the current gas prices. Ok, that's my 10 second soap box. :)

4th of July Fun

I'm starting the holiday weekend with an early dismissal. YEAH!! 3pm and I'm out of here!

My parents are coming in town to visit for the weekend which should be a lot of fun. We have an action packed weekend of going to the Baltimore Aquarium, the National Zoo and the DC Fireworks. And of course I am exercising this weekend in prep for my fall races. What are your 4th of July plans?

Family Matters

Why is it family stuff can be so hard? Most of you know the situation with my brother and that he doesn't want anything to do with us or my parents. For those of you who don't basically there was a lot said on both sides and it pretty much ended in this really awkward, estranged situation.

It's easier for me because I live in Virginia but my parents live in the same town that he does, so they are reminded quite often of the situation.

Why is it that we can't forgive and move on?

Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.

My brother and his wife are expecting their first child and although I did not get invited and really haven't talked with them in a few years I still feel compelled to do something. After all he is still my brother and she will be my niece. I worry though that the gift will not be very well received. And, it may make things worse for my parents. It's one of those times I wish I knew the right answer. I may not know the right answer but God does.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God, that is, for those who are called according to his purpose, all things are working together for good.

I Peter 5:7 - Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you.

Please pray for me that God would lead and that I would follow his direction in this situation.