And it begins...

Here we go again...started class yesterday. This is the first semester in awhile that I have not been looking forward to. Just two required classes.
Goodbye social life.
Goodbye sleep.
Goodbye freedom.

I have a lot of work to do...

Sure, I swam a mile on Friday. But at a nice, steady, even (SLOWISH) pace. So tonight I tried "speed drills" or something like that, with the idea of doing one lap fast, then resting, two laps, rest, three, etc. up to five, and then back down 4-3-2-1, with rests in between, and swimming fast...blah blah. I made it approximately one lap. :) (and finished the rest of my swim a little slower!) There's something wrong with swimming--you can't breathe whenever you want! I can run fast because I can gulp in as much air as I need whenever I need it. How in the WORLD am I supposed to breathe faster when I'm underwater??? Argh...or should I say, gargle...

sovereignty

I'm teaching on Joshua 9 tomorrow, the chapter about the "Gibeonite deception" as many Bibles label it. It's hard to know what application to take from it, as far as seeking the counsel of the Lord in particular situations or consequences to specific actions (or lack of action). I really don't think that's the point of the passage. Really what I've been impressed with is what this incident says about God. I've found it particularly relevant to some current circumstances my family is dealing with: God is still sovereign. His purposes are not thwarted or altered by our foolishness or even our sin. In fact, not only does his plan work in spite of our mistakes, sometimes his purpose is served by our follies. I find this encouraging, and also convicting. How much better are his purposes served when we ARE actively seeking his will and guidance. How different things could have been for the Israelites, and how different things can be in our own lives if we and those around us are seeking God.

Anyway. I'm thankful for his sovereignty that is not contingent upon our righteousness or doing things right.

The Super-Weekend

What a weekend! Blessings cause me to feel invigorated and encouraged like nothing else...

• Still thankful for my lunch on Saturday (see post below)
• I got to talk with my Syrian apartment manager for an hour on Sunday. I've been praying for him since we moved here. We had a great conversation about life, family, and of course his view on Israel and the Middle East (LOL). He has a very sweet spirit and is highly intelligent. He knows about my faith and educational background and I think because of this he likes to talk. :) I will continue praying for him and trying to build that relationship.
• Someone offered to pay for 50% of the cost for me to go on our church's women's retreat. This is a HUGE answer to a specific prayer, as I was not thinking I'd be able to afford it!!! What a blessing!!!
• Some good extended time with the Lord.
• Lots of time to relax, and some good times and conversations with friends.
• I did two of the events of my June 9 triathlon this weekend, namely a one mile swim and a 6.2 mile run, and felt great doing both. Gotta get on my bike!
• Today before work I made myself a wholesome breakfast of two scrambled eggs with a cup of broccoli mixed in and a piece of whole grain toast. Not exactly part of my weekend, but I felt very proud of myself, so I had to throw that in there. :)

a little encouragement

I had lunch with an old friend today. She was one of my first friends when I moved to LA, and she and I and another friend became close as we met bi-weekly for prayer and some examination of spiritual things and life issues we were all going through at the same time. It was a valuable time for all of us. We haven't kept up much over the last year, I moved, it's been busy, etc. Lately I've been aware that I've been missing relationships with peers that have that kind of depth and spiritual connection and accountability that we had. Today at lunch I was reminded of what that feels like, and we decided to continue our lunches every other weekend. I feel so encouraged! I pray that this can be a fruitful relationship for both of us as we start over but also build on the depth that is still there from years past. Today I'm thankful for this pleasant surprise and blessing. :)

swimming update

I swam a mile yesterday! Yahoo! Felt good. That takes a long time!! :)

Snow in Seattle

Well, Redmond actually... my mom sent me this picture of her house this morning. It has snowed several times in the last couple months where she lives! Very unseasonable. (Although maybe not, since she moved to a place with just a bit of higher elevation.)

Resolutions

1. Make my bed every morning
2. Tidy my bedroom and the living room before bed every night.
3. Eat at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables each day.
4. Be in bed by 10:30 every night.
5. Fill up my gas tank when it reaches ¼ tank instead of E.
6. Floss five times a week.
7. Drink 8 glasses of water every day.
8. Eat chocolate only once a week.
9. Develop a good budget and stick to it.
10. Pack my gym bag the night before.
11. Get a massage once a month. Now we’re talking…

12.

Okay, just kidding, I’m not completely delusional. My eyes began to glaze over at #1. I think I make my bed when we have company, if they’re lucky, and that’s it! I’ve never been one to set resolutions, because everyone knows they don’t really stick anyway, especially if you have a long list, or if the changes are drastic. I have made a conscious effort to eat more fruit and vegetables every day, I have been in bed by 10:30 most week nights, and I haven’t had chocolate in January (that’s another story, and I plan to make it the entire month). Flossing…not so much…and I must say I let my gas tank go until the light goes on, and then some. It’s amazing how far you can get on fumes.

In January though I have already signed up for AAA (it took a flat tire and a couple hours of waiting to finally convince me), purchased extra dental and optical insurance (what…I’m supposed to go to the dentist HOW often??), and made an appointment for a consultation for laser eye surgery! That really is enough to last me the whole year in productivity.

Happy 2007

I really wasn't that reflective at the end of 2006; it didn't feel like New Year's Eve much during the day, just felt like Sunday. :) I had lots to be thankful for in 2006 ~ my sister got married, I moved closer to work and have a great apartment and roommate, I did my triathlon, and I have begun to feel very settled and at home in my community here. God is good, through the tough stuff and the fun stuff. There were plenty of both this year! I'm thankful for where I'm at right now, ready to start fresh in 2007.

I have to say, I am feeling much relief that I am not leaving for the Philippines tomorrow! I'm exhausted. The holidays are not so restful!

wild weather

It snowed here last night and today! It wasn't in the forecast, so it was weird to look out the window around midnight last night and see it dumping and already sticking. It was still around for most of the day today, and it's in the 20's tonight. What crazy weather up here the last couple months! It snows every time I come. I'm not sure what that means.

Christmas Pics

Trying to get four people to all smile at once... :) This is my sister Lindy, her husband Nate, me, and our ("little") brother Travis... I AM the big sister!! :)

After a morning of brunch, presents, and a lazy afternoon we went to visit my grandpa in the home he lives in. My grandma is on the left. I grew up about 5 minutes from them, and they still live in downtown Bellevue. Her condo is about a block from the nursing home so she's able to walk there each day. My mom goes about 4 days a week and I go a few times whenever I'm in town. Grandpa (middle-right) has M.S. but has lived a long full life! :)

Sis, me & Mom

Around 8pm we went to my cousin Dan & his wife LeeAnn's place for dessert and games. We stayed until after midnight! We always have a blast playing games and just hanging out with them. Lots of laughing. :) This is me and Dan; we grew up together and were close through high school.

Now I have a few more days to try and relax and sleep until I return to "the gates of Hell," according to one particular uncle that I see once a year (right around this time). Yesterday morning at brunch he asked "How's life down in the gates of Hell?" I suppose he meant L.A. ... ?? What is that supposed to mean?? I looked at him for a second before replying, "Umm...I kinda like it down there!" Bring me back to the pit of sin! LOL. :)

happiness and cheer...

Merry Christmas!Dad making his best pirate face, in my cousin's pirate hat

I've been trying to relax some up here. We all went to the Christmas Eve service at church last night, and opened family presents this morning. Brunch with extended family, and now it's just us again, laying around and watching movies. More fun and games tonight with the other side of the family.

I hope you are enjoying time with family and friends! It's good having our family together, for now, for a couple of days.

2007 Races

Look out, I'm coming after you to start training...

Feb 25. Brea 8k
June 3. Danskin Triathlon

If I can find another triathlon to do on my own this summer, I'm considering doing this June 3 one (the one I did last year) as part of a relay team. I figure that is the only realistic way I'm going to get my friends to join me. :) So let me know if you're ready to start training!!!

I'd still like to do a half marathon this year too...hopefully in January I can focus on getting well and running longer distances again. I'll see in a month or two how realistic the half is.

Winter Wishes

Despite the fact that I just canceled out my kickboxing class with the macaroni and cheese I have been craving all day, I am feeling a lot better! I've been sick for almost a month now, two colds and a general run-down feeling. But the semester is over, and I now have six weeks to celebrate my laziness!!!

'Tis the season for...Holiday Cards??? I went to pick up a box of CHRISTMAS CARDS last week and in the section now renamed Holiday Cards, I was hard-pressed to find one that actually said "Merry Christmas." I found an abundant supply of Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings, and Winter Wishes. Nothing wrong with that except for the fact that they have all but replaced the whole reason we send cards anyway. The only "Christmas" cards I found had Santa Claus or snowmen on them! There were plenty of "Feliz Navidad" packs...why don't they have an issue with Christmas?? Just us, I guess.

Imagine a big round conference table. Then imagine it COMPLETELY covered with all kinds of Christmas baked goods…all kinds of cookies, breads, brownies, fudge, cakes, and everything in between. Oh and a fruit basket. :) NOW imagine that your desk is ten feet away from said conference table, and all this food is in your direct line of sight all day long.

This is not good...

just a little break

I am alive! It's finals week and I'm trying to muster up motivation to get everything done. I'd rather just watch TV for 6 hours in a row right now. (I may have done that on Saturday...hmmm...I'm sick again/still, so that is my excuse.) Things are busy busy busy. I will be back soon with something more intelligent and exciting to write about! :)

One note, I have decided not to go to the Philippines in January. I feel much more settled with that decision than when I was going. I also am already looking forward to having the month of January off. I am not going to take a class, just will focus on rest and maybe personal study. I am still working on the Disciplines stuff, and I look forward to having more time for that.

'Tis the season...working on cultivating all my Christmas cheer...fa la la la la la la la la. :)

I've always had this understanding of evil and pain in the world that's sufficed for my own faith and relationship with God as reason for the bad things that happen. Sin, evil, free will, and the understanding of "already but not yet" - God's kingdom not yet fully realized here as it is in heaven.

But more and more, as I see hard, ugly things, and I see how my own explanations don't suffice for others' personal understandings or questions, I ache more for this "kingdom" to come. For the victory to be full and for complete victory over sin and death. We grow weary of struggles with sin and pain; longing for God's kingdom to come, on earth as it is in heaven.

home...sort of

Me with mom & sister, Lindy @ T-giving dinner

Happy Thanksgiving! (again) Thursday was eventful...I arrived home in Seattle around 2pm, hung out at the airport until 3ish when my dad arrived on his last minute flight he was able to get from San Diego (originally wasn't going to be able to come home, but he was able to get a flight!) and came out to the new house in Redmond that my parents moved into last month, for about 20 minutes, then back down to Kirkland to meet up with the rest of the Talbott clan for dinner.

It's a little weird to be staying in a different house; I lived in the other one my whole life, so this doesn't quite feel "right" yet. My mom has made the adjustment well and feels right at home, but for me who is just home for holidays, I now don't even know how to find this neighborhood from the freeway! Not sure what needs to take place to make it feel like home, perhaps having Christmas here next month will help. I'm glad I got to stay for a couple days and start getting used to it. :)

Happy T-day

Happy Thanksgiving!
I fly out in the morning, home to the new house in Redmond, WA...barring any traffic or airport issues, I'll make in time for the Talbott turkey dinner. We've rented out a community center to hold the 50+ of us that can make it. :) Looking forward to seeing everyone and spending a long weekend with mom! (Shopping anyone??)

Overload

Here is what I am thinking and feeling in bullet form, since that is about the only way I can make sense of it right now, because:

• I am really sick, just a head cold, but a miserable one that my drugs are not touching. Bad headache, runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, need I go on... and this is no doubt affecting how I am processing this other information...
• I got some really difficult news earlier today that I am not sure what to do with, how to respond, how to react to this person that I love very much but who is really hurting others with their actions, including me. I'm at a loss to know what to do, and long term prayers that have no noticeable answer yet seem to add to my confusion. I don't know how to deal with this this time.
• I just gave my full name as it appears on my passport for my ticket to the Philippines in January.
• An idea for a possible full-time missions opportunity for after school has been floated, and the ministry, language, etc. seem to be a great fit. Something to pray specifically about, and possibly take a visit to in the next year!
• I found out today that the vacant position at work that I have been sort of filling in for has been eliminated. My added responsibilities are now going to be permanent. This is hard in the sense that I'm not sure how things are going to work without someone in that position. But it's good because I now will get to learn new design programs and new things for my job! This is exciting.
• I am really not feeling good and I have no sick days left. The day's almost over...and I have a test tonight.