2007 is almost over. Today is special because it is my mom's birthday. I wish my parents had a computer so that they could check out our blogs once in awhile, but they have never had the need to own one. But that's OK cause we are going over to my mom and dad's place for dinner tonight (my dad is cooking). I highly doubt if we will be staying up past midnight to bring in the new year as it really wears me out for the rest of the week. If I am tired during the first week of 2008 which will mean poor workouts and that's not the way to start things off. So, Mom, just in case you get to read this...
As for my 2007 it wasn't the best racing year for me, in fact it was probably the worst so far. I am a bit disappointed, but I did end up learning a lot of what not to do. I also realize that 10 additional pounds does make a huge difference and that is why my biggest goal is to lose the extra baggage before training begins on March 9Th. Probably one of my biggest accomplishments (training wise) is the run challenge, which is still in happening. Whenever I go to the gym someone is yelling at me "So how many days is this?".
The biggest change for me this year is definitely in my Spiritual Growth. February 7Th I re-dedicated my life to Christ and then this past Saturday I got baptized. On December 18Th Trevor and I went to the church to go to our Q & A baptism class and prepare our video testimonial. We prepared what we were going to say (read) during the video, but when we recorded the video they asked us to read our testimony and then they'd ask us questions about regarding what we wrote that way it didn't look like we were reading everything and it came more from the heart, but I just wanted to share with you what I wrote so this isn't what was recorded on the video, but it's my testimony:
I was brought up in a home where both of my parents became Christians when
I was very young. I went to church my whole entire life. When I was 13 years old I
made the decision to give my life to Jesus, but it wasn’t that I felt lead to do so it was more because it was expected of me. The following year I was baptized, again, not because I felt called to do so, but rather it was expected of me. As the years went by I realized that my heart was in the wrong place. I thought that since I made the decision to follow Christ everything would be perfect and when it wasn’t and I blamed God. I struggled with low self esteem and a low self image. When I was 19
years old I was hospitalized with an eating disorder and this was probably the lowest point in my life. I didn’t like myself, I didn’t like anyone else around me and the
only thing that seemed to be important to me was my eating disorder as I focused all of my energy into it. I remember when the pastor from my church had come to the hospital and prayed for me and the whole time he was praying I was saying to myself “God doesn’t love me and he won’t help me”. 14 years later I am standing before you and letting you know that I finally heard Jesus call me and say come back to me and I listened. It took me awhile to realize that God does love me
unconditionally and that I don’t have to be perfect. I have come along way since I have been 19 years old and God has truly blessed me. I still struggle with eating
disorder issues, but I am praying about that and I ask that you please pray for me as well.
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
I hope 2008 brings a lot of joy and peace to your lives. I know I am looking forward to what God has in store for me.
