Training Runs have Begun!

A few months ago, my sister-in-law posted a booking for a flight to Hawaii to run a Ragnar. Immediately, I signed up. Before this, I NEVER, I mean, never, had a desire to run a Ragnar Relay. But Hawaii?? Seriously, I was in without question, but had to convince her to let me on the team. A few days later, I booked my flight. Then, my son and his friend's flight and no sooner I had recruited two more friends to join the team. Now, if you don't know what a Ragnar is, it's 200 (and in this case more) mile relay with a team of up to 12 members. Our crazy team, thinks 10 members is enough. Something about sweating in vans, but I am not buying it. They just love running! I just love Hawaii and if I have to run, I will. It takes like 36 hours or something to get to the end. I figured people have done before, so I should be fine. I mean, I will be in paradise for a few days. 

So, this week we headed out for our first training run as a team to the trails in Weir Canyon.

And Wow! We sure live in a beautiful place that continues to amaze me. Not knowing what to expect, I was thinking maybe I go a little longer when I heard it was only a 4 miler. But was I surprised to find that 4 miles was enough to get my heart racing and my blood pumping.

The trailhead started at the end of a road in the Hidden Canyon estates and all I could see was a hill in front of me. For the first half-mile we were moving upward on a dirt trail until when we finally get to the top. It was hard not to stop and take in the view. And we found ourselves doing this a few times on the run. The first few miles continued to climb upward and each time we rounded a corner, the view got even better. It went for miles and was absolutely stunning with rolling hills and large homes on the top looking over a lake. As we made our way around and moved downward, the switchbacks took us through a cooler route with trees along the side of the trail.

Whether you are a runner, hiker, horseback rider or mountain biker, these trails will give you whatever adventure you need. From steep climbs to fast drops, the trails have it all. You can traverse into many directions and go for miles, or simply take a loop and head back. For our team, the four-mile loop was just enough to get our first training run in for the upcoming Ragnar race. 

God has so much for us to explore and if you don't stop and pay attention to what is around you, you will miss it. Hawaii is going to be beautiful, but I can drive less than 30 minutes and enjoy a view that our creator has left for us. 

Psalm 19: 1-6
How clearly the sky reveals God's glory!
    How plainly it shows what he has done!
 Each day announces it to the following day;
    each night repeats it to the next.
 No speech or words are used,
    no sound is heard;
 yet their message goes out to all the world
    and is heard to the ends of the earth.
God made a home in the sky for the sun;

    it comes out in the morning like a happy bridegroom,
    like an athlete eager to run a race.
 It starts at one end of the sky

    and goes across to the other.

 Nothing can hide from its heat.

just Listen and Dream together

Sunday, we headed to the Hollywood hills. Not ever trekking to the infamous sign, we decided this was the day. Knowing it would be crowded, I tried to find an alternate route or trail or something difficult. Unfortunately, the trails were packed and there was no escaping the crowds on Mother's Day. But it was a great day, nonetheless and we never even got close to the sign after all. 

What's nice about this hike is, it's relatively close if you are near the LA area and easy to get to from a few directions. The trails are marked and signs are everywhere to get you to the sign and to Griffith Observatory. We took the Trail Canyon route where at the start you could check out the bat cave from the 1960's. We didn't, but plenty of walkers headed that way first. 

The sign is in the hills, so the hike is up hill...all the way. At times, pretty steep and pretty dirty and dusty. It wasn't a particularly hot day, so we made it easily through the winding uphill climb. 

As someone who works indoors all day, every day, getting out on the weekends is a must, but getting out with family can be challenging with schedules that consume us. Since it was Mother's Day, no complaints or excuses were made. We got up, ate breakfast, and headed out. What I love on our hikes together is not just breathing in the fresh air and appreciating all God has given us to enjoy, but the conversations and the challenges of the day. When you are out in the open and free, you share your dreams and your ideas, you sometimes have to struggle through the heat of the climb or the windy day and work together to get to the top. With an 18-year-old getting ready to graduate in a few weeks, I cherish each of these days. 

I listen to his dreams, his fears, and his triumphs. 
I hear him concerned about the future and what life will be like. And I want to tell him it is all going to work out but sometimes, he just needs me to listen and hear. 


Instead, I keep quiet or ask questions. 
I try not to advise, although sometimes it's difficult. 
I try not to judge and let him figure it out, but it is hard. 
I love him and tell him I am proud of who he has become. 
I tell him it will be different, but it is good. 

At the end of the day, we conquered the hill and we saw the the sign but most important, we lived and breathed and learned...together.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

-Proverbs 22:6

Cutting the Cord

It was probably 6th grade when a parent said to me, "it is time to cut the cord," when I didn't want to leave Jacob home for 30 minutes to wait for a ride somewhere. I insisted on staying and waiting until I knew he was safely picked up and on his way. That phrase stuck with me but I never could head to it. For years, I continued to check in frequently, wait up at night, or at least wake up in a panic when I realized it was 1 am and I didn't hear him come in, and still have to know the schedule each day.

A few weeks ago, I was up before the sun making sure everything was packed and praying with Jacob as he was heading to Nashville with a group of 20 kids, a choir director and a few parents. And I wasn't one of them this time. Rob rolled out of bed as we were getting ready to leave and we all jumped in the car to drop him off at school for an early bus to LAX. With recent events and crazy news, I worried a little for his travel but more than that, I realized this was his first trip away from home for this long without us.

As parents we complain about technology and how it consumes our kids, but today, with many miles between us, I was thankful for the text I received to let me know that my guesstimate of a 25-pound bag was actually 47 pounds, barely making the maximum limit. I got a video from a mom on the plane of the kids singing, and I got a text when the plane landed. Ok, ok, you might be thinking "helicopter mom." Well, you'd be right if I actually ignored the request that I didn't go on the trip and went anyway. Or I followed the bus to the airport. I didn't do any of those things and I let him out of the car at school without embarrassing him. But believe me, I wanted to go on the trip, and I wanted to make sure he got to the airport safely.

Parenting has brought so much joy in our home. Sure, there are days when you look at your child and think, "What planet are you from?" or "Who raised you?" but most days are good. Every day, I look forward to coming home and checking in with my little man. Bugging him, as a mom should, about his day and who he talked to, and what did he do after school and what were his plans for the night or the weekend or life. And every day, he plays along. He shares the day, sits with me for dinner and sometimes hangs out to watch a few of our favorite shows.

In the last few months, some things have changed and I know it is time for me to let go a little more. With the end of his Senior year coming and college looming over us in a few months, I know life as we know it will change. As a mom, I have done everything I knew to teach him, train him and guide him in doing the right things. Now, it is time to let go and let him make his own decisions and trust that he will make good choices.

Parents, if there is anything I can share in this experience it is to embrace every moment, even the messy ones, because time really does fly by when you are raising kids. Enjoy the games, the plays, the Open Houses and everything in between. Take time to chat and sit and hang out. Stop. Breathe. Pray. God gave me this little guy 18 years ago and I never knew a love like this. Being a parent changes how you view the world and gives you a heart you couldn't have imagined before having children. 

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”

Psalm 127:3

Spontaneous Getaway

I am always up for a weekend road trip with the family, but with Jacob out of town, Rob and I took to the road without a real plan. Realizing we had the dog, we packed him up as well and found a pet-friendly hotel near San Jose. I never thought I would be one to take a dog on vacation to a hotel. Camping, yes! but a hotel? I was never too much of a dog-lover, even being accused at one point of kicking one at a friend's house.

After rearranging my stupidly-busy schedule to be done working by noon, we headed out midday Saturday. Quickly packing a few things in our backpacks, we headed north. Reading about a trail in San Jose that overlooked the Silicon Valley, we drove all day to get there. Driving through the rolling hills towards Hollister/San Jose and then through a small town with fruit stands at every corner makes you forget the hustle of the every day. In the jeep with the top off, the air was warm and the drive a relaxing way to spend a Saturday evening. With a quick stop at the outlets in Gilroy for a little shopping, we were almost to our destination for the night.


Waking up at the crack of dawn to catch a sunrise was our next adventure. Hoping this day would bring more excitement than dinner the night before, we checked out and headed to the top of the Open Space Reserve. Driving miles through a thick marine layer, we finally cleared the top and the sun was peeking out. At the top, we looked over a blanket of fluffy white landscape. As we waited, we watched the layers come and go and the sun come up. We didn't see the Silicon Valley but the morning air and view was still a sight to see.


If you only have a weekend, LA to San Jose can be a beautiful way to see a little country road, rolling hills, and the beach. After the sun came up, we headed South stopping at one of the fruit stands for avocados and raw honey from a local beekeeper. Our next stop was the quaint shops in San Luis Obispo for lunch. From there, we headed to the sandy dunes of Pismo to check out the ocean. A little cooler down the 101 but worth the drive and the sights.


Sometimes you gotta let loose and head out of town for a day or two to remind yourself you are human and that the world is bigger than the place you go to work every day and the life you live is as good as you want it to be. For me, heading out of town is an escape. An escape from the mundane, an escape from the chores, from the busyness. As many responsibilities I have, when I get in the passenger seat of the jeep, I am free. My mind wanders away from the negativity and the stresses of work to a place of peace and freedom. I can rest and appreciate the work I have done.

Whatever it is for you, find it and do it. For some, it may be taking a bike ride, walking the dog, or listening to your favorite playlist. Whatever it is, allow yourself to be free a little bit each day, even if only for an hour, take a moment to rest. You will breathe easier, think more clearly, and be you.

God rested on the last day for a reason. His work was done and he sat to enjoy it. Let us be people who enjoy the life we created. Let us sit. Let us be.

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.   

Genesis 2:2

Geesh, God! What's Next?

Only after a few weeks of making a public claim that life could only get better this year, it took a big u-turn. I really did think I had experienced it all. I had been challenged enough in every one of my relationships and in every possible situation imaginable and unimaginable. But no, it wasn't over yet.

Of course, I tried to keep it to myself to not upset those around me but I cracked. I always crack. I couldn't help it. But in just a few minutes it was passed on and we moved on. It was a big event day.

It is always a big event day. Funny, how God seems to think the big event will distract me enough to get me through it all. Or maybe it is His way of putting things on pause so my mind doesn't spiral out of control. When something eats at your heart, it is hard to stay cool, but I did for the next few hours. No one knew. I smiled, I took pictures, I focused on what was in front of me.

Or at least I thought I did. I tried. I really did this time. I mean, sometimes, you have to trust the situation and move on.

But this time, my crazy mind replayed conversations, scenarios and unexplainable events over again in my head. And over and over again. And then one day, I woke up angry! I hadn't let it go and now I wanted answers. But then again, did I?

Sometimes in life things happen that truly are unexplainable, and in this situation I may or may not ever know the truth. I simply have to trust that what I know is what I need to know right now. We have to trust that God is in control and that as long as we are doing the right thing, in the end, He will come and peace will prevail. I know I need to settle with God during this time, but that doesn't mean it is easy. Small reminders rear their head of the pain I felt on that day and all the times before but I have to put my faith in the One greater than me if I am ever going to move on.

“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7

God's Great Creation

If I could be on a hike every day of the week, I would. As I get older, the pace at which I work seems to take its toll on me. I am no longer energized by the fast-paced, never-ending pile of stress I used to enjoy all too much.

Today, I want to get away. I want to indulge in the great outdoors. Today, I want to breathe the fresh air and the beauty of the world I live in.

My adventurous spirit started back in high school with week long backpacking trips and a cycling road trip with my youth group. I love the outdoors and have longed, at times, to live where I can explore my own backyard.

Even though I can't have that right now, I do live in a beautiful place that can get me to the mountains or the beach in a day, along with a hike among trees or along an ocean.

And this day was no exception. We took to the road and searched trails on our way. We never really know where we are going when we pull out of our driveway. Top down, sun shining, we were heading north. It was already after noon, so we had to get somewhere quick if we were going to get in a decent hike. Trying to find a road less travelled, we passed on Eaton Canyon and drove a little farther to Echo Mountain. On the trailhead, we decided to take the narrow trail instead of following the crowds up to Inspiration Point. A historical spot for many, we maneuvered our way up a steep and rocky path to the top. Lizards shared our path as we climbed. It was hot and not an easy trail for most, but we wanted to see what was on the other side.

 After a short time, we made it and the view of Los Angeles was stunning. No matter where you go, or what you see, there is always something awesome of the the big world out in front of us. When I looked out, I saw the city of Angels standing tall out in the distance. All I could think of was how small it was in the landscape in front of me. Really, the "big city" is so small in the scheme of life. The hustle and bustle we crave is nothing, when we pan out a little. So, next time you are worrying about that deadline or that assignment that feels like the end of the world, remember it is not as big as you think.

"For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him." Colossians 1:16

Law and Grace

I am a rule follower. And I want everyone else to be one, too. I google map directions and trust they will get me to my destination; I read the instructions for almost everything I buy. I look up the same recipes I have made for years and follow the directions. My trust is that it will work right if I simply follow the directions. If you are like me, you are probably thinking right now, so what's wrong with that? People should follow directions and do things the right way. The problem is, I will mistake rules for law.

Law-the only way to do something. The right way. No other way can work. 

Stick to the rules. We live in a society that is much like this, and more often than not we are controlled by the rules of others. Of course, some rules protect us, while some rules protect those around us. They keep order.

But,

Sometimes, rules need to be broken.

Sometimes, a circumstance arrives that we don't expect. 

Sometimes, we need a little grace.

Grace-gettng what we don't deserve. Loving beyond the rules.

Grace is when we give up our rules and we extend something undeserved. Several years ago, our business was struggling and I had sent something back to a company. Weeks after I sent it back, they continued to bill me. I called every day to see if they received it. Finally, after a few months, I got a woman on the phone who listened to me. I told her when I sent it, that I didn't track it and now it was missing. The item was costly and we didn't have the money at that time to replace what was lost. Patiently, the woman on the other end said simply, "don't worry about it, I'll take care of it." At that moment, a huge burden was lifted and I hung up the phone with tears streaming down my face. This was a company who wanted their product back and I was a consumer claiming I had returned it. There was no tracking, no confirmation that it was sent and it was her word against mine. Whether or not she believed me didn't matter but she extended grace in my time of need. She broke the rules.  

I could tell countless items when a friend extended grace to me, but I, myself, struggle when my expectations are let down. But with grace, we assume the best in others and we live a life more selflessly than before. We overlook the situation and love on those around us. When we love others, grace is easy. 

Grace. Something undeserved. Something we all need from time to time. 

                                  “Do everything in love.”  1 Corinthians 16:14 NIV