love!

my neighborhood
april 29, 2009

Lord, I believe in you; help me to believe more firmly.
I trust in you; help me to trust more surely.
I love you; help me to love more ardently.
I am sorry for my sins; help me to deepen my sorrow.

Guide me by your wisdom, correct me by your justice.
Comfort me by your mercy, defend me with your power.

Lord, I offer you,
my thoughts to be centered on you, my words to speak of you,
my actions to do your will, my sufferings for your sake.

I want whatever you want;
Because you want it,
The way you want it,
As long as you want it.

Lord, enlighten my mind, strengthen my will,
purify my heart, and sanctify my spirit.

Lord, in your goodness, grant me the grace to love you
and to forget myself, to seek my neighbor's good
and despise the seduction of the world.

Teach me to obey those in authority, serve those under my care,
look after my friends, and forgive my enemies.

Teach me;
How trivial wordly interests are
How momentous is the Kingdom
How brief temporal concerns are
How lasting is life eternal!

Excerpts from the prayer of of Pope Clement XI

42.2km

My dear friend Pip and I have been training for the Canberra Marathon these past few months. Ever since we finished our first one last June, we have been hooked on this crazy running adventure- which is exhausting, exhilarating, and everything in between. Once again, during this race I wondered why exactly I do this-- but yet again, it was a fleeting thought which disappeared after a few minutes, and was gone completely after I crossed the line.
I didn't run as fast as I had wanted to- but I was filled with joy in the process of running this race. It was so much fun! Feeling the breeze. Energized by the crowd. Refreshed by water and cool sponges. Ready to fall over in fatigue. But just as ready to keep running and cross the line. What a blast! And now, just another reason to keep going...

New Life

I was baptized as a baby, in the tradition of my church. After seventh grade, I gave my life completely to Jesus, but at that time I didn’t think about being baptized again.
Yet after following Christ for some time now, I felt that it was important for me to be baptized- as His daughter who fully believes and understands the decision. To declare openly my love for Jesus and my desire and intent to follow Him for the rest of my life. Because I want to be obedient to what Jesus tells His followers to do. Because I recognize my desperate need for the Holy Spirit to do dangerous and impossible things. Because I turn from sin and believe that Jesus is stronger than the strongest evils of this life.

”We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—” Romans 6:4-6

“Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38

Thank you Pip and Rosie, for praying for and with me- immersing me in water, and blessing me by your presence. Praise God for his gift, too wonderful for words. I am blessed to know I don’t walk this Way alone.

Byron Bay, Australia
April 14, 2009





"Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

April!

what a great month!
birthday, baptism, best race times...
April 5- Race for the Roses in Portland- pb half marathon time
April 8- celebrated from midnight on- complete with Annie's lemon meringue pie at 2am ;)
April 14- got baptized at the ocean in Australia
April 19- pb time for marathon #2 in Canberra
more details soon!

"If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it."
~Matthew 10:39