10k Race

Yesterday was a good day. Church was excellent. Steve (the dean of students) spoke on what we do when the Christian adventure becomes boring or miserable, what happens when we don't feel God's presence in our lives. Because as awful as that sounds, it can. I can personally attest to this state, as I have experienced those same feelings over the last two years. He referenced to Psalm 13, where David is crying out to God, because of his miserable state. At the end of the chapter he says "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me."

Steve acknowledged the fact that even though David is miserable, he is still talking with God. God never promises to take us out of our circumstances, but He does promise to be sufficient for us in all circumstances. We need to continue to cry out to God and maintain that communication. The second step is just that: take a step. Normally we are of the mindset that God needs to heal, provide, and transform us before we can do His work. However, countless biblical examples demonstrate that this is not the case. God works differently than we do, and He provides healing, freedom, transformation, and passion on the way. We don't need to want to obey. We just should obey, because obeying God produces love, and when we obey, God works His wonders along the way.

After a great morning service, I scampered off to prepare for a 10 km race I was entered in. Many of you (my family most of all) are probably wondering who I am, and what I've done with Mickeelie Webb. I am a well known hater of running. I don't run for fun, I don't run to escape stampedes of any sort, and I don't run to exercise. I just don't do it. Because I don't like it. At all. So imagine my surprise when I signed up for this race. Steve (same guy as above) is ridiculously good at marketing.

So yesterday, as I stood at the starting line for this ridiculous adventure, I was really wondering what I would even get out of this experience. I have a fear of missing out on fun stuff, but I didn't know how fun this race would actually be.

And it wasn't just fun. It was beautiful and difficult and worth every sore muscle and joint I now have in my body. The race wound through German farms in the small town of Wangen. Cows everywhere, tractors dotting the hillsides, black mares frolicking (yes, frolicking) in their pen. I mean, this place was actually gorgeous. The best part of the race came during the first lap (the race was 2 laps of 5km). My dad will appreciate this next part. The song "Hard Sun" by Eddie Vedder came onto my iPod, and just as the chorus started I reached the top of a hill, broke out into the sunlight, and was given an indescribable view of the Alps, and the farmlands that lay below. Absolutely gorgeous. It took my breath away and I almost forgot to keep running.

So the details: I ran 5.5 km straight without stopping (never done that before in my life), walked for 200 metres, and ran the rest of the way. I finished with a time of 1:15:10.81 in 200th out of 212. For all you runners out there, this is in no way impressive. But for me, I was just happy to finish it. I haven't run since last September and I didn't train at all during my first two weeks here at school. I just went and did it, and had a great big amount of hot gatorade at the end. (They serve hot gatorade at the end of the race, and you're dying for cold water, but the hot gatorade is actually better for you and is quite soothing). Oh Jacq Jacq, Julian Smith's hot koolaid. I made this for you.

I am proud of my meager accomplishment, and I really enjoyed the time I had during the race. Then we got back to the school, had K Group Olympics (K groups are our small groups), and my K group, K8, won. We have no idea how we won, but apparently we did. Good times. And then I went to bed. Even better times.

Much love,
Mickeelie