Day 62...

Before I get started, I want to take a moment and THANK YOU ALL for your prayers. You guys have no idea how much it means to me to know that you're out there presenting me before the Lord. And there is NO way I could be running without you and those prayers. Seriously, considering the amount of injury my body normally experiences and the health that I'm currently enjoying, there is NO explanation outside of prayer. You guys are amazing. Please keep praying! God's grace is the only thing that's keeping me together.

That being said, today, I feel absolutely amazing from an ache/pain standpoint. Everything is SO minor. Had a great recovery run this morning on the treadmill. (I have some serious spring fever and couldn't bear the thought of putting on my ski mask this morning to brave the 20 degrees.) :) But it was such a blessed, casual run between hard workouts.

Okay, yesterday I mentioned that I had an interview coming up with K-LOVE. How exciting is that? My sister had sent out a press release to the McPherson area media letting them know about our event on the 13th, and, on a wild hair, my mom sent it in to K-LOVE. Randomly enough, they're the only ones who responded! But how amazing is that??? We will do the interview on Friday and then let God run with it! :)

Isn't this exciting??? This is EXACTLY what I have been praying for! How many people are going to hear about Military Ministry and either (A) contribute to the ministry's needs, (B) volunteer (C) pray for our troops and the ministry, or (D) get help themselves if they need it? Statistics show that most service men and women who suffer from PTSD don't get help for it. They just suffer. But hopefully this will hit the ears of someone who needs to seek out the help of Military Ministry and allow God to heal them. Would you pray that with me?

Other prayer requests:

-Praise for the great health!

-Prayers for continued protection on the cranky left knee and right plantar fascia.

-Prayers for the fundraiser on the 13th and the details.

-Prayers for Military Ministry and their staff.

-Prayers for our troops--specifically those with PTSD, that they would get the help they need that would lead them to Christ.

Again, thank you guys SO much. We're a TEAM, and I'm so humbled to be part of it with you!

Ciao!

-Jill

Day 61...

Now I'm gunning for it. Every time I hit the treadmill for speedwork, I'm probably going to be shooting for a new PR, even if it's by a second. That's most definitely my competitive side making itself known. And I wouldn't trade a bit of it!

This morning was a new PR in the 9-mile interval workout: 63:38, trumping the former time of 64:03. Praise God!! I was praying the whole time. hahaha! :) It hurt! It was hard! But it was SO worth it. :) Every time I complete a speed workout I'm reminded that very few things in life worth doing are easy. But we have to run straight toward our fears, knowing that God has gone before us.

One of my favorite verses is Psalm 16:8 -- "I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Last night at my small group Bible study, we got into a great discussion about fear. If you've read my blog for any consistent amount of time, you KNOW that's something I battle daily. And, apparently, I'm not the only one. PHEW! The enemy had me going for a while. But it looks like it's something that a lot of us deal with. Maybe that's why there are so many verses in Scripture that talk about it. Joshua 1:9, hundreds of verses in the Psalms, Luke 12:5, 2 Timothy 1:7...And on and on.

We've got to BELIEVE these verses. What will it take for us to do that? What will it take for us to really trust the Lord? For me, what will it take for me to wake up on a Tuesday morning and not fear the hard 9 miles? Faith comes to mind. Belief. Trust. The Holy Spirit's truth-telling whisper...All important things when it comes to winning the battle over fear.

Anyway, be encouraged today if you battle fear. You're not alone! I honestly think we all do. But we don't have to! Let's pray for each other that we can be released from all fear and walk in complete faith today.

Love you all!

Prayer requests:
-Cranky left knee.
-Upcoming interview on K-LOVE!! (YAY for press coverage!!)
-Military Ministry's amazing outreach.
-OUR TROOPS and their marriages.

Ciao, friends!
-Jill