Middle Mile

Don't worry. This post has nothing to do with broadband networks but if you want to read about those search google.
To me the middle mile is exactly that:
First mile
Middle mile
Third mile
Or
First mile
Middle mile
Fifth mile

The middle mile(s) are always the hardest ones to run. It's when the temperature is way hotter than I thought, uncomfortable running gear is noticeable, I start praying that someone will see me running by their home & rush a cup of water out to meet me, I forget why I'm running in the first place, & I always think about quitting & walking the rest of the way home.
But something darn right amazing happens to me when I push through the elements and my thoughts to start that last mile of a running work out:
I focus
I regroup
My mind clears
I'm less thirsty
I'm goal driven
I'm going to the Olympics in running! Yes I am. I could win a gold medal in running or maybe 8 ;)

You know why? Because I beat the middle mile. I didn't let fear or being tired, or circumstance, or people, or shorts I wore pre baby weight that I don't need to wear now because my thighs rub together causing chaffing make me lose focus. Because after the middle mile is the last mile and then I can see the finish line. It's all worth it. I'm gonna make it.

So why does this happen to me so many times in my daily tasks as well? I must remember to begin with the end in sight. I must remember my goal.

Philippians is a great book in the Bible. Beginning in chapter 3:12 Paul says,
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

I must remember why I'm here and it's simply to glorify the One who made me . Jesus is the only way. My breath today. What I do today may or may not be my middle mile. Only He knows my finish line. So Lord, thank you for reminding me that it's all worth it to know You more. This life is all about You getting the glory and becoming all You want me to be. May we all push through our middle miles knowing that ultimately, in the end of our earthly days You'll be there. Cheering us in with words of "well done good & faithful servant" I wouldn't want to miss something You have for me because I quit when the going got tough. Thank you Lord for all you've done. I pray for all of you people & your middle(s). God sees you. And He'll see you through.

Happy Mornings

So thankful that I get to spend my mornings with this girl. She woke up at 7:45 today so I had to start my coffee pot early. She was smiling and sitting up in her crib waiting for me. She took a 7 ounce bottle and is ready to start the day. I took 2 cups of black coffee and will read my Bible when she goes down for her morning nap around 10. Then I'll be ready to start the day. I haven't been the best at having a daily bible/prayer time lately and I've just gotta get back with it.

What is your morning routine like?

Paper Plates

There's a family tradition on the Ratliff side where if any of the kids or grands are missing from a family event a paper plate is held up in their honor. (We don't remember when this started & we used to draw faces on the plates) Yesterday we celebrated my paternal granddaddy's 80th birthday. It was a celebration enjoyed by all who attended and those of you who could not make it were missed. If you see people holding up paper plates in Facebook pictures they just might belong to our family.

Do you have any interesting traditions?

Surge

A "surge" is a word I use to describe a running workout I do at least once a week. *note: others might call this speed work but since I'm not up to speed yet I call them surges.
I run one mile slow and then the second mile I sprint two mailbox lengths, jog two mailbox lengths. Bursts of increased intensity when running improve cardiac strength as well as overall muscular strength and allow for your body to prepare for longer endurance runs much more quickly. Start by "surging" for 10 seconds, jogging for 50 seconds, and repeat 5 times. These 5 minutes will make a huge difference in your pace for your next running workout. You'll be able to tell a positive difference for sure.

Happy running.

7 Months

On August 26th Kennedy Kate turned 7 months old:

Dear Kennedy,

You are so much fun and learning to crawl all around your room. You love all of your stuffed animals and like to pull them off the shelf and make a mess of your room. Here are some other highlights:

You still wear size 3 diapers but we finally moved to the cruisers
You love sweet potatoes
Bath time is still a favorite part of your day
Your newest interest is in books
You talk and squeal all the time
You like cheerios but can't figure out how to put them in your mouth after you pick them up
You sleep from about 10pm-9am
You began the teething process

You are the light of our life!

Almost Playing Catch Up

Wow...life has completely sped by the last few weeks. Anyone else feel that way? The last day that I marked off in my day planner was August 15th proving that the last half of the month was a whirlwind. It ended with:

• Kennedy Turns 7 months old. how?
• a wedding rehearsal
• a wedding #bestweddingsincemine
• Lindsey (sister), Landon (nephew), and my mom came to visit
• The month ended strong GO TEAM
• Clemma Childress died at the age of 88 (Kyle's paternal grandmother)
• A funeral was attended

And all of the events deserve a blog post separately. I'll attempt to write about those things in the coming days but today I must do what I do best and inspire, motivate, and publicly speak. Oh and out of the events listed above, the funeral is the one that touched my spirit the most. It's hard to find time to blog after you've been reminded how precious life is. I made a pact with God that I would live out my days deliberately from here on out. Always in the moment. Always making the time I'm given count.

John 14:2
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

Until then. I'm His for the taking

Fortune Effect