"The Hill"

I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with "The Hill" (or at least that's what I like to call it). It's th

e part of the Sacramento River Trail that leads up to Hilltop. It's a GNARLY hill. Half a mile of steep uphill, but a gorgeous view at the top. Well, for the last two days I am proud to say that I've included "The Hill" in my exercise routine.

I run:

• from my house to the hill (.7 miles)
• down the hill (.5 miles)
• up the hill (.5 miles)
• back to my house (.7 miles)
• That's a total of 2.4 miles.

I'm not going to sugar coat this for you guys, it's a pretty grueling workout for me. I know there are some of you out there who are laughing at me because you could run this twice, and not break a sweat. Not me. By the end of my lovely workout, I am drenched in sweat, and feeling quite proud of myself! I ran the entire hill for the past two days. This is kind of a big deal for me because normally I walk the hill... but lately I've been pretty inspired to turn up my workout.... although I'm legs are on FIRE by the time I'm at the top, I feel accomplished and powerful. Maybe next week I'll run "The Hill" twice... we'll see. If anybody ever wants to join me on "the hill" I would love the company. Running is always better with a partner. 

Childhood

Today I colored. I spent at least 20 minutes with Caleb Caldwell coloring lovely pictures of dogs, flowers, army men, scary clowns, even a crazy looking bug! I can't remember the last time I just colored to color. I had forgotten just how much fun it is! We pulled out the crayons, and colored! Caleb likes to chat while he colors, which is amazing because what's better than good conversation and the smell of crayons? I think everybody should take a little time to color a picture. Childhood is a priceless thing. So carefree, so fresh and limitless. So today I colored, and I got a bit of my childhood back. Thanks Caleb, for coloring with me!!  

Just one of those days...

Uggg. I had a bad day today. Not horrible, or awful, or terrible, or horrendous. Just bad. It was one of those days that you just want to end. You want it to be over so that, in the morning, you can start over. Fresh. Forgetting yesterday, and all the drama and baggage that went along with it. I really feel Christ shaking some things up in my life right now, and I don't know if I like it. I like being stable. I like being happy and consistent. I like keeping my past behind me, and not having to deal with the hard times that I'm finally starting to forget. I'm not that girl anymore... It seems like with this little talk of family we've begun at the Stirring, some of my past is being drug back into sight. It's hard to deal with. It's hard to face again. I really don't like it. 

"No guilt in life, no fear in death. This is the power of Christ in me." 

I've been listening to this song on repeat for hours. I love it. It's helping my bad day. You know what else would help my bad day? A good joke. Does anybody know any good jokes?? I love a good joke...

Excited!

Tomorrow the new week begins. I can't wait. I get to ACTUALLY meet with my Life Group this week. I love my Life Group... I get to have coffee/eat lunch with three of my greatest friends who I never really get to spend time with. My parents are coming into town. WOOOOOOT! My TV fast is over... but in all honesty, I loved the silence. I got 9 sign-ups for the Stirring Kids, and I get to call each and every one of them to tell them how excited I am that they want to be part of the Stirring Kids. This is going to be an amazing week. I can't wait. 

Erase The Dark

If you are reading this, you should be excited. Erase The Dark is going to be amazing. Remember that crazy picture of me with that awesome backpack? Well, this is the real deal folks. Erase the Dark is a music, art, and film festival held by the Stirring and it's going on THIS FRIDAY NIGHT! (April 11th at 7:00 p.m.). All proceeds are going DIRECTLY to Cypress Elementary School to help meet kids basic needs. These are kids who go without basic school supplies all year long, and we as a community want to help. I'm so excited. Check out the Stirring's web site for more information. It's only ten bucks at the door, and there's free food. How much better could it get?! Everybody should call in sick to work on Friday night, and come check out the first annual Erase The Dark. I hope to see you there.

Amazed...

The women's retreat was indescribable. I try to tell people about it, but I don't really seem to capture the amazing moments we all shared together, and the countless new friendships that were formed while tucked away in a rather HUGE cabin in the middle of nowhere. I'm amazed by God on a daily basis, but this retreat really took it to an entirely different level. I had never been on a retreat before last weekend. Truth be told, I was really hesitant to go. I was anxious and nervous and scared to be in such a new situation. While driving to the church to meet up with all the women, I stopped twice to convince myself to go. Needless to say, I'm really glad I mustered up the courage to go. It honestly changed me. I've decided I'm Martha. I've decided I am going on a "semi-media fast." What this means, is I'm fasting from television for a week. I'm too distracted by my t.v. It should NOT be a priority in my life, and sadly, it has become one. I'm giving up t.v. for a week. A friend of mine that I told this to told me "Oh please Emily, you'll never be able to do it!" I've decided she's an "atter" friend. She's definitely not a latter friend! I'll prove her wrong though, rest assured. I'm almost done with day one, and already half way through a book I've been dying to read! God is good. You know something, I honestly would not recognize the woman I was a year ago. I've changed beyond measure. For those of you who knew me a year ago, wouldn't you agree? God is so good to me! So so good.  So the women's retreat was amazingly wonderful, and I'm fasting from t.v. and I love the life that I've been given (to sum up this all-over-the-place blog) and now I'm off to bed. Much love!

The many faces of Rocky

So, this is my cat. He's a nut. I wrote about him in a much earlier post, but felt the need to post a few more pictures of his cute face. Erica, I hope your girls get a good laugh out of these pictures. My personal favorite is the one with him in the sink. He'll sleep in there for hours... crazy guy. Enjoy the pictures. I'm off to take a nap!

Women's Retreat. WOOT!!

So, today begins the most work-free weekend I've had in, well, possibly years! I'm beyond excited. It almost feels wrong that I won't be running around Red Robin this weekend, refilling people's Diet Cokes, and asking if they want ranch with their fries. Yippie! Basically, I'm free. I love it. This Women's Retreat is going to be exactly what I need. Well, when I get back, I'll have a long, detailed blog about just how wonderful the retreat was. I'm so excited.... NO RED ROBIN!!!!! YAY!!