We Did It!

Team LSSH - Going for the Gold

Well, our 5K training paid off! I was so honored and proud to serve as team captain and represent my employer at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure this year. I was equally excited to have received the award for biggest group in the small business division. We had 137 runners this year! Our award is displayed with previous hospital awards in our lobby.

In this picture above are many people I am proud to work with and to call my friends. No matter what controversy had stirred for Susan G. Komen this year, I was proud to walk/run for so many survivors and those who have lost the battle to cancer.

It was such a fun day for all of us. Above all, my proudest moment was crossing the finish line with my daughter, Annabelle, and my niece, Gabby, hand-in-hand. It was their first race and we finished together. Another achievement was my brother, Cody, finishing his first 5K setting his first personal record!

I hope the money raised will help find a cure. Until then, we'll keep fighting and running the race with those who need our support.

Step One

As most everyone in my life knows, I am working hard on my health and weight through a new eating lifestyle and through exercise, including running, one step at a time. Baby steps. I began running about 5 months ago and I'm still at it! About 2 months ago, our assimilation pastor at Crossroads Church, Preston Blair, and I had a talk. I felt as though God was opening a door for me to lead my own small group at Crossroads. I prayed about it and immediately knew that I had to say yes. And I did say yes. That is when the 5K Group STEP ONE began.

My first reaction after committing to leading it was disbelief that I said yes, but I had a sense of peace that cannot be explained. I knew that God really wanted me to do this and He also knew that I had some doubts in myself, but I also felt peace cause I knew He would bring me through it. I have not had any regrets. Only lots of joy, happiness, and gratitude to hear others' stories.

Our first day was yesterday. It began with 30+ individuals who showed up for day one of training with a lot of anticipation, anxiety, and a little fear. Much like the feelings I had when I first started. I felt honored that God would pick me to lead these people who were so willing to listen to ME, of all people, about exercise. This is pretty funny to me because I've never considered myself athletic in any sense of the word. But I had to think back to the beginning of this part of my journey that this was more than exercise. Or weight loss. Or health. It is about overcoming obstacles. I realized yesterday that a couple months ago when I committed to doing this group I saw this as a challenge and somewhat of an obstacle to overcome. Through much prayer and encouragement from others, the obstacle was INVISIBLE yesterday. I never felt any fear, anxiety, or any other negative feelings. I have to give much thanks for the support from my family and friends who encourage me every day. And for new friends I've made through this part of my story, including the people at Geaux Run, who support even those who finish last. I love each of you so much!

This 5K group is going to help so many people, including me. It is humbling that God would think so much of me that He would choose ME for this task. I hope these next weeks those who read  this will be encouraged that this is only beginning...

Do not give up. The beginning is the hardest.

Knock 'Em Dead

No matter how long you've lived, you know that with each experience there is a struggle or earned lesson involved of some kind. Whether it is weight loss, a wrong decision, a less than perfect evaluation at work, and many other things. There's a struggle. It's not easy to overcome struggles, but with whom are we struggling? Most times, it is ourselves.

We put limits on ourselves that turn into battles within our own mind. We let people's opinion of us matter. We focus our attention on things that have little or no place in our life. My biggest struggle, hands down, lifelong has been fear of failure. Failing what? Failing everything. In school, kids were mean to me. They said hurtful things. To overcome those things we fear most we have to knock 'em out. To live a life of freedom. It's time to get your boxing gloves on.

I can remember back in 6th grade this one bully trying to make me stay in the locker room every day. He said something to the effect of "you stink like gym socks..." or other stupid things. God knows why, but he would stand at the door and block it every single day. One day as the school year was closing, I am not sure what happened, but when he went to block the door my right hand reflexed and I hit him right in the chin! It felt so good, but I was very afraid. One word, FEAR. I remember closing my eyes and not feeling very confident I would be alive for long. He had instilled so much fear in me that I actually was afraid to die. No joke. Well, when I opened my eyes he was not there. I stood still for quite some time thinking he was around the corner. When I realized he was really gone I ran out the door and didn't even look back. I don't remember what else happened, but I don't remember getting bullied again that year.

Thinking about it now, I guess my punch was me just protesting that I had ENOUGH! Enough of being the victim and just letting this bully get away with stuff. I also look back thinking, "why didn't you just punch him sooner?" The answer is fear. My greatest fear was this person. I had given him control and I couldn't do it any longer. I literally faced my fear.

It's time to face our fears. Fear of failure. Fear of not being quite good enough. Fear of letting go of the past. Fear of rejection. Fear of losing control of things. Fear of stuff that doesn't matter. Sometimes the giant we call fear, those eyes we look into, may fall with just one right hook to the chin. And not even a hard hit. All it takes is stepping up and doing it. Remember whose in your corner of the ring. He's got your back. Step out and face it with Him by your side. He's already fought the battle so stop being scared. Don't let fear stop you from living.

What are you afraid of? Do it.

"I have told you these things so you may have peace in Me.

In the world you will have much trouble.

But take hope! I have power over the world!”

John 16:33