Half Marathon

I'm proud to say that I finished my first half marathon! Andrea came up from Houston on Friday to run with me. I must say first-she's a great motivator. That crazy lady was upbeat and happy the whole thirteen miles. I, on the otherhand, was hating life about four miles in. I had a very low level of personal motivation or energy for most of the race. We probably should have had breakfast before running such a long distance. Nonetheless, I finished the race with my best friend on my arm and it felt amazing. I also had some great support there. Shaun and my friend Chuck came to watch us run as well as Andrea's mom and dad. My mom and sister did come out, but they were a little too early, and left before I was able to finish the race. I'm glad that they at least made the attempt. Shaun was very sweet. He had a dozen red roses for me as well as a card and a gift card for a full body massage! I can't sing his praises enough; not because he got me flowers and a present, but because he is such a wonderful man. It's so refreshing to be with someone who is as genuinely warm and caring and unselfish as Shaun is. He lets the world know he's with me, which is something I haven't ever had before. I've always been the one to give all of myself in a relationship, and now it's an equal effort. I appreciate everything he does. It's great.

On another note-still no word from Peace Corps in my mailbox. Is this a sign that I was really not supposed to join? It makes me wonder. I check the mail every day, and nothing. Zip, zero, zilch. I know that in my heart, it is something that I would love the opportunity to do. I know that I would have the chance to really provide help to people who need it. A lot of people are asking if I can just stay local and still help. Yes, and I do that already. I feel that the Peace Corps will give me something that local organizations just don't provide, which is the ability to get out of my comfort zone and make an impact on a community with very limited resources. I guess I just have to see what happens. I do pray to God that the things happening in my life are happening for the right reasons. I feel a lot closer to Him than I have in many years, so I trust that He knows what is best for me. I'm also happy to report that I am loving myself a lot more than I used to as well. This is huge for me. I still need to write my "list"...the 50 things that I love about myself. If you don't remember this, please go back to my August posts, and take a look at the LEARN process. I made a commitment to myself that I would do this, and I will. I just haven't..yet.