My Call to Serve

On the first Sunday night in May, at the last "official" Forge of the year, I told my 10th grade girls that I would not be their leader next year. It was a very bittersweet night for me as I have grown to love these girls and my co-leaders tremendously and will miss having them in my life on a regular basis.

It was not a decision I made lightly. In fact, it was a year-long decision making process. I had started a new job the May prior to coming to lead Forge and I had already been serving in the Special Needs ministry at that time as a shadow and assistant coach. I started traveling for my job quite a bit and had an evolving role in the special needs ministry, which lead to a lot going on in my life.

Being a Forge leader is so much more than just showing up on Sunday nights. Its being in constant prayer for the kids, connecting with them, spending time with them in one-on-one or small group settings outside of our regular meetings and being there whenever they need you. With being gone several Sundays for work travel and then a lot of the times I was there, I was so exhausted that I wasn't there mentally, it was hard to be the Forge leader I wanted to be and the girls needed me to be.

As a single-not married-no kids individual, I have built a mentality around/for myself that because I don't have those commitments, I should take up any call to serve. "What's my reason to say no? Nothing."  is a question I asked myself far too often.  It's hard for me to say no because I want to be able to do it all for others, but at the same time I do it at a cost to myself without even realizing it.

From the end of the earth I will cry to you. When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I - Psalm 61:2

For the last year I prayed about what to do. I talked to my community group, the Forge women's leader, the special needs ministry leader and others trying to seek out knowledge and to let them know I was struggling. I was tired, stressed, and over-committed. It took awhile for me to realize that rest is just as essential as serving when it comes to my relationship with Christ.

During this entire time, I was wrestling with the thoughts of "Do I just need to step away from one ministry? Or, do I need to take a break completely from serving?"  I didn't want to step away completely from serving, but I knew I needed more rest in my life in order for me to continue to grow in Christ. Through many weeks of prayer and direct conversations, it became evident to me what I needed to do.  I've always had a passion for the Special Needs ministry (it is part of the reason I ended up at my church- read about it here) and through prayer and discussion, I was shown not only what my gifts are, but how well they are suited and used in that ministry.  With Forge, I wasn't able to fully commit and give the girls all they needed as a leader. I could be there on Sunday nights and speak truth to them, but they needed more than that from me. With those revelations, the decision to step away from Forge was how I felt called. And when I acknowledged that call, I felt the weigh being lifted off of me.

I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears - Psalm 34:4

This last year, while difficult, was a good year for me. I spent a lot of time in self-reflection and really seeking out the Lord. I learned its ok to have to step back, and that was something I wanted to make sure to impart on my girls as well that Sunday night when I told them goodbye. I also told them that I would still love them, be praying for them and checking in on them. (I think they're all a bit terrified that I will show up when one of them is out on a date and have some questions for their fellas).

Even though telling them goodbye was done with a heavy heart, I left that night with a lighter heart knowing I was seeking rest and still following God's call to serve.

Rainy Runs and Red Wax

Last Friday I hopped on a plane and flew to Louisville, KY so I could run in the Derby mini-Marathon on Saturday, April 25 with KQ. 

I got in over an hour later than expected due to a flight delay, but we finally made it over to the Convention Center to pick up our race packets. Leading up to the weekend, I was definitely on weather watch as my weather app was calling for rain and storms on Saturday. Right after I landed, I received an email from the race directors talking about how they were in contact with the National Weather Service, and some tips for running in the rain such as hats, body glide, and non-cotton socks.  It seemed everyone took that email to heart because as we were walking through the vendor sections of the expo almost everything was gone! Luckily KQ and I are diehard Balega sock wearers and they are non-cotton so at least we were set on that aspect!

The (DRY) pre-race shot.
Note all the layers!

After grabbing a dinner full of carbs, we called it a night early and headed to bed.  Saturday morning dawned cold and gloomy, but not rainy (yet).  After a lengthy debate about what to wear (rain gear, long-sleeve, short-sleeve, shorts, capris), we finally headed down to the race course. The rain held off until the starting gun. It started out as a steady sprinkle, then a mist, and then finally starting to come down hard while I was running through Churchill downs (around mile 8).  It was a cold, heavy rain and at one point I was running with my hands hooded over my eyes so that I could see. After the race, KQ and I realized we had never really run a race in the rain before, or at least not rain like this. One cool thing that happened was when I was running in Churchill Downs and heading under the track, a horse and rider rode over where I was running! That was really fun to see as I was going along! Between the rain and still being tired from the last weekend, I wasn't as mentally and physically prepared as I would have liked to have been for the race. In my mind, I thought I was running a full 20 minutes behind (yikes!) what I expected to run. Turns out I was only 1 second behind, compared to last year's time. All things considered, I'll take it!

Cold and wet post-race metal shots! I could not
figure out how to work the heat wrap thing!

After the race we went and got our traditional celebratory Chick-fil-a, then went home to shower and get warm! We had plans to go to Churchill Downs that night, but we ended up napping and then it hailed, so that didn't happen.  Instead we ordered Chinese and watched Prefontaine, the movie about the runner Steve Prefontaine. 

We woke up on Sunday morning to a gorgeous Kentucky day. It really was picture perfect- KQ and I kept saying we wish the weather was like that on Saturday!  First we headed to church and then made another stop on the Bourbon Trail - the Maker's Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. 

We had an awesome tour guide and it was a very educational and interactive tour! I got to stick my finger in a giant vat of yeast/fermenting alcohol (as if the texture wasn't gross enough, the taste wasn't great either) and then we had a fun taste test at the end!

The far left glass was the "knock you out" white and
the far right was a special blend only available at the distillery!

KQ making her 'concentrating scientist' face as she
dipped her bourbon in the signature red wax!

Maker's Mark is known for it's signature red wax over the top of the bottle, and you can dip it at the store at the end of the tour! KQ got a bottle and was able to dip the wax on her own bottle! 

Proudly displaying her handiwork!

Just a glimpse of the gorgeous day we had
in the rolling hills of Kentucky!

I left Sunday night around 7:30 and didn't get home until Midnight, but it totally was worth it! That was such a fun-filled weekend and I'm glad its becoming an annual thing!

Evening of HOPE 2015

Two weekends ago on Sunday, April 19, I was able to be a part of the Project Hope Foundation's Evening of HOPE! 

The Project Hope Foundation is near and dear to my heart as I used to work there, and I am still involved with the special needs community it serves. What Hope does for the autism community is astounding, and I am humbled to serve alongside the team for the Evening of HOPE.

I served as this year's Hotel Chair, which means I oversaw everything at the hotel where the event was held- this includes setup logistics and coordinating between the auction, decor,  and dinner committees. We were at a new location (The Hyatt Regency in Downtown Greenville) and expecting our largest attendance to date! We knew going into the night that it would be special, but we just didn't know how special. 

The theme for the night was Super Heroes, and the night was super indeed! I could say more, but I think the video below says it all!

Mark your calendars and you too can be a part of this amazing night next year on 

April 16, 2016!

For more information about the Project Hope Foundation check out its website - www.projecthopesc.org 

Reeds, Rivers, Runs, and Rocks!

  Last weekend my family came up to Greenville for a short visit. The original plan was for my parents to drop off Jacob and go off for the weekend for their 30th anniversary, but due to some last minute changes, they ended up staying with us and all leaving on Saturday night. So, instead we got some good family time in.

On Friday night, we went downtown to pick-up our race packets and then ate dinner at Antonino Bertolo's. Mom, Jacob, and I split a pizza and dad got the ravioli. It was quite delicious! None of us had been there before so it was a good experience for all!

Then, on Saturday, Jacob and I ran the Reedy River 10k in downtown Greenville. It was a blast and it felt good to be (slowly) running that type of distance again! Jacob, the sweet brother that he is, ran slow with me the entire time. And since we were going sooo slow, he had to entertain himself while running. This involved a lot of talking, doing basketball drills when we ran past cones, and jumping over poles. It was 6.2 miles of entertainment to say the least! After the run, we went and had brunch at Waffle House. It's starting to become our Saturday morning tradition when the whole family is together in Greenville.

After a quick clothing change, we headed up to Pretty Place, the chapel at YMCA's Camp Greenville. That was a first-time experience for all of us as well. It truly lives up to its name! Jacob had quite a bit of fun, since he pretended to kick dad off the mountain. He then tweeted a picture of attempting to kick dad, saying 20 retweets and he'd do it. Lucky for dad, he only got 12 retweets. (Although, dad did enjoy confronting all the youth at church on Sunday about trying to get rid of him!)

On the way back home, we decided to catch one more scenic view and stopped by Bald Rock for a bit. Jacob mentioned hearing some water, and mom found the cute little stream.

We packed a lot into one Saturday, but it was an absolutely gorgeous day to be outside and enjoy time together as a family!

Pre-race hug to keep warm

Almost to the finish line

  

 

Pretty Place

 

Mom and Dad - 30 years together!

The pretend kick that started it all...

Dad getting his revenge

Bald Rock

Jacob's stream

  

Galentine's Day

Yesterday I got to participate in my first Galentine's Day with my friend MM!

What is Galentine's Day you ask? I'll just let my friend Leslie Knope explain:

So MM and I went to dinner at Tupelo Honey Cafe in downtown Greenville and then went to a Greenville Road Warriors Hockey game! I had never been to Tupelo Honey before and was super excited about trying it out. Unfortunately, it was the night before Valentine's day so the restaurant was a bit crazy, but we were able to eat in the back by the bar. Still good, though!

The biscuits were so good we ate them too fast to get a picture, so instead I got a picture of the honey!

Afterwards, we went to the hockey game! It was 'Stick it to Cancer' night so it was even better because everything supported a great cause! They even passed out glowsticks to be activated during a special moment although the whole arena chuckled because most of them had already done it!

ROWDY!

We are so excited about the hockey game! (We even got photobombed by "Crazy Uncle Perry" as he called himself)

We love hockey and Galentines Day!

That's a Nice Boulder

Last Saturday my friend AM and I went bouldering at an Indoor Climbing Gym called the Mountain Goat (its got a really cool mission - you should check it out here, after you finish reading this post of course!). Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is done when you don't use ropes or harnesses.

I haven't been climbing in forever so I was super excited to go!  A and I had been trying to go for a while now so I was pumped we were finally able to make it happen. 

Luckily, A has a roommate who is a frequent climber so she had climbing shoes and chalk that we were able to borrow.  After a few practice climbs, we pretty much stuck to one wall with multiple routes on it. I was finally able to conquer the route I had been working on, but of course A had gone to the bathroom and didn't see it! There was one witness to my feat, but he wasn't nearly as excited as I was about it.

After about an hour and a half of climbing, A and I decided to call it a day. We may have left with tingly fingers and bruises on our legs (ok, just me), but we definitely had fun! Can't wait to go back again!

Mary had a little BAM!

This past weekend, our church held the youth Dodgeball Tournament to raise funds for youth summer mission trips.

My co- leader and I played with four of the girls in our small group. Two of the girls had played last year, while the rest of us were all new this year. But we weren't going to let a mostly new team keep us from winning! DC and I knew we could win - we even had strategies to win:

Post-Tourname smiles!

• Strategy #1: Only attempt to catch the ball if you are absolutely sure you can catch it.

• Strategy #2:  If possible, take out their strongest player first

• Strategy #3: Pray for DC and KB to be kind and have good, humble attitudes (DC and KB are a bit competitive - we really wanted to win)

• Strategy #4: Three people will run for the balls at the whistle and bat their assigned balls back to the rest of the team

• Strategy #5: Throw at the opposing team's feet. Its harder to catch that way.

• Strategy #6: One person just needs to be a body - stay in and only dodge balls because if time runs out, the team with the most people still on the court wins (We lost that way once. Never again!)

We walked away from the night 2 - 2, but still had a blast. Besides, we know (in our hearts) that we won for best team name, which was "Mary had a Little BAM!"

Pregame Smiles- right before we went and scoped out the competition!

Serious (Dodge) Ballers

  

 Our Awesome Shirts!

Hand- Drawn by MS and her mom