MB Marathon {less a race than a journey}

On December 1, 2008, 9 days after losing my dad, I began training for my first half marathon. I was fresh in the throes of grief and knew I needed to set my eyes on a goal... not only to help me cope, but to do something that would honor my dad and his long, courageous fight against leukemia. 

I didn't want to run just any race. I wanted to run the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon. My parents were born and raised in Myrtle Beach... high school sweethearts and Miss Sun Fun and Mr. Seahawk Baseball, respectively. I've spent every summer at the beach since I can remember and claim it as my second home. MB was a big part of my dad and is a big part of me. 

Not only was this race in my parent's hometown but the proceeds benefited the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. And the most divine part of it all... the race was routed to run past the cemetery where my dad is buried. A place where I stood less than three months earlier to say my last goodbyes. I didn't just want to run this race- I needed to. That race was good medicine for me and the beginning of a very long road.

((WIS caught wind of the story in 2009 and aired an interview which you can watch here. You may be prompted to sign into Facebook to view it.))

Fast forward and here I am. After racing 3 half marathons and a dozen other 5ks and 10ks over the last 8 years, I would have NEVER imagined training for a marathon. I never (EVER!) thought I could run a step past 13.1 miles. 

Thanks to a great summer of running and building some base mileage, I went into the fall prepared to race a 4th half marathon. But between crazy schedules and date conflicts with the races I wanted to run, I couldn't make it happen and decided to just continue with my training regardless. Somewhere along the way I caught the marathon bug. I tried to let it go but my BFF, Megan, persistently convinced me that it was attainable. I could do it. Go for it. So that's what I did. 

October 7 was the start of 18 weeks of marathon training. I am grateful to God that I was able to successfully complete all of my long runs and remain healthy, injury free and motivated for the entirety. Ryan, Holley and Megan were an amazing support system- praying for me and encouraging me day after day, week after week. I was ready, both mentally and physically, when I arrived to the starting line of the Myrtle Beach Marathon on February 15, 2014, but I arrived a different woman than the one in 2009.  

Since my dad passed away 5 years ago, I have covered hundreds of miles and journeyed to a place emotionally and spiritually I never thought I would reach. When I look back on these last 5 years, I am astounded by God's wholly sufficient grace. The pain, once palpable, has subsided. The sorrow and despair that were once all-consuming have been replaced with the hope of heaven and the joy of eternity. The Lord has taught me how to trust Him even when I don't understand His plan. I have learned to rely on His steadfast faithfulness and have "treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread." (Job 23:12) 

I miss my dad deeply, right down to my bones- but I count it a privilege to share his story and the legacy he has left behind. A story the Lord has crafted so beautifully for my family to tell. I've said it here before and I'll say it again... Jesus' words about Lazarus in John 11:4 are true for Larry Davis: “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.”

I ran those 26.2 miles on Saturday with peace in my heart and with confidence that God makes no mistakes. I ran past the cemetery a second time, but this time with praise to the God who has used my dad's death to draw people to Himself and who has been my strength, my song and my portion through it all.

When I got to the end of the race on Saturday and started making my way past the orange corridors to the finish line, a man in the crowd caught my eye. A man who looked just like my dad. So much so that my heart nearly jumped out of my chest and I had to look twice. Tears immediately welled in my eyes and I thanked God for His tender, personal love for me. For all of us. I crossed the finish line with our song, Van Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately," playing on my iPod Shuffle. He truly makes no mistakes. 

This journey through loss has not been in vain. Though the Lord has taken away, He has given me sight to focus on the MAIN goal of this vapor we have of a life: "to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace." (Acts 20:24)

It's not been me running this race... the Lord has carried me every step of the way. To Him be the glory both now and forever. 
 

My sweet hubby, constant encourager and prayer warrior. So incredibly blessed to call him mine!

Meeting my boo for a kiss and some water at the halfway point!

Finish line in sight!

Almost there...

The best in-laws and cheerleaders a girl could have!!

Crossed the finish line in 4 hours and 51 minutes. My thoughtful husband surprised me with a new Pandora charm for my bracelet when I was done. So, so sweet.

((Acts 20:24))

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."

Sola Gratia

Happy New Year! Ryan and I have just come off the busiest season of our married lives. These last two weeks of vacation have been so nice and I am so thankful we were able to finally slow down, spend time with those we love, and soak up the Christmas season. Now that we are well rested and recharged, I think we are ready to embrace 2014!

But first, I want to reflect on 2013, and acknowledge the Lord’s faithfulness and kindness to us at every turn. I have seen the Lord provide and answer prayer in both big and small ways this year. Most notably, a prayer that began over a year ago after reading Jesus + Nothing= Everything and intensely studying the book of Ephesians. The Lord used both as a catalyst for spiritual growth in my life and inspired a prayer for Him to show me how to live in, extend and better understand the riches of His grace. 

Grace, unmerited favor, is not something we will ever be able to fully comprehend, is often abused and taken for granted, and can never EVER be earned. Grace saves, sustains, strengthens and secures us. It is wholly sufficient (2 Corin. 12:9) and is lavished on us- freely and generously (Eph. 1:7-8). 

I can testify, on this first day of 2014, that I have experienced the magnitude of His grace on countless occasions (both happy and sad) during this past year. His grace flowed down and covered us through…

-a sweetly blessed and joy-filled year of marriage

-the 5 year anniversary of my Dad’s passing

-the provision of Ryan’s job as Minister of Students at SVBC

-relationships with friends and family members 

-the unexpected (only to us) loss of our dear friend Lex Elkins

-the birth of several precious babies in our lives

-Ryan’s affirmed call to seminary   

-another year of ministry and growing closer to Him as a couple

The most exciting and hopeful thing about God’s grace is that it never runs out. Just when we think we’ve come to the end of it… “he gives more grace" (James 4:6). I praise God for His goodness and for His grace alone that carried us through 2013. I look forward to what the Lord alone will do in our lives and for His glory in this coming year. I am confident that no matter what happens in 2014, His grace will meet us there.

So once again my prayer for this year remains the same… that He will “tune my heart to sing Thy grace.”

((John 1:14, 16 ESV))

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth…For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

Birthday #27 & Christmas 2013

Holley & Isaac

The best way to spend a birthday-- with your BFF's 11 day old baby in your arms

We exchanged gifts with the Brannans on Christmas Eve, went to the Christmas Eve service at church and took the annual trip to Waffle House. :) 

Grandkids take #1

Grandkids take #2. Emotions change that fast around here folks!

Fickles smiling but missing David

Noah likes the monogrammed shirts we got him and Jacob

And Addyson likes her smocked dress she got from us too :)

Ryan's FAVORITE gift: a remote control helicopter!

The coolest running shirt ever.

Singing happy birthday to Jesus on Christmas morning!

SVBC Christmas Eve Service with my handsome hubby

Poppy reading the Christmas story

Christmas Day

((Colossians 1:9-14))

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,  so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Duck Dynasty: Food for Thought

Let me start by saying this: Ryan and I love Duck Dynasty and their Christian values. Families who pray together and share the Gospel on television are pretty hard to come by. 

We also believe that all Christians (including Phil Robertson) will, in one way or another, suffer for the glory of Christ (Phil. 1:29). 

However, whatever takes our eyes off of Jesus is not a good thing. How can we remain solely fixed on Christ when so much of our attention is on a TV show (wholesome or otherwise), bad-mouthing A&E, and/or worrying whether or not Phil gets to continue on the show? 

What (or who) are we worshipping here?

In the wise words of John Piper, let us be reminded: “If we make secondary things primary, they cease to become secondary and become idolatrous.” 

Satan is on a relentless pursuit, especially at Christmas, to distract us from the reason for the season and the purpose of our entire existence: the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord. 

 As Believers, we all have a great responsibility and privilege to represent Christ well--whether in word or deed--on television or off of it.

I pray we will readjust our focus, turn our eyes upon Jesus, and "put on the whole armor of God, that [we] may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." (Eph. 6:11)

Megan's Baby Shower

Tiny little fingers, little itty-bitty toes

A sweet face, mouth and nose

Blocks, cars, bikes and lots of joy...

Megan and Bryan are having a baby boy!

I had the sweet privilege of throwing my BFF a baby shower today! We ate lunch at Copper River Grill and enjoyed some cupcakes from Sweet for dessert. It was simple and oh-so-wonderful for all of us to be together and celebrate Megan and the little blessing the Lord is growing inside of her. Baby Isaac is bound to be the cutest little boy ever and will certainly be loved by all of these ladies. 

Thankful for the most amazing best friends a girl could have. We missed you Jess!

To say that I treasure Megan, our memories and our bond is an understatement. It is such a blessing to watch her become a mommy. So grateful for lasting friendships, the joy of new life, and the One who binds all of these things together. 

Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.

((Galatians 4:28))