Day 30

Day 30

SUNRISE!!!!  This is the first real sunrise walk I've had.  All the other mornings have been in rain, mist, grey or darkness.  Oh how I love SUNRISE!!!! It is my favorite!  

The frost was still in the ground everywhere.  The sky was rich with color, and the air was crisp.

As I was taking this picture I realized how incredibly loud the birds were.  It was a like a symphony.  There were birds that were playing the flute and violin parts and then there were the basses.  The all had rhythm and movement, and flow.  It was amazing to listen.  I just stopped and stood and listened.

What a beautiful walk it was.  The birds reminded me of being a little girl and dreaming of being a bird.  I remember lying down in the grass and watching them fly and dance and wishing I was a bird.  I wanted to get up early to sing, to play in the sky.  I may not be flying but I'm getting up early and relishing in the beauty God has created that is close!! Or that is my version, that is praising God as the woman He created me to be.  Happy Sabbath! 

Day 29

Day 29

Friday night.  It has been a long day working hard at home.  I planned to walk this morning after completing a couple projects which didn't get done until late.  So tonight I walked by the light of the moon. It was so bright that my shadow was on the road in front of me.  I could see everything, but my camera wouldn't pick up  anything so no pictures.  My noes got cold,  my lungs full of fresh air and my legs got moving. I prayed and reflected on the past 29 days.  

I HAVE WALKED EVERDAY FOR 29 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!! I'M IMPRESSED! 

This is a break down of my 29 days.

I have walked

4 days in the Sun

5 days in the Dark

6 days in Full Rain

8 days of GREY

6 Walks in the Evening with a mix of fog, mist, or clear. 

How am I feeling about this process?  Well...

RAW.  I think that any time you do something new and scary or just something that pushes you it can make you feel exposed.  I have found myself very emotional.  More vulnerable. I'm not sure I'm describing it well.  Raw.

SURPRISE.  Surprised that I have done this for 29 days.  I have walked in all kinds of weather and with crazy schedules everyday!!

STRONGER.  I have made some changes physically.  I don't think I have lost much weight, but I am stronger walking.  I can walk harder, longer and without feeling as winded.  

HAPPY HAPPY!  I can honestly say I like this walking thing.  I am enjoying the whole experience.  I love the fresh air.  I love breathing deep.  

CONNECTED! Jesus time!  I love the prayer time.  I love the focus on prayer.  

AWED!  I have been continually amazed at the beauty in nature.  It has changed how I see my neighborhood, my state, my place of work. I find myself soaking up natures beauty more.  

I look forward to continuing this journey.  

Day 28

Day 28

(This was Thursdays walk, I'm late posting...)

After a wonderful late walk in the pouring rain, I was not excited about another walk in the dark.  That is the excuse I kept giving myself when I woke up at 5am and couldn't sleep.  So I stayed in bed coming up with reasons not to walk until finally at 6am I decided to head out.  So I got dressed and tried to sneak out of the house with out waking anyone.  

It was dark and very wet but not raining.  Foggy and very still.  It is amazing the difference between morning and night.  It is still just as dark as night but the air is different, it is quieter.  It was beautiful!  I loved every minute.  

The sky started getting some color and it turned a beautiful deep blue color.  The mist was refreshing and I just enjoyed breathing in the beauty of early morning. 

I stopped and prayed for the school.  

I was sore this morning after the last two walks with lots of hills. This morning walking seemed to just stretch and make me feel better.  It was a good walk, but a little easier.  After about 40 minutes I decided to head in and get ready for my day.  

Lord thanks for the prompting to start this journey... I'm thankful for this!

Day 27

 Day 27

As I left the office I told Kathy Brannan that I was headed out the door to walk.  She then shared how she was getting ready to walk outside too.  It was inspiring.  Not just that moment but over the years listening to her as she talked about walking.  She really loves to walk, or to hike.  For years I have been amazed and a bit envious at the joy she finds in hiking. She and her husband go to beautiful places and plan trips around hiking.  She will be retiring at the end of this year and yet she is arguably one of the most fit staff members here.  She is also someone to be admired for her work ethic and the sheer amount of work she is able to get done.  Like I said, she is inspiring.  When I started this process I actually thought of her and how much joy she finds in it.  So after our brief interaction I headed out the door to go change, put on a rain coat and start walking.  

I barely took any pictures because the rain was really coming down.  At first I thought I would just walk around campus quick and then head back in but thinking of Kathy and the whole point of finding the joy I decided to keep going. I walked around campus and then headed down the road the the retirement community where I walked up this very long hill.  It wasn't easy but it felt good.  It felt good to not only keep going but to challenge myself.  I enjoyed the sound of the rain on my jacket.  My pants started getting wet and then as the rain got harder it was blowing in my face. 

This is my favorite picture.  It is just the light through a tree while raining but it sure does look like a spider web to me.  How incredible that in the darkness and in the rain I still found nature that intrigued me.  God is so amazing. As I turned the corner at the top of the hill there was no light and it felt like I was walking into pitch black. For a brief moment I started to think about bears (yes they have been known to roam these streets) and or dogs, and then I just made myself stop.  Nope I'm "singing in the rain, I'm singing in the rain."  As I turned the corner there was a big wonderful street light that illuminated everything.  How often do I fear the unknown, the next turn, the possibility of what might happen and loose the opportunity to sing in the rain! 

 I ended my walk walking up the same set of stairs I walked up last night.  After the long hill, and the rain coming down, I didn't attack them quite as hard as last night, but I still just kept climbing steady and strong.  Wow it felt so good.  By the time I walked onto the porch I was drenched.  What a walk. 

Day 26

Day 26

As I stepped out into the evening air, these trees struck me.  Their majesty.  What a sight.

Walking around the ball field I was reminded how much I loved playing fast pitch soft ball when I was in eighth grade.  I was the pitcher for our little school.  I was in eighth grade but for a young little thing I was good.  I was one of the best in school.  What happened?  I didn't play anything in high school.  Somehow making the transition from Michigan to North Carolina I failed to bring that athletic spirit with me.  That made me a bit sad, thinking of how much I lost.  

Then I saw this rock.  I first thought it looked like a great seat.... SERIOUSLY! I am obsessed with sitting.  So if not a seat.... This rock looks like a great rock to be in a play about the Garden of Gethsemane.  I could just see Jesus kneeling next to it and praying.  I could see him battling alone, for me! Somehow my ball playing days or the lack there of didn't seem that important.  Jesus gave it all up for me.  Whatever the work, however tough the struggle is, it is nothing He didn't already do for me.  I will keep walking not sitting, I will keep working, keep going and do it with the knowledge and confidence that Jesus is my "I got you girl."  

"Lord thank you so much for the sacrifice you made for me! Thank you for still caring for me and still encouraging me to heal, strengthen, and LIVE!" 

After leaving the rock, I came upon this!  Wow.  What a beautiful gift this place, this view is! What a beautiful gift His creation is.  

The views were just stunning in the evening light.  I couldn't help but just stand and soak it in.  Then I started to think about how this land was where I spent my high school years, where I met Jesus. 

This is how my walk ended.  Looking at these steps that I walked when I was in high school all the time, looked daunting.  I have walked them before, just very slow.  Tonight, thinking about how much my Savior has done for me, I decided to push.  To go up the steps at a good pace and just keep that pace no matter how difficult, no matter how tired I became.  So off I went, not running but at a nice fast pace. I DID IT!  When I got to the top I was very tired, winded etc. but I felt so good because I did it!  

He gives strength to the weary 

and increases the power of the weak. 

Isaiah 40:29

Day 25

Day 25

I am posting this late.  I didn't get the blog written but I did walk.

Today was a very long and busy day.  I woke up dreading the drive to Asheville and dreaded the week being away from my husband.  After Chris left I went into the kitchen to get my medicine to pack and was reminded of the huge mess we had left.  I looked at all those dishes and it was overwhelming.  I then thought of leaving them for my husband and that was worse.  So  I rolled up my sleeves and an hour and a half later the dishes were done.  I then rushed out the door, to Asheville.  My walk time in this day was taken up by dish washing which was way more important, but I still walked.  I walked around the campus after work and before drama class.  Soaked in the view and prayed for wisdom to teach drama class.  Then when it was time for class instead of driving to class I walked down the stairs, met a couple students on the way and walked and talked with them.  Then I walked up the hill after class.  It wasn't long but I walked and I choose to walk whenever I could.  I took only two pictures.  

Day 24

Day 24

 So today I decided to find a new place to walk.  So I drove just a couple minutes away to a golf club neighborhood near our home.  I was just a fresh place to walk, new sights. The air was crisp, the sun was setting and it was incredibly quiet.

“The Lord your God is in your midst,

A victorious warrior.

He will exalt over you with joy,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

Zephaniah 3:17

 As water reflects the face,

so one’s life reflects the heart.

Proverbs 27:13

Tonight was such a peaceful walk.  My mind kept being filled with scriptures about peace. 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. 

I do not give to you as the world gives. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

As I arrived home these guys were sitting just feet off the driveway.  I got out of my car and they just stood there looking at me and then went back to eating.  It was too dark to get a good picture, but what a treat to sit on the hood of my car and watch them feed just feet away.  They are beautiful creatures.  

As the deer pants for streams of water, 

so my soul pants for you, my God.

Psalms 42:1