It Has Begun!

Well, today marks week three of my training...I am training to run the Chicago Marathon! I am pumped! What makes it doubly excited is that I am running it for Team World Vision. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization that works with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. The focus of this year's Team World Vision fundraising is to provide clean water to the communities in Africa. I am so excited to be a part of this! My prayer is that I will raise so much more than my goal of $1,500.00. To see my fundraising webpage, go to www.firstgiving.com/mariagrogan or click on the feed to the right.

The morning of my first official day of training, I did my bible study before I did my scheduled run. The focus bible verse for that particular day was Isaiah 40:31: 'but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.' This verse was the exact verse my sweet mother in law gave me to pin onto my shorts when I ran the Derby City mini marathon two months ago. It is so like God to give you just the right verse exactly when you need it! So, this has officially become my 'marathon' verse. God has been such an encouragement to me during my training so far...I am going to attempt to write about all the lessons He has been teaching me as I train--that is, if I can find the time! So, be watching for more to come....

Some Things Are Worth Fighting For--even for a four year old

This morning my eight year old girl wanted THIS four year old boy to play with her. My four year old informed her that 'he really just needed some time alone and some space'. Their conversation, which really turned into an argument, went on for ten minutes as she tried to convince him to let her play with him and he insisted that he 'really really just needed some space'. Oh, Jeremiah, you crack me up! :)

One Heart, One Life

"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do" Helen Keller

God's Silence in the Midst of Suffering

I have been thinking a lot lately about faith--mine, in particular. There is so much suffering in our world and it seems so dark at times that sometimes I wonder where God is in the midst of it all. And where is God in the midst of some of the difficulties I personally have been enduring lately? I know that my faith is being tested and I am reminded of this scripture: 'Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.' This scripture reminds me that my suffering is a gift and that God wants me to find pure joy in it. It reminds me that I am coming to know Jesus more. And in a miraculous Holy Spirit kind of way, I am thankful.

I came across this article today and it is just another eye opener to me of how much I still don't even get what it means to suffer. I have such a cush life and my cush life makes me so unaware of all the suffering that is going on around the world in the name of Jesus. It reminds me that faith is not always a 'feel good' kind of experience. Maybe that feel good kind of experience is for the weak of faith? Maybe strong faith is when we seek him wholeheartedly even when he is silent or seems distant.

DATE NIGHT!

I'M SO EXCITED! I JUST CAN'T HIDE IT! I'M ABOUT TO LOSE CONTROL AND I THINK I LIKE IT!

It's date night! I. Can't. Wait. :)
It's the little things in life that excite me...can't you tell?

Famous Person Sighting

We had our first famous person sighting at the wedding we went to last weekend. I am so proud of myself for spotting this person without my husband's help! We, of course, did the obnoxious: 'can my daughter have her picture taken with you?' So do you know who this person is? I'll give you a hint: college basketball.

I AM FOUR!!!

Jeremiah had a pool party for his birthday. Cousins were there and 'all his friends' came. Summer parties rock! Pizza by the poolside with friends and fam...it doesn't get any better than that!