Caveman Crawl Trail 5K

I kind of thought things would slow down a bit with Gina in Italy for three weeks, but that has not been the case.  Abby and I have been buzzing around getting in some fabulous runs in preparation for the official start of unofficial high school practices for her team.  We ran the Buckeye Trail a lot through South Chagrin and Bedford.  We saw a huge snapping turtle laying eggs!  We got lost a couple of times without Jerry leading the way, but we always managed to eventually find our way along the blue blazes.

Practice has now started for her and I will definitely miss our time on the trails together.  I have a feeling she will eventually get tired of waking up early to run with the cool kids and will opt for an evening run with her slowpoke parents.  At least I hope so.....I find it hard to explain what a joy it is to watch her bound down the trail in front of me.  Plus I think she scares all the snakes away.

The above photo was taken last Sunday, June 12th.  Jerry had traveled to Pennsylvania sans support and successfully completed the Laurel Highlands 77-mile Ultra. You can read his report here.  We are super proud of him and promise to go next year IF he does it again!  Abby and I ran the Caveman Crawl Trail 5K at the West Woods in Geauga County.  It was a blast!  Abby ran a 25.40 and I was about a minute behind her. It was hilly and I was on high alert the whole time - I think my brain was working harder than my body:  roots, mud, people, uphill, downhill, where is Abby, how much longer!?  Somehow, Jerry managed to beat us home and it was a nice moment to grab a photo of him with his wooden trail marker replica awarded to all finishers and Abby with her second place medal around her neck. The stories flew around all day.  The only thing missing was Gina, but she is apparently full of stories for us upon her return Sunday. 

The Opposite of Peace

Andiamo!

 

 

 

 

Gina left for her 3-week adventure in Italy on Monday.  I knew that the sermon at church on Sunday would hold something special for me.  It seems that always happens - before a big event it feels like our pastor is speaking directly to me.  So when he announced a few weeks ago that the new sermon series would cover the Fruit of the Spirit, I quickly counted on my fingers to the last Sunday in May:  love, joy, peace.  Awesome - a sermon on peace right before my baby girl leaves on her first big trip across the pond.

Pastor Coffey did not disappoint me.  He never does.  It takes ALOT to hold my attention for half an hour.  So when he started off by saying that the opposite of peace is worry, I was hooked.  I am a B.I.G. worrier, especially when it comes to my family.  I won't try to paraphrase the sermon but if you are a worrier, click on the link to our church and you can listen to it at your leisure.  The basic points for me were 1).  I am not driving the car (which translates into I am not in control) and 2).  This story ends well (which translates into God cares for me and worrying serves no purpose and never changes an outcome). 

So off Gina went covered in love, joy and peace!  I made a promise to myself not to worry over her.  The first text message early Tuesday morning indicated a safe arrival.  It was punctuated with exclamation points and smiley faces.  Half a day later, the next text said the words every mother fears:  my tummy is not 100%.  No exclamation point, no smiley face.  I started to worry - but only for a minute.  There was nothing I could do to help her.  She would have to deal with this on her own.  I have mentioned previously the exorcist-like sounds she makes when she throws up.  I prayed for the family she is with and hoped for the best.  Maybe it was just nerves and her stomach would settle down.  This morning she texted this:  What a night!  I threw up 6 times but L was really helpful and I feel better now.  Kept the food simple just finished pasta biana and cherries for lunch.  Now A feels sick so shes sleeping but we talked italian during lunch very fun having a great time!  Will call tonight!

So see, I didn't need to worry.  She made it through with God "driving the car."   The story ended well and it even had lots of exclamation points!  I am sure the rest of her trip is going to be incredible.