Running Toward Home

Some college kids avoid going home. Some try to go home as little as possible. Some only go home on breaks. 
That's so not me. 
I LOVE going home. I was able to go home this past weekend for the first time in almost 2 months, and it was so nice. I've been so busy with classes that I haven't been able to get home. 2 months really was too long. But boy was it great to be home, by the water and flat land. 
I missed my parents so much. It was wonderful being able to spend time with them. 
I missed my kitty too. I can't decide who I was more excited to see, my parents or my cat. I think it's a toss-up!

Some things never change, like her special spot on my bed.

 
 On Saturday I ran the Wicked 10k in Va Beach with my dad. I've been training for this race since the end of summer. It was so much fun to run and see everyone's costumes. I got a lot of comments on mine!

 It was also fun to run with my dad. We ran it together 2 years ago, but I was much more prepared physically this time. The only downside was the wind. It was very, very windy that morning because of hurricane Sandy coming in, especially down at the oceanfront. I know there was one point in the race, I think it was at mile 3, I turned to my dad and said "I don't think I can do this." The wind was almost too much for me to handle at times and I was getting so discouraged. I'd trained so much for this race, I knew I could run 6 miles in a decent time, and there I was struggling only halfway through. Dad assured me that we were doing this race for fun and we only needed to finish. But still, I couldn't believe this was happening. Then dad did this really cool thing. He ran directly in front of me to block the wind. He ran like that from about mile 3 to mile 4. Wow. I know I couldn't have finished as well as I did if he hadn't done that. I caught my second wind at mile 4 and I finished the last 2 miles much stronger than I began. 

Afterwards I got to thinking. I was thinking about what a beautiful metaphor that was for me. What dad did out on the course is exactly what Christ does for me. I didn't plan for severe wind on race day, I thought I had it all handled and was completely prepared. But I wasn't. And that's how life is most of the time. Most of the time I think I can handle things on my own. And most of the time I have to try and fail doing it on my own before I get the point. Christ has to go before me. Christ has to "block the wind" for me, if you will. When things get really tough and I finally say "I don't think I can do this" - that's where He is. That's where He goes before me and I just have to follow where He leads. Easier said than done, right?
Our final mile ended up being our fastest mile. And we finished!
We started out together... 

 ...and we finished together

 Overall it was a great race. I'm so glad we could do it together and that the weather held off. 10k done, half marathon here I come! 

Saturday evening I went to see Edgar Meyer perform with the Virginia Symphony with my mom. We had such a fun time. I absolutely love the Symphony, I'm a huge fan. They're like a bunch of machines that work perfectly together to create the most beautiful music. And I don't get to see them perform very often, so it was a nice treat. We got all dressed up and ended up going to Red Robin afterwards for milkshakes and fries.

Funny enough, it made me think of another beautiful metaphor. My mom went to the Symphony with me because she knows how much I love it. She wanted to do something I love to spend time with me. To spend time together. She wanted to talk to me about life. And that's what Christ wants from me as well. He wants to delight in me. He wants to spend time with me. He wants me to tell Him about my struggles and joys. It was a great reminder for me. 
This was before we left for the Symphony. I was excited for a second because I was taller, but it's only because I'm wearing heels!

There were a few things I forgot about home that caught me by surprise. I forgot how great it felt to wake up in my own bed. I love being at school and I love my apartment, but it's just not the same. I forgot how nice it is to wake up to coffee already made in the morning. And how my mom or dad offered to make me food. How we can all sit down and watch a movie together. Friday night we watched Hugo, which somehow I hadn't seen yet. But it was a great movie, gorgeous cinematography, beautiful music. I was completely entertained throughout the film. I didn't expect it to be as wonderful as it was, but I wish I'd seen it sooner! I'd definitely recommend it.
 
I was supposed to stay at home until Monday, but Hurricane Sandy called for a change of plans. Definitely disappointing. At least I know my parents are safe at home and I'm safe here at school. Nobody's out and about in treacherous weather. Just as well, Sunday night JMU canceled classes for Monday. So I definitely could have stayed home an extra day! But it couldn't be helped. I'm sure it's a blessing in disguise. And there's a blizzard warning for Harrisonburg now. So it's probably good that I'm already here and I don't have to travel anywhere.

All in all, I had the best weekend at home. My parents are so ridiculously supportive of me. I think I'm the luckiest kid alive. I think I could tell them I'm pulling a Steve Jobs and dropping out of school to invent something and they'd still be supportive of me. Okay...maybe not...but I know they'd still love me! But really, they've been so supportive of me going away to school, for being gone over Thanksgiving to go to New Orleans, for going to a missions conference over New Years, the list goes on. I know they want me to succeed and I know I have to work hard to do that. My dad works two jobs and my mom is going to school and working. They've honestly set the best example and are the best parents I could ever ask for. They've made so many sacrifices for me and I'm so appreciative of them. 

Here's a quote from Hugo that I loved that seemed appropriate for this time in my life:
"I'd imagine the whole world was one big machine. Machines never come with any extra parts, you know. They always come with the exact amount they need. So I figured, if the entire world was one big machine, I couldn't be an extra part. I had to be here for some reason. And that means you have to be here for some reason, too."

And here's a song I've been listening to today. Its been perfect for drinking coffee and staying inside out of the cold.
Ed Sheeran - Autumn Leaves
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Praying for everyone affected by Hurricane Sandy. Stay inside and stay safe.