Lessons.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder they say, so aren't you happy that I'm back?
Life has been moving at a fast pace, leaving little time for things like blogging. But things are slowly going back to the old routine, work, youth group, running. My half marathon is in two weeks. I'm freaking out inside.
Things are coming together for my European excursion next month (Ukraine). Speaking of Europe, I have decided that Switzerland is a must, and that I shall go there one day. I keep seeing pictures. Its gorgeous.

We went through fair week, my siblings did well with their market entries. I did not win anything for my entries. I'm an impatient person. Because of that, my apron sewing was atrocious. It looks okay from a distance, but don't look too closely. Its not pretty. My one blot of dissatisfaction of my abilities (okay, one of my many dissatisfactions) is that I am terrible at crafty things. Like sewing. and crocheting. and knitting. Basically anything that has something to do with string and needles.

I have been making improvements though. or instance, I ran my best time for a 5k last weekend at a race, winning 3rd place in my age group. That was exciting.
I've been learning that I have more patience with people than I do with "things".
I've been learning that forgiveness can be tough, but oh so relieving when you give it. I've been learning I tend to feel motherly to my youth kids, and that though it hurts like anything when they screw up, I can still forgive and love them, and do my darndest for their future wellfare.That punishment is hard to delve out when you just want to hug and forgive them on the spot. I think every girl, no matter how reckless or tomboyish, is instilled with motherly instinct to some degree and can't help but let it leak out every now and then.
I've learned the importance of being the best example I can be, because  whether I always realize it or not, people look up to me.
I'm learning I'm far more capable than I give myself credit for, and as long as I keep looking to what I can do as opposed to what my body (specifcially my legs) tells me I can't, I can do more things more easily. I've said it before, running is a love/hate sort of thing. When you run your best time and win something for your efforts, its quite an accomplishing feeling and makes you want to reach that next goal. So really I shouldn't be freaked out about doing my first 10 miler this week (which is what I've been trying to convince myself of. Sometimes its a losing battle)
I've learned that walking nervously back and forth on stage steps as you share your first message with the entire church on a Sunday morning does not bode well for your dignity. I almost fell down them. I'm a klutz.
I've learned that I can't do things on my own, and how its so important to surround yourself with people whose strengths are your weaknesses, who can help you and guide you when you are terrified about how to handle hardships.

And I've learned that I really hope that season 3 of Once Upon a Time is as good as the first 2. And that they place actors in rolls I think they should (right Tory ?:-P)