Home Sweet Home

There really is "no place like home!" Did any of y'all catch the rerun of "The Wizard of Oz" on Sunday night? That is one of my all time favorite movies--and yes, I can quote it quite well!! The flying monkeys never did scare me!!!

We arrived back in SC yesterday afternoon without any major issues! Yay--a praise! God was so good to bless the four of us and all of our families while we were away. We had the most wonderful time in San Antonio! The people were gracious and so friendly! The hotel where we stayed went over and beyond! Go Hampton Inn!!! Woohoo! Those precious employees had breakfast ready on Marathon day at 3:30 AM for the runners who hopped on shuttles to the start line first--no, not us! We were there at 5ish! When we returned, they had opened the pool for us to put our achy legs in--an ice bath--wonderful for contracting the overused muscles! How about that? Pretty cool!

Tracey, Debby, Phebe, and me with our temporary tattoos of Phil. 4:13

Prior to the race, we shopped (of course!) and ate and laughed and shared! I've known these gals for years, and we love to run races together. We did go to the Alamo after the marathon--it was only 4 blocks from our hotel. Amazing. That was the only sightseeing that we did--other than the views from the course.

There were so many God moments that I would love to share with y'all, but....I would be writing a chapter for a book!! So...I will condense! I'm sure that some will be mentioned in future posts! We generally write our names on the backs of our leg and a scripture on the other leg. Great conversation starters when you're counting down the miles! Mine was Phil. 4:13--"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." He did give me strength, and a lot of it! I ran a strong race for the first 10 miles, but I knew that I needed to slow down just a tad for the last 16 in order to finish at a decent time! He had me to slow down for several reasons. I wouldn't have met lots of folks out there had I been running a different pace! His timing...not mine! I struggled with some foot cramping around mile 19 and IT band issues as well. Not pleasant, but I continued....Phil. 4:13. I took my last GU (energy gel which is pretty yucky but replaces potassium, sodium, and other things your body needs). Then, I noticed a man ahead of me who was not running or even walking/limping in a straight line. He was doing some major wobbling! I was concerned and caught up to him and asked how he was doing. Instead of "fine," it was "I need some salt tablets." I had just taken that last GU! I had nothing to offer except encouragement. I found out that his name was Mark, and this was his first marathon. He apologized for slowing me down! I told him that I wasn't in a hurry, and this pace--barely walking-- was fine. He severely cramped again, and I stood with him. I told him that I was going to get him some help, so I ran ahead to the next aid station to notify them that a runner was coming who needed a little medical attention. I continued to run and to pray for him. By mile 25, he caught back up to me and was doing a little better. He had to stop again be fore the finish line, but he did finish his first marathon! I was so proud of him!

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord...it is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Col. 3:23-24) Having opportunities to serve Him while racing make the months of training, the hours of running and biking, and the cost of traveling all worthwhile. Those precious God moments show me how great His love is for us. Your prayers and wonderful comments were so appreciated! Y'all were so sweet!

Many Blessings,

Susan

PS--While on our extensive layover in Houston, I was really tempted to call Beth Moore and see if she wanted to come out to the airport for awhile to visit and shop! I even contemplated looking up her phone number, but I changed my mind!!! Y'all, wouldn't it have been cool if she HAD been walking through the terminal!! Oh, well! Phebe and I did entertain ourselves by playing the "Good Morning Game!" You sit in these lovely rocking chairs down a long hallway place. Then you look people--who are obviously running late to board their plane-- in the eye and say "Good Morning" in your perkiest voice. Out of the 20 plus people we spoke to, only one person didn't respond with a friendly "good morning" back at us! It was fun to make people smile and get out of "serious" mode so early in the morning! We had hours of time to entertain ourselves!!! Can ya tell??