Days 5-8

Good running shoes, retail therapy, and amazing family have brought me great joy the past few days.

Running Shoes (Day 5):
 Eight miles is a long way to run, even with a buddy. I learned a lot about what I was made of somewhere around mile 4. The whole time I was running that first leg I was thinking "I just have to get to that sign and then I've made it!" The thing  I forgot is that the goal I had been striving for was the halfway mark and now I had to get back home. It's funny to me how elated I felt in the middle of all that dread. I still felt strong, so I kept going. Little did I know I would hit the point of no return around mile 6.5. At that point I began to hurt. Muscle pain I can handle - I can push through. Joint pain is a different beast. Running with a faulty hinge (my hip joint) is incredibly difficult. Every step was a challenge and by the time I reached the hill of death (in the last stinking mile of the run no less) I decided to quit. I mean, what did it matter? I was barely moving for crying out loud! I might as well stop and walk the rest of the way home. I'm not proud that I was so determined to quit, but it was what it was. So, I stop running and the craziest thing happened...the pain tripled and my muscles seized. It was actually easier to run at this point than it was to walk! For once my mind wanted to quit but my body wouldn't allow me to give up! I can't tell you how incredible it was to say I finished that run and climbed into that bath of Epsom Salt.

Retail Therapy (Day 6):
 Self-explanatory: Spending money makes me feel better. However it does not bring me joy. What brings me joy is creating a Christ-centered home and life. I won't pretend that my new-found shopping habit is what has brought me closer to God, but it has definitely helped me create an environment where I can easily focus on His word and His voice. Now that my house is a haven, I must stop myself from perpetuating this habit of spending money and just focus on growing closer to him.

Amazing Family (Day 7 &8):
 Joining a family can be awkward and challenging, unless that family is the Norris clan. Over the years I have gotten to know these amazing and loving people and have never felt anything less than flesh and blood. Sure I missed the childhood memories of learning to drive the tractor on Granddaddy's lap and close calls with hay bales and tractors; but when the stories are told around the many fold out tables it takes to feed this family, I can't help but feel like I was on that tractor with them. It is a wonderful feeling to be so openly accepted by this close, loving family. It is a wonderful feeling to be loved so much by them that they would take a weekend to drive from Montgomery to visit and share the joy and excitement of creating a welcoming, Christ-centered home. And it is a wonderful feeling to know they came out of want and not out of obligation. Thank you Walter and Cathy for sharing your time with me! I feel trully blessed!