update

So I realized it isn't my blog makeover that is keeping me from blogging it is my home computer...bless it. This tiny little computer that Colin gave me is really good for Facebook, Twitter, and email. It takes around 20 minutes to do anything....and so me being the most patient person in the world....don't wait around for my blog to load to write a post.  I brought my work computer home tonight to do a few things for my Acorns (cutest 2 year old class for the 2012-2013 year)...and decided to update you on some happenings.

1.  I am still training....thank you for praying. I feel really good and some days (some) I look forward to running. I love that I get to spend time with Jes(s), and I love to listen to my music.

2.  I feel healthy...my knees and hips are all in line and I know my body is getting used to run/walking.

3.  I am almost 6 weeks in, which means halfway to race day! 

4.  Colin and I are blown away by the amount of financial support...GOD is providing through you!

5.  I was nervous about training and working full-time, but it is all about time management. I have had to run on my own a few times because it is hard to coordinate with running buddies....but I am getting the running in.

6.  Camden is LOVING his new class....He loves his teachers and his buddies. He told me today that all of his buddies were going to be Batman for Halloween....he is sooooo into Superheroes right now.

Shew...it is almost 8....and I am usually asleep by 8:30....cool girl in the house!

Prayers

First off I just want to tell you how incredibly loved both Colin and I feel from the outpouring of prayers of support.  You all are amazing...because of you we are almost halfway to our goal (if we exceed our goal we will help pay for another persons spot on the trip to Indonesia...wouldn't that be cool).  Thank you, thank you, thank you

I am thankful for people who text, call, or check in to see how I am feeling.  I am thankful for people who just want to run with me so I don't have to train alone.  I am thankful that my body is holding up. I am thankful for cooler temps.  I am thankful for good shoes that keep my feet from blistering. I am thankful for David Crowder and Matt Redman's new albums. I am thankful for water and protein bars. I am thankful for this trip that Colin is about to take and the reason it gives me to run.  I am thankful that I can run....and because I can run, I will run! I will finish.

Prayer:
1.  My run on Friday was HOT and my body felt so heavy. My feet felt like cement blocks and i wanted to turn around and go home. For some reason, I crossed the street and continued my four mile run....that was totally prayer.
2.  This is so mental....pray that I can focus on others during my runs. If I focus on me, my brain and body tell me "I can't do it"...this is a lie. Pray I can focus on the lyrics of the music I am listening to. Focus on the people of Indonesia. Focus on Colin and this trip. Pray that it isn't about me.

4, 5, no let's do 6

This past weekend we took an adventure to St. Louis, Missouri to visit my Uncle Rick, Aunt Clare and cousins Stephen and Flo. Stephen's birthday is coming up so we are gathered together for some amazing food and wine to celebrate his 29 years of life.  He and Flo are also coming up on their 1 year wedding anniversary....although she has been apart of our family for 10+ years....she's the best.  What you need to know about Flo is she is also a petite, beautiful, genuine work-out BEAST!  I had text her earlier this month and mentioned I would be running a HALF in October and wondered if she was up for a brisk run when I was in town.  She was all about it....so encouraging....so supportive....and really ran at my pace.  What was funny is, we woke up, drank coffee, ate a banana and then decided to go ahead and up our mileage from 4-5....seriously, what is one more mile?  We took off towards Forrest Park and ran through the trails there.  It was packed...bikers, runners, walkers, and I was really jealous of the people laying on their picnic blankets drinking their skinny vanilla lattes.  We decided to run to 2.5 and then turn around and head back to the house.  This was a great plant, until we got lost....oops.  WE ended up run/walkking SIX miles.....6, six, SiX, S6X.....did I mention six?  It was grueling, but I did it!!!! It felt good to get back to the house and say..."yeah, we got lost and ran/walked 6, you know, no big deal." 

The boys took off soon after our return (and constant chatting about 6 miles), and hit the golf course for a quick 9 while Flo and I decided to take Camden to the City Museum.....AMAZING! (Check it out if you are ever in St. Louis.

The large white tube you are looking at is a slide on the roof of the museum, and yes, Camden went down that.... 

 Another shot of the slide that Camden went down!!!

 All of us on the Ferris Wheel (I swore I would never ride one again....well, when you have a 3 year old, you put your game face on)

 Flo took Camden on the stepping stones.

We also climbed 10 flights of stairs (after I ran 6 miles, did I mention that) and went down the 10 story slide. Camden didn't enjoy that one as much as he did the white tube one above.  So thankful for such a cool cousin who took him around and climbed through all the fun tunnels with my boy. I held purses and water....too sore to climb anything because I ran....oh you know.

Later that night Stephen and his buddy Max grilled us an incredible feast! We enjoyed some wine and cheese then all sorts of cuts of yummy beef and veggies....so good.

 Camden got a new cool truck on his adventure to St Louis...spoiled rotten.

I just loved this picture of Camden and Grandaddy.

 Camden is an amazing travel buddy. He watched the Lorax not less then 6 times, and finally fell asleep for the first time (in the car) when we got to New Circle Road....returning home from our awesome weekend.  That is our little guy all tuckered out....maybe he ran 6 miles :)

Holy

I am pretty sure I could run 13.1 miles listening to this song over and over.  I LOVE it.

 I hope that you are touched by the lyrics as they are sung over you. (David Crowder Band)

Check of the YouTube video of this amazing song here.

After All (Holy)

I can't comprehend Your infinitely beautiful and perfect love
Oh I've dreamed dreams of majesty as brilliant as a billion stars
But they're never bright enough after all

You are Holy
Oh Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy

I will sing a song for You my God with everything I have in me
But it's never loud enough after all

You are Holy
Oh Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy

Heaven and earth are full, full of Your glory, glory
My soul it overflows full of Your glory, Your glory
Oh blessed is he who reigns, full of Your glory, Your glory
My cup, it can't contain all of Your glory, Your glory
Hosanna we are found after all You are

Holy
Oh Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy

Holy
Oh Holy
Holy

I can't comprehend
You're infinitely beautiful

RSVP's

I was telling my team teacher, Flora how exciting it is to check the mail these days.  I compared it to sending out wedding invites and waiting for the RSVP's to start rolling in.  Each day I go to the mailbox and look for those beautiful handwritten envelopes and KNOW that there is some kind of encouragement enclosed!! I LOVE IT! I love it for Colin because he doesn't have to worry about raising the financial side of support. I love it for both of us, because we are being prayed over. I love it, because it isn't a bill...ha!  Thanks so much dear friends for your on going love and support.

Lifestyle Change

I have tried to embrace a healthier lifestyle since March 2012.  I was absolutely miserable and very upset about how I looked and more importantly how I felt. I was not motivated, I was not comfortable in my own skin, and I wasn't any good for my family.  I didnt' want to get out of my pajamas each day, and when I did it took me 2-3 changes of clothes to find something that I was comfortable in wearing.  It was bad.  I remember my breaking point was when I saw a picture of myself in the above said pj's at our Easter Egg Hunt.  I could see that I was unhappy, I looked like a bit of a slob, and had a heart to heart with Colin.  He was so encouraging and wanted to help me reach my full potential physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

In March, I started going to a doctor and nutritionist who helped me get on track physcially.  They gave me recipeds and tips on what to eat and what not to eat.  Just having that accountability and the ability helped so much.  I started to cook more at home, and am so fortunate to have a school that has an amazing and healthy spread each day for lunch. 

For March through June I didnt exercise, I focused on what I ate and lost 25 pounds.  When I lost the weight and could fit into my wardrobe I had in my closet I got excited.  (I didn't fit in anything comfortably, but my pj's, I was at the point of moving up a size).  In July, I decided to run/walk a 10K for a sweet girl that attends TLS.  She has recently been diagnosed with JRA (juvenile rumatoid arthritis).   I realized that I was not going to quit that race because I was running for a reason, I had a goal and a person in mind to finish for.  It felt so good to excercise again and I knew at that point I wanted to set another goal for myself. 

I have read a few books on running over the summer and decided that I wanted to run a mini marathon.  This time, for my hubs and his trip to Indonesia.  I have tried training and running a mini twice before and failed...quit.  I knew that this time I wanted to set myself up to win.  I began going to a chiropractor to make sure my body was aligned (the last two times I quit because of my hips and knees)....I wanted NO EXCUSES. 

So this is where I am....I have trained for two weeks and feel like this experience has been emotional, physical and now mental.  I know that this is mind over matter....I can and will finish the race, not for me, but for my husband and what I know he is going to do for the people of Indonesia.  I know that during this training, as I push myself, it is worth it. 

I am proud of myself....I am glad that I get to run for a reason. I am praying that by embracing this healthier lifestyle I will be around longer to watch Camden grow up, graduate, marry and start his own family.  God has given me "temple" and I want to be a better steward of what He has given me.

It is OFFICIAL....

We have received TWO checks and so now my hubs is officially on his way to paying for his trip to Indonesia, and I MUST run....so thankful for the support of my friends and family and know that you are much appreciated as I train and Colin prepares to go on this trip.  I wanted to introduce you to two people who have been blessed by these mission trips to Indonesia....


(these stories are from Craig Avery, the leader of the trip)

Linda-she already had a small sewing business but she had to send many items she created to others to finish such as creating button holes. With her loan, she bought equipment which allows her to do this, which saves time and money. She is a Muslim woman but her heart is being softened. She told someone last week, "I know you are praying for me because my business is going so well".

Jumri-He had a small restaurant business operating under a make-shift tent. He could seat about 12 people total. Jumri used the loan to get a better location and build a more permanent structure to keep his patron's dry. Since acquiring the loan, things have taken-off for his business. He is even getting ready to start a second restaurant location.

This is a long-term process. One of the folks with Food for the Hungry told us, it was 14 years once someone first invested time with him before he became a Believer. We (Southland) are in this for the long-haul, praying we making permanent life-change in the country with the largest Muslim population in the world. 

 

Pray for Colin and his team to reach people like Jumri and Linda.  Pray that they feel loved and valued.  This is such an incredible opportunity to go and LOVE people....I am so proud of my hubs.

 

The Latest

I am happy to report that I did make it through my first week of training for a mini-marathon.  We ran a total of 6 miles last week and I did MUCH MUCH better when I ran with my buddies. Running is a total mind game and when I am by myself, my mind makes me think that I CAN'T do it...jerk! 

So far this week I have run and done two days of cross training.  The cross training had been so much fun. I have been doing a class called Surge at the chiropractor and it is a set of 7 exercises you do for 15 straight minutes 20 seconds on and 20 seconds off at 80%.  It is intense, but I love how quick it is and the quality of a  workout it is in such a short time.  If you want to join me it is Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:15 for $5! 

Tomorrow I run 2 and then Sunday back up to 3.  I get a little nervous when I look ahead at my training schedule knowing that school is about to start and the amount of milage I am going to have to run.  When school starts I am usually a walking zombie for about a month.  I have to get used to the structure, early mornings, and 10 two year olds needing me.  I love my job, but I also love to rest more then I love to run.  I am going to have to choose to RUN! (this is where I need my buddies). 

I have also noticed that I am way more hungry now. It is harder to maintain my 1200 calories because of my excercise.  I did allow myself 1400 calories on my running days, I eat a protein bar and drink a gatorade type drink.  It just crave sugar....all I want is SUGAR. Like cookie dough...which I just ate and now my stomach is in pain.  It was not worth it! 

I will let you know how the run goes tomorrow.  Keep praying for me! THanks .

Early Birds....

...get up early.  I had a much needed day of rest yesterday. It was nice to let my body "recover" a bit from the shock of making it get up and move after a few years.  I also hosted a party for some dear friends in order to start another way to raise money for Colin.  It is always nice to have friends over and spend time together. 

Jes(s) and Whitney (my sis-in-law married to Mac) were both at the party last night and we decided that we were going to wake up at 5am to run our two miles together. We all have crazy days today and knew that this would be the BEST time to run. (Yeah, Whitney has joined the team).  As I fell asleep last night a little part of me was so happy it was storming, I thought to myself it is so cool to say you're going to wake up at 5am, but then can't because of the elements.  Each time I woke up (which was too many last night), it was still storming.  My alarm was set for 4:45 and when I woke up at 4:43 (what??) I didn't hear a thing....no rain, thunder....I didn't see lightening. I knew, the storm had passed and it was time to get going. 

Liar!

We rain in Jes(s)' neighborhood and it was a really good run. It is much cooler at 5am! We started off walking, rain a mile, walked a few, and then finished running. I feel like I am getting a good feel for how I want to run the race. I don't mind walking at the beginning of each mile....it is easy when there are only 2 miles. I don't know how I wil feel when we add, oh 13.1. 

So now it is 6:30 and I am wide awake and blogging.  I know that I am going to definately need a little nap today.  I am off tomorrow and then we run three on Sunday night!!

Bike, Icecream, Bike

Today was a cross training day so I went back and forth all day as to what I would do.  Yoga, bike ride, swimming.....  As I was baking our tilapia, boiling our corn, and cutting fruit I had a thought....we could ride bikes up to Sonic and have icecream! That is still cross training right? We loaded up Camden and took a quick ride up to Sonic, rewarded myself and then rode home?  Once we all got home, I got right back on my bike and road in a really nice neighborhood that has tons of shade.  It was a good workout. We have cruisers, no gears downhill is Heaven and uphill is....well you know. I rode about 2 miles, and don't know how all you peeps ride your bikes to work, that was intense.  If you want a really good workout, pull a three year old...YIKES!   I get to cross off day three of my training, and I need to look at what tomorrow holds....

Join

I am in the process of figuring out how to use Blogspot again. I am so impressed with the updates they have made since last year.  I want to attach my support letter to this post, but so far I am not successful....anybody have suggestions?  Remember I am very technologically challenged :)

I woke up this morning just a bit sore from my first official run.  I looked at my training schedule and saw that there were only two days marked off and many, many, many more miles to run!! Little overwhelming when you look at the whole thing.  I keep remember this scripture...

2 Timothy 1:7

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline

I have to know that God is going to give me strength to take each step and the discipline to get off my bootie and make sure those steps happen.  I am thankful that people know I am running because now they will ask....talk about accountability.  Below is a picture of where I will be running in October, and the event is sponsored by SAUL GOOD!?!?! Seriously, this is my kind of race. 

Until I figure out how to attach my letter to my blog, please email me at emilystout2003@yahoo.com or just comment below with your email and I will send one your way.  I really appreciate your prayers and support friends.  

Taking it to the Streets

This is my running pal Jes(s). I think her name should have one "s," she insists on 2.  I will give her two because she has agreed to train and run a mini-marathon with me.  Love you friend.  I had been anxiously anticipating our big run all day.  I had planned when I would eat my exercise bar and I set my powder mix out so I would have it ready after completing the run. (anal annie). I mapped our run for a quick mile through the neighborhood.  I had read the book "The Non-Runners Guide to Running a Marathon" on my way home for vacation and really liked her training schedule.  As a teacher I had to retype into Publisher and print out on teal cardstock so I could hang it up in my bathroom to mark off each training day. (anal annie)

Jes arrived at my house around 8. I changed into my cool kid clothes, got my ipod, and earphones and was ready to take it to the streets.  Before we took off I had to tease Jes(s) and tell her that I bought us matching earphones (picture above) with microphones so we could be in constant communication during our run.  She looked at me puzzled and grateful, then like I was crazy.  Those are Colin's headphones for his X-Box, but I thought the picture was hilarious.

We walked for about 2 minutes

 ran about 6 minutes

 walked 2 minutes

 then ran 5 minutes

 then cooled down for about 2 minutes

 As you can see, we are currently over the 14 minute mile requirements....first day, we will get there. 

I am so thankful for the team that has agreed to run with me in Midway to raise money for Colin. So far we have 5 possibly 6 running in October....you are more then welcome to join the team too! We don't have to train together, you can go at your own pace and then meet up the day of the big race!!

Hebrews 12.1(almost 13.1, like the mini)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

First steps...

So I went and bought the shoes on Saturday and walked past this watch that matched and had to add it to the running accessories.  A girl has to look cute...right?

Yesterday I did some yoga because it was a stretching and strengthening day.  I have a DVD by Bob from The Biggest Loser and did the warm up and cool down part....lame I know.  I am a little sore today, but know I need to beef up my stretching days.  Thankfully my mom and dad have the wii fit and offered it to me for the training process.  I will be doing my yoga wii fit style from now on.  It also has baseball, which Camden seems to LOVE!

Tonight I put on my sweet shoes and watch and hit the pavement.  Jess and I will be run walking three miles, 3!? We will be running at different times due to our schedules and to try and avoid the extreme heat of the day....is it weird that I am really excited about this?

I have set out to do two mini marathons before and made it halfway through training and quit.  I had hip or knee issues and the only person I was running for was myself.  This time I have made it about my hubs and Indonesia....you really can't let your husband down, and a country....talk about motivation, right? I am also trying to set myself up to win....no excuses.  Eating well, down 25 pounds, vitamins and chiropractor to make sure I am all alligned and adjusted.  (If you are looking for a chiropractor check out these guys.  Wellington Chiropratic.  My husband has been so supportive in helping me change my eating habits and focus on my health.  (I love my teammate!)

I will check back in tomorrow and let you know how the run goes. 

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

If you want to know more about Wellington Chiropractic and Melaleuca I would love to share with you!!

Shaped

"Use your uniqueness, to make a big deal out of God, every day out of life."

This recent series on spiritual gifts at Southland Christian Church (I Corinthians 12), helped Colin and I redefine our focus on our spiritual gifts and taught us how to maximize them in our lives. 

If you want to know the specific message and testimony that touched our family, check out this video and fast forward to 21minutes.  Colin is going to be joining a team with Craig to do this exact trip in November.

   I must take a moment and brag on how God is using and working through my husband.  I am so proud of him and how he has decided to go to Indonesia with a team from SCC.   He has always been so jealous of the doctors, dentists, and nurses who get to go to Haiti to use their gifts to love people.  When he heard of this opportunity to go to Indonesia, he knew that it was God's call on his life to use his GIFTS to love others. 

   I can't go with Colin to Indonesia, but I do want to help support him financially and in prayer.  One way that I am going to do both is by running a mini-marathon in October.  I want to train and pray over him and his team as I prepare to run 13.1 miles....my first mini!! I am so nervous, but know I can do this and I have surrounded myself with a team to join me in raising funds for my hubs.  My personal goal is to raise $750 of the $3000 by mid-October!  I know that I can't do this by myself, but with God I CAN DO ANYTHING!  

I have bought my shoes and a very cool watch that match, loaded up my iphone and hit the pavement tomorrow with my friend Jessica.  I will be blogging (AGAIN), through this journey and hope you will pray for me, Colin and the people of Indonesia.  

Hebrews 12:1

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,