So, we have been in Midland about 2 months now, and I can’t believe it! Time sure has flown by quickly….here is a little update on what we’ve been up to. Wally is getting used to his job at Crownquest, and I am still working on the house….motto, “slowly but surely”…more emphasis on slowly than the surely part it often feels like. Anyway, I am making some progress. I will post pics of the bathrooms I have finished. I completed my first season helping out coaching MCA cross country. It was one of those experiences that, at first, I asked myself, “Now why did I commit to this again?”, but by the end of the season, as the team and coaches celebrated with a spaghetti dinner, I realized just how much I enjoyed it. I got to know some great kids, a love the vision of MCA of not only challenging kids to improve running times and endurance on the course, but discipling them and teaching them about persevering through life as well as a long run. Wally got to present his talk on 2 Timothy 4, which he got to share at camp throughout the summer, with the cross country teams at the end of year dinner. He talked about how we, as believers, are encouraged by Paul, not only in 2 Timothy, but throughout all the scriptures and the rest of Paul’s writings, to live life with endurance through trials, with patience and joy, and also have a goal of pleasing God and getting His approval, instead of living to please man and gain his approval. He also shares the blessing God gave him through getting to see one of his teammates, David Tairu, live a life focused on God’s approval, not man’s. David gave up his starting position to Wally on senior night, a true act of selflessness, and blessed Wally tremendously. As a result, in the post game interview, David got to share the gospel on TV, in an explanation of why he did what he did. Although he didn’t get to at the cross country dinner, at camp Wally used Champ, our dog (who thinks he is our child) in an illustration of Hebrews 12:2 (fixing our eyes on Jesus). Wally instructed Champ to sit and stay and then placed a treat right at his feet. As Wally continued talking, Champ (most of the time anyway) kept his eyes fixed on Wally, his master. Champ lives for his master’s approval, so in order to gain it, he waited (mouth watering) to get the “OK, good boy” from Wally, as the go ahead to eat the treat. Funny that during this trick, when Champ’s eyes wander to the treat, instead of focusing on his master, he tends to not do as well (AKA eat the treat without the master’s permission, resulting in punishment). Wally used this to explain that throughout life, there are temptations everywhere, that may give us gratification for a moment, but very quickly the good feeling fades, leaving us craving more. On the contrary, we have a master who has our best interest at heart. When we fix our eyes on Him, instead of on the temptations, and consider his approval far better than anything we could temporarily get from temptations on earth, we will be greatly rewarded. Good lesson!
Grumps (Wally's grandfather) was inducted into the CAF hall of fame, so we got to go celebrate with him at a dinner. So cool to hear what amazing accomplishments he has!
Wally turned 24 on October 14th and we got to celebrate with family and friends with a burger cookout at our house. It was a blast to have our first party at our new house…it also provided great motivation to get going on my projects haha!
I also started my 18 week training program for a MARATHON!!!! I am running the Austin LIVESTRONG in February, super exciting, but also a little overwhelming too. On top of the giant feat of simply completing 26.2 miles without passing out (or many other horrible things that could happen to the body by attempting this)….the Austin course is hilly! Really??? How am I supposed to train for hills in Midland, TX? I can’t even find a hill if I wanted to….well, I guess its weights, strength, inclined treadmill, and bleachers for me for the next 18 weeks…..sigh….But hey, on the brighter side, I have week 1 under my belt!
We got to enjoy some great time away this past weekend with some good friends. We went to Kerrville for an annual event we call YCR (Yound Couples Retreat). This year was the 3rd annual and we had a blast….tennis tournament, cards, fajitas, an amazing Red Raider win against OU, and lots more fun with Eric and Shelley DeShan (and Kate), Adam and Anna Reed (and Topher), Carrie and KC Stallings (and Holden), Keith and Becky Uhles, and Wally and I.
For a little update on the house projects, I finished both bathrooms! Mirrors down (check), primer on (check), texture (check), painted (check), new hardware on (check) Yippee ! I will post pics for you to see the transformation! (See previous blog post for what it looked like before)....sorry I am not the best photographer ....inspiration to come visit me and see it in person!
And for you all that live in Midland, I am starting a fitness bootcamp, so spread the word. I am offering 2 options, one in the morning on Monday and Thursday at 10 A.M. and one on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 5:30 P.M. Come out and join the fun! You can email or facebook me if you are interested and I can provide more details for ya.
Well, until next time, God Bless! Love, Micah
My new clock!
My "pottery barn" inspired wall
