Turn and Face The Strange....Ch Ch Ch Changes

So, I've  made some big decisions lately.  I've been wondering if I should blog about them, because I don't want to jinx them or anything....but I don't really believe in jinxing, so....why not!?   What's a couple secrets between a few thousand (heh) friends?

I'll start with some smaller ones.

For example, my best friend Wajh somehow talked me into doing the Pacers half marathon in Arlington on May 9th.  Yep.  You heard me.  A half marathon.  I have decided that this year, I am going to attack all the things I told myself were impossible for me.  No mercy. I always labeled myself as "not a runner".  But when I started running last year, I found out...I love it.  And so now, I am going to push myself past my comfort zone and am going to run 13.1 miles...all in one day. : )  If you would like to join me, let me know.  Or if you would like to pray for me as I train and run on May 9th...all prayers are welcome!

I have also always been afraid of heights.  I mean, I totally used to freak out.  I couldn't even go on balconies of hotel rooms or anything.  It's so funny though, as I have gotten closer with God...I am so much better than I ever was.  Last summer, I hiked SugarLoaf Mt all by myself and went out on the edge of the rocks and sat with my feet dangling over the edge.  I was like, whoa.  SO, in order to totally freak myself into submission...I am going to do something crazy.  I am going to go to the Trapeze School in  DC.  Seriously...check it out:

http://washingtondc.trapezeschool.com/

Me and some of my super awesome friends are going to go.  This will be way harder for me than running the half marathon.  The last time I tried to "face my fear" of heights....it was a bit of a fiasco.  Our youth ministry went to the indoor pool in Germantown.  They had a high dive.  Yeah.  So here are all these middle school and high school kids and I am supposed to be their leader...and I am standing on the high dive totally freaking out.  I finally walk myself out on the end of the board and start shaking and seriously considering crying.  My brother....the kids....the other ministry leaders are all cheering me on.  I screamed like someone was killing me and I jumped/fell awkwardly off the high dive.  BUT the point is... I DID IT!  THEN, I did it again.  The next time....less shaking and more of a yell than a scream.  : )  So, as you can see....the trapeze school is going to be F.U.N.!  Think positive thoughts.  Think positive thoughts. Oh, and while you're praying for me with the marathon...why not throw in a few for the trapeze school.  I don't want to embarrass myself any more than necessary for a good laugh.

Next up on my agenda....hiking/camping.  Like, for real.  Not the hiking/camping that I do, which consists mainly of walking up a clearly marked trail until it gets scary and then coming back down.  And my idea of camping is mostly staying at a house (complete with shower, dishwasher, and toilet) that just so happens to be in the woods.  Hey, a house in the woods can be scary as hell...stop judging.  It's been many moons since high school when I used to camp in the woods every weekend.  But let's not get into why I was camping in the woods in high school...those are more "in person" kinds of stories.  Anyway, back to my real hiking/camping challenge. I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna go camping/hiking for real.  I don't know where, and I don't know when...but I shall.  Again, if you would like to join me and watch as I do all that I can to avoid using the bathroom in woods...please...be my guest.

Next up is the big one.  The grand daddy of all my recent big decisions......

I'm going to start going to a church in DC.

To some of you...that may not seem like a big deal. But believe me...it's a HUGE deal.  Changing churches is like moving away from your family.  It's like your first day at school.  You don't know anyone.  You don't know if you're going to fit in.  You don't know if you're going to like it.  It has taken me months to finally do what I now know with 100% certainty that God has been asking me to do for months.  I even think I found "the one"....the new church.  It's been tearing me apart over the last few months trying to get myself to do this.  Difference Makers in Damascus has been my home since I moved here in January of 2007.  If it weren't for Pastor Clark, and my entire church family...I can honestly say, I don't know where I would be.  Difference Makers is such an amazing church.  God is SO alive there.  If you want to see people that are totally free in God...you will find them there.  Difference Makers gave me the opportunity to know God in a way that I didn't even think was possible.  I got to work with my brother and his wife Dana.  I became a leader in the middle school and young adults ministry.  I even got to sing a few times.  I got to open the services by giving the announcements.  I hosted an amazing book club/Bible study at my apartment for months.  But most importantly, every moment in that church I knew I was with God.  I actually looked forward to church every Sunday...in fact, I couldn't WAIT.   That is why my friend Phil and I started the book club....we both wanted more God.  It's taken me months to let go of all of this and do what God has been asking me to do.  And now I know...it's what I need to do.  God wants me in DC.  Once I go to this new church a few times I will tell you about how I knew right away it was "the one".  But I don't want to do that right now.  Picking a church is like picking a partner.  You don't want to rush it.  You don't want to judge too quickly.  You want to make sure it's the right fit.  So, please pray for me as I make this huge transition.  It's one of the hardest things I've had to do, believe it or not.  I may not know why right now...but I do know that God has big plans for me....plans to prosper and not to harm....so I am ready.  If anyone would like to join me at this AWESOME church in DC....let me know:


http://www.thecitydc.org/

LOVES,

Lord I Was Born A Ramblin' WOman