Testing...

Well, in the last week, I have gotten a deep bruise in my thigh, been eaten alive by mosquitoes, and messed up my back. The blessing in these things comes in how they happened I suppose...

I bruised my thigh helping my mom clean my great-grandfather's apartment, but I'm so glad he is living (he's almost 93!) and we can serve him in this way.

I was eaten alive by mosquitoes while pushing swings and singing songs with the most adorable children, and I wouldn't trade that time for anything.

I messed up my back while moving things into my new apartment (old microwaves are heavy!), but I am so grateful for God's provision of this new place to call home.

So, take that, satan!
I still have the JOY of the Lord, and you aren't going to steal that away from me!

Sidenote: I find it quite humorous that in the Bible Reading Plan, I begin reading Job today.


Training has been difficult to fit in with this crazy time of moving, but honestly, I feel that the Spiritual lessons I have learned this week about God's might will truly help me in the race. Besides, all that packing and moving up and down the stairs counts as cross-training, right? :P

I'm headed out to Colorado today for the Set-Apart Girl Conference with Eric and Leslie Ludy. Needless to say, I am thrilled. This was such a great experience for me two years ago, and I am looking forward to seeing how God is going to use this in my life this year.


"But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield."
~Psalm 5:11-12~

Week Zer0

Well... here we are almost at the end of what I'm calling 'Week Zer0".

One of the many lessons I learned from Kung Fu Panda that there is indeed a Level Zer0. I think that in this level, we discover that we know nothing. We can do nothing on our own without God's strength and guidance. I am sure I will be reminded of this many times throughout this training process!

With a bit of research and help from family and friends, I have committed to the following two plans:

The Training Plan
The Eating Plan (Top Two Tiers)

I have a feeling that it will be easier to stick to 'The Training Plan' than 'The Eating Plan', but then, I must remind myself that these two will work together to strengthen my body for the upcoming race. In addition to these plans, I am striving to be more focused in my spiritual life... for without His strength, I am like a limp glove with no strong hand to fill it.

When I think about being able to run 13.1 miles by September 18, I'm not quite sure how I will do it. That's the beauty of this whole project. This is a completely impossible task for me, Elise Ivey, but the beauty comes in this:


"...for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me... my flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
~Psalm 63:7-8, 73:26~

The First Step...

Anytime you begin a journey, you must begin with the first step.

In my case, the first step was filling out a form with my name and address, putting in my t-shirt size, and guesstimating how long it would take me to run exactly 13.1 miles.

No, I can't run 13.1 miles NOW, but I am going out on faith. I'm trusting in the strength of the One who has all Power, and I'm embarking on a journey with my Lord.

On September 18th (about four months from today), I will wake up for my first day as a 23-year-old, and I will go to bed having run a half marathon.

Wow. Just typing it makes me feel crazy enough to be committed to the insane asylum!

That's all for now. It's time to go run.