A Pain in the Neck!

Tuesday afternoon I (Joanna) arrived back at our apartment building, home from work.  Immediately, a brown object below the mailboxes caught my attention: a package!  Inching closer, I make out the name on the front: it's for me!  The sender's info indicates what I've hoped for: it's our language program!

Bounding up the stairs, I couldn't even wait to get into our door to open it.  Tearing through the thick cardboard, I flip over the book and find this:

My Neck Hurts!  Nonsurgical Treatments for Neck and Upper Back Pain.


Hmmmm...somehow this is not what I expected the Central Asian textbook to look like.  Perhaps it's an indication of the language learning process to come...

Running the Race

2006: pleasantly cold

2007: humid, sunny, hot

2008: still too hot

2010: warmer than desired

These mark the years and weather conditions for the collection of Chicago Marathons we have run.  Our first year, we were not well-trained, but we thrived in the cold air.  The following year, though better-trained, we suffered through the immense heat that shut the race down early for some.  2008 came, and we were the most-prepared we had ever been.  Unfortunately, the temperature was only a few degrees cooler than the previous year.  This year, we devoted ourselves to training year-round for the big October race, but the day came with temperatures that wavered into the 80s.  In addition, we both struggled with the mental battle of running 26.2 miles.  I found myself thinking I forgot how much this hurts!

No matter how much time we devote to training and preparing, we must compete in whatever conditions race day holds.  New pains we never felt previously.  Blisters.  Humidity.

As we look forward to the next phase of our lives, I often feel like we are preparing for a marathon.  Excited?  Yes.  Nervous?  Sure.  I've never lived the rural life.  I have much to learn.  Our training phase is intense: meeting with churches and friends, articulating our vision and desire for the Dust Valley, and studying the country, language and culture.  While we wholly devote ourselves to this phase of the ministry, we still must face the conditions of the next phase as it comes.  With all the unexpected pains, battles and joys.

I find deep encouragement in meditating on Hebrews 12:1-3.  It reminds me that I am not alone in this great but difficult race.  It corrects me to fix my eyes on Jesus (rather than myself and my circumstances).  It causes me to ponder the depth of his pain that I may live and run for Him!