hello dearies! so i’ve been quite absent from the blogosphere over these past few weeks. i do apologize. a lot has changed in this month of march, and i’ve had to take some time off the blog to process, breathe deeply, and prepare for what is next.

change can be a terrifying thing. i dreaded it with almost debilitating fear when i was young (yes, i was one of ‘those’ children), leading to months of melodramatic tears when my family moved during elementary school. it seems laughable now, but i remember how real the despair felt back then. gradually, i learned to cope, then tolerate, and now, finally, to relish in change. perhaps it is a normal part of maturing or perhaps it’s part of growing up in a world where change is instantaneous and the need for more, for growth, for excitement saturates every minute of our lives if we allow it. i am trying to find the balance these days – to be satisfied in who God has made me, to be present in my own life, to pause. but also to yearn, to grow, to bring flourishing where there was none, to see broken places and to fix them.

spring, being the very essence of change, seemed a fitting time for my life to embrace some newness. so, without any effort on my part, i was flung from a daily routine i knew well and into something unknown. the start-up i was working for announced its closing, and i began to look for the next adventure!

through a crazy, providential series of events, within a week i found myself interviewing with a fabulous, successful company in an industry i have come to love for a job in which i saw myself being challenged and creatively inspired. and then i got the job. i could hardly wrap my head around it! m and i needed to process, celebrate God’s provision, and dream up what life might hold next. oh, and finish planning our wedding in the midst of it!

i’m embracing this change and the big one that will come in june, for i truly believe that it’s in those places of uncertainty and challenge that we grow – grow in our capacity to love, to create, to provide new thoughts, new actions, and new words to a world in constant need. small changes are just part of this larger story, right?

i’m not certain what this new career choice will mean for this little blog, so i appreciate you all reading, inspiring, and encouraging me throughout the way! it’s been so sweet to connect and reconnect with many of you. i’ll let you know more details once i’ve begun this new chapter. i am excited for what comes next!

no, i have not become an official spokesperson for nike. i am just using the above quotation as motivation for completing one of my life goals: running a race.

friends, i am not a runner. i played sports competitively in high school but after that even the fancy uva treadmills and extremely high population of runners and all-around svelte i-look-like-i-must-run types could not get me into the gym more than a couple times a week.

but, as i am told, there is no time like the present to change. and change i must. when i evaluated my goals for the 2011 year, i included ‘run a race… any race’ in the long list. honestly, i had not put much thought into actually putting effort into accomplishing said goal until two dear friends (and bridesmaids!) approached me with the hungry glint of persuasion in their eyes.

and, thus, a few weeks later and a few runs in, i am signed up to run the Philadelphia half-marathon. that is not a typo. 13.1 miles for this non-runner will be happening in a few short months. and, for once in my running career, i am motivated! i’m excited. i’m committed. i mean business. i even have a running plan!

so, here is where you come in! i’d really love any and all advice from you runners out there. how do i stay motivated? any great jams i should be listening to while i jog? i’ve heard that books on tape are a great way to pass the time (especially since i will be running for over TWO hours. when i did the math on that one, i nearly bailed.) any good recommendations?

would love to hear from you!