NYC weekend

It's hard to believe, but our time here in Lancaster is drawing to a close - we can't believe we have less than 3 weeks left here! One of our last hurrahs on the east coast was a trip into the big city this past weekend. We found a great hotwire deal on a hotel, so we took the train in and had a wonderful time walking around, eating, watching people and shopping. A few memorable stops: Magnolia's for their incredible cupcakes, Sara Beth's for a delicious brunch, Villa Mosconi for the best manicotti in the world and our new favorite find, Supermac, a teeny tiny restaurant with a huge selection of macaroni and cheese dishes. My wonderful husband also surprised me with a trip to the flagship Louis Vuitton store on 5th Avenue, where he let me pick out my first LV bag. We were also extremely blessed to be able to help a couple of people in true need, immediately after we asked the Lord for such an opportunity. All in all, it was a weekend we'll never forget.

For those of you who don't know, my dad and brother leave today for a two month adventure around the world. A missions-minded organization has hired Austin to shoot pictures/video of orphanages and God's creation, and my dad gets to go along as his assistant. My dad is an amazing photographer and as he passed that gene down to Austin, this trip is not only going to provide incredible father/son time, it will also offer unparalleled photographic opportunities. They will be in 15 countries over the next 8 weeks... this is allowing me quite an opportunity to trust the Lord with two of the people who mean the most to me. PLEASE join us in prayers for safety, health and discernment during all of their travels. You can check out their really cool travel blog for daily updates.

We're leaving for Phoenix on Friday, so please keep Brian in your prayers as he prepares for his interview. We'll keep you posted!

Interviews!

We found out this morning that Brian got an interview to the ortho program in Phoenix, AZ! He was able to visit this program several months ago and it quickly became his number one choice, so we are absolutely THRILLED that they extended him an interview. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN has also offered him an interview and he may receive interviews from other schools over the coming weeks, but as we have been praying specifically for Phoenix, we are breathing much easier to have heard from them.

I flew back to Lancaster last week so I'm grateful I could be with Brian when he heard the exciting news. My parents have been with us for the past week and we've had a great time showing them around the area - our week included trips to Philadelphia, DC and Gettysburg. Brian's parents are flying out tomorrow so we can't wait to introduce them to all of our favorite spots! The Phoenix interview is on October 6, so please keep Brian (and the decision-makers) in your prayers over the next few weeks. We know ultimately the choice is in the Lord's hands, so we trust that His will be done. Thanks for celebrating with us and for all of your prayers along the way - we'll keep you updated!

Running the race

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about running.

When we got to Lancaster, Brian decided to start an exercise routine. A beautiful trail, a little more than 1 mile long, surrounds our apartment complex, and he has faithfully been running it twice 5 days a week. Let me say that I am SO proud of him for doing this - it is NOT easy. I've joined him for the entire run a few times, but usually I cut in only for his last lap. That's because I hate to run. I will gladly do the elliptical for 90 minutes, but ask me to run 2 miles and I can barely make it.

I watched both the men's and women's marathons in the Olympics this year, and when the runners entered the stadium and neared the finish line, I was brought to tears. Being able to relate (a very little) to the pain their bodies must be in, and the relief of being almost finished, and the encouragement they must draw from the crowd - it's helped me view running in a new light. It's also brought Hebrews 12:1 to mind:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

My dad often reminds his Sunday School class that the race we are running is NOW. We are not preparing for a race we are going to run someday - we are currently, this very minute, running the race that the Lord marked out for each of us before the beginning of time. And we have a great cloud of unseen witnesses, cheering us on as we make God-honoring decisions, even if no one is there to see with earthly eyes. I'm not going to try to predict the return of the Lord, but for the past year, with the help of my dad, I've been closely following world events. I truly believe we are living in the last days. The finish line is near. NOW is the time (and I'm saying this to myself) to throw off the sin that would hold me back from wholeheartedly following the agenda of my God. NOW is the time to forget myself - to discipline myself to HIS glory. I want to run like I have never run before. No matter if I'm tired or weary - NOW is the time to show perseverance, to push myself and to end the race running with all of my might.

I love all of you fellow runners - remember that we are in this race of life together - God has given us to each other to be a source of encouragement and strength when we grow faint. On that note, I want to share an incredibly powerful video with you. My brother, Austin, is working on a web site for a new book called The Bravehearted Gospel and the clip is posted on that site. Click on the link and then on "video" - I guarantee you'll be ready to hit the trail hard when it's over!