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January

In 2010 Brian and I ran a marathon. It was the San Antonio Rock ‘n Roll marathon, and it was AMAZING! As soon as we crossed the finish line we started talking about doing it again. However, more than a year went by without a marathon. We continued to run and did small events but the LONG distance was lost.

It is 2012 and we have a little fire burning in our bellies that can only be quenched by 16 weeks of training ending with one very long run and a feeling of accomplishment that I have no comparison for.

Step one – finding a race. We had narrowed our choices down to two races and made our final decision last night, casting our vote with a registration for the Pittsburgh Marathon. There are 117 days until the race!

Step two – a training plan. I pulled out our previous plan designed by our good friend Greg Despres and I ran the first week last week. I plan to do some research to find the “prefect” training plan for this race.

Step three – stay motivated. In my mind I started training right after Christmas when I hit the pavement three times in one week (something I had not done in awhile). So last week, while following Greg’s plan was a bit of a second week for me. I found myself in one weak moment remembering how very long the long runs take at the end and how much time overall I had to commit. For a split moment I was tempted to decide “I have done this once, do I need to do it again right now?” But the answer is YES! I reminded myself in reality all I need to do is concentrate on the running for this week and not let my mind go beyond that. Run what I have to run this week. Get it done, enjoy it, learn from it and let it train you!

Rick Kimbal (the Marathon Nut), a guy I just started following on twitter posted a list of to dos for running a marathon. His step three is set your goals. I had a general purpose for running, a gut feeling, a drive. But I realized I needed to write it out and have a clear defined reason. Doing so would give me more purpose and drive, it would give more meaning to the one foot in front of the other. I will be sharing my purpose for running a marathon in a future post.

Step four – Get a new pair of running shoes. I will be headed to a specialty store to replace my old sneakers, the ones I wore in my last marathon. I hope to share a little on that process as well.

It feels good to have this started!

Join me!

Finish the race!

Category: Mandy, running Tags: 2012, marathon, motivation, new year, planning, purpose, running, training Leave a Comment

Honest Words from a Pastor’s Wife – Christmas on a Sunday

December

written by:mandy | 2 Comments

This year Christmas came on a Sunday, which has not happened since 2005. If I am going to be completely honest I was not excited about this occurrence. Although I love going to church I do not enjoy getting this family of 6 ready for church. If we could just go in our PJs that would be glorious, although totally distracting and strange to say the least! When we are home for Christmas it is a pajama kinda day. Last year I remember thinking how strange it was to be sitting down to Christmas dinner served on our fine china along side family heirloom silver all the while wearing PJs!

My thoughts about this started before Thanksgiving. Our church has a Thanksgiving Day service, Brian was there. I was not too excited about that one either.

Then came Christmas.

Brian was to be at both the Christmas Eve service and the Christmas day service, there would be no getting around that unless we left town and he took a vacation day.

A week before Christmas, I got a text message from the husband/pastor/creative ministries guy that informs me my two oldest children will be singing in both the Christmas Eve service and the Christmas Day service. Well it looks like I am loosing this one! All I could think was, this must be what the Lord wants them to do. It is not so much about me.

It is important to always be checking my heart and listening for what God might say in every life situation…
Speaking to my Mom around Thanksgiving gave me the first viewpoint/heart change that was needed. My Mom was in a new town away from family and was informing me how neat it was to go to a church service on Thanksgiving Day. My heart that had been set on, “can’t we just be a family on Thanksgiving and Christmas and hang out at our house” began to change as I realized the blessing a service can be to others. Others who do not have family, others who have guests in town who only go to church on holidays, others who need the encouraging words of Scripture in song and word all are encouraged by a Thanksgiving or Christmas service. In reality I am encouraged as well, but that was not my concern at the time. I just wanted my loves home in their PJs.

The girls were delighted to find out they would be singing in the Christmas services, I believe there were even screams of joy when the news was told. However, on Christmas morning when it was time to put the newly unwrapped presents down and dress for church the delight wore off a bit. I had to give the pep talks while placing the curlers in their golden hair. “You have the opportunity to bring joy to others by singing and encouraging their hearts. You never know who will be in the audience. Someone may really need the encouragement this service will bring.” I was speaking to myself as well as to my girls. The Lord always teaches me as I try to teach them

They went, they sang, they came back all smiles! They ended up with their picture on the front page of the newspaper, singing so sweet. I received word from several who went to the services how encouraged they were by the service and the girls’ involvement. The Lord knows what He is doing!

To finish it all off they were back in their PJs with in 30 minutes of coming home, back to their new unwrapped gifts! Christmas dinner was still china, crystal, silver and PJs!

Category: christmas, Family Life, Mandy, ministry, Uncategorized Tags: Christmas, church services, family, pastor, thanksgiving 2 Comments

October

written by:mandy | Leave a Comment

Today I ran a 5K. That would be the first time I have done the 5K distance for an event. A group of mom’s from my oldest’s soccer team decided to run the Hands on House 5K, so of course I joined them. In the last two years running has become a great friend to me. In 2010 I ran my first half marathon in the spring and followed it with a full marathon in the fall. I have scaled back since then for many reasons, and it has been missed! I have plans to hit the road for those long distances again in the future, but for now the 5K was a perfect fit.

I had two favorite moments in today’s race worth sharing with you!

Off and on through out the three-plus miles there was a VERY tall man running alongside of me, behind me or right in front of me. We seemed to have similar paces and we just kept exchanging who was in the lead. When it was time for the final push of the race this gentleman broke our running silence, where we had both lived, pacing ourselves and challenging ourselves. Out of nowhere he speaks up and says “Hey, we have been exchanging places this entire time. Let’s end it together!” Immediately I picked up my pace and was like “Yes, let’s push to the end”…although I don’t think I actually said anything. We then turned on our wheels and approached two ladies in front of us. Again my giant, no longer silent, encourager declaired “OK, take these two lets go!” and we dug deep and passed them. Well I gave it all I had to the end. My encourager had more to give and finished before me, but just as he left my side my second favorite part of the morning arrived.

On the final turn of the race my husband and four kids stood cheering! “Go Mom!” As I passed them I was so encouraged to hear those sweet little voices that I love so dearly cheering me on! I turned the corner and saw the end. As I approached I realized my kids were running along after me on the sideline cheering as they went. What a blessing! I heard Emma declaire “I can’t keep up with her.”

I LOVE encouragement and a well placed exhortation! In life we need it desperately! When we think we have given it all we can or we have fallen into the belief that coasting is a good idea, a well put “kick in the pants”, “you can do it” does wonders!

Thank you silent-giant!

Thank you Brian and my amazing kids!

Category: goals, good friends, Mandy, running Tags: 5k, encouragement, hands on house, mandy moore, race, running Leave a Comment

Retraining Takes Time

August

written by:mandy | Leave a Comment

Last weekend we granted Emma her year long dream of having a parakeet. As a family we headed to the pet store to pick out two parakeets (they are social animals you know) a cage and all the extras. Everyone in the family was very into this activity, to say the least!

The first night of our little ones being in our home was perfect. Emma spent the evening right next to the cage, informing us of their every move. They did not move much, probably due to getting over the drastic change they had just gone through. They also made only a few little tweets.

Then morning came!

As our new friends became comfortable with their new home they began to tweet and move about, and that is when Ranger (our Weimaraner) discovered what was in the house!

With out going into all the details we will summarize the next several days with these words “Ranger the birds are our friends, not your food!” Just imagine with me as Ranger lunges for the cage and sends all four children into a fit of yelling and crying, and he does so repeatedly!

Yesterday, I called the vet to see if they had any advice. I am really a little worried we may not be able to change Ranger’s thoughts about these birds. I would HATE to crush my little girls heart by telling her we have to give the birds away!!

Here was the advice:

“Get a spray water bottle. Every time he gets excited about the birds spray him in the face and say no. He has to be retrained to learn the birds are OK to be there. He is a smart dog I think he will get it in a few days.”

Only time is going to tell if Ranger is able to be retrained! Somehow I had forgotten all the birds he has killed in the back yard. I am not kidding, he usually kills two or three a year. I am a little embarrassed to say this did not cross my mind. I am not too positive that a spray water bottle is going to do the trick…we shall see.

This retraining thing got stuck in my head! I am currently in a new phase of life. The ministry that sits before me is not familiar. I keep longing for things of the past. The Lord is retraining me. I think He does that in our lives. Sometimes it is gentle and calm, a simple redirection. Sometimes it is in-your-face like a splash of water, a forceful redirection. When it is done, what is the result? Peace, peace in the Lord’s will and in His character. Retraining takes time, and I am thankful the Lord is not finished with me yet!

1. Are you feeling the gentle hand of the Lord to retrain you in an area of life? Instead of a gentle hand is He choosing an in-your-face method?

2. Do you long for the retraining to be done that you might reflect Him in a greater way? In what way will you reflect Him differently than you do now, once you have been retrained?

Currently, Ranger is whining at the cage he needs me to stop typing and go be in-his-face!

Category: birds, Emma, Family Life, Mandy Leave a Comment

Top Ten Things You Need For A Family Vacation Roadtrip That is Extreem on the Mileage

August

written by:mandy | Leave a Comment

We take a lot of family trips in the Suburban! I know, SUVs are not so popular these days, but our family of 6 who drives on long road trips is very thankful for the space!! I thought I would share the things that we bring along that I think make it possible for us to drive thousands of miles. So here they are in order of what came to my mind first:

1. Igloo full of drinks, and lunch stuff. This should be placed in the car where you can open it as you are driving. You could place it next to one of the kids and deem them the Igloo King or Queen!

2. A box or bag or something full of snacks. Throw in a roll of paper towels, some wet wipes and a knife for extra easy sandwich making.

3. A bag of small sports equipment. When our kids were younger we took a beach ball that we could blow up at each rest stop. We look for a Rest Stop to have one meal a day, either lunch or dinner. Brian and the kids play some active game, this year it was baseball, while I make sandwiches and the best on-the-road meal I can come up with from my igloo and food storage bin. Some of our treasured memories of vacation have even happened at these rest stops!

4. Stop by the library and stock up on books and DVDs. Be sure to pack half of them in hiding and pull them out for the return trip! It works great! (of course you should have a portable or built in DVD player with headphones for each child…but watch videos in moderation or attitudes go bad even faster when the movies are turned off)

5. The Redflix app for your phone. When moral is down we head to the nearest RedBox, aided in locating it from our app, and present a newish movie to watch. We go back and forth on our trips from a movie to two hours of interactive car stuff. We travel hours and hours in the car so the movies help bring a break for everyone.

6. The Hotels.com app for your phone. On our way to Texas we spend one or two nights in a hotel. Having this app helps us find a place to stay while we are driving. Sometimes you really do not know how far you are going to make it in a day so easy hotel reservations are a good thing. We are able to see hotel prices and amenities, as well as ratings. Great tool!

7. Parenting seminar downloaded or CDs (we got ours at the church library). While the kids are watching a movie it is time for Brian and I to talk over life stuff, plan better parenting, be inspired, or listen to a good novel together.

8. A good novel downloaded or on CD (church library once again). Grab a good novel to read aloud as a family as well.

9. A good supply of workbooks from a dollar store. I love Five Below! I can always find good workbooks in the summer time and cheap markers to fill my kids car bags with.

10. The patience and perseverance of Job! No kidding! These long trips are not for the faint of heart, you have to have some gut to push through the family break down moments…because they do come, and sometimes they come BIG.

Hope the tricks we have learned are helpful if you have a road trip coming up. I would love to know any tricks that work well for your family, so I can steal them and glean the benefits! Happy traveling!

I need to add a number 11!

11. Take your husband to WalMart and let him pick a car toy or surprise. This year Brian got Flarp (noise putty), you know what I am talking about right? He said, and I quote “this will be hours of entertainment”, and it was! Brian and I got it out in the car without the kids knowing anything about it and Brian started making the noises. He and I were laughing so hard we both had tears in our eyes. Once the kids figured stuff out they did not stop playing with the two cans we bought till the putty had dried out. Good times! Husbands have great ideas!! Don’t forget to ask them

Category: Family Life, Just for fun, Mandy, vacation Leave a Comment

I am an extravert and I am OK with that

August

written by:mandy | Leave a Comment

Home, it is a great place to return to! We arrived home after a 17 day vacation tour of Texas that included 4,008 miles in the car! We live in Pennsylvania, which is over 1400 miles from one of our Grandparents homes. The majority of our family is dotted all over Texas and it is a big state. After driving to see them as well as good friends from years past (about 1200 miles) we have the 1400 mile return trip. Why would anyone drag a family of 6 through 4008 miles of Suburban driving? We love people, family and friends who we do not see often, that is why!

Eleven years ago the Lord lead us to Pennsylvania, a wonderful move for our family. We came here as a family of three and while here the Lord has added three “moore” to our numbers We love Pennsylvania, it is home! But it does not change the fact that our roots are Texan and our family lives in that big old Lone Star State. We try to make trips back once a year or something close to it.

I was thinking that this vacation of ours would probably be an introvert’s nightmare! We went from one social occasion to another, visiting with people each day. And I loved it! I guess I am an extravert for sure! It is amazing how the Lord makes us uniquely different. We are even different in the ways we relax and re-coop. Give me a room full of family and friends who will sit and talk deeply about heart issues as well as laugh and joke along the way, and I am ready to go.

I hope you are grabbing a family vacation this summer, and that it is tailored just right for your personality.

PS Check back tomorrow for my top ten things you need for a family vacation road trip