Running for Jesus

So, I have this goal to run a marathon. I think it is a God-given desire because I hate running. I want God to be glorified and honored with everything I do in my short life, and though I fail often, this is my passion-and I know by abiding in Him, He will be glorified (John 15: 7-8). I don't want to fit God into my own passions and ambitions, I want His will and plan to come and thwart all my plans, and for me to step aside and watch Him work. Saying all that, I believe that through running I spend a unique time abiding in God. It's desperate need of Him to help me not only physically, but defiantly mentally, as I accomplish something that takes a lot of time, commitment, perseverance, consistency, aces, and pains. My prayer is that these disciplines that I develop with spill over into the rest of my life, to better serve and glorify My God. To prove to myself that this was a serious ambition, I took my first step of commitment, and ran my first 5k race. I loved it, the energy of all the people was really cool, and I ran my PR! I took 6 min. off my best time. I still have a long way to get to 26 miles, but that is all part of the process that God is taking me on. Here are some silly photos of the morning.

Here's me putting my "race gear" on :)
I'm ready!

I was very cold, and nervous!

Trying to act excited about the next three miles that I was about to run.

You can't see me, but I was in there. A really humbling experience is letting all the people pass you (especially the older ladies, which I totally admire), as you try your best to pace yourself to not get burnt out in the first mile.

Racing to the finish line, I was so happy to see it, I sprinted all the way!

Afterward, tired, sweaty, but so happy with my time, God really helped me as I prayed the whole way!

Schaap Reunion

This is the family reunion that we went to up in Brainard MN, right by where they filmed the movie Fargo. I did not want to leave, it was so beautiful, we stayed right on the gorgeous lake, and the water felt like Hawaii, so warm! We have such a great time with family, we miss them already, I wish every weekend could be us all together (with my family too of course)! But it really was a refreshing, great time! Here is me trying to ski, not the best, but better then I expected! I kinda got up!

Nephew Aaron, attacked the chocolate cake on my lap. Sooooooo cute!

Mark, good at everything!

Me and Dad Schaap! So funny ;)

My sisters-in-laws (though I hate to call them in-laws) I love them a lot.

My niece Sydney, she was so cute, she was crying so much because she was scared of everyone getting in the water she kept saying "Daddy don't try it! Mommy don't try it." I think we traumatized her....but she still is just so adorable.

Crazy fun!

Oh, and here is our new (to us, it very used) car....we love it!

Our new home

Our New Home

After driving down a winding road, with tons of foresty trees through the University, you come to this sign, if you drive a little further through some more beautiful seanery, you come to seminary village, where there are 6 buildings like below. Dorm style, I know! But there is tons of beauty surrounding it. And our Apt. is quite large, at least to us.

But check out our back yard! This is what we wake up to every morning, our living room and our bedroom windows display this beauty! Lucky huh! They let you canoe in this lake, but no swimming, bummer, but there is a swimming lake right down the street with somewhat of a "beach" to hang out on.

Its almost been two weeks since we arrived her in the twin cities. I have to say that I really like it here (except that all my family it still in cali). However, the whether has been great, it doesn't get dark until like 10 pm and everyone is so darn friendly. They call it "Minnesota Nice." I hope to aquire some in our time here :) Well my job is going great so far, the days fly by, and the kids are so fun. Well thats all for now, love you all and miss you guys! -Megs

my first blog ever

Well hello everyone out there in the blogosphere...Umm I'm not really sure what to write on these things because I haven't really even read a lot of blogs! Ha well I guess everything is going good here in the big MN (that's short for Minnesota if you didn't know) but I must say that I feel like a bit of a bum since I have been sitting at home trying to get a few things done while my wonderful wife goes to work. I'm looking for jobs right now without much luck, but I'm sure that it won't be long now before I get back to some no brainer job that makes ends meet. Well I will try to keep everyone posted as to what is going on in my life and the things that come along the way! I love you all
marky mark and the funky bunch

Its not Goodbye, its Farewell

Our going away party...my mom likes to say "its not goodbye, its farewell" (as she fights the denial stage of us going away). "Meg and Markan" is a joke from our wedding, my dad was praying for the meal, and he kept saying Meg and Markan instead of Mark and Megan. It was really cute and everyone giggled, but I think he was a little embarrassed. I love you daddy!

My favorite niece ever.

My sister, she just got a new home too!

This is so true, especially when you say a long heartfelt goodbye to someone, and then see them again, now that second goodbye is so awkward. (this misspelling is the most awkward part)

Here we go!!! I cried as we drove away, and a lot throughout that day. The biggest move of my life!

We had a big load.

The Macho Men after loading up the truck!Rain leaking into our truck!

The Big Move

In my attempt to keep in touch with everyone back home, I am starting a blog. I hope to be consistent with updates and photos, but bear with me as I try hard.

So most of you know that Mark and I made the big move to Minnesota. We drove a big yellow Penske truck across the states and it took about four days. It was fun and easy with the exception of a terrible wind and rain storm on Thursday that almost drove our truck off the road (I was quite scared and tense the whole five hours!) It was raining so hard that the cab of the truck was leaking! But we made it to our new home in one piece, and all our stuff is moved in. We are defiantly not settled yet, still have a lot of boxes to unpack, but we are taking our time (really I am trying to distract myself from being homesick for as long as possible, though it is already setting in). The one saving grace is the amazing view we have from our apartment. We live on a lake and it is just gorgeous! Pictures do not do justice! I just sit in our living room looking out the big window and rejoice that there is no rim of brown smog to ruin God's beauty. But I still miss Cali, don't get me wrong. I will post some pictures of the move and our new place as soon as I find where Mark packed the cord that connects the camera to the computer! Till then, Megs