#31: Read the Bible.

I've officially added another item to My List. Welcome to #31: Read the Bible. I began this one a few months ago but never truly added it to the list. On the way to the Newman Center Spring Retreat this weekend, I had a very productive thinking session which resulted in several decisions and new thoughts. One of these included the addition of the Bible to My List. It'll take a few years but I'll get there! =)

Completing #22: Save a Life!

January 29, 2010 = Epic.

We saved a baby!

U of M's Students for Life group sends a small group of volunteers out to the local Planned Parenthood every Friday and Saturday (days when abortions occur) year round to do sidewalk counseling. Due to classes, work, and a general nervousness about it, I have never been able to go. This morning, however, was different. I got up early, put on five layers of clothes, and headed out in the -5 degree windchill to stand with the other young adults
from our club for the first time ever.

What a great experience it was.

A young woman got out of her car to walk into the clinic when Elise, a fellow student, called out to her that we cared and that we had resources for her if she wanted them. She asked what they were, and we called back that we had other options for her, that we had seen people hurt by abortion and that we didn't want that to happen to her. She walked in. We thought we had lost.

15 minutes later, she came back out! She came over and asked how long we had been standing there. We told her we'd been there for a few hours and handed her some information. She asked questions about how far along she was, what to expect inside the clinic, what other options we could offer her, and after sharing a few stories, she went back inside. 

We began to pray.

Over an hour and a half later, after we'd about given up hope, she came back outside with the words "I DIDN'T DO IT GUYS! I DIDN'T DO IT!" I wasn't there but Elise said that she looked like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. =)

I'm pretty sure that was the most epic thing I've ever crossed off the list. Ever.

The courage shown by that young woman can only be that of our Lord. I have never felt the power of prayer as much as I felt it during that rosary. Those 5 small decades held so much hope, so much strength, so much faith... I felt it. So did she, apparently, because inside those hard, cold walls, she stood up for the truth. Please keep her in your prayers -- she needs ongoing prayer for an ongoing decision to keep her baby to term. Her tiny baby needs our prayers as well, as do all of the women that enter those doors each day.

Thank the Lord for that tiny baby!

Completing #12: Receive a message in a bottle.

Just minutes into Christmas Day I completed item #12: Receive a message in a bottle. AND it was technically even on water (because snow is a form of H20, obv). Twas a true adventure - it even involved a scavenger hunt (of sorts) and I was attacked by a dog in the process. Gotta love Jaymin. He's always got the best gift ideas. =)

Working on #29: Complete a Triathlon

Last night I hardcore trained for the triathlon... on accident. The plan was to do my usual 3 mile trail. But a mile into it, I decided I was bored of that and wanted to do a longer jog instead. So, I stretched, changed my music from hardcore pump up rap to slow girlie songs, and set out.

Then I realized I didn't know where I was going.

So, in my usual random fashion, I opted to do something crazy. I was going to let crosswalk lights determine my route.

In hindsight, this may have been a bad idea. However, it was extremely relaxing at the time. I ended up, in a very roundabout way, past the stadium. And, in a very roundabout way, made it home. I ended up going over 11 miles. At 7:30 minute mile pace.

You may not understand the speed of that run. When I was in cross country, 8 minute miles made varsity. 7 minute miles won first place. How the heck did I manage 7:30 minute miles for over 11 miles!? I may never know. But my body is pissed.

My knee (the one that doctors left metal in when I was 10) is screaming, and my foot is even angrier. Not sure what's wrong there. It seriously feels like I've got some broken bones on the top, although I highly doubt it. I didn't do anything that would break a bone.

Not to mention that I'm cramping again. It's been like a week. Come on uterus - work with me here. I can't handle you ditching your lining every two weeks. What happened to the every 30 day schedule we've had worked out for the past 7 years? Yeesh.

Anyway, I digress. Point is, I tried to run tonight and made it a mile and a half with quite a huge amount of pain. So I'm home. Bike riding tomorrow instead. I wish I had my swimsuit - that'd be perfect in this situation. And I need to start training for the swimming portion anyway.

Yay triathlon!

Updated List: #30 - Go to an airport & get on the first plane I can catch.

The list has officially grown. It is always impressive when something new makes the list, because very few things officially make it. Since its conception sometime around 1999, it has acquired 30 items. It has turned down countless more. The issue is that once something is on the list, it is on the list forever. It cannot be altered, deleted, or twisted. Thus, if something is going to be added, it's gotta be good.

That being said, welcome to the world #30! "Go to an airport and get on the first plane I can catch." This could be a very expensive addition, considering that a last minute trip to say, Paris, probably isn't cheap (especially if it's during the tourist season). However, it's definitely something I now want to do before I die and thus, it made the list. (Shout out to Tom for the idea!).

Also, I have officially seen my first "scary" movie and gone to my first haunted house. Although, I am now motivated to see a movie that actually scares me (hardcore) and a haunted house that makes me want to turn around and run out. The search is on.

Next on my list of things to do this fall: Go to an apple orchard/pumpkin patch, pick apples, and get pumpkins to carve. =)

LOVE FALL!!!