Zombies, School Buses, and The Afterlife

A while ago (ok, QUITE a while ago) I decided to start running. It didn't stick. It was an admirable endeavor, but given my appalling lack of physical activity up to that point, it may have been a bit too lofty of an ambition for getting me off the couch.

Fast forward to early last month. I began WALKING. Every day. Almost. Not on the weekends, and initially not in really bad weather, but more days than not, I dutifully leashed the dog and toured our street after putting the girls on the bus. And, once the girls discovered what was going on, they demanded to be in on an afternoon walk, so now I often walk twice, though the second one is usually abbreviated. I'm up to just about two miles on the morning walk. In under half an hour, too, which for me is impressive.

Walking the same route day after day, my mind tends to wander. [At this point I'll thank you not to mention that my mind would wander even if IT had the collar and leash instead of the dog.] So this morning, as I was rounding my second cul-de-sac, I noted that there really isn't much sign of life in our neighborhood at that time of day. From there, it was a short mental hop to imagining myself in a post-apocalyptic survival scenario. If you're familiar with my husband's unhealthy obsession with zombies, you'll understand why this didn't take much mental effort.

I initially started imagining the different possibilities for the apocalypse; zombies (of course), pandemic, natural disaster, war... the rational part of my mind got bored and started sifting through them, considering which would leave my cozy little neighborhood untouched except for the distinct lack of living people. Plague seemed the most likely, though the frequent rumblings coming from Quantico made a strong argument for global war.

Then my mind drifted to explaining my presence and circumstances. I mean, what would have secured my survival? Skills? Knowledge? Unexplained immunity? Or (as my husband would most likely say) pure dumb luck? And, how, in this world devoid of infrastructure, would I have charged the MP3 player I'm listening to? Solar panels, of course! And the house would be heated with a geothermal pump powered by those same panels (hey, it's theoretically possible; don't bother me with details like our house not actually having them). Then came the most unnerving question yet: Why am I wandering solo with my trusty dog by my side? Was I truly the only survivor? Or the crazy lady who spurned the refugee camps or guerrilla groups to live on her own in the "wilderness"? Was I a scout? A sentry? (GULP) BAIT? I decided I most liked the proposition of being an advance scout searching for survivors and resources. Go ahead and laugh now, it's OK.

Done? I'll wait...

About the time I rounded the 4th cul-de-sac (actually the first one, a second time) I began to ponder why we are so fascinated with the idea of a post-apocalyptic dystopia. After some consideration, I came to the conclusion that all of us have some ingrained memory of at least the idea of Eden. That perfect place where creation began. We long to return to it, to recreate it. But considering the current state of the world, wiping the slate clean with an apocalypse would certainly be a tempting place to start! But I also think that within each of us has the ingrained understanding that we don't deserve perfection (1). We are quick to ask, what's the catch? Hence the DYS portion of dystopia.

I ended the walk cheerful. Yes, cheerful; meditating on the fact that, in the end, we will have the opportunity to experience a new earth (2), a true utopia, free from zombies, mutant killer strawberries, or any other ugliness, including the consequences of our own sin (3). Now THAT is something worth surviving for! (4)

Thanks to my lovely, intelligent 9-year-old for helping me to remember which reference goes with which idea:
1:  Rom 3:23, 6:23
2: 2Pet 3:13, Rev 21:1
3: Isa 65:17, 2Cor 5:17
4: Heb 12:1

The First One About Mairwen & AMTC

Mairwen is a ten year old girl whom God has gifted with talents in acting and modeling. She has been called to use those talents to spread God's love in and through the entertainment industry!

To that end, Mairwen has entered The Bridge training program with Actors, Models and Talent for Christ. This program endeavors to equip Christians in media to be missionaries in their areas of gifting, while developing their talents, and imparting the professional skills they will need to survive and thrive (with God's blessing!) in their crafts.

The Bridge culminates with an event called SHINE! It is part conference, part performance, part networking. It is attended by highly influential VIPs of both mainstream AND Christian media, and many performers have jump started their careers there. Friends of ours attended several years ago and it was a life changing experience for them on multiple levels!

How Can I Help?

1. Pray for us. The pastors at our church frequently remind us that, "Everything begins with, ends with, and depends on God." Here are a few specific prayer points:
-For God to be glorified through Mairwen.
-For Mairwen's spiritual strength and growth.
-For family cohesion and strong relationships.
-For the growing and molding of Mairwen's talents.
-For financial and logistical provisions.
-For the doors and opportunities to open according to God's plan.

2. Logistics and networking. These are going to be vital for us! Here are a few ways to help us "get connected"
-Spread the word! Share this post with your friends!
-Do you live in the NYC area or know someone who does? We'll be making three or four trips to the city before SHINE and it would be great to have a friendly place to stay. And any tips on getting around would be great too... It's been a while since any of us have been there!!
-Do you have access to discounted air or train fare? We'll be doing quite a bit of traveling!
-Do you know anyone (Christian or not) in the media/entertainment industry who would be willing to be a resource for us? AMTC's resources are considerable, but we're of the opinion that more resources are better than less.

3. Contribute Financially
STOP! Before choosing to assist us financially, we want you to be aware that, because of the unique combination of spirituality and show business, there are many claims that AMTC is a scam or otherwise illegitimate. We have done our research and prayed a LOT and come to our own conclusions. We encourage you to determine for yourself, so that if and when you give, you can do so with confidence.

Obviously, our conclusion is that this program is legitimate and that God is working through it. Once you've talked with many of the people involved, it's difficult to be convinced otherwise! We see the majority of negative reviews come from those without accurate facts, disgruntled individuals, and some may even be outright attacks by the enemy.

There have been already many indications of God's Hand in our journey. We will continue to move forward in this faith unless or until He makes it abundantly clear to us that He has removed His blessing. That is all we have to say about that. =)

Disclaimer over. Moving on!
AMTC is an entirely unique program of tremendous value for the cost, but the cost is still... costly. And in addition to tuition there are travel and hotel costs, and occasional miscellaneous expenses as well. We are in the process of investigating online donation options. In the mean time, if you feel that God is leading you to assist us financially, please contact us directly. Any and all funds received will be used to pay Mairwen's tuition and cover other expenses directly relating to her participation in The Bridge and SHINE (lodging, travel, incidentals). Any unrelated or family activities that occur on any trips will be paid out of our family finances. Now you know =)

About Conduct
We ask that all comments made on this page be kept positive! Mairwen WILL be reading them (and she reads and approves my posts). If you have CONSTRUCTIVE criticisms, you may send them here.

Thanks for taking the time to read all this! We pray that Mairwen's journey will be an encouragement to you, and that her talents will be a lamp on a lampstand in a darkened world!

An "Ode" to Autumn

I'm battling...something... today (flu?) My body is resting but my mine is restless, and, thinking about the changing seasons, it came up with this. Yes, I know it's not really an ode, but it is in the spirit of one, so I went with it. Enjoy  :-)

An "Ode" to Autumn
Crunch, crush, crackle
Leaves upon the ground.
Gasp, guffaw, giggle
Children running 'round.
Run, romp, revel
Great, melodious din!
Savor Summer's shadow
Before Winter settles in.

I'm still at it!

Since several people have asked, here's a recap of my most recent run. I finally officially started the C25K program on Tuesday. Of course I chose the most humid day in the pat two weeks to do it.

I figured I'd feel a little dumb just running up and down our street so I decided to tackle the next street over too. It was an excellent and awful idea. Excellent due to the change of scenery, and it was also actually just the right length. I'd like to say I planned it that way but that would be a lie. Awful because the street over is a hill, a bumpy hill at that. And not one that you can run up at the beginning when you still have energy and run back down once you're tired. No, this one you go down initially then, once you're already winded, you fight back up not just a steady incline but these the or four humps that are easily double the slope of the overall hill. Not a beginning runner's best friend! Fortunately the plan I'm using had built in intervals...


The approach of the C25K plan is to start you out doing more walking than running; after a five minute warmup you do 60 seconds of running then 90 seconds of a walking and then repeat. I didn't quite finish a whole running cycle without having to stop and walk but I only skipped two altogether and both were on the way back up that massive hill.

I'm just pleased to say that I didn't have to stop and gasp for breath although there were times when I wanted to!

Not sure how to sum up other than to say it was once again not horrible and it was not quite as interminable as I had expected. Thanks to everyone who is keeping me honest and holding me accountable. I'll write again soon.

Day 3?

So, you may have noticed that I didn’t, in fact, blog yesterday. OK, at least pretend you noticed. Home with TWO semi-sick kids all day left no time for running or even for writing about not running. And I promise that some day I will get to the explanation of why I’m even on this journey at all, but today is not that day.

Today, however, was a running day! Both kids were fully recovered from their various illnesses, and both (yes, the 8 year old, and the ALMOST-five-year-old) joined me on my jog/walk down the road and back. This was both encouraging… and depressing.

Encouraging for the obvious reasons; my girls were supporting me, we were all out there “doing fitness” together! And actually having FUN doing it! The younger one even held off whining until the very last leg (pun intended), and bounced along right beside me for most of it. The older one (almost nine, though I am SO not ready for that) was completely ready to do another circuit.

Discouraging, because well, they beat me. There, I said it! I ain’t proud of it, but there it is. Much greater is the motivation to continue now! Despite the sore shins (not splints, just muscles still slightly annoyed at actually being used); tingly, tired feet; and (gasp!) SWEAT, I had a pretty good time. I was still able to breathe by the time I was done today (yes, I actually remembered to medicate ahead… hide your shock), and I did not once feel the desire to collapse to the pavement. Of course that last could be due to letting the one with the 14-inch legs set the pace.

So once again I am measuring success by the fact that I got out there, and did SOMETHING more than if I’d stayed inside. Maybe eventually I’ll move onto a stopwatch, but for now I’m basking in my “binary success measurement system.” Now if I can just manage to put down the pita chips…

Diving In!

I ran today.

Yes, on purpose.

No, no one was chasing me.

I’ll fill you in on the “why” tomorrow. It’s late now, so let me jump straight to the “how.”

I’d been taking care of a semi-sick preschooler most of the day (you know, that stage between actually sick, and jumping on the couch?). She'd finally settled on a movie to watch that held her attention pretty well.

The 3^rd grader got home from school and started on her homework, I had supper planned out, and everyone seemed to be holding their own (and no one else’s). So I figured it was now or never. I grabbed my brand-spanking-new running shoes and my also-brand-spanking-new running shorts, and proceeded to attire myself. I snatched up my mp3 player, picked some appropriately loud and fast music (Audio Adrenaline, anyone?), stretched, and bounded out the door!

I took a few quick, long walking strides out to the street, then broke into a loping run (ok, in my mind, I was The Flash, but I’m attempting to be realistic here). Being the analytical person I am, I began to think...

• First thoughts: this isn't so bad; it feels good, and I think I like it; yes, I think I could do this every day!
• Second thoughts: who stole my second lung? maybe I should add a walking interval now; I wonder how long I’d have to lay here before the kids came looking for me and dragged me bodily back to the house.
• Third thoughts: Nah, it’s gonna [insert euphemism for “be really annoying/horrible"] but I can make it.

So I alternated jogging and walking the “whole way” down to our cul-de-sac and back. I don’t know the distance but it’s NOT far. It took maybe ten minutes. But that’s ten minutes more than I ran yesterday! Or, well, probably since those physical fitness tests in high school. It took me another ten minutes to breathe properly again. Note to self: take the inhaler BEFORE the run next time!

Mairi goes to First Grade!

As we've approached the start of school, I've kept waiting for Mairi to decide she wanted to be dramatic about the whole thing. After all, she's starting a NEW school, where she pretty much knows NO ONE, except for two little boys in our neighborhood who are starting Kindergarten this year.

But she remained calm, even excited about the upcoming adventures.

We've been to the school twice; once for a tour, and once to meet her teacher, so it was not totally foreign.

However, those of you who know Mairwen, know that she is prone to, well, let's just say, drama...

Here are some pictures of yesterday's trip to the bus, and then getting off afterward. She was unflappable!!!!! She lined up, got on the bus, and only looked back to point out to me that she'd sat down with the one other person on the bus that she knew (today when she got on, she sat with someone else!).

I remain stunned and thrilled and incredibly proud of her behavior, especially considering the upheaval in her life the past year or two! Dad being relocated, Mom being sick, moving... I must have done something right through all this, because her confidence is through the roof!