His Story, Her Story

I was just 18 years old, fighting for my country in the Iran-Iraq war, when a bomb exploded a few feet from my head.  I was so badly traumatized that for 24 years I had to take 720 pills a month.  If I didn't take my medication on time, I would cause problems for myself and those around me, without realizing what I was doing.  I never had peace and I was a chain smoker.  I went to specialists for treatment, and they all agreed that I had no choice but to take the pills for the rest of my life.  I sent my files to doctors abroad, but got the same verdict. 

I tried doing all the duties and practices I could think of to appeal to God.  I traveled thousands of kilometers to pray and give offerings in order to receive healing.  But nothing changed. 

One day a Christian invited me to his house church.  When I went there, I saw that they worshiped God and asked for their needs in a very simple language, like a child who is asking something from his father.  They were worshiping God in Persian, not Arabic, and I liked it. 

I heard a voice inside me saying: 'Trust me and go forward and you will receive healing.'  I was shocked and resisted.  But I finally gave in.

The pastor prayed for me, and I began to weep.  I never cried, but that day I wept until the carpet was wet.  Then I heard the voice again saying: 'You are healed.'

I went home with joy.  My wife brought my medications for me to take, but I refused.  I have been completely healthy since.*

~~~~~

A large crowd followed and pressed around [Jesus].  And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years.  She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.  When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, " If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed."  Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him.  He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"

"You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, " and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?'"

But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.  Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.  He said to her, "Daughter, your faith as healed you.  Go in peace and be freed from you suffering."**

~~~~~

In both of these stories there are two helpless individuals.  Their health problems cost them a great deal.  They did what any of us would naturally do: first, they exhausted all medical options, and second, they both believed incorrectly that doing something religious would heal them.  The man tried to exchange prayers and offerings for good health.  The woman believed almost superstitiously that touching a holy man's garment would restore her health.  How often to I try to bargain with God when I am desperate?  What objects have I wrongly placed holy value on? 

In both stories, Jesus responds to their physical needs through healing and their spiritual needs by leading them into true faith.  Both fall before the Lord and pour out their hearts.  Jesus embraces them as his own children.  The man followed the example of the believers and prayed like a child talking to his Father.  The woman is called "daughter" by Jesus.    Then Jesus sends them in peace, and they are both freed from their suffering.

What glorious examples of what Christ does for all of us when we simply come to him.  These two both had lost hope in what the world (of medicine) had to offer, and they both had to acknowledge that their healing came through believing in Jesus and not some object or action.  This is the beginning of true faith.

In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.

{galations 3:26} 

*Iran: Christian news and insight from Elam Ministries, Issue 5, Spring 2012 (Article: Desperate Situations... Supernatural Answers)

**Mark 5:24-34 (NIV)

Why I Run: Every Girl Wants To Be A Princess

Once upon a time I dated a boy who was an adventure nut.  He loved exploration, drawing, different cultures, fitness, and momentous experiences.  Though he was not suited for me, he planted in my mind an enthusiasm for running and destination races.  He encouraged me to run more with great determination to the point where I felt like he was my coach or trainer.  I struggled to keep up with this fellow who was built for running; seriously, he's a 6-foot-something lean young man with energy to spare.  He inspired me because he intended to run a marathon in Disney World.  Who knew one could do such a thing?  I thought he was a crazy dreamer.
 

The running fellow demonstrating his explosive energy

Well, some years later I had a friend post photos from a Disney half-marathon for women.  She sported a cute tutu because it was a princess-themed race.  She certainly looked cute, but I was definitely too old for that business.  A year later another friend completed the princess half-marathon sporting a great tulle skirt.  She caught my eye because she was my age & a young mom.  Super impressive; she had time to train with not one but TWO little boys under the age of 3!  Okay, so not only am I young enough to do it,  I also have no excuses for figuring out travel logistics with just one little one.  Plus, I think Kyle is eager to encourage me to do a race on my own.

             

The one thing that put me over the top was my friend Andrea.  She ran this race just last month wearing the most adorable Cinderella running costume complete with reflective trim.  Merciful heavens, I want to run dressed like a princess!

Seriously, could she be cuter?

So I happened to mention to my mom that I had aspirations to run like a Disney character .  Gift of all gifts~ she shared two blessings in my life I hadn't considered.  First, my parents' home in Florida is a relatively quick drive to Orlando.  No dispensing senseless sums of money on hotels!  Second, my little sister is a talented seamstress who happens to specialize in princess-wear.  I kid you not.  The stars are aligning so I can (hopefully) run a royal race next year at the happiest place on earth.

Exhibit A: Princess Peach of the Mushroom Kingdom

Exhibit B:  Princess Serenity (aka Sailor Moon from her Moon Kingdom days)

Exhibit C: Rapunzel~Official Disney Princess as of October 2011

Some may say she has a thing for blond princess, so I may use that to my advantage.  I've chosen Aurora to be my regal running alter ego.  She's probably my favorite princess because she has a knack for sleeping like I do.  I've commissioned my little sister to make something in the likeness of her color changing ballgown, and she's shopping iridescent fabrics in blue & pink.

Making tracks + catching Z's + flaxen hair = Aurora warrior

The final bonus for the Princess half-marathon is that both my big & little sister are interested in training for it and running it with me!  My big sister already runs regularly, but we've never run together before.  My little sister can't resist an opportunity to make & wear princess gear (hello, Exhibit A-C!), and she's been meaning to get more active.  Joy of all joys~ some of my favorite things are culminating to make for a very happy day in February 2013!!!

Glam trainers

A New Look!

Kyle and I have been parents for 2 weeks and 1 day now!  We had a small setback in our routine last Sunday night.  Kyle was planning on returning to work Monday morning when I had a surprise bleeding episode that landed us in the ER around 1am.  We didn't sleep a wink that night while I was getting treated, but little Mr. Hamilton was an angel and miraculously slept 5 1/2 hours in a row through the whole ordeal.  When we got home between 5 & 6am, Bennett was ready to eat and start the day.  Kyle and I were not quite as enthusiastic.  Anyhow, my (second) recovery has gone really well.  Today was my first whole day alone with the baby.  This called for a celebration~ do you know how I celebrate?  A trip to Starbucks!!!

In honor of pregnancy belly shots, I thought I'd share my baby travel tote a la photo du miroir....

Cutie little legs which used to kick my ribs!

It was a bit easier to carry him internally, but Jeep does a good job with this fun pack.  Thanks Kemper family for our baby carrier!

Don't worry Mom~ I put a hat on his head to protect him from the sun.  He slept through the whole trip while I enjoyed a decaf caramel frap.  The friendly Starbucks staff was excited to see I had had the baby (I'm a junkie).  The only down side~ all the tables were full inside and nobody offered the new mom & babe a seat.  It was too hot to stay outside while I enjoyed my beverage so I loitered around the mix-ins station until I had emptied my cup.  For the walk home, I enjoyed a big cup of ice water while Bennett chilled out.  All in all it was a success.  First full day alone with the baby & first mommy/baby outing!

Norcross 10k

Today Kyle and I participated in our first 10k (that's 6.2 miles if you weren't sure)~ it was called the Corners to Crossing.  It was in Norcross, our home for the last 6 months.  We started at the big shopping center down the street from us (The Forum) and ended up in a park in downtown Norcross.  The weather was perfect since it stormed all night last night; I love temperatures in the 60s to jog in and there was a solid breeze the whole time.  Even though my training for this run has been a little rough (with my longest run since the half-marathon only being 4.4 miles), we rocked this run coming in at an 1 hour 10 minutes.  Maybe that's not crazy for serious runners, but I shaved 1 minute 20 seconds off each mile~ in the half-marathon, we were running 12m40s miles and in this race we ran 11m20s miles!  Speedy for the heavier and more pregnant girl I've become.

Speaking of the baby, he did great the whole run.  I think he slept the whole time which was a nice change of pace because he was moving like crazy last night.  It's like my race excitement seeped into the womb and made him wacky until nearly 1am.  It's all good though; I just spent my time reading Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas.  I know I mentioned this book in my last entry; it's one of the first biographies I've ever read.  It's great and so so interesting.  So after I got home from the race today, a facebook pal mentions she's hearing Metaxas speak TODAY at a church that is literally fewer than 10 minutes from my house.  How ridiculous?  What are the odds that the author of the book you are reading (and super enjoying) doing a public appearance in your neighborhood at the exact moment you need a shower and a nap?  Needless to say, I'll have to catch him next time he's in town...

Back to race things!  So there were no official photographers from what we could tell for this race (bummer); if you'd like to see the online coverage, please click here (but I think there are a total of 8 pictures featuring a total of 0 Hamiltons).  So we had to improvise...

This is our post-race victory portrait. 

SWAG~stuff we all get!  We love races for the freebies, and guess what Kyle loved best?  He wore this while he baked baguettes last night~he's a hardcore baker!

A tiny Waffle House backpack~ Kyle and I went on a date to the WaHo on Wednesday and enjoyed a free waffle thanks to the Atlanta Marathon folks a month ago.  Guess what?  We have another free waffle coming our way thanks to this race!  It's kind of weird, but if it weren't for the free waffles I don't think I ever would have tried this House's eponymous plate.

Race day shirt!  My arms look kind of beastly needlessly...

There were fun activities for families the rest of the day.  Kyle and I thought we'd check out a Taste of the Forum to see if there were some good deals on restaurant samples.  Turns out it wasn't really worth our beans (if we'd never been to a Taste of Marietta, we'd not have judged so harshly).  Kyle did, however, score a free milkshake coupon from Which Wich, and he took the opportunity to cash in while we walked back to the car.

Thumbs up for a free Oreo shake!

It's so cool that I'm 5 months pregnant  and running and beating my old times.  I'm consistently a 13 minute mile on my day to day runs, but it felt great to go a little faster.  I'm so grateful that God made my body capable of doing things I couldn't have dreamed~ I can run and feel healthy and good while there is a tiny (but not for long) little baby growing inside of me.  It's miraculous!  I also should brag on my sweet husband who endlessly endures running with me while tons of suburban ladies leave us in their dust.  Kyle consistently encourages me and makes me laugh while we're working it; he makes me feel like I'm stronger and more athletic than I really am.  I love that we run together and all the quality time we get on the pavement.  We've got a 5k on the calendar for next month, and I'm looking forward to that.  We're also already talking about the day we have that jogging stroller and taking baby boy out for a spin.  So much to look forward to!  For now, time for some more rest and noshes!  Happy weekend friends!

The Bait & Switch

As it turns out I'm a dope.  And no, not just because we spent last night watching the Ken Burns Civil War series on PBS while everyone else was watching the NCAA national championship game (I'd rather never watch UConn play again after GT's 2004 defeat...).  I'm a dope because we had the most social & fun weekend, and yet I took zero photos as promised.  We had dinner out with two great couples at Fox Brothers BBQ, hosted Kyle's bud JT for a slumber party, and went to church & lunch with JT and another awesome couple.  Dopiness was furthered by getting a goofy sunburn at Mellow Mushroom Sunday afternoon.  Maybe it was a good thing I didn't remember the camera. 

So I thought a bit about what I'd share with you today.  I haven't written very much about pregnancy, but lately I've been learning a lot about baby's development and my body.  I also have yet to post a pregnancy profile picture.  Honestly, I wasn't really showing for a long time so when I started to, I wasn't in the habit of capturing it on film whatever digital photos are composed of...  megapixels?  So without further ado, I give you my changing body (awkward):

This I'm sure would have turned out better had I waited for Kyle to come home and snap the shot.

This is me on 21 weeks and 2 days.  I'm still rocking a lot of my normal clothes including my favorite jeans~I dread the day I am forced to retire them for maternity wear.

So I was asking my doctor about weight gain, diet, and exercise at my last visit because it's unclear to me sometimes all that I ought (and ought not) be doing.  For me personally, digestion has been crazy different and (as my friend delicately puts it) slow.  I've only gained 3 pounds~ is this enough for how far along we are?  My physician answered all my questions and more.  According to the books, it's common to have gained 10 pounds by now.  What the doctors are looking for, though, is not my weight gain but baby's rate of growth.  So long as his measurement indicate healthy growth on track with how old he is as well as measurements of my abdomen are standard, weight gain isn't the most important thing.  *Big sigh of relief*  My mom also reminded me that she didn't gain much weight during any of her pregnancies and even ended weighing less after delivery than before she got pregnant. 

As for exercise, we reviewed how much activity I was doing a week.  I'm walking or jogging at least 4 days a week for anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes.  One of the things I love about exercising is that there are lots of benefits for baby.  For one, researchers believe that my change in heart rate and oxygen levels as well as the sounds and vibrations of my movement stimulate the little fella.  My exercising can result in a healthy birth weight for the baby, and we'll both recover from the stress of the labor more quickly.  Some research has shown that babies of moms who exercised during pregnancy score higher on general intelligence tests by age 5~ now I'm not doubting that baby will have smarts because his daddy has a superbrain, but if jogging helps then how could I not?  Last is a treat for everyone in the family; my exercise activities could lead to having a little man who sleeps through the night sooner, is less prone to colic, and will be able to better soothe himself.  All of these things are huge motivators for me!

Diet has become very very important in the last couple of weeks.  The books informed me that the baby has started to practice sucking and swallowing to practice for life outside the womb.  I asked the ultrasound technician if she could see swallowing in the images, but she answered my question by showing me evidence that he's begun to swallow amniotic fluid (totally normal and good for him).  His little enormous belly is full of dark fluid in the images.  This is really cool because it means that what I'm eating now, he's getting a little of its flavor and hopefully will develop a taste for these things.  Well, I've not always had the most balanced diet, and I often neglect my vegetables.  I'm working on choosing healthy snacks to have throughout the day so he'll be more inclined to pick up an apple over something crazy processed (unlike his weak, junk food-loving mama). If only I could instill in him a preference for good beers (kidding!).

Yum~Raisins, Corn Pops, Pecans, and V8!

What's this?  JT brought us the gift of dried moringa!  On his blog I found this information: According to Trees for Life (www.treesforlife.org), gram for gram, dried moringa oleifera leaves contain 10.5x the amount of Vitamin A as carrots, 16.5x the calcium of milk, 15x the potassium of bananas, 8.5x the amount of protein in yogurt, and half as much Vitamin C as an orange.  JT also told me it was great for nursing mothers.  This treat is destined to be blended into our smoothies.

I am not perfectly healthy~ I can still throw down potato chips like crazy, make any excuse to go through the drive-thru at Chik-fil-a for a biscuit, and haven't kicked caffeine or artificial sweeteners completely.  Perhaps this is a bad excuse, but how's baby supposed to know he needs to like sweet tea and fried chicken?  Anyhow, these are some of the things I'm learning and trying out.  Are there any pregnancy tips or things you learned about fetal development that made a big difference to you?  I'd love to learn from you!