tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86200759165998167402024-03-12T16:52:17.315-07:00Purely RunningDiscovering the Joy of Running and Kingdom Living!PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-3183161514903348642009-10-12T20:25:00.000-07:002009-10-12T20:27:38.010-07:002009 Atalanta Victory Run<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/StPzQU7FBCI/AAAAAAAAAJM/0ieXufBKsDs/s1600-h/Atalanta09.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/StPzQU7FBCI/AAAAAAAAAJM/0ieXufBKsDs/s400/Atalanta09.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391920640712573986" /></a>This is me on the home stretch of this year's run. We raised over $400.00 to sponsor women to our annual retreat. Thanks everyone for your support of women in Humboldt County!PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-66722868044564375082009-10-12T20:22:00.000-07:002009-10-12T20:25:04.150-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/StPy6bIA_HI/AAAAAAAAAJE/cMh9ITpC6-I/s1600-h/atalantaChris09.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/StPy6bIA_HI/AAAAAAAAAJE/cMh9ITpC6-I/s400/atalantaChris09.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391920264420326514" /></a>My friend, Christian, at the Atalanta Victory Run.PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-48018971757853592832009-10-12T20:18:00.000-07:002009-10-12T20:22:00.020-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/StPySKT5gFI/AAAAAAAAAI8/QUbjCcoo9Mg/s1600-h/atalantaCarol.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 100px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/StPySKT5gFI/AAAAAAAAAI8/QUbjCcoo9Mg/s400/atalantaCarol.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391919572711997522" /></a><br />My friend, Carol, walking in the Atlanta Victory Run.PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-60169734031529900942009-10-10T08:56:00.000-07:002009-10-10T09:05:47.954-07:00SPARK YOUR LIFE!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/StCu5hNyHsI/AAAAAAAAAIk/EoHqKsOOldk/s1600-h/Spark.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 252px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/StCu5hNyHsI/AAAAAAAAAIk/EoHqKsOOldk/s400/Spark.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391001057154440898" /></a>I am so happy to introduce you to SparkPeople! I joined this FREE online weight-loss, change your life, create a new vision for yourself, website over 3 years ago. Since then I have lost 70 lbs. *Scroll down my blog to see my before and after pics* I gained a lot of confidence in the ability to make good choices and to know that if it's in my heart to do it I can step out and make it happen. <div><br /></div><div>Now this amazing website has produced a book called <a href="http://book.sparkpeople.com/default.asp?f=dailySpark100909">"The Spark"</a>. I've preordered my copy (to be available in January). You can also check out (or join) this amazing website <a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com">here.</a></div><div><br /></div><div>If you decide to join SparkPeople, make sure you look me up - my username is Purelyshell. Oh, and use my username as your referral (I will get a little credit for that).</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-6059510035802172002009-10-10T08:03:00.000-07:002009-10-10T08:33:50.627-07:00When Life Comes to a Screeching Halt make a Large, Tall Glass of Lemonade.Well, here I am. I cannot believe it has been so long since I wrote a blog. My life has become, well, LIFE. Let me explain.<div><br /></div><div>In June, my husband became very sick and that turned into 2 weeks in our local hospital and then 2 weeks at UCSF. Thankfully, he is home now and on the mend. A good mend. We have high expectations that all that he's been through will now make him better than before. An underlying problem that has now been taken care of. Yay!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, what about running? Well, I think I ran 3 times during the 1 month of hospitalizations. If you are a runner, I don't have to tell you how nurturing, how stress relieving it is to run. But what happens when you're facing life and death situations and you can't run? There were days where the fact that I wasn't running was tugging at my mind and my heart. Knowing that I could sure use the stress relief. I could use the cardio. I could use the hospital cafeteria calorie busting, BUT... sometimes you just gotta let it go. And that's what I did. I let it go. I told myself that I was actually creating more stress by stressing over it. I had to give myself permission to not run during this period of time because there was just no way to do it. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, we are home now and I am getting excited about getting back into my running routine. I'm starting off slow and working it out. This is great! And then it happens. A test ordered by my doctor that points to a hysterectomy is in order for me. Are you serious? NOT NOW!!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>This is where the power of choice comes in. I can choose to totally be depressed or I can choose to (once again) look to the Lord, process my healing (which has already been accomplished, In Him) and look for the gold. </div><div><br /></div><div>So here I am, in bed, writing this blog. My uterus is gone (no tears there) and I am processing a positive attitude to get myself back to my running routine as soon as my doctor releases me to do so and I believe that it will be in short order -- like 3-4 weeks. Hey, it's a whole life-time we have so it's what we do over time that counts. I'm choosing to cultivate a healthy mental attitude during this time. I'm going to read some on running and other interests that I haven't had much time for lately. </div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe you are facing something that seems so insurmountable. Maybe life is not turning out the way you had planned. We have a choice to languish in self pity or we can look outside ourselves and choose to see the tender mercies of the Lord in the midst of our battle. If this is you, I pray that my words will be to you as Proverbs 16.24 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 12px; ">. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; ">Basically, I'm making some lemonade. A large, tall glass of lemonade and there's more than enough for everyone! </span></span></div>PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-10648919443992452832009-05-05T20:55:00.000-07:002009-05-05T21:00:40.155-07:00Approaching 50+<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoTitle">I never thought I would be here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I bet you didn't either.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Well, I sort of knew I would get here but somehow I thought it would be different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Luckily for me it is much better than I expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Approaching 50 is a very perplexing thing. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We live in a society that worships youth and beauty and all things shiny and new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are constantly reminded that we are not thin enough, our teeth are not white enough, we need the latest iPhone and we have to drink the latest designer water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>WATER!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Aren't there people in third world countries that don't even have safe drinking water and here we're trying to decide which bottle makes us feel better about ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>God help us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Since we live in such a disposable society wouldn't it be natural that we feel the same way about who we are and our value as we approach our jubilee years?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What ever happened to celebrating where we've been and where we are now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What about wisdom?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What about grace?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What about older women teaching the younger women?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>WHAT'S WRONG WITH BEING 50????</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I've noticed a trend in the church in the last few years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Progressive churches everywhere want young faces representing their ministries. They're promoting younger men and women into places of prominent and key positions in the church. That's generally fine but where are the matured, godly men and women who've "stayed the course", "run the race" and "mellowed like a fine wine"?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In our pursuit of appealing to the masses, maybe we've overlooked our best (and best kept) resource -- those men and women who are 50+.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:1.6in">If that sounds like you, then you're the one I am speaking to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Have you felt passed by and overlooked?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Well, <i>God wants you to know that He has not overlooked you.</i><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His hand has molded you and shaped you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You've walked through fires and you've looked to Him and taken his hand and walked with him and in that, you've created a place of worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Worship is your warfare!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You've created a pathway for others to follow in the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Don't say in your heart that what has been accomplished through you is too little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Everything counts. Everything counts!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It Counts -- It counts to God and if it counts to Him in Heaven, then it counts to Him on the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Too many older christians have decided that they've done all there is to do<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>-- oh, so maybe we're the ones at fault?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Could be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Have </span><i>you</i><span style="font-style:normal"> decided that it's time to let someone else do something because you're tired of always doing it?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:1.6in">What does the scripture say…something about "and let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What an awesome Word! That Word is to you and to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are not to be defined by the world and it's systems but by a loving and powerful heavenly Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He sees your value and He has promised you a land of good things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After all He does say 50 is our Jubilee!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>God let Your favor come!<br /></p> <!--EndFragment-->PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-16753497091714875412008-10-21T06:22:00.000-07:002008-10-21T06:30:52.600-07:00My first Half Marathon -- WooooooHoooo!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SP3YG4-GZjI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/uBKY_Ayro0A/s1600-h/red_finish01.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SP3YG4-GZjI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/uBKY_Ayro0A/s320/red_finish01.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259597552722273842" /></a>Here I am crossing the finish line! What a feeling of accomplishment. <div><br /></div><div>I signed up for the Humboldt Redwoods Half Marathon a month ago when my training for it was going well. Then I got sick. For two weeks I was unable to train and we all know what that means, right? Next thing I know it is off to Kentucky to meet with my friends for the Susan Komen run (see below) and I was exhausted when I got home. I started psyching myself out over doing the half. Well, I finally just decided to do it and quit worrying about it and the training I had done would be enough -- afterall, I wasn't looking for a great time or a PR -- naw, I would be happy to finish. </div><div><br /></div><div>Running in the Redwoods is so exhilarating! If you ever have the chance to do a run here I encourage you to do so. The course is relatively flat, the temps in the 50-60's, great people, great running club & sponsors and just an all around good feeling. Now to go get my tattoo!</div>PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-30199201133849355792008-10-17T13:48:00.000-07:002008-10-17T14:00:43.119-07:00Susan Komen Race for the Cure - Louisville<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SPj8VGXY9CI/AAAAAAAAAGY/LPFiOvp0rso/s1600-h/GTD+Weekend+11.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SPj8VGXY9CI/AAAAAAAAAGY/LPFiOvp0rso/s320/GTD+Weekend+11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258230004371223586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SPj61pcmkVI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/LQjF7jVW4QQ/s1600-h/GTD+Weekend+8.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SPj61pcmkVI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/LQjF7jVW4QQ/s320/GTD+Weekend+8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258228364520886610" /></a>Well, me and my friends, we did it! Now some of you may remember that Deej, Me, Sarah & Steph have been "talking" on a website for the past two years and we had never met. Until this past weekend in Louisville! This was a weekend to remember on many levels. The Komen Louisville 5k was so encouraging. So many women, lots of SWAG and a beautiful city. I loved the hospitality of Louisville and would love to go back there. I only wish we could have had a longer weekend. Would I do it again? YOU BET!!!<div><br /></div><div>One more thing...</div><div><br /></div><div>Have you noticed how many more supporters and sponsors there are this year for breast cancer than ever before? That was one of our topics over this fun-girl weekend. We may actually see a cure for breast cancer in our generation. THAT is something worth running for!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-51820188052724439802008-09-27T06:29:00.001-07:002008-09-27T06:44:21.978-07:00October is Breast Cancer Awareness month<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.carolsutton.net/pink/breastcancerawareness.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://www.carolsutton.net/pink/breastcancerawareness.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>I am so encouraged by all support I see for the fight against breast cancer as we head into October. This month I am flying to Louisville, Kentucky to run meet with some dear friends and we are all running in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure together. Please, find some way to show your support for the fight against breast cancer this month. Run a race, make a donation, bless your women friends -- but -- DO SOMETHING!!!!PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-39916851384373727912008-09-03T08:04:00.000-07:002008-09-03T08:19:16.821-07:00Runners' Dialogue...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SL6oxF17vRI/AAAAAAAAAFo/ZLBGO-ENzCQ/s1600-h/Shel+victory!.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SL6oxF17vRI/AAAAAAAAAFo/ZLBGO-ENzCQ/s320/Shel+victory!.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241812577641282834" /></a>So if you've made it to my blog you need to know something...I know you're here! Well, I don't really know YOU, per se' but I have this nifty little techie thing called a sitemeter and it tells me how many people visit this blog every day. Oh, it tells me a few other things too but whatever!<div><br /></div><div>My point. I was thinking about all the people who visit my blog and how it would be nice if they wouldn't just come and lurk, but that they would actually participate. Hey, it's not all about ME, you know. I would love for you to comment (see the little box at the end of this post, you can actually click on it and comment). I would love to hear the triumphs and thoughts of other runners.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the discussions going on a running forum I belong to is about what we runners think about when we're on one of those long runs. Some were saying they just keep the old ipod stocked with decent stuff and others were boasting their purist convictions and run without any distraction. So, what about you? What do you think about on those long runs? Me, I keep a mental list of things I like to ponder and I kinda go through that. I love just being outside and appreciating all of that. But what about YOU? Let me know you are out there and let's dialogue about running!</div>PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-84804596632246601412008-08-09T20:04:00.000-07:002008-08-09T20:11:58.453-07:00Arcata Forest 5.6 Run<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SJ5cWChqhDI/AAAAAAAAAFY/307AFXKQcpQ/s1600-h/Tree.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SJ5cWChqhDI/AAAAAAAAAFY/307AFXKQcpQ/s320/Tree.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232721350756041778" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SJ5b-LpKyWI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/bqWvPmjvFGU/s1600-h/redwoods.jpg"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SJ5b-LpKyWI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/bqWvPmjvFGU/s320/redwoods.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232720940886575458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SJ5bMChBKEI/AAAAAAAAAFI/67oVHax8RWg/s1600-h/ShellForest.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SJ5bMChBKEI/AAAAAAAAAFI/67oVHax8RWg/s320/ShellForest.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232720079443011650" /></a>This is me finishing up with the Arcata Forest Run. This was such a challenging run. Most of the first 2/3 of the run was uphill so I guess you could call it a fast "walk". The Arcata Forest is beautiful and I was so glad I did it!PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-18883114593862042008-07-30T16:16:00.000-07:002008-07-30T16:25:40.897-07:00Susan G. Komen, Race for the CureThis is so exciting! I have three running buddies that I have never met -- in person that is. We "talk" almost daily on <a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/">Sparkpeople,</a> a website that helped me to lose 70 lbs. Anyway, we are all meeting in Louisville, Kentucky in October to run in the Susan G. Komen, Race for the Cure walk/run. Oh, and we will be meeting for the very first time! Running has opened up a whole new world for me. <div><br /></div><div>To see more information on this amazing Foundation and/or to make a donation, you can go <a href="http://www.komenlouisville.org/site/PageServer">here.</a><br /><div><br /></div><div>Thanks, Sarah, Deej & Stephie -- you guys are the BEST! See ya in October!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-71236899142457460792008-07-26T19:57:00.000-07:002008-07-26T20:07:39.764-07:00The Foothill House<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SIvk8NJafPI/AAAAAAAAAFA/zttSuWwY-Hw/s1600-h/P1000696.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SIvk8NJafPI/AAAAAAAAAFA/zttSuWwY-Hw/s320/P1000696.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227523515466022130" /></a>If you go to the Napa Valley, I can tell you that there is no better place to stay than the <a href="http://www.foothillhouse.com">Foothill House</a>. This charming B&B has all the comforts of home. Nestled down a short driveway with lots of lush landscaping you will feel like you have run away to your own little paradise. The private rooms are charming and comfy. The bed was definitely the best (both Em and I need a comfy, supportive bed). A cute private garden patio awaits you if you like, for your morning, private breakfast or you can eat in your room at your own little dining area. Can't wait to go back!PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-24853602031486895632008-07-26T19:53:00.000-07:002008-07-26T19:57:35.015-07:00Darla, the Darling of Calistoga.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SIvjYJe_g8I/AAAAAAAAAE4/ka90hli7sEE/s1600-h/DarlaShell.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SIvjYJe_g8I/AAAAAAAAAE4/ka90hli7sEE/s200/DarlaShell.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227521796495868866" /></a>This is Darla. She is your host at the Foothill House and what a host she is! Full of local information, coupons for select restaurants and well loved and respected by local business owners. Oh, and this lady CAN COOK! Wow, were we well fed with her gourmet, full breakfasts. Our only regret is that we had to leave after 3 days. PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-31838631665682136152008-07-23T17:00:00.000-07:002008-07-23T17:05:30.857-07:00Castello Di Amorosa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SIfGiZqiVsI/AAAAAAAAAEw/GZwELGOTZzc/s1600-h/P1000519.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SIfGiZqiVsI/AAAAAAAAAEw/GZwELGOTZzc/s320/P1000519.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226364186893899458" /></a>We just got back from the Napa Valley and we had the best time. One of the places we went to was this <a href="http://www.castellodiamorosa.com">castle</a>. No one lives there. It is a winery and it is owned and was built by Darryl Sattui. If you go to the Napa Valley you should check it out but call ahead 'cause you have to have a reservation to tour it.PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-3595311860339135852008-07-05T07:22:00.000-07:002008-07-05T07:27:35.689-07:00And they're off!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SG-EoBC3e7I/AAAAAAAAAEo/Tuo41h2lryc/s1600-h/They%27reOff"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SG-EoBC3e7I/AAAAAAAAAEo/Tuo41h2lryc/s320/They%27reOff" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219536316155788210" /></a>PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-36908486161596971262008-07-05T07:09:00.000-07:002008-07-05T07:19:46.949-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SG-C1ge7SRI/AAAAAAAAAEg/4_O-EO-_VG8/s1600-h/BegMarshRun"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SG-C1ge7SRI/AAAAAAAAAEg/4_O-EO-_VG8/s320/BegMarshRun" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219534348910020882" /></a>PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-54261355995919798482008-07-05T07:03:00.000-07:002008-07-05T07:09:17.627-07:00Arcata Marsh 5k<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SG9_eI5k1kI/AAAAAAAAAEY/wKmhNHgFvLo/s1600-h/ShellrunMarsh"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SG9_eI5k1kI/AAAAAAAAAEY/wKmhNHgFvLo/s320/ShellrunMarsh" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219530648907470402" /></a>Here I am running to the finish line for the July 4th, Arcata Marsh 5k run. It was a perfect day for a run in the low 60's. The Marsh is quite lovely with lots of healthy aquatic birds with their babies. PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-80362593489488985572008-06-29T17:10:00.000-07:002008-06-30T05:47:34.060-07:00The Shack by William P. Young<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://theshackbook.com/aimages/Shack.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://theshackbook.com/aimages/Shack.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a>After hearing all the buzz about this fictional book, I finally decided that I needed to read it for myself. YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!!! <div><br /></div><div>This book so impacted me. There are several themes in the book and I don't want to give anything away but one of the most important themes is how God the Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit relate as separate-but-one being also known as the Trinity. The story is about a man and his family that encounter a personal tragedy and through that he has an encounter with the Godhead. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a review that a friend of mine posted on our <a href="http://kingdomscribes.net/phpBB3">Kingdomscribes Forum:</a></div><div><br /></div><div>"I was warned by my friends that if I had a religious bent, this book would be hard to read and I thought, no problem. I'm not religious at all.</div><div><br /></div><div>The book began with an interesting slow of well written and well described events. I liked it and liked his writing style, and finally I arrived at the chapter that caused me to pause, and I thought that this probably wasn't going to be the kind of book that my Christianity would work with, but then I remembered what my friend had said, and I decided to go ahead and push through and after I did, the book took a dramatic upward turn. I began to see the real meat of this book. It was creating in me the substance of great beauty and heavenly desire. I was spellbound and could not put the book down, there were moments of great sadness and joy, so profound I would cry: I related to this man's experience so personally that it was the substance of my dreams, my hopes, the tenderness of my heart as it relates to my heavenly Father, in short, this book has revealed all of the themes that are wrong with the Body of Christ and the world at the same time. It cast no condemnation, no blame and gives only the answers that eliminate everything that hinders love." ~Gary Kennedy</div><div><br /></div><div>Wow, this book is this summer's MUST READ. ~ Shell</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-40602937408719195632008-06-08T06:49:00.000-07:002008-06-08T07:03:17.227-07:00Atalanta Victory Run 6/7/08<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SEvkzS9EUiI/AAAAAAAAAEI/3dccQsgMXd4/s1600-h/Shel+victory!.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SEvkzS9EUiI/AAAAAAAAAEI/3dccQsgMXd4/s320/Shel+victory!.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209508963896545826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SEvk0LcF62I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/hcx1QEXsXNY/s1600-h/P10000360a.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SOnuDyxnydk/SEvk0LcF62I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/hcx1QEXsXNY/s320/P10000360a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209508979059059554" /></a>What a day this was! That's me on the very left (of course) and that's Em below. He is the one that really makes most of this possible. He is my biggest fan and support. I love him so much! <div><br /></div><div>The race starts at the Arcata Co-op and proceeds through the Arcata Bottoms and loops around and comes back. I placed 3rd in my division. The Atalanta race is for women and children only. You have a choice of doing 2 miles walk/run or a 5 miler. There were many women with children and strollers. This is such a fun, community event. I was surprised to see a large group of hispanic women with all their kids. So many, in fact, that the event was MC'd in English and Spanish. It was a beautiful day in the low 70's -- unusual for the coast. </div>PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-6130284075536355842008-05-31T07:30:00.000-07:002008-06-01T20:26:25.314-07:00Complacency and the Kingdom of GodGod told me "you are a runner, not a camper, you hate to camp. SO WHY ARE YOU CAMPING?"<br /><div><br /></div><div>You see, every day that I run I use the same route. I am a creature of habit. However, being a creature of habit is not necessarily a good thing in the Kingdom. God is always moving. You know, "cloud by day, fire by night"? If we aren't moving and He is -- guess what? We are left behind. Not only are we left behind but we are also left in old revelation. Revelation of yesterday, old manna -- yuck! But somehow we manage to subsist on that until we are so malnourished that we wake up one day wondering "How did I get here"? Well, we really didn't set out to go into no-where-land. We sort of just found ourselves there. Something happened - discouragement, laziness, busyness of life, kids, husband, wife, job, etc. You name it. But it's not God.</div><div><br /></div><div>The funny thing is, is that in the natural I really dislike camping. I've always wondered why people find it so fun. Everything is harder when you camp. Cooking and cleaning up being the two worst in my book. Twice as much work to get it accomplished. And don't get me started on the lack of hygiene and the backaches from sleeping on the ground. I am probably getting myself in trouble here with those of you who love to camp. </div><div><br /></div><div>But somehow God's people love to camp -- in spiritual places, that is. Camping in old familiar places. Camping in old attitudes & revelations. Hey, this is how we've ALWAYS done it. You've probably heard the saying that the last great move of God can (and will be) the biggest hindrance to the new move of God. Oh God help us! He's moving forward and we have our cold, dead fingers still wrapped around a tiny bit of revelation from the past that is rotting and falling away but still we're proclaiming that it is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">TRUTH! </span>Meanwhile, the lost and hurting and broken are passing us by because all they see is a person in the throws of death and not The Life they seek.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh God, how can a region be changed if I have so much trouble changing? How can the people who look to me, (follow me as I follow Christ) go into new places if I am camping out where You <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">used to be</span>. OUCH!</div><div><br /></div><div>I am a person who is a builder. I want to see change. I have a big picture mentality. But God has a one-heart-at-a-time mentality and He is concerned with mine. One little beating heart in the hand of God. It really is a dance of me and Him. A focus of one thing -- loving my daddy and being consumed in Him, by Him and for Him. If that is happening in my life then I will be going into new places. I can't help but go where He goes because He is my only focus --not the big picture. Oh that counts but it's not numero uno. I can get lost in the big picture when what He is looking for in me is that I am focused on the one thing. He definitely is a big picture God, just not the way we think of it. After all, He IS the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. You can't get any bigger picture than that. </div><div><br /></div><div>So here I am trying to help God with the big picture and He definitely has that under control. He just wants me to love on Him. You know "seek first the kingdom..." Matt 6.33. And in the process of trying to help God, I find myself even farther away from Him. </div><div><br /></div><div>Running with God is a daily choice and it is an inward thing. It doesn't mean I have to manifest some sort of God busyness to prove to others I am going forward. He knows if I am connected with Him in the here and now. He knows if I am violently pressing into Him, looking for ways to please Him as my heart yearns towards His presence. This is an unseen place. </div><div><br /></div><div>You know how wonderful fresh bread smells? When you walk down the street and a bakery is nearby, doesn't the fragrance of all that is wonderful draw you in? God has fresh bread! All I have to do is go to Him to get it. If I have fresh bread then guess what? Others are going to smell it in my life and want it too. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> the fragrance of His knowledge in every place." 2Cor2.14<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Oh God, help us -- help me be a person who seeks your face and does not get distracted from the real goal which is dwelling in my Father's heart. You are faithful and you can take care of the big picture -- I repent of camping in the old things and trying to "help you" build your Kingdom. Lord help me! I want to run with You into quiet places of connection & adoration and not into manic places of distraction.</div><div><br /></div><div>Renew, refresh and revision my inward life so that all I do is please YOU! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-37907319287935826442008-05-20T19:40:00.000-07:002008-05-20T20:16:39.446-07:00Diary of a 10k runAs I've shared before, The Avenue of the Giant's Run was a revelatory experience. There is something about a group of people that all share your crazy passion to go out there and go for it. Even one of my sons was stunned when I told him that I had achieved my goal of running the whole 10k without walking...over an hour of running. He looked like he thought I must be making it up. Of course, he IS my son who sleeps until 1:00 in the afternoon -- not exactly athletic material at this point in time.<div><br /></div><div>The run was exhilarating. The run was exciting. The run was a little hard -- Well, not too much. It started out with all of us straining at the starting line to get out there and not get run over by the others. Since there were a lot of walkers, I didn't place myself at the very back of the pack but sort of in the middle. As we all started off, I was passed by many people but soon I had established my pace and found myself even passing a few people. It's a great feeling to pass others and a not so great feeling to get passed by. You just have to roll with it. I wore my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Garmin</span> heart rate monitor so I could try to keep my pace in check. I didn't want to burn out before the finish AND I really wanted to finish strong. Oh yeah, the temp was in the low 50's -- perfect for running!</div><div><br /></div><div>The run started off over a bridge and then curved in a downward slope. What goes down must go up so I was mentally preparing for the fact that I was going to face that hill on the way to the finish line as the run was 3.1 miles - out and back. There were several water stops along the way but I carried my own water so I wouldn't have to slow down. Before I got to the turn around I was already facing the rabbits that had reached the half way point and were on their way back. I gave a nod of acknowledgment and of course, respect. I will never be the first runner in but I can certainly enjoy and admire those that are.</div><div><br /></div><div>I make the turn around and am feeling strong. I hit a relaxed stride and just settle in. Now, I am passing those that are still on their way to the halfway point. Some are runners and some are walkers. I pass the water stations and now the end is in sight. I come up to a couple who are running this race together. She is walking and running. I hear her say to him that she had wanted to do this 10k in 1 hour or less but now she is telling him that "just to finish" is enough for her. He agrees. I realize that many who have taken on this challenge have seriously miscalculated the challenge. I know that I have not. I regularly run this distance and I know the challenge I face.</div><div><br /></div><div>I pass this couple and up ahead I see the "HILL". Yeah, yeah... the brochure talked about the challenge of the hill and how "fun" it is. Well, I wouldn't go right to fun. I run hills all the time but a hill at the end of a challenge is generally not fun. I remind myself that success in running is mostly in your head. You can seriously talk yourself out of a successful run and you can seriously talk yourself into a GREAT run. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ok</span>, I can do this. I take it one step at a time. I decide not to keep looking at how much hill is left but to concentrate on each step. Sort of like living a successful Kingdom life, huh? Step by Step. Yeah, we still need to have vision but small goals go a long way in the road to success. Before I know it, I have crested the hill and am coming over the bridge. I get out my cell phone to call my husband who is waiting for me at the finish line. Oh, how I love how he supports my running! I promised to call him when I got close. Of course, now he doesn't answer his phone so I give up and just enjoy the run into the finish line. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hear the announcer say, "And this next runner is Shell Swift -- a great name for a runner!" Well, I'm not so swift but heck, I finished! People on the sidelines are clapping and cheering. Emil is there with his camera and I remember to raise my hands in the air as I cross the finish line in good sportsmanship fashion. The excitement and sense of accomplishment is unbelievable. I did it! Now, on to the next challenge.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-24075705641741635362008-05-12T16:02:00.000-07:002008-05-12T16:15:04.872-07:00Avenue of the Giants RUNI DID IT & IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! I ran the Avenue of the Giants in the beautiful Humboldt County Redwoods. It was a chilly morning on May 4th. Emil and played hooky from church (not really, everyone knew where we were at). <div><br /></div><div>There were probably 1000 runners there and it was the biggest run I have ever been a part of. I had some pre-race anxiety. Would I look like a neophyte? Would I be dressed like everyone else? If I carried water would someone think I was weak -- a dork? Haha! What torture our finite minds can put us through if we let them have control. I chose my favorite black and pink running skirt and the morning was so cold that I ended up grabbing my pajama bottoms out of my bag and wearing them. So much for looking like a dork. </div><div><br /></div><div>The marathoners and half marathoners went first at 9:00 am. The rest of us -- the 10Ker's went out at 9:30. My goal was simple: Run the race without having to walk at all & hopefully come in around 1 hr. & 15-20 minutes. Well, I did both. I ran the whole thing without walking and my time was 1:09:44 -- not bad for a slow runner.</div><div><br /></div><div>I actually had a few epiphanies along the way but I will save those for another blog. Pic posted at right. It was a great day!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-59051127835606346082008-04-30T18:29:00.000-07:002008-04-30T18:41:38.259-07:00"I feel the earth move under my feet..."WOW -- yesterday, April 29th at just past 8:00 pm we had an earthquake that registered 5.2 and the epi-center was 10 miles from our home! Boy did our home shake. Now, being from California I have been in a few quakes but this was the biggest I remember. Here is a <a href="http://www.federalnewsradio.com/?nid=80&sid=1395703">link</a> to an article about this natural event and our little town of Willow Creek.<div><br /></div><div>Now that we've gotten THAT out of the way I want to comment on the Avenue of the Giants 10k run that I will be in this Sunday. I am excited about it and a little nervous. Avenue of the Giants is a Boston Qualifier which means that there will be some very serious runners there. The run will be chip-timed and I have never been in a race that is that formal and technical. I can't wait! I will definitely post some pics and play by play after it is all over. Wish me well!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620075916599816740.post-37980752335522663422008-04-25T08:26:00.000-07:002008-04-25T09:03:47.339-07:00Share your PASSION!We host a class on the coast once a week. It's called an "Equipper's Class" and is made up of people who are seasoned Christians looking for ways to be out-of-the-box in their ministries and relationships. <div><br /></div><div>At the first of the year we asked each one to think about what their passion is and share that with the group. So each week, we hear from one person. Now, you might assume that each one is going to share on Christ but that's not so. Passion can be anything -- don't forget, we have Christ in us so He is already a part of any passion that we share. When a person shares, he doesn't have to speak specifically about the Lord for the Lord to be involved as He has a part in everything we do. </div><div><br /></div><div>One week, one of the ladies brought a collection of teddy bears. She creates the most amazing bears. When you look at one of her bears, you know that there's something divine in her work. She doesn't have to promote God -- God is already in the midst of the creativity of the bear. Where do you think the idea for each individual bear comes from? Can the beauty of each bear point the admirer to Christ? You bet! This perspective might be difficult for some Christians to process but not for those who are confident in their relationship with Him. </div><div><br /></div><div>1 Corinthians 2.4-5 </div><div><br /></div><div>Paul says: "...and my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."</div><div><br /></div><div>Do you see what that passage says? WE don't have to convince people of anything. THAT is the wisdom of men. However, when we let what God is doing in our life speak for itself, well, that is one aspect of the power of God. I would much rather have the power of God working through me than my own wisdom. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, share your passion and quit trying to attach God to it. He is already there. God wants to reveal Himself to others through us, we just have to let him out-of-OUR-box!</div><div><br /></div><div>~</div>PurelyShellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068106293342123488noreply@blogger.com0