OOG - (*only on Guam)

“In friendship...

we think we have chosen our peers. In reality a few years' difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another...the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting--any of these chances might have kept us apart.

But,
for a Christian,
there are,
strictly speaking
no chances.

A secret master of ceremonies has been at work.

Christ, who said to the disciples,

"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,"

can truly say to every group of Christian friends, "Ye have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another." The friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out.

It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others.”

― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

I would NOT have survived my first year on Guam without Sam

These two ladies started my running obsession;
little did they know......

My first EVER race - the Perimeter Relay - April 2011

Was SO nervous about my baby's first school change -
he had been in the same school for kinder-2nd
God blessed him with THE BEST teacher EV-AH!

What kind I say about the BEST Boonie Stomper on this island..
Thanks for showing me parts of Guam that I would have never
seen without your friendship Barbara!
YOU ROCK!!!

Thank you God for the amazing women that you placed on Guam while I was here.

Thank you for their spirits,

their strength,

their beauty,

their laughter.

I also thank you for their weaknesses,

their tears,

their honesty

It makes them REAL

Our amazing wardroom....

We spent many great times with these people

OH MY GOODNESS...this lady
so much more than just the "Peacher's Wife"
Love you Terri!

and Vathleen and Sue....

I don't even know where to start to explain my running buddies....

this girl.... never a dull moment :)

Perimeter Relay team 2012 - my one year anniversary of running!

This is Jaime
I think the most amazing athlete I have ever known personally
She continued to push me to get better and go ALL OUT
to be one TOUGH COOKIE.
love you jams!

Anita - knew her hubby as a single guy - and so loved spending so many
holidays and birthdays with this, now, family of 4

My sweet Bethany - the world's greatest example of what it means to love unconditionally -
she has loved and loved and loved foster children that have come and gone.
and she keeps putting her heart out to each one with 110%
and cries when they leave....

Jingle Bell 5k -December 2012

Seriously, these are STRONG, AMAZING, ENCOURAGING women...
I have enjoyed every 5K, 10K - training run - all of it with these ladies

Guam International 1/2

Harvest 5K

Amanda - te amo mucho mi amiga
you always encourage me!
THANK YOU!

THE BEAST - 60 mile relay

my smoking hot mother of 5 friend...
Jane Jones
She is so talented in so many ways
she swims, she runs,
she sings, she home schools....

The chic moved into my friend Anita's house -
I didn't want to like her, but she too amazing not to love!
And good grief - she's fast!

My praise team buddies at Bayview Church
Love these ladies too!

My bestie -
even in my dreams I can't keep up with her!

Don't come to Guam as military and just hang out with the military -
cause you will miss out on some great friends
LOVE ME SOME LOCAL GALS!!!
thanks for sharing your island with me friends!!!

Sole Sisters - Cross Island 10 miler - January 2013

In an effort to become a better runner, I read a few articles about cross-training.
My friend Jaime invited me to join her work-out buddies.
I agreed to try it and for REAL - I was sore for the first 3 weeks solid.

BUT...the good news is:
Not only did I become stronger
I did become a better runner
and I made some new friends as well

Some of these ladies are like me -
trying something new with a fitness goal in mind.

And some of them are -
CRAZY, FREAKY STRONG
like a NINJA!

So impressive!

The cool thing is: they aren't arrogant about it...
They are encouraging and helpful.

In only 6 short months -
these ladies have become a great support for me in addition to my running gals

Lockwood Crossfit - March 2013

Lockwood Crossfit - May 2013

And now that I have cried for 30 minutes putting these photos together....
One more shout out to 9 of the most amazing runners on this island

FOR REAL!

Girls Gotta Run Perimeter Relay team - 10 strong - April 2013

It's that time again..... DRONGO season!

See my previous post about those crazy birds --- here

Gearing up for my 4th (and last) half marathon on Guam on Sat. May 25th.

Ramping my mileage back up and cross training as well.

Lots of things lately have been my "last" - it's so bittersweet.

My last Perimeter Run - click here.