how to become a runner

    (via pinterest)

If you're a home schooling girl like I am, and you aren't really into sports, but you want to do something, this post is for you. Actually, this post is for anyone who wants to get into running. You don't have to be serious about it, but maybe you just want to be able to run a mile (or maybe 6 miles) without fainting. Here's a few tips I've learned over the year or so I've been running. Note: I am no expert. I'm just sharing some tips that have helped me, but they might not exactly work for everyone.

ONE) Start out slow. I know lots of people say push yourself, but when you're first trying out, don't make it harder than it already is. Let's say you've never run before. Don't just tell yourself you're going to run a five miles everyday. Start out doing something like 3 miles a week, and walk some of it.

TWO) Make running fun. Don't make it something you dread everyday! I know, running is hard. Sometimes you do have to just force yourself to get out the door and run. But try really hard not to make it a burden. Trust me, it helps.

THREE) Sign up for some 5K races once you're used to running. Even if you can't run the 3.1 miles without stopping, it's still fun! There are normally prizes and it's great to meet other people who run too.

FOUR) Find somebody to run with. You don't know how much this helps me. When I'm running with my dad, I always run faster. But when I'm running by myself on a little country road, it's tempting to stop and walk! It's also nice to run alone, but try to drag your sister or friend out to run with you once and awhile.

FIVE)Warm up and stretch before running. I'm not always great with this, but I try my best. It's so good for you just to jog lightly for five minutes, stretch for five, then go for a run instead of just taking off..

SIX)Find a place to run near you that isn't completely isolated, but try to avoid busy streets. Running alone in a strange neighborhood isn't the best idea. Listening to music on busy roads is also dangerous.

SEVEN)Get some good shoes. Even if you're not really serious about running, or you think they're too expensive; please get some good running shoes. I got a pair this week, and they help so much. Also, all the running gear isn't completely necessary. I just run in an old t shirt and shorts.

EIGHT)It's okay to walk. It's okay to take a break. Don't wear yourself running too much. I think there are two kinds of runners. The kind that don't do enough, then the kind that are too hard on themselves. I'm afraid sometimes I'm way too hard on myself if I skip a run. It's okay, just move on!

A 'bad' run is better than no run. Running will get easier, it just takes some getting used to. Lace up your shoes, grab your ipod, and get out the door! Running has given me time to think through my day, given me more self control, and even if it isn't always true, I think it's fun.

Let me know if you have any more questions, or feel free to give me some advice too.

In Christ,
Kendra

ps: thanks for all your nice comments on the last post. I like the design too, but no, I did not create it. The lovely Hannah did. Don't you think she did a great job? ;) 

to change the world

the winner of the giveaway is lindsey. congrats! you have been contacted. 

People are small. We are weak, we break down in tears sometimes, we all will die. But we can make a difference. There have been many people who have changed the world. 

How? I wonder. I don't want to be known because I tortured people or killed thousands. And yet I don't even want to be known as the person who was a success or was beautiful on the outside. I don't even want to be known in this world if that means all the glory goes to me. I want to stand out, but that doesn't mean I want to be popular. I want to be known as the woman who was on fire for Christ. Not the beautiful woman, not the woman who did good deeds. Sure, I want to do good things for people. But not so I'll be popular.

 I just want to reflect Christ, someway, somehow. It's hard. I hope Jesus shines through me. I really, really hope He does. But the more I go on this journey, the more I seem to find things that I'm missing out on, things that need work. I'll never be perfect. Yet I can still try to show Jesus. 

this week

They say you learn something new everyday, so I'm sure you can learn quite a lot in a week. Sometimes I feel like I need to sit back and organize my thoughts, just figure out where my life is really going. If my goal for this life is to reflect Christ, then what are some things I need to let fade away so I can draw closer to Him?

I'm so glad Jesus is someone you can rely on all the time. How many times in the past week have my emotions changed? One moment I'm feeling excited for a test, then I miss half the questions. In seconds my happiness fades, my attitude changes. But Jesus is the same today, yesterday, and He'll be the same forever. His emotions towards us don't change just because something good or bad happens.

I've learned this week not only to be content with what I have, but to be grateful for what I have. Sometimes I ask myself, "Well if I had a better camera this picture would turn out nicer. Really, I have more than enough money. Why don't I just get a nice Canon Rebel?" 

But for some reason, I feel like God wants me to wait, to learn to be happy with using mom's point and shoot. I mean seriously, how many people on earth even have a camera to use? 

I've learned that I have to take the time to allow Jesus to work through me. I can't just expect Him to teach me everything if I don't even set a time to be together with Him. 

I've also learned that Kentucky weather is insane. One day it snows and freezes. The next day the grass is green and it feels like July. Heelloo? Winter, where are you? Please tell me you're gone forever and not just hiding out somewhere. 

I've learned that the grass sometimes is greener on the other side. Even when the grass looks like mud on the other side. Wanna know why? 

Our neighbor said I could run up his long driveway as much as I wanted (thank you thank you Mr. McCoun!), but there was a "cow path" I would have to run through. At first I thought it would be no big deal, until I reached the cow path. The cows weren't the problem. They ran for their lives (I know, one runner is extremely scary compared to 30 meat cows). But the, uh, cow waste? It was everywhere. Like mud. Knowing me, of course, I held my breath and ran right through it. I was not too clean looking when I arrived at the house, but oh it was worth it. There's this little path that curves through the hills after the cow path, and goes around a couple of old barns . . . ah. Much better than running on a boring treadmill or watching for cars while running on a busy road. Even if you do have to wade through a foot of cow dung. 

Well, I'd better go. School awaits me, and I'm thinking I need to take some more pain medicine for my mouth (trips to the orthodontist aren't always fun). 

love you all! 

Kendra

ps: my siblings will not pose for the camera and just act regular. 

uh, Max's face...

faces.

via pinterest

I stare at the rows of faces, searching into their eyes. I copy their features into my thoughts, so I can ponder on them later. I step out into the hall, they brush past me. Some laughing, some frowning, some with no expression at all. They are all hurrying, rushing, hurrying. I look into their faces once more. Each one has secrets, troubles, joys. Each one has a story to tell.

I wish I could know each one, I wish I could love each one. I wonder how I can impact their lives, I wonder what they will do with their lives.

Each one has a story to tell. 

of scribbles & drawings

 (for jessica)

For almost as long as I can remember, I've loved doodling and drawing. When I was younger I always carried an art journal around, and I still have most of those art journals now. It's so much fun looking back at all of my thoughts and pictures, even they're far from perfect. 

I realized that it had been quite awhile since I've actually kept an art journal. Okay, I'll draw in it every week or so, but it's not enough. I've decided to take a thirty day challenge and draw something everyday. So with a pencil, pen, lots of inspiration, and an old notebook in my hand I went outdoors and drew. I still need to freshen up some on my skills, but it just felt good to let all my thoughts out into art. 

Which of my drawings is your favorite? Do you like to art? 

postscript (cause I can't have a post without a ps, right?): my sisters are the cutest. 

refreshed

I become bored rapidly if I do the same things day after day. I'll switch and change around with my goals. One week I strive to read as many books as possible, the next I'm all about running 20 miles or such in that week. If I tried to run 20 miles every week, I'd surely become sick of running and not complete my goal.

My relationship with Christ is developing into a extra part of my day, a little extra part of my life, not all my life. What happened to the times where I was so encouraged by those around me? Why don't I want to get up in the morning and talk to Jesus, to read His word?

It's because it's my fault. I don't realize how great God really is, and how much love He has for me. It's not His fault, because He's not giving me an 'on fire' feeling or the desire to get spend time with Him. I should WANT to spend time with Him, I'm blessed to be able to serve Jesus in the small ways I can.

"Behold, these are but the outskirts of God's ways,
and how small a whisper do we hear of Him!
Who can understand the thunder of His power?" 

{JOB 26:14}

"God's steadfast love endures forever."

{PSALM 136:12}

“It is about the greatness of God, not the significance of man. God made man small and the universe big to say something about Himself.”
{JOHN PIPER} 

"The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you with His love;
He will exult over you with loud singing."

{ZEPHANIAH 3:17}

But Jesus looked at them and said,  “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
{MATTHEW 19:26}

If you're like me and have grown up in a Christian family, those verses can become just plain blah. You read them over and over, and they loose their meaning. I'm beginning to look at God's word in a diverse, more searching way. Letting all those words sink into me makes me all excited about Jesus all over again.

-- Kendra

birthdays galore

I've always loved ice cream and never been a big fan of birthday cake, so I had the biggest bowl of ice cream for my birthday. It was almost melted because of the candles, but that's okay. Guess what? I got away with putting an extra candle on the cake ice cream. Nobody noticed until I had already blown them out. That means I'm sixteen now, not fifteen, right? 

Anna was normal and made herself a delicious carrot cake with cream cheese icing. I told her that in this picture (above) she looked like somebody just gave her an engagement ring. She got really mad. 

ps // this is why I'm praying about getting a new camera. 

bad quality pictures are not my favorite. 

Do you have a favorite meal you like to eat on your birthday? I had ravioli and salad. yum. 

douceur de vivre

via pinterest 

// sweet things in life //

- smiles 

- french phrases 

- presents 

- birthday wishes 

- hugs 

- lunatic horses

- blue skies

- songs like you lead

- early morning talks with Jesus

- sketching willow trees 

- reading to Nehemiah 

- mint ice cream 

- four mile runs without listening to my mp3 player 

- posts like this 

- singing in my room at the top of my lungs 

- watching football (or not really) with friends 

- my sister's laugh 

- cameras 

- movie nights 

- listening to the radio 

Birthday Post- By Anna-Faith

If Kendra would have her dream birthday I'm pretty sure this would be close to it.
Oh, And please post happy birthday comments on this post and her facebook page.

Okay, so she'll wake up and start her day with some delicious Cinnamon Rolls & Hot Chocolate.

Then she would read her Bible.

Cause, she loves Jesus so much.

Then she would take a five mile run on the beach.

She would be surprised to see that she was running two times faster than most of the time.

Then, you knowing how to drive go to the book store and when you get there you see your favorite band Tenth Ave North.

You talk to them for a while then you browse through the book store and you find out that all the books are free.

Then you go and meet your friends, Hannah, Bonnie, and Rachel at Chick fil a.

Then you go with them to see the Hunger games movie.

Then you go to Shelbyville horse park and go trail riding.

Your are so tired, so you go home and see that your room look's like this.

And when you look around you see that on the desk that there are ticket for tomorrow's trip to Africa.

*********************************************************************

Kendra: I hope you have a great birthday and a great birthday every year.

I see that every year you are getting a lot closer in your walk with God.

I wish you so many good years,

oxoxoxoxoxoxo,

Your sis Anna