Thankful!

Psalm 100:3-4 ESV

"Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!"

So many things to be thankful for. Family, friends, having work, a roof over our heads, food on the table, etc. 

I'm mainly thankful for all of the necessities being met in our lives. There are many things in life that I want but don't need. I want a Bose Surround sound in my den to tickle my ears with sweet music when I get home. However, I don't need it. There are speakers on my TV that can give me the sound I need. I want an iPhone 6 but my 4S is doing just fine. Those things don't provide for my family. Don't get me wrong, if I happen to be blessed with those wants I'm praising the Lord for it! If I don't ever have them, I'm still praising the Lord.

1 Timothy 6:8 ESV

"But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content."

Knowing that God is blessing me and my family with the basic needs in life gives me much comfort as a husband and father. Contentment with what God gives us is key. Also, contentment  to give to others in need that do not have the basic needs. This is what I want to teach our kids. Work hard for everything that you have. Have faith that God always honors your hard work, especially when you do all things with complete integrity. I pray this for my kids, grand kids, and generations after us. Thank you Lord!

God's Path is not Always Our Planned Path

I've learned something in the past 3 years. We never know where God will place us. I started this blog a few years ago because I had a passion for running and music. After our 2nd child, Brynley, was born that passion has slowly faded. Am I happy? Well... Yes. I'm happier than I have ever been. Not because I stopped running. I'm happy because I have experienced God answering prayers and leading me and my family into a total different direction in life.

I was a band director in the public schools for 9 years. I loved teaching the kids and was very successful at what I did. However, I was not happy because the demands of the school system took me away from my family. I then accepted a job in sales after my career in teaching. I have to say, being a salesman is not who I am. During those years I was the Orchestra Director at our old church. God then did something that I didn't see coming. He led me to The Ark Church where I am working as the Associate Worship Director. I've always had a passion for ministry, I just never though that I'd be in it full time. Full time music at that. I praise the Lord everyday for our church! Everyone has a true heart for spreading God's Word and serving the needy in our community. I've been a part of church for a long time but never a church like the Ark. I'm excited to see what the future holds. All I can say is that when you are living according to God's will, He will provide you with a life of abundance. Not so much financial but Spiritually! Thank you Lord!

John 15:5

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

It's been way too long since I've posted. I've had some great running moments & some moments of not running. Life tends to get in the way of things you like to do. Being a band director & orchestra director at my church, I find myself engulfed in work. Also, & most important, being a loving husband and father takes up umuch needed time.
There are things that I've had to put on the back burner & this season of my life it has to be running. As a musician, December is our busiest month. Playing gigs, running rehearsals, planning and performing concerts takes a toll physically and mentally. What should be the happiest month turns out to be the one I want to get over with quickest. Praise God that He gets us through it!
We will be heading to Salt Lake City soon and I pray that God will grant me the time to get back on the trails running. It's funny how a different scenery can motivate you to go run. For me the mountains are my biggest motivation! Praying that God gives me the motivation.

Nick

Starting to Feel the Addiction of Life

I'm starting to feel like I NEED to run. During the week I think about it constantly and yearn to go to any destination. Lately, concerts have been consuming our lives. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and that i get to educate young people on how to become great musicians and human beings. I can not trade that in for the world. At the same time I feel that I have to release myself outside of the music world and focus the other part of my life that makes me happy.

I'm very blessed to be able to have such a wonderful wife who introduced me to the sport of running 8 years ago and supports me every time I go out there. Our prayer is that our children will share the same passion for music and running or sports in general.

I feel the 5 things in life that mold a person are these 1. their relationship with God. 2. Their family. 3. Healthy relationships with friends and strangers. 4. Music. 5. Sports.

All of these have helped me stay focused in life. I can't do anything without God's grace. I can not be the man I am without my loving wife, son, and next child. I feel full of joy when I talk to my friends about any issues and especially when I meet new people. I feel we can always make a difference to others, especially if you don't know them. A smile and hello can change a persons minute, day, or even life. Music targets every emotion of the soul. Happy, sad. angry, etc. Sports, whichever sport you choose, can clear the mind and cleanse the body. I have never ended a run and said that I would never do that again. The opposite actually happens. I try to go further then the time before and push myself harder.

This in tern brings out the competitor in me that God puts in everyone. Everyone wants to win at something. Some are good at winning and losing and some have a sour attitude about both. It's all perspective. I just pray that I always have the right perspective and I can be able to teach others the same!

Foot Injury (Neuroma)

So I went to the foot doctor last week because of a pain I've been feeling. It all started a month ago when I stepped on a stump during a run. I felt this pain on the bottom of my foot for two weeks. After that the pain ended up transferring to the top of my foot, between my 1st and 2nd toe. 

The doctor wasn't 100% sure that was it but we will find out. The doctor was almost insistent that she give me a shot on the foot to numb the pain. What I didn't tell her was that I'm afraid of needles. I ended up talking her into letting me take ibuprofen instead. It worked! I've rested my foot since last week and it is now starting to feel better. Still sore but time will tell. I'm hoping that this pain subsides so I can start running.

Finding Time

Another long week just finished and I find myself without a day to run. With contest, rehearsals, church, and spending time with my wonderful family, I had no time to get out. I ended up working 14 days straight and more mentally run down. Don't get me wrong, I did dream about running the trails all week but time got the better of me. Lord willing, I will have my time tomorrow. I am, however, scared that my legs will not take me the distance I really want to go. Either way I will run it. Even if it means that I have to crawl back to the front door of my house. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Find A Time to Run

With my regular job and church job it is really hard to find time to run. I've spent the majority of my 8 years running on the road or on the pavement of a really nice park. I pulled in some good miles and enjoyed runs the majority of the times. I really have a run that I dream of now. Trail running. Runner's World Magazine and various books I've read speak much about trail running but I never thought of actually running on trails. This morning, while I was driving to rehearsal, I past up the trails and was yearning to get out there and run again.

After rehearsal I had the pleasure to run a little bit of the trail with my brother and what a treat. I usually run by myself but to have him run with me gave me the chance to show off my new "toy," "place," or whatever you want to call it. Hopefully I can bring more people with me! I love the outdoors and love seeing God's creation in front of me. The smells, sights, and sounds can not be replaced by anything man made. In saying that, I'll be dreaming of my next run on the trail!