Sometimes i think my brain literally leaves my body. For instance, yesterday i had the brilliant idea of running 16 miles. (my math was wrong and i did 15.4) oops. (I told you my brain literally left my body) (ignore the widget my runs got separated because i hit the end a few times instead of play and when i uploaded it i uploaded that one last so it says 3.99.) Well after running 15 miles i feel as if i was literally beat with a bat. Every bone, tendon, and muscle in my body hurt. I'm not exaggerating, you know when you see that cute little old lady who walks by shuffling because she can only move her foot about 6 inches forward. Well, I'm that little old lady. The first four miles my calf's were so tight and painful that i almost quit, but i sucked it up and it got better. Now, I'm pretty sure my left achilles tendon took a beating though. oops! I've been contemplating if i should take this week off and see if it gets better or just suck it up and try too keep going that way if it doesn't then i can get the dr. to check it out in a few weeks.
I promise there really are joys of running. Yesterday when I ran the sun was setting on tempe town lake and the bridge's lights against the blackened water was just beautiful. And in the distance the city lights and mountains. It was so pretty. One of the reasons i love to run so much is because i feel as if I am in my own little world. Often i get so wrapped up in living life surrounded by everyone its nice to have a couple hours where its almost as if this is your world your living in rather than just sharing a space with so many other people. It is so relaxing to me to get into my own mindset.
So another exciting note, I got to see something from ... for the first time in 22 months. Yes i know its kinda crazy, but it made me so happy. I was literally freaking out on BONSTER! No the note was not to me it was just a general thing he had posted but it had a lot of meaning to me because it dealt with the death of his brother. I still remember him getting called out of class to find out his brother had passed away. I remember the moment of silence, seeing him cry for the first time, going over to his house later that day. Watching him come back to school with the stares and sympathetic faces people would give him. I remember watching him play in his first basketball game after that. But most of all what i remember is how strong he tried to be for his family. I don't know if its normal for me to remember all of this, but I do and it has left a major impact in my life. In fact i have rarely i mean rarely written in a journal but i have probably 100 pages just on this subject in my journal.
It was also great yesterday because i ran for about 3 hours i had plenty of time to think and with today being Easter it was so great to reflect upon the Savior. A couple years ago we were challenged to memorize the living christ. I am so grateful for that, because it now means more to me than it ever has before. Plus i am able to recall it (at least most of it) at anytime, like yesterday during my run I just kept thinking about it and what it meant to me. I know it is long but it is worth the read. I have changed font of some of my favorite lines.
The Living Christ:
As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.
He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.
He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.
We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.
He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).
Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).
Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).
We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).
We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.
We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.
The First Presidency
January 1, 2000
The Quorum Of The Twelve
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