I care. And so I run.

For the short time that I've been running semi-competitively (aka. competing in 5k races), each new race was mainly a competition against myself, trying to run faster and to improve from the previous race.

A couple weeks ago, I sort of spontaneously registered for the Shamrock Shuffle 8k (March 21, 2010) with a few other people from my church. This time I'm running with more of a purpose. We joined Team World Vision to raise money for Haiti earthquake relief as part of this race.

The four of us from the left of the picture are all racing again in the Shamrock Shuffle (plus one of our youth group members too!)

So the challenges of this race for me are twofold:

1. It's the longest distance I've ever run (4.9 miles). I'm gradually trying to increase my endurance and distance over these next few weeks of training. I ran 4 miles last week, so I'll get there, but my goal is to just finish and not worry about my time.
2. To raise at least $200 as a team for Haiti. Right now we're at $130, but I really think we can go above and beyond our $200 goal if we all kick up our fundraising efforts a few notches.

Will you consider sponsoring us in this race to raise money for World Vision and Haiti? You can donate to our Salt 'N' Light Team or you can donate to me (but I've already reached my personal fundraising goal, so I'd encourage you to donate to the team first).

If you have questions about donations or the race, feel free to contact me. If you can't sponsor us financially, consider coming out to watch the race on March 21 (if you're in Chicago) or at least be praying for us as we train and run!

Once a Pug, Always a Pug

Tomorrow marks exactly six months after our first and precious pug, Jasmine AnnMarie (left), went to doggie heaven.

Losing Jasmine was like losing a family member of our family. She lived with us for 16.5 years so I basically grew up with her. Jasmine was at my college graduation (literally...sort of. She was staying at my college house while we went to the ceremony), she comforted me when I cried, she brought so much joy and laughter to our home, and she was the subject of many of our family prayer times.  Those six months of being pugless felt like so much longer! Those who have dogs understand that life just isn't the same without them.

This past Saturday, though, our family welcomed our new baby, Lexie Madison (right)! What a joy it is to have another pug in our lives! Lexie has been adjusting well to her new home and has already proven herself to be smart. She learned "sit" in two days (though she still needs some practice)!

At times I've felt a little sad because now I want to change my laptop background and phone background from Jasmine to Lexie. I almost feel bad because it seems like I'm pushing Jasmine aside and paying all this attention to our new puppy. I realize this is partially true, but I also know that Jasmine would probably tell Lexie what a great family she has now. Many people get excited about their dogs when they're puppies and when they're new and then get tired of the daily care for the dog. Not so in our family! We always loved spending time with the pug or just having Jasmine around. Although all us kids won't be home much longer, I know Lexie will be well-cared for by my parents.

Jasmine, though you're no longer physically with us, you will never be forgotten. All our great pug memories are from you and we wouldn't have gotten Lexie if we hadn't enjoyed the past 16.5 years you gave us. We'll never get another breed of dog. Lexie, we'll try not to compare you to Jasmine. I know you've already proven yourself to be unique and we love you too!

Our family never expected to get another pug so soon, but that's the way it worked out. I'm excited to see what other great things God has in store for 2010!

Jasmine loved sleeping. Lexie may be the same way.

Dog (or animal) lovers! Do you have any dog stories to share?

And the winner is...

I just used the random number generator to choose the winner of a signed copy of Cupidity by Hayley and Michael DiMarco. The number was 14, so after I just counted down the comments (skipping mine and Michael's responses), so the winner is....

JayeMarie!!

Congrats, Jackie! You can DM me on Twitter with your mailing address or email me at christywong(at)tyndale(dot)com.

Thanks, all! And be sure to check out Babble of the Sexes for more relationship articles and commentary from The Bachelor by Hayley and Michael!

Yes, I Suffer from Cupidity

I've been in a relationship with Gerald for the past two years and 3 months (almost), but I have to tell you--I suffer from Cupidity. What's Cupidity? It's stupid love. It's actually a real word that means "eager or excessive desire esp. to possess something; greed." I think that actual definition still applies to the word in terms of relationships. There's a picture of Gerald and me on the left, but ignore the creeper in the green shirt. Now back to cupidity.

Greed is selfish. It motivates us to do things--sometimes stupid things--just to get what we want. In relationships, most (if not all) of the problems come when we are thinking of ourselves first--being selfish. When we so desire love from another person, sometimes we may act stupidly just so we can have that relationship with the other person or what we think is love.

Months ago, I was asked to read an early version of Cupidity: 50 Stupid Things People Do for Love and How to Avoid Them by Hayley and Michael DiMarco. One of the editors here at Tyndale wanted the opinions of some of the people in the target age group for this book and I fit right in.

As I read through the manuscript, I had so many "ah-ha!" moments, some "Gerald does that exact thing. He needs to read this book" moments, and plenty of "Wow, I do this" moments. For disclosure, I will mention that I am working on publicity for this book as part of my job at Tyndale, but I'm writing this review because I truly believe that this message needs to be heard.

Michael and Hayley go through several types of Cupidity through the book:

• Emotional acts of Cupidity
• Mental (gender-specific) acts of Cupidity
• Physical acts of Cupidity
• Social acts of Cupidity
• Spiritual acts of Cupidity

Let me just give a few examples of how this book has pointed out acts of Cupidity in my own life. One chapter is called "Failing to Notice Him." I'd been told that men feel loved by feeling respected, but this chapter really helped to drive that point home. I know I don't always tell Gerald that I appreciate or notice the things he does--and being who he is, he'll let me know that. This can lead to petty arguments since sometimes I think I act more like a guy and want to fix problems or offer up solutions. But anyway, the DiMarcos stress the importance of telling your man simple words to make him happy like, "You are so strong. I love your big hands and your strong back." or "You're so good with cars, computers, providing, etc." They reminded me that as women, we need to stop projecting our desires and needs onto the men we love. They aren't women.

Hayley and Michael even give suggestions of seven ways to admire a man:

1. Tell him how well he did at taking care of something around the house
2. Compliment his abilities in front of his friends (I think this is a BIG one)
3. Remind him how safe he makes you feel when you are out together
4. Thank him every time he does something for you
5. If he corrects you, don't argue to prove yourself right. Just say, "Thank you so much for caring." (I need to remind myself of this one!)
6. When he has a win in his life, congratulate him
7. Never make fun of his masculine tendencies--appreciate them

Now there are other acts of Cupidity that I was enlighted to as I read this book, like having friends of the opposite sex, playing God (I think I do this without realizing it), not accepting his "kills," becoming too comfortable with each other, etc. You get the idea.

So whether you're single, dating, engaged, or married, I think everyone--women and men--will glean something from this book. I think its only problem is that the book doesn't look very masculine, so I doubt many guys would pick it up. It's pink and red, and even the font inside is red. This is why I gave a copy to Gerald and his housemates (3 other guys) when they moved in this past weekend. Hopefully they actually read it because it's so practical and helpful! Hayley and Michael write in a conversational style and lay it all out there. They've made their share of mistakes and they're helping us to not make the same ones.

I think everyone, especially people around my age--and even my high school teens in youth group, should read this book to help change the way a relationship now is going or to prevent relationship heartache in the future.

So I'm going to give away two copies in a random drawing on this blog. To enter, glance over the table of contents here (you can read the entire first chapter too) and post which act of Cupidity you need or want to read about and why. I'll randomly draw a winner on February 1 so you'll have the book in time for Valentine's Day.

Which act of Cupidity do you need or want to read about? Why?

Why I Run

It's that time of year where people make new year's resolutions to get in shape for the next year. This is pretty obvious when you go to the gym and the parking lot is fuller than usual. I'm still trying to get in shape, but I only have a couple main fitness goals for 2010:

• Complete my second SuperSprint Triathlon with a faster time than last year (54:52)
• Work to set a new personal 5k record under 25 minutes (or at least beating 25:10)

To help motivate those of you who think you could never run even a mile, I'll have you know that I never considered myself a runner. I hated running. In fact, in junior high, we had to do the mile fitness test and had to finish in under 11 minutes. I don't remember exactly how long it took me to finish the run (or in my case, run/walk), but I'm pretty sure it was close to 11 minutes. I have no idea how I came to be able to run 3.1 mile races, and with decent times.

So why do I run now? (and bike and swim)

It used to be mainly just to lose weight and to get in shape (it still is partially about that), but I also get a sense of accomplishment from completing each run or race. I'm also just amazed at how God created the human body to have this kind of physical endurance (an endurance that keeps on building as I train and work out). I never would have thought that I could finish a SuperSprint triathlon (375m swim/10k bike/2.5k run) or run a 5k. If you'd have asked me if I'd ever do either of those things years ago (even last year), I'd probably say, "No way."

My triathlon training also taught me that just as I was so willing (or could at least force myself) to wake up extra early to work out in the mornings, go to work, then do another evening work out, I should be training myself up in my spirtual life as well. Here is what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT):

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

More than training up my physical body that will not last (we're only getting older every day), I need to remember to be training myself spiritually, reaching toward that heavenly prize. If I'm disciplined enough to wake up at 5 AM to swim, I can also be disciplined enough to wake up a little earlier to read my Bible and pray once in a while. If I can head straight to the gym after work, I can have my quiet time be the first thing I do when I get home too. It's all about priorties and living in light of what we're striving for. So a struggle for me at times is not allowing my race training and working out to get in the way of my time with the Lord. That is far more important and precious. It has lasting value.

So in 2010, I want to reach those fitness goals (and eventually my triathlon goal is to do a Sprint distance triathlon). More importantly, I want to be more disciplined in training myself up in the way of the Lord. Can we all encourage each other to take up this last challenge together?

Dwelling.

I haven't done a very good job of updating my blog. I have lots of ideas floating around in my head for blog posts, but I never take the time to actually sit down and just get them out. I suppose it's a discipline just like everything else.


Today being Christmas, I did some reflecting on the Christmas story, but mainly over John 1:1-18. Having grown up in the church, the Christmas story becomes all too familiar over the years, and, I'll admit, loses some of its significance in my life.


But after doing an in-depth study on the Trinity this past semester in youth group, I have a greater awe and appreciation for what God did when he sent his One and Only Son to this earth in the form of a baby. 


In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning...¹⁰He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹²Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³children born not of natural descent,^[c] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
 ¹⁴The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,^[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth...¹⁸No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only,^[e][f]who is at the Father's side, has made him known. - John 1:1-2, 10-14, 18 NIV


It's so clear in this passage that Jesus, whom God sent, is God--God in human flesh. This is obviously very Trinitarian language. The part I've been focusing on is verse 14:

 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

In the Old Testament, God dwelled outside Israel's camp in the Tent of Meeting. He was far too holy for the Israelites to live in his presence, so he lived near them, but away from them. The Hebrew word for dwell was "to tent." So literally, God tented himself outside the Israelite camp.

God so desperately wants to be in close relationship with us, that he decided to become one of us (The Word made flesh) and sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to be born on earth. Jesus was both fully man and fully God, a concept that can be so difficult for us to grasp. So now the Word "made his dwelling among us" [emphasis mine]. God no longer simply lived near us; now he was among us--one of us. That just makes Christmas all that more amazing when I think that God loved us so much that he became one of us just to be near us--that's some real love right there. Jesus was God born to die to reconcile us so that we could be blameless and perfect in God's sight--made holy so that we could be with Him. 

Then Jesus ascended into Heaven after his death and resurrection (something he had to do), so that the Father could send the Holy Spirit to dwell in each believer. It blows me away to see how God's amazing plan to draw us closer to him has been in action since the beginning of time. I just never realized it to this extent until recently. 

First, God dwelled near us. Then, God dwelled among us. Now, God dwells in us. 

Jesus' first coming was highly anticipated by the Old Testament believers (just look at all the prophecies). And now we are to be eagerly anticipating his second coming. That's what this Christmas season should be reminding us of--just how much the world anticipated the coming of this Christ-child. Our anticipation for his return should be at that same level, but oftentimes I think we forget about what we should be looking toward. God is dwelling in us right now so that we can carry on his work--his perfect plan--to bring all people to know him and to make him known. 

I'm excited that the passage for the Urbana Student Missions Conference next week is this John 1 passage as well. The theme is The Word Made Flesh. This has been like my theme for the year...or at least this second half of 2009. I still can't believe I never realized how the entire Bible fits together! I'll talk more about that later in another post where I can share how excited I am to be doing publicity for Phil Vischer (Creator of VeggieTales)'s new DVD series, What's In the Bible?

So recognizing that God is now dwelling in us and that we should live in anticipation of his return, does that change the way you're living today?

Thankful Tuesday

Thanksgiving is two days away and it seems like the world is forgetting that fact. Christmas decorations went up right after Halloween and some radio stations are already playing Christmas music (I think that should be illegal to do before Thanksgiving). I know retailers are all into making the most of the shopping days before Christmas, but what about the part where we remember to give thanks?

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul tells us to "give thanks in all circumstances." Well, let me show you some circumstances where we've been giving thanks.


Last Friday, our youth group, Salt 'N' Light (more affectionately known as SNL), had our annual Thanksgiving Potluck. I'm so grateful for all the parents who cooked and prepared food for us!! Their support of us in youth ministry is priceless. 

I'm also thankful for our student leadership team that faithfully attends Sunday afternoon meetings and volunteers their time and energy to serve others. Here's a picture of JLowe (that's his nickname) and Boyi serving drinks during the dinner.

I'm thankful for the teens that came & who attend our youth group. Without them, this ministry would be nothing!

During our program, we had a time of worship. We have to remember who the Giver is! Then we had an open mic time of sharing. Another thing I'm grateful for is the youth and parents who got up to share about God's goodness and provision in their lives.

I'm also very, VERY thankful for my fellow youth counselors: Pearson, Gerald, & Tiffany. We're a great team and I'm blessed by their wisdom, insight, and friendship. We don't actually have a picture of just the four of us, so sometime we'll have to take one!

Most of all, all the glory and praise goes to God for making any of this possible. He is the Giver of all good things and my life would be a complete mess without Him.

I'll post more things I'm thankful for during this Thanksgiving week. :)