We Can’t Live In Fear…

It’s been a few days since the tragic theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado.  Hours after it happened I was glued to my phone, looking for updates, thinking about the victims and their families.  You see I had been looking forward to seeing “Dark Knight Rises” for months.  As a storyteller, I really appreciate movies that are produced, shot, written and edited will.  Though “The Dark Night” was a dark film, it was well done and I assumed this one would be the same.

As the storyline of the Colorado Theater shooting developed I felt like I was watching a scene from the movie.  I was horrified to think about anyone who was in the theater at the time.  It sounded like a scene I’d never want to witness anywhere but on screen.  Then I started to be filled with fear.  I thought about how I wanted to see the midnight showing, and how it could happen other place and how this guy was giving others the idea.

For almost an entire day I was consumed by what had happened in Colorado.  I began to fall into the trap of fear.  And then I realized that the message in the Batman movies is to love live in fear.  To not let the “bad guys” cause us to worry.

After the shootings, I thought about not going to see the movie.  I thought it would be too hard to see.  But then Sunday evening, Scott and I went to see it.  It was hard to watch, knowing what happened in Colorado.  And I found myself on high alert every time someone stood up or moved or coughed or did anything.  I couldn’t watch the movie without thinking about what happened.  BUT I watched anyway and I tried to enjoy it, knowing that’s likely what all 12 victims would have wanted.  I found a quote at the end of the movie, ironically summed up what I was feeling.  It said something about how we can’t fear death and instead hope for good.

So go see Batman, spend time with your family, go visit a park or nearby attraction. And don’t live in fear that someone will attack you or your family.  Doing that would only let the “bad guys” win.

 

 

 

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Color Me Rad: The Most Colorful 5K In The World

There are few times in life when we get the chance to go against everything we’ve ever learned. Sunday, July 9th, Scott and I got that chance. I’ve never been one to completely and willingly destroy my clothes, shoes and possibly hair. Color Me Rad 5K is what they call it. There are others similar, on called The Color Run. But Color Me Rad is pinned “the most colorful 5K in the world” and it’s pretty awesome. The idea is you run a 5K (wearing all white) with no real attention paid to just how fast or slow you’re going. Every so often you come upon a color station and the Bomb Squad throws color at you. By the end of the race you’re covered in color. It’s like human tie dye or community art. Either was a blast and it was all for a good cause. In this case it was for Special Olympics. And the crowd proved to be generous. They hoped to raise $15,000 and according to Facebook, they went through 3,000 pounds of color.

At the end we were covered in all kinds of color.  The picture give a little perspective.  You’ll notice Scott has a GoPro on his head. Well, as you can imagine, we don’t go long without documenting the adventures we have, so there was a video from our day:

If you’re wondering how it all came out, because let’s face it, it kind of looks like we’ve been dyed with permanent ink, their website says its: “non-toxic, non-rash-inducing, Kroger branded, colored corn-starch. Subsidized by the government and processed in the good ol’ US of A, these blasts of starch will change your color, and your demeanor, but never your level of wellness.”

It came out of everything. Though our white shirts are less white than before. And we haven’t quite figured out how to get it out of the shoes, we decided to run in old shoes anyway.

All in all, it was the most fun 5K we’ve ever ran. It didn’t feel long and even though I think it took longer to run because we stopped to get color, it didn’t feel long. The best part was the end, not because we were finished but because everyone gathered together and threw color packets into the air to make one giant COLOR BOMB.

So whether you’re a runner, a clean person, or looking for an adventure, I recommend you check out Color Me Rad or Color Run nearest you. I’m all about adventure and I’m all about letting loose every once and awhile. And I can’t explain entirely how amazing it is to run through a race and come out a piece of art. It left both Scott and I feeling happy…and we had a blast in too.

3 Months Down, Forever To Go

Yep…it’s been just over three months since I walked down the aisle and said “I do”.  And ever since then it’s been quite the adventure.  After our honeymoon, we were digging out of wedding gifts, thank you cards and feeling the love and support even weeks after it was all over.

Once we dug out of all that, then began a six-week marathon of travel.  Weddings, reunions and everything in between.

First, I went to Vegas for a bachelorette party. I was there for literally 36 hours. Flew in on Saturday morning and left Sunday afternoon. You see I didn’t have any vacation time, so I had to plan the trip around my days off. The trip was great and I decided two things: 1) Vegas isn’t really my scene and 2) I’d like to go back with Scott and some friends and experience the dining and entertainment. This trip was mostly about clubbing and laying by the pool. Neither of which I object to. 😉

After Vegas, the following weekend we headed to Des Moines for the Ready’s annual Home Brew Biatholon. It started with a morning of golf with my new brothers:

But the weekend wasn’t about golfing…it’s actually one of the best weekends of the year. Scott’s dad gets together with a bunch of his friends, who just happen to brew their own beer. Everyone brings their family, drinks beer and enjoys some good ole BBQ. It’s a blast. And this was my first Homebrew as an official Ready. I must admit it brought me a lot of joy!

Above is a video recap of the event. It was fun! There was also a bouche ball tournament. We lost…but who cares. 😉

The following weekend, Our first wedding was Troy and Justine Rabbett. It also happened to be my birthday weekend. 26 years of life have been wonderful and blessed.

Remember, I am a storyteller, so I had to capture video of their first dance.

Their wedding was beautiful. And it was so great to see two of my friends get married. I watched them grow as a couple when I lived in Dubuque and I can’t think of two more perfect matches. That wedding was in Spillville, Iowa. Quite the town. We spent the evening in a bed and breakfast. WE kind of felt like we were staying at our grandparents house. haha. But it was a great weekend. Perhaps one of the highlights of the night, playing softball in the field by the reception, in dress clothes. After the wedding someone turned on the lights and we played softball, drank beer and had a blast. It’s was a first and it was awesome! Continued prayers for the Rabbett’s as they begin their married life.

The following weekend, another wedding and Father’s Day. This time it was the wedding of my good high school friend Abbie and her now husband Josh Barta. It was also a blast. Great to catch up with old high school friends and teachers. And the highlight of the weekend was seeing my husband scream the words to “Call Me Maybe” on the dance floor. I’m pretty sure we hardly left the dance floor that night. 😉 It was a blast. And yes I shot video of that wedding but I haven’t put it together yet…because I’ve been too busy.

The following weekend Scott and I directed a week at CAtholic YOuth CAmp. And that, I will save for another post. What a summer it’s been so far…what a fantastic three months it’s been. Still praying that God shows us a direction…all the while trying to live in the moment and enjoy all that we’ve been given.

That is all for now. I feel like I’ve caught you up on our lives…and I feel so much better now that I’ve written a blog post. Let’s see how long that lasts. Because I really do have a lot to write about (CYC, covering some tough stories, and a few other random topics).

Until next time (sooner rather than later) enjoy your week…and enjoy my typos. 😉