The Skin I'm In-Shining The Light On Melanoma: 7 Day Countdown to 26.2

"Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart." Psalm 26:2 NASB

So, how cool is this verse?! Not only is it fitting that it happens to have the numbers 26:2 but read it over and over...."examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart." David's desire was to have the inmost part of his soul searched and examined by the Lord...his mind and his heart tested. The scripture goes on to say in vs 3 "For Your lovingkindess is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth."

During Worship this morning, as the band was playing "made to thrive" by Casting Crowns, I was overcome with emotion. I began to cry as I sang the words with thanksgiving to God for all He has brought me through. Scripture tells us to put on the full armor of God so that in the day of battle we'll be prepared...we don't know what might be thrown at us in this life but we have to be prepared to fight.

"Here In this worn and weary land where many a dream has died
like a tree planted by the water we never will run dry

so living water flowing through God we thirst for more of you
fill our hearts and flood our souls with one desire

Just to know you and to make you known we lift your name on High
shine like the sun make darkness run and hide

We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives
It's time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive"

As I sang the words to this song, I thought about the 12 months I endured chemo...I thought about the days I didn't want to get out of bed...the days my bones hurt just to walk or get myself dressed...I thought about the memories of my baby girl that I can't recall because of the brain fog from the cancer treatments. I thought about my friend, Joe, who passed away from the beast, Melanoma. I know most people don't understand or "get" why I run or why I would want to run "that far" and that's ok...I never dreamed I would have the desire either. In fact, this time last year I was running my first 1/2 marathon (13.1 mi) and the pain I felt at the end of that race made me say "there's no way I could ever run a full."

It's funny how things change...I met this crazy girl who said it would be a good ideal to run 26.2 miles together... "we'll do Hal Higdon's 18 week training plan" she said..."we'll get a group together" she said...."it will be fun" she said... "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17. We are definitely stronger together! There's no way I could've made it this far without them and God pulling me through. The marathon is so much more than a 26.2 mile race...as a matter of fact it's taken a total of 434.4 miles training since the end of June to get us to that starting line. "We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives It's time for us to more than just survive.......

WE WERE MADE TO THRIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big thanks to the 5KC, my sole brothers and sisters, my friends and family for all your love and support. Please keep me and all the runners in your prayers as we set out to run 26.2 miles next Sunday at 7:00a.m. Here are some pics from various long runs and races during the past 18 weeks. #Showingcancerwhosboss
#MUMTraining
#stacyhigdontrainingplan
#runforGod