AM~Erica PR'd

So anyway...

After I've mostly gotten over the BLACKLIGHT RUN DEBACLE, I was not about to give up running.

Well, I've been looking forward to a particular race coming up. Why? I was looking forward to a particular 5k to get a PR! What's a "PR"? It stands for Personal Record.

A Personal Record can be for several things:
Time
Pace
Distance
Miles Accumulated/(week, month, year)

There's several things you could set a PR for.

Well, I had been running long enough (in my mind) & trying to make some progress in my journey. I felt it was time to try to strive for this PR:

Run 3.1 miles in 30 minutes.

I have been so close a couple of times. I've been close on a training run, and even by guesstimate on the Blacklight Run...but wanted it to be official-official!

So, I've been working on running hills.
I've been working on distance.
I've been working on fartleks.

I've been reaching quick spurts of fast paces.
I've been hitting some pretty big inclines & descents.
I've been working on longer distances.

Though I have a super secret formula to a PR (because it's worked before), I will say the final step of the non-mathical equation is the tutu.

When you get a race shirt with your race packet, there are 2 camps on whether to wear the race shirt during the race or not. I am strongly in the camp that you EARN the shirt, so you do NOT wear it during the race...it comes anytime afterward. So, it stirs my creativity as to how I can stand out in a crowd, and still be part of the theme of the race I'm running. I then get my brainy-brain working to come up with an appropriate cosTUTUme to wear! (like some of these ideas HERE)

This 5k I was looking to PR happened today. It was the De-Feet Hunger 5k Run/Walk. It's a 5k race put on by the Heartland District of the Missouri United Methodist Conference to benefit Harvesters as a part of the conference's set day for SERVE 2014. It's an awesome ministry!! You can check it out HERE!

Well, since we are doing this race to benefit this food pantry, and since I didn't want to wear the amazing race shirt yet...I had to think. But I had to make a very quick decision! I thought our church was going to have some shirts done up for our church folks to reflect a theme we are officially unveiling this week...but we are beginning the sales of the shirts this week. So I couldn't work with that shirt like I originally thought.

So...what could I do?

I settled on soup.

Not to eat while thinking...but to actually create a cosTUTUme around the iconic Campbell's Soup label!

I found some shirts out there that I was hoping to get my hands on. It was a no-go. I also wanted to find a Campbell's Soup costume! Halloween is coming & there are stores with costumes out...so I went looking. Since I've seen them in stores before & have seen some online, imagine my disappointment when I couldn't find ANY! I would have no time to order, either! I only had a day by the time I realized I needed to change gears.

Well, I had to rethink some things...I had to pretend I was crafty.

With the Campbell's label still being so simple to this day, I figured it wouldn't be too difficult to recreate!

So...I set out to find a couple tanks &/or camis, think about what fabric paints I already had, and then work from there.

With a red cami I cut off to be worn over a white tank, this is what I came up with:

I stared at an image of a Campbell's Soup label. I tried really hard to even do the lettering as closely as I possibly could.

The gold seal was just going to be plain since I didn't feel comfortable with recreating the picture on it. So, I left it solid & eventually wrote "SERVE" on the top half of the circle & "2014" on the bottom half of the circle with black Sharpie.

I tried seeing what it would look like with the tutu...

I was actually getting pretty excited!!

I also knew it there was going to be a fabulous fall-like chill in the air during race time, so I pulled out some stirrup running leggings I have, along with a long-sleeve running shirt...both in a dark silver. I thought it might do pretty well representing the can.

Here's how it looked on race day!

Oh...you see the black mark on the back of my top in the picture on your right? I added a barcode....

And I went out with several representing members of my church to run/walk this race! And I ran it!

You know what? I felt GOOD! My pace was faster than expected, but I could talk to other runners who might be running beside at the time, or even cheering other people on that were on the other side of the course, whether in front of or behind where I was at. I could thank those volunteers who were helping to block traffic & yelling encouraging words!

And, a large portion of the race was at an ever-so-slight incline. Thank goodness I've been working on hills! It didn't seem like much to me. But I'm sure others were not doing so well with it.

But, nonetheless, I was shocked with myself! I wondered if I was going PR...

Then, once I figured out I was going to MAJORLY get a PR, I crossed the line like any other tutu'd former ballerina/hardcore dancer should:

That's right. With a grand jete'!

Why? Well maybe in my quest to get a 30 minute 5k, this happened:

Yeah...my official time was finishing in 29:19!! I totally SHATTERED the 30 minute thought! Like...by a lot!

When I did my very first 5k, the Park Trot, I couldn't believe I finished in 31:52.
When I did the Firecracker Flight, I knew I'd have a turtled time with a big hill of 35:30.
When I did the Royals Charities 5k, I felt pretty good about my 31:33!

But...look at that time up there!! I thought I might get down to 30 minutes...but had NO idea I would get this!!

What a day!
Not only did I set out to PR, do my necessary formula to try to insure it, but shattered it. Hardcore.

Not only that, my hubby did amazing by finishing 4th overall & getting 2nd in his age division! He got his own PR, too!

Oh...and most of those pics I have were taken my Teen Girl. Why? She came home from college for the weekend in hopes of helping get some pics of our church folks during the race & meal packing afterward. Well...she was actually approached, WHILE we were there, to be the official photographer for the race!! They gave her a press release & she did what she could to snap some pics along the way. She did GREAT!!

Also...Teen Boy was taking his ACT while we were at the race.

And Lil Guy did an awesome job sticking with his big sis during this race stuff!

So, a treat was called for:

Oh yes! Doughnuts & coffee! Pumpkin doughnuts, pumpkin latte, regular coffee, apple fritter, warm & fresh glazed doughnuts, cinnamon buns...mmmmmm....yeah....

Don't judge. We'll be heading back this coming Friday for their Talk Like a Pirate Day promotion (past promo HERE)

Later on, I could start feeling my PR setting in: soreness, fatigue, tightness, yet elation!

Worth it! Cuz I PR'd! BOOM! *Mic Drop*

And I should bring up the almost 20 folks from our church who did the run/walk, plus several others who volunteered! A couple during the race, and several more to pack meals afterward!
Oh! Our church can also claim the 1st place finisher for F 10-19, 3rd place finisher F 30-39, 1st AND 2nd place finishers M 40-49! So proud of our group!

More to come...

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Believes if They Can Dance it...Then You Can

So anyway...

Most folks know, but some may not, that I have been a dancer most of my life. No...it doesn't involve metal poles or dollar bills. I'm talking tutus & tap shoes! And in the last few years, it's evolved into something else...more of a ministry.

I don't dance as much as I used to, but I do like to choreograph for church settings more now. I have reached out to get kids & adults moving in the last few years...and I've actually had to use layman's terms. Many of my dance folk would be disappointed to know that I've forgotten most of my correct terminology for steps...but I'm getting people to find movement to praise! That's amazing to me!

Now...I try to recruit folks, too. But I get a whole lot of, "Oh...you don't want me do dance." Then it's followed by some vague or lame excuse. So...I share this story with them:

~~~

Back in 1995, I was asked to return to my high school to be the choreographer for the chosen musical that year, "Pippin"! And for those quite familiar with the story...don't worry, it was made appropriate for high schoolers to do.

Now then...thru the audition process, I got to look at everyone doing the dance moves I gave them & got to select my own dancers if they weren't already chosen for a major role. So that was really awesome! But then I got word that I would have some extra choreography to do. That was not an issue for me & so I excitedly agreed. And then I was told this:

"Well, you should know that who we have selected to be Pippin is a bit uncoordinated."~ OK...that's fine. I can work with that...

"Oh...and the one we've chosen to be the Lead Player is...legally blind."~ Um...O....K...

So, I had some work cut out for me, it appeared. But we worked really hard & got thru it! And I was so proud of my new dancers! Then, at the glorified dress rehearsal...you know, the "show" before opening night...which was also "family night", I sat behind the mother of the Lead Player. I couldn't wait to watch her reaction! But it wasn't what I thought it was going to be...
See...the guy playing Lead Player conveniently left out the fact that he was going to be dancing when talking about the show to his mom! She burst into tears...and she turned around hastily & weepy to me & said, "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME HE WAS DANCING?" At that moment, I burst into tears & said, "I thought you knew!"


That's my story I tell possible recruits. Because if those guys could do it...YOU CAN TOO!!

~~~

I put that out there since it has to do with what I saw last night...

Believe it or not, I am not a fan of 'Dancing With the Stars'. I don't have the draw to it like many do. And people are shocked when I tell them that. I am a fan of 'So You Think You Can Dance'! That's a show of pushing skilled dancers...and that's what I love to watch! I have gotten so much inspiration from that show...especially in my liturgical dance ministry! Seriously!
However...due to some weird things with our TV last night...I just didn't know what I'd end up watching at that point & ended up switching over to DWTS, reluctantly. However...I came across this right here:

Chills. Tears. Amazement. One of the most beautiful things I have ever watched. Seriously.

 It also reminded me, not only of my own choreography experience, but also when this showed up a couple of years ago on SYTYCD:

More chills? More tears? More amazement? I would hope so! Because this is so incredible!

Folks...do you see a pattern here? If you have the passion to share this gift...then DO IT!

Moving into what I do as my calling, I began the Faith Movers Liturgical Dance Ministry. It began when we lived in St. Louis. The Faith Movers StL is still going under the direction of my very good friend, Crazy Mar! We have had dancers as young as age 8 all the way up to around 70! Yes...you read that correctly. Usually a lot of youth (grades 6-12), but it did expand into regularly having ages 30's-50's. And I loved bragging about my 68-year-olds (yes, plural) who would join right in! There is video of all of us wandering around on YouTube somewhere. When I find them, I will update this post so you can see what is possible!

 *** UPDATE *** 

Here is the video of Faith Movers StL doing Baba Yetu for Pentecost 2010 (ages 12-68 at the time):

   

***               ***

Now that we are back in KC, it's been slow to get the Faith Movers ministry really going. But I have a small committed few. And I am hoping to build on it! I do get really frustrated when I get the same excuses as listed earlier in this post. Then I share my story. But my newest excuse was about "being too old". Um...one of my steady dancers, currently, just celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary recently. Think on that one! I did get to pull in a few extras for what was supposed to be kind of a flash-mobby deal...but it was like a surprise small group since I had several back out at the very last minute. But...here's what Faith Movers of KC did for Easter morning:

I have heard that it has gotten some others charged up! I hope so! I would love to continue to grow this special ministry.

 And...if you've paid attention to any part of this post...well... ...if they can do it...YOU can do it!

NO MORE EXCUSES!

Stay tuned... 

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica's Open Post to OMM & JCP

So anyway...

I want to talk about JC Penney & the marketing changes the company has made recently. For quite some time, the company was a parallel to Kohl's in their overall set up. But now a brilliant change has been made all the way around. I applaud the changes.

There was another change up made, too - choosing Ellen DeGeneres as the spokesperson.

This is an exciting & genius choice. She is very recognizable, fun, wholesome, does so many good things, and has quite a reach to a wide array of people. She's big on honesty & kindness to others. So, this brings me to something that upsets me very much:

After the announcement of Ellen being the JC Penney spokesperson, One Million Moms (OMM) has gone on a rampage about this. This is supposed to be a group of Christian mothers trying to make the world a better place...but...they have really fallen off. They have become a group that make those of us who are Christian look really bad.

I have been following this group for quite some time because they were focusing on important things. In the last several months to a year, they have gotten so many things oh-so-wrong. And the media is letting them have a platform of hatred and bullying.

They were once a group that were trying to keep things cleaner & more family-friendly on our screens & advertising. Now they are urging people to take a stance against another of God's children. I find this so disheartening.

(Sorry, here comes a cliche')
I have several gay friends. (Yep, I went there.) Whether I agree with what they do or not, it doesn't change my friendship with them. I look at them as a person, not a sinner. We are ALL sinners. And by pointing out what is so "wrong" about ANYTHING someone else is doing, we are throwing verbal stones.

We are all human...and...we are all God's children. However, as humans, we have this bad habit of judging others when it is not our job. God has the last word on each of us.

There are groups out there who try to make their verbal stoning OK as a ministry. It's sad to see & think that they consider what they do "ministry". When their mission becomes hate done in God's name, where is this OK? The crusades were wrong. And it's sad to see these modern day crusaders trying to make a mark & making the rest of us Christians look bad. Somehow, society begins to lump us all together. The idea of "convert, or else" is awful. We need to live out our faith & convert through our own actions. People should want what we have in our hearts, not be made to feel like they are going to be forced into a faith like a hostage. That's not right.

I am going to circle back around now to let my thoughts on this situation be known. I am a Christian woman, a wife of a pastor, and I believe in true ministry. Even if she doesn't realize it, Ellen DeGeneres does good ministry. She is inspirational & makes those around her feel good. She inspires me. And I believe in her ministry in the world more than the so-called ministry of OMM.

People out there, OMM needs prayed for. Especially if they view their ministry as being OK. I see it, at this point, much like Westboro Baptist's ministry. It truly is verbal stone-throwing.

I also am happy to be a JC Penney customer & have been very pleased with ALL of their changes. I will continue to go there, as well as my family.

Ellen will speak to people as a whole. She is not going to go out & wave a big rainbow flag for JC Penney & tell people that to shop there & be gay. Does that sound ridiculous? Of course it does! She doesn't do it on her show. She doesn't do it just to do it. She talks about uplifting people. She has fun. She believes in the positive.

I love Ellen. I love JC Penney. I love this partnership. I watch Ellen everyday. I am a JC Penney customer. I can no longer stand behind the OMM movement. And I would like each of you to stop & ponder as to which set of actions has been more Christ-like.

Seems to me that it would be Ellen that is the epitome of The Golden Rule.

Keep it up, JC Penney! Keep doing what you do, Ellen!

And I am going to close this post with the way Ellen closes her show daily:

"Be kind to one another."

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica is Inspired (and reminded)

So anyway...

As a dancer & choreographer, it is amazing what inspires me...

I did my signing of scripture yesterday, and people asked me how long I've been signing. This is too funny since I learned the 14 verses in an hour on Wednesday. But, I had a fabulous teacher! People would be amazed at the way it flowed; I have been amazed watching Debbie (my ASL "teacher") doing her signing, and how easy she makes it look. I got thinking how beautiful it would be to incorporate it into some interpretive dance. My mind is racing!

Then, my son, Ethan, has been talking about this freaky "Elvis cat" that sings in this freaked-out play. He was referring to the Rum Tum Tugger from "CATS". Ah, CATS...the dancer's musical; the one that every dancer wanted to be a part of when I was taking classes growing up - the pinnacle of plays, the benchmark of what we all wanted to be as dancers & performers. Ethan had me watch the Rum Tum Tugger song on youtube this evening...then I had to start watching several scenes...amazed by how each "cat" moved so beautifully & gracefully. My son was so sweet to tell me I should be in that play - however, if I did & moved the way they moved at this point in my life & fitness level...I would need a paramedic @ every show.

It did stir all kinds of thoughts in my head...the grace & energy of "CATS", the beautiful flow of sign language...

I think God is letting me know I need to get going on my dance ministry...

Oh...on a side note: I have a little more voice. Maybe a couple of sheep have returned from the flock. I'm still searching for the rest...

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica