Lessons from Lake to Lake

So some of you may know I ran the Lake to Lake relay with my brother in March. It was really hard but it was probably one of the most spiritual experiences I've ever had. I found so many parallels between running and the gospel. Here are a few:

• Study the course: yes they gave you a map for a reason...even though they do give out awards for the team who was lost the most....its not a good thing


• Study the scriptures: We have been given guidance and direction and do not need to face the world blindly....and I highly doubt you'll get an award for being the most lost.


• Stay on the course: There is only one right way to get there....follow the marks on the path


• Hold to the rod: Life is much easier when you hold tight to the rod


• It's not necessarily bad to stand out: So I ran this race dressed as Princess Daisy and my brother was Link form Zelda...yes I ran the whole thing in a dress, princess gloves, and a crown. We also had every team out there cheering for us.


• Stand a little taller: As members sometimes we get nervous of what others will think of us but it's ok. We are a "peculiar" people and that's awesome seriously check out the foot note... we are a "purchased" people...how awesome is that. God loves us he bought us back from sin through the atonement. It's ok to be peculiar.


• Follow the old guy: so...if you read my previous post you will have read this little tidbit already...seriously though they have been doing this for 60+ years....they know what they're doing


• Follow the prophet: He also knows what he's doing. He has been given the power to receive revelation for us. He will never lead us astray.


• My parents love me: My mom should seriously get an award...she took on the nasty duty of massaging in Icy Hot on my leg halfway through the race...and she also had the elixir of life...an ice cold diet coke...and my dad will always be there for me he was there when I didn't think I could make it


• God loves all His children: God loves us. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. My parents knew that it was hard for me to do what I was doing yet they didn't let me give up on it. So it is with Heavenly Father, of course He knows that what He asks of us is hard to do, but He also knows our potential. He knows who we can become and He will never give up on us.


• Keep your phone handy: So when I run...usually on longer runs I get really discouraged at some point and need to call someone to get a little cheer. Keep a phone handy


• Pray: God hears and answers prayers. He's always there. So I said that my dad was there for me when I didn't think I could make it...the last 3 miles were torture...I was exhausted and it was in sand and gravel.... I had gone 24 miles already and was spent. But my dad drove alongside me encouraging me every step. God is constant...when we need Him most He will be there.


• We can't go it alone: So I ran this with my brother. He promised me that the last mile he would come run in with me. The mile wasn't any shorter because I had my brother to run me in but it was infinitely easier to have that support.


• Take His yoke upon you: Just as my dad drove out to bring my brother to me. God sent His Son to be with us. We will still have trials and we still have to do the work. Taking His yoke upon is doesn't mean that things will be easy. Things will still be hard but with God nothing is impossible.


• No DNFS: This is my running mantra... DNF stands for Did Not Finish. I will always finish the race. I may not finish first, but I will always finish.


• Endure to the End: God wants finishers...that phrase was posted on the door to UVU Institute and it has kept me motivated through a lot of different runs. We are here to prove ourselves, that we can weather the storm. That we are truly dedicated. It will be hard but God will never give us anything that we cannot handle.

I can't describe how amazing it felt to cross the finish line...I can do hard things.