The Blog in which we discuss Half Marathons and the book I am reading ...

You might be asking yourself, "What exactly is a marathon?" I know is where a bunch of crazy people get together and run a lot. Sort of. Buckle up kiddos, Mel is going to give you a history lesson.

A marathon is a race that is 26.2 miles. The name Marathon comes from the Battle of Marathon that was fought way back in the day before your great grandpa, Greek times. It is from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger. He ran from the battle to the and burst into the Senate and said "We won!" (In my head it was much more redneck than that, don't ask why). After he made his exclamation, he died. So, now those of us who are crazy run 26.2 miles for fun.

I am only half crazy, so I want to do a half marathon. I will run 13.1 miles! I will not die, but I will eat pancakes when I'm done. Why? Because I don't eat them now because they are so tasty I eat like 20 of them. However, after a half marathon, its ok. I am sure you are asking "Mel, why do you want to do this? Are you crazy?" Um... yes? I want to be able to say I did it. Oh, and I will do it. In April. That is the Eugene Half Marathon. That and you get a medal. Who doesn't want a medal? Medals are cool.

Now on to something much more serious, reading. I am reading a book about Dietrich Bonhoffer. He was awesome. Even if you aren't a christian you would still respect this man. He was one of the few Germans who refused to be Hitler's sheep. That and his theological works are AMAZING! This man had a love for God's word and has a knowledge that I can only dream of. I love reading of his love for scripture and how he calls out the church for losing site of it.

His commentary on the church in America in the 1930s is spot on today. How it is all topical feel good nonsense. How we don't preach the gospel. I think that when I am done I will have to dedicate a few blogs to Bonhoffer. His mind was sharp and when the Nazis executed him the world lost a truly great man. However, what he inspired in those around him was truly astounding.

Here is to hoping that when I get to heaven I get to have pizza and beer with him and the apostle Paul. That would be epic.

Nothing to deep tonight, but just whats been in my head. :)

What I learned in Seattle

I was blessed to have been chosed to attend the Next Gen conference that my company puts on. This conference is for those that management has seen potential in and wants to provide them a way to learn what they need to move up in the company. When I was offered the job I have now I was just so grateful for God's provision. Sometimes I feel bad that others have been out of work for so long and I got the first job I applied for. God's hand was in this whole job thing, that is for sure.

Now, I spent Monday (Oct 31) to Friday (Nov 4) in Seattle, WA. I was in the company of upper management, the president and CEO of the company, and one of the owners. I learned that the people who own our company truly care about it's employees. Our benefits are some of the best I have ever seen. In fact, I get PAID maternity leave. I have a 401K that is matched pretty well.

We were given the chance to learn about generational differences. I now understand why my boss and I don't quite agree on how to do things. I also understand why people younger than me can't see the beauty that is The Princess Bride. Here is to hoping that their children will understand the epicness of ROUS'.

I also learned that they all can drink. I have never been where there has been an open bar on the company tab. That's right. Your's truly enjoyed beer on the company dime. Now mind you were are the hotel, but still. I'm pretty sure the bartender made bank off of us.

The highlight of the trip was Cougar boy. We had to introduce ourselves and he stated that he liked hunting cougars (as in big cats). Now being the adults that we are we totally made fun of him for hunting "cougars." Then, to top it off he was trying to put the moves on an older lady at the bar. I had to leave I was laughing so hard.

All joking aside, I have a new appriciation for the company I work for. They are the only one in our industry that has a program like this. They are also the only company that I know that does the right thing because its the right thing, not because the right thing is in their budget.

Now that I am home, I can focus on other things and will have another post soon. But I just wanted to let you all know I have an awesome job.