Ouch.

I smother my shoulders and neck with aloe vera gel, and I think, 'This kind of hurts, but it was worth it.'

I twist my torso and feel the aching muscles, and I think, 'Man, I'm really weak. I need to keep running with Mom in the mornings!' [But that's beside the point.]

It was SO worth it!

What was? Yesterday, I joined the Gilleys for a day of rafting down the Wenatchee River. The river is practically in my backyard, but it never crossed my mind to raft down it until, a few days ago, the Gilleys invited me over the phone. You can bet I was nervous, and perhaps with good reason [I fell out of the boat!], but I compare it to riding a rollercoaster -- exhilerating! Haha. So, would I recommend it? Yes. For everyone? No. [For example, I don't think my mom would enjoy it very much.] You can read a little more about our adventure on the river here, from Bek's blog.

Another ouch came today. It was seeing my dad in the hospital, which was also another first. He's doing well, recuperating from surgery and all, but still -- seeing the strongest person I know in pain - ah! It's hard.

While visiting in my dad's hospital room, our pastor joked that sometimes, if we ignore God's call to rest, He forces rest upon us. Haha. My dad laughed.