Stephen and Jodi Parker Family
We can do hard things!
It was 15 years ago today that I returned home from my 2 years of service in East Texas. Time sure does fly by, I remember on occasion as a missionary thinking the two years would never end. They were definitely the best and hardest two years of my life, I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I seldom have a day I don’t think about memories of mission life. Good times, Priceless is the best way I can describe it.
Last night Jodi and I witnessed a modern day miracle. I have to share it so I can give credit where credit is due. I was working on our email server for work when a bug in the software caused me to accidently delete all the exchange mailboxes (Email, calendar, contacts) for then past 10 years. I was stressed to say the least, this has never happened to me before, I was at a loss of what to do.
Jodi kept saying it will work out, you will figure it out. I didn’t have that much faith. After awhile (should have done it first thing), I knelt down and said one of the most fervent prayers I ever remember. I pleaded for help and guidance. It came, my prayer was answered, I was able to find a recent backup that was still in tact and restored it all night long, then I replayed the log files between then and now to get the missing email items. It worked, I have never seen that process work but it went flawless. I was shocked and yet somehow felt like I knew that the Lord would help me. Not even one email was lost. I found out in the morning that Jodi said a prayer for me too so that must be why it worked out. She has more faith than me she prayed first thing. I have witnessed up close and personal a Tender Mercy from the Lord.
"That soul who on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not I can not desert to his foes." – (Hymn # 85 – How Firm a Foundation)
We are in awe of the many times the Lord has been aware of us and our needs. He never leaves us alone, we just need to always remember where to find Him. Prayer really works. We testify of it.
Monday, August 03, 2009 9:01:26 AM
Thank goodness for righteous wives. I am glad it all worked out for you. Prayer is an incredible source of help.
Monday, August 03, 2009 8:56:27 PM
It’s so amazing how the Lord cares enough to help us in ways that aren’t directly accomplishing his work in the church. What a cool story. I guess the Lord knew Microsoft would publish buggy software! 🙂
Saturday, August 08, 2009 1:49:43 PM
Last Saturday I ran the dreaded 5 mile run up the grueling Sunnyside Road Hill. I made a goal long before evening starting to train for the Marathon that I wanted to run up it in 45 Minutes or 9 Minute mile. That doesn’t sound like much when I am training on the flats and can run 6-7 minute miles fairly easy. It is a whole different game when you have to run up 2000′ vertical feet in 5 miles. I thought I was going to explode my heart was beating so fast, my legs were gone (I think that is because I installed 80 yards of carpet, vinyl and a flight of stairs two days before with just a knee kicker). It started off pretty smooth I thought it would be fine, but that hill starts steep and just gets steeper and steeper.
About 3 miles into I kept thinking any time now I will get in the groove and it will get better. It just kept getting harder, I chose to wear my pump as well because it worked great in the marathon two weeks ago. But I found out that the pump is only good for moderate work outs, when it is extreme the pump is the enemy. It was a great relief and boost when Mason came and ran with me for a bit, I wish he would have ran more I needed the help. I kept looking down at my GPS to make sure I was under the 9 minute mark, I was doing good until 3 1/2 miles into it. I was giving my all but my legs were gone, my back was hurting me, my lungs felt like they were bleeding. I slowed to a 9 1/2 minute mile, then to the sinful 10 minute mile. I was out of gas, I was getting low on blood sugar so i had to tell myself the new goal is to not walk once. I kept that goal and kept pushing myself until I pushed farther and harder than I ever remember. This was much harder than the 26.2 miles a couple weeks ago. I was so close to just stopping, and walking, I mean what difference does it make? It wasn’t like I was getting paid or an award if I made my goal.
1 Mile to go now, I can see the finish line but this is the steepest part yet. I kept thinking about what our team experienced in the marathon, when Diana lost her knee and just kept pushing through the pain. I kept pushing her and pushing her to keep going, little did I know I would eat my words today. 1/2 mile more, I am getting light headed I can see floaters and stars in my vision, my hands are starting to shake uncontrollably. I need Trevin and now with is IV of Glucose. 100 yards to go, I see Mason and Lex and start yelling honey, honey, get me some honey. Jodi comes to my rescue and walks me back to the van to give me the nourishment I need from honey and juice and fruit.
So what difference does it make? I ran harder than ever on this hill, I ended up just over 45 minutes by a matter of seconds. What difference does it make? It makes a big difference! Knowing that no matter how hard it gets I can keep plowing. My destiny calls and I go. I do it to show my kids, I can because I try.
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Man of La Diebetico strikes again in his determination to conquer the body. With you, your mind/determination will always win in the end! (Sometimes it’s good to listen to your body though- just for future reference!) 🙂
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 11:01:08 PM
Way to work through the pain. I am impressed. Great Job. Keep some honey in the pocket next time and the story may be even better. You are quite the brother.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 8:25:07 AM
Way to go! Sounds like you powered right through it! If it were me I would be running 12/13 minute miles and felt proud! Way to conquer some demons and rely on your WILLPOWER!
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 10:11:14 PM
holy cow-that sounds like the monster hill. You know you are pretty much a bionic man or something. Thanks for showing that we can overcome hard things.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 10:22:10 PM
Monte said you were like the Bionic Man and he was right. Be careful though you only have so many moments like that before your body says no more. ‘Take it easy’
Thursday, July 02, 2009 9:28:47 PM
I think your ready for the Sawtooth, great analogy that is what I felt like on that mountain pass
Tuesday, July 07, 2009 4:36:01 PM
test
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Mason and I snuck out of town this weekend to head north and enjoy the outdoors for our own personal Father and Sons outing. We missed the ward one because we were at little red. It was a blast, we stopped by Dave’s IGA on the way up for some day old mashed potatoes and gravy, hard to beat 50 cents for a good meal. Then we headed straight for the Jefferson trail head, we wanted to bike out to it. We found put pretty quick that we were a month too early as there was still at least a foot of snow covering the trail. We chose instead to bike to the top of Sawtelle, and check out the view from there. It was a pretty good little workout biking up hill at almost 10,000 feet. We made it and enjoyed the view, but headed down quickly because of the cold windchill on top.
We made our way to the cabin on the hill where we had some good old fashioned chili. We lit up a fire and headed north again for desert at what used to be called Arrowleaf Ice cream, it is called Mooseberry now. That was well worth the trip, Mason and I ate our ice cream as we walked over to the Playmill to get some fudge for Mom. As we were finishing our ice cream we looked at each other and said let’s get another one. So we split a large for round two, they just don’t make them big as they used to.
We had to work off our indulging so we chose to bike down the ski hill and back up the hill again. That was a serious workout, it started to rain just as we came up the last switchback, that was perfect motivation to hurry into the cabin. We stoked up the fire again and roasted some marsh mellows, then hit the hay. On the way home we stopped by the big cabin and like clockwork Mason was scouring the ditch banks for frogs. He found and caught quite a few, and we saw a school of tadpoles which made him excited for the future of frog catching. Good times. He said he can’t wait to do it again with Grandpa when he comes home.
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Sounds like a great father and son campout. Brrr! It does look cold, good thing you could warm up at the cabin.
Sunday, June 21, 2009 10:33:04 PM
Grandpa is pretty excited to make it a three generation outing. That sounds about as fun as anything I can imagine. Good job!
Sunday, June 21, 2009 11:25:52 PM
Today was the big day, we ran the big run 26.2 miles. It was a great day, the weather was perfect nice cloud cover and cool. I have to admit the training really did pay off. It is so much better to run a marathon having prepared for it. It was fun as always to chat with the other runners and glean from their excitement. I have fun finding the person in front and targeting them as a goal to pass next. Today we had "pinky", "little blue", "greenie", and "jalepeno" to name a few. It was such a fun experience to be able to run with Jodi, I would have never imagined her and I doing this together. What a fun memory to reflect on in the years to come.
We are happy to see couple having fun together. Making great memories.
Sunday, June 14, 2009 12:27:54 AM
Good job Stephen- I am pretty sure you are a bionic man or something. Thanks for the inspiration.
Sunday, June 14, 2009 3:30:36 PM
That Pinky shot makes me laugh! Thanks for the good times, you truly were an inspiring coach!
Monday, June 15, 2009 8:51:58 AM
Once again I am proud to say you are my brother, thanks for your positiv eoutlook on life and it’s challenges! You are pretty cool in my book never forget it!
Monday, June 15, 2009 1:08:29 PM
Stephanie surprised Jodi and I with a little gift bag for our run on Saturday. I was really touched by her thoughtfulness and the time she took out of her life to do this for me. Words can’t express how it made me feel…it was simply awesome of her. What a Sister. Thanks Steph it really hit the spot, can’t wait to try my new socks on for the run.
We ran our last training run this morning, it was a short 2 mile run. Seems strange that we have to rest for the next 3 days until the huge 26.2 mile run. It reminds me of waiting for the great rain storms you can see them coming, but right now it is just as calm as can be. I still remember the last time I ran a marathon I said never again that was stupid. But here we are again. If it doesn’t kill me it will make me stronger…so they say.
Soak in the calm and eat your fruits, vegies, and carbs! I will be cheering for you from a far!
Thursday, June 11, 2009 10:08:14 AM
I here it might be stormy Saturday. I hope not. I wish I could be there to cheer you on, next year I am going to do the relay so I can cheer you on for part of it. I will be running with you in spirit at 8:30 for 5k. Have fun and be aware of your sugars. I told Trevin to make sure the paramedics are good ones. See you Saturday at the park.
Thursday, June 11, 2009 12:55:19 PM
Enjoy the calm. You might just enjoy this one a little more as a result of the training. This will be a fun thing to talk about for the rest of your life. May the Spirit be with you both.
Thursday, June 11, 2009 3:03:23 PM
I still think you are loco!! But I am sure proud of all my siblings and their accomplishments. I will be there in spirit too we have our youth conference this weekend…i might sneek away to come give you all high fives!!
Thursday, June 11, 2009 4:39:27 PM
Coming out of Holley Gulch
Today Mason, Alexis, and some of our friends headed up to Kelly Canyon for some sweet mountain bike action. We drove quite a way up the canyon then headed down the Holly Gulch loop, from there we shot over to table rock campground and began the ascent back up the the main road. From there we headed up the east side of the ski resort and then shot down the face. That was a blast. There were quite a few good sized rocks so you had to be careful not to get bucked off. We parked the 4-wheeler at the lodge and Lex and I zoomed back up to get the car. Here is a virtual tour of the ride. It was I think the funnest thing I have done for months. I can’t wait to do it again, have to get the boys to do that for our retreat this year.
Sweet riding guys! You guys have no fear like your dad. Mountain biking is so much fun, I am glad you guys are starting out early! You will have to teach my kids.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 8:27:44 AM
Very cool! Thanks for sharing!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 3:16:45 PM
Nice videos. Keep up the hard play.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 3:32:34 PM
Burrr
This morning Mason, Grandpa Baldwin and I set out for the annual fisherman’s breakfast in St. Anthony. We left here around 6:00 and then stood in line for about 2 hours in the chilly 38 degree morning. It took us about 5 minutes to eat our food and then we were headed home again. Makes me wonder if it is really worth the wait. It was great food but boy that was a long cold wait.
 That is one big batter mixer |
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Looks like a great time. The only thing missing is the fishing pole. Add that and I may be sitting next to you guys next year.
Friday, May 22, 2009 10:41:24 PM
Maybe next year we will modify the tradition and have breakfast on our patio behind the house and talk about fishing and summer fun.
Friday, May 22, 2009 11:09:38 PM