Run the Race

Just your typical Tuesday...getting inked for the first time. This tattoo has been in the works for awhile now, and I can't believe the day has actually come and gone and I have my first tattoo! I have been thinking about this for a few months, and then literally "ran into" a girl in Utah while I was out for the Young Living convention last June who wanted the same type of tattoo which motivated me even more. A few months go by and then my friend Noelle gets her first tat (along with this girl Ashley I met in Utah within days of Noelle) and the motivation became real! Christian and I sat down one Sunday afternoon and designed what I wanted. Originally I was planning for it to be on my foot (appropriate, yes, for the symbolism) but three days before my appointment I looked up the pain of foot tattoos and read. Mistake...or not! I ended up making a pro/con list for my foot and forearm, and the arm won out. And let's just say, I'm in love. I am so happy with how it came out, with the design that Christian created, and the tattoo artist who basically copied it exactly as we wanted. He had one modification (which is great!) and said he had to add something to Christian's creation, hahaha. The artists at the shop were very impressed with Christian's work and I told him I think he has another career waiting for him on the side ;). My artist was also impressed with the size and location of my choice since it was my first...ha, I told him go big or go home, right?!

So, for the meaning behind my tattoo: the five dots at the beginning of the "r" are for my family. The abstract runner girl at the end, obviously ;) And the "run the race" from Hebrews 12:1 is so symbolic of my life, both in marathoning and everyday activity. We are only given one life and I want to live a life pleasing to Jesus, running the race He has given me with endurance. My kids know the meaning, Reid in particular has grown quite attached to it, and Gemma has asked Christian to draw a tattoo on her arm (as they saw him practicing on me before the appointment to make sure I would like it). I am looking forward to having the visual reminder on my arm, for the rest of my life, and also to let it be one more piece in my story and witness for Christ. Without further ado, here are the pictures of this very big deal in my life!