So today I started getting back into the mix of things. I had a good practice and am looking forward to my preparation for this year’s outdoor season. Outside of track, I have decided to start Liturgical Dancing! I had my first class this evening at the Shammah Dance & Art Academy in Raleigh, NC (http://sdaacademy.com/). For those who aren’t familiar with Liturgical Dance, it is a form of Praise & Worship done through dancing where you offer your body movements and spirit to God. It allowed me to put my spirit in a place of peace and positive energy. I want to allow God to use my body as a vessel to allow others to be touched by Him. I am really excited, especially because as a sprinter I am so used to aggressive and sharp movements and this allows me to understand letting go and letting things flow.  I’m thinking I can learn to use this feeling when I’m running as relaxation is a weakness of mine.

 Also, I am honored to say that I will be the speaker at Edison High School’s Graduation, in Alexandria, Virginia. My father works there, and earlier this year I spoke to a few classes and they now want me back! I am praying that God totally takes over and gives a message to those graduating seniors that will help them to propel into the next phase in their life. I received a letter today from the Senior Class President in her appreciation for me taking the time to come speak and setting and reaching my goals.  I was truly humbled by her words and thank God that He chose me as a vessel of encouragement and inspiration. She said that it took forever for the class to decide who to ask to come speak, and they ended up choosing me. Wow! 

In closing, I have to take the time to thank my sponsor, Skin Care For Athletes! I have seriously noticed the difference in my skin, particularly my face, where I experienced the most problems. I always get excited when I actually have results to measure effectiveness. I encourage you all to go by her site through the link in my sponsors section. Until next time…

Now that my indoor season is over I have a week off to relax and regroup. Things didn’t go as planned, but hey that’s a part of life. I am going through a mix of emotions, but at the end of the day, I know everything will work out. As for now I am clearing my mind and refreshing my spirit. Time to open up my senses.

So I am now in Boston preparing for the Indoor National Championships tomorrow. They will be broadcast Live on ESPN2 from 5 to 7pm. My race comes on at 6:52, so tune in as I go for my first National title in the 60m dash.
Yesterday my friend Bree,who is also competing in the meet, gave me a gift. She previously told me that she made a banner for me. Well it is actually a CD she put together that is titled Wave Your Banner with a note from her that says “this is my banner with all the glitter I promised.” When I got to my room I played the CD and it was full of motivating Christian songs. One song that was my favorite was “It’s the God in me.”
It tells how you see a person who is successful, happy, everyone likes them, and you always wonder why they seem so highly favored in life. Well its the God in them. It’s the relationship they have developed with God and the prayer time and sacrifices they give to God that prepares and propels them.

That’s how I feel at this moment as I am about to go to battle tomorrow. Prepared and Propeled. Thanks Bree. Love u girl.

As of yesterday I am officially an Honorary member of the Raleigh, North Carolina Boys & Girls Club. I must say it feels good to return to the place where I played my first organized sports game. I was a member of the Oxon Hill, Maryland Boys & Girls club where I won championships in soccer, basketball and track. This club allowed me to begin to see how the exposure in sports can open doors for all parts of your life. It allowed me to travel the country, learn respect, leadership and discipline all while making friends and having fun. It was an honor to return to the place that instilled those attributes that I still carry with me to this day.

Speaking in Durham last week, and then Raleigh yesterday I was able see the hope and excitement in our youth. They are at the age where they are able to still cling to optimism and I pray that they embrace that feeling as they go through life. It was a joy to see and share their smiles, and I would like to thank those kids for allowing me to tap into their optimism and take a piece away with me.

To read the coverage on this event from Endurance Magazine, please click here http://endurancemag.com/endurance-blog.

On Sunday I was at the Bolling Air Force Chapel speaking to a very accepting and welcoming congregation. It was such a healing moment to be surrounded by my family again and to be in the presence of spiritual and emotional peace. Speaking about my Olympic journey allowed me to remember the total reliance I had on God and the peace and assurance that came with that.

I shared my story of when I was in the Olympic Village and I attended a bible study session where I met the USA team Chaplain. She went on to tell her story of her mother who was dying from Alzheimer’s disease and was at the point where she could no longer speak and had no memory. The Chaplain said that her mom’s favorite song was Psalms 121 so on this particular day she was moved to sing it for her. While singing the song her mom began to sing the song along with her, word from word. How powerful is the Word of God! A woman with no memory and no longer able to speak was singing Psalm 121 Word from Word. Well this story inspired me so much that when it was time for me to run, I remember singing the words to myself over and over while warming up for the relay. I felt so encouraged, safe and assured that everything would be ok. I felt so grateful that I was in that moment. At the Olympics, actually about to run for the USA team. I was so overwhelmed in knowing that this moment was because of God’s help. All I wanted to do was run the best I ever have in efforts to give Him my praise and gratitude.

Well I shared that experience with the congregation on Sunday and I felt like I should share it with you all as well. Listen to the words. Allow it to comfort you in the promise of God’s help. Be Blessed.

So its been a while since I wrote on here. I just returned back to American soil after 2 weeks, 4 countries, and 8 races all done in European territories. First let me say, that I am grateful that my body is healthy to be able to do so. Now, needless to say I find myself totally blanked out and mentally and physically drained. I didn’t perform as I expected myself to (even though I ran a personal best), and began to realize the amount of focus and commitment that is really required to perform at the level of total dominance (too bad that was after all the races).

On my wall there is a note I look at everyday that says Commitment. I put this up to remind myself that once you totally commit yourself to the task, the relationship, and people, you can never get disappointed because you did your part. When I saw that today, I felt like I haven’t done the things necessary to pull myself apart from the rest. Today I find myself short of my Indoor season goals, and with Championships next week, now is the time to pull it together even though I can easily think I can’t do it.

Tomorrow, I will be speaking in Durham, on behalf of the United States Olympians, on the topic of perserverance. On how to keep on keeping on when you feel burned out and exhausted from your non satisfying efforts. This comes at a perfect time and when I speak I will be listening to my own words. I am pushing foward for the prize, picking up my body even though my mind is trying to think it can’t get better. This is my reward to grab. Below is a poem I received from Mrs. Freeman today that was right on time. It hit my spirit with a dose of power. Never give up….

Rise up O woman of God
In what he has given you
the things God has laid on your heart
Rise up go forth and do

Unlock what God has placed within
the potential you have inside
the world is waiting for your release
to expand your wings and fly

Arise in your God given gifts
for this is your finest hour
Arise in the lord’s holy might
IGNITED AND EMPOWERED!!!!!!!!!

So I am now in Holland and waiting for my next competition on Sunday in Berlin. I competed in Malmo, Sweden on Tuesday and got 2nd, and I also got a backache as well. I think the 2nd place went hand and hand with the backache, lol! I have a hard time dealing with losing the more and more I compete.

I was sitting in my room and at times when you are away from family and friends, it really makes you think about the things that really matter. In the midst of being alone, I received a picture from my sister of my niece and nephews that will hold me over for another few days. There are two pictures below. One that represents where I am physically and the other, one that represents where my heart is. It is important to follow your dreams and accomplish the things you set out to do in life. But never forsake the love that will always be steady during your unstable and adventurous life. Like the story of the Prodigal son in the gospel of Luke 15:11-32, there will be people in your life with open arms always welcoming your return. Recognize them!

Ok so I will take the time to post some of the updates that has happened this past week to let you all know what’s been going on. I met with people who wanted to do news articles, nightly news pieces, and newsletters that all want to tell the world about my story! I am so excited how God is using me as a vessel to demonstrate unto the world His Power.  Romans 12 tells us to present our bodies as Living Sacrifices. It goes on to say to be transformed by the renewing of our minds that we may prove what is the good and perfect acceptable will of God.  In saying this, it reminds me that we can not think with the limited mindset a human has, but must possess a Renewed mindset that All things are possible through Christ who strengthens us. When we do this we shed the fear and doubt, which gives the space to fill our hearts with faith allowing God to use our lives as a testimony for His glory.

So in saying that, my spirit is encouraged as I share how God has used my faith to become a testimony around the world for others! As I look around, I find myself meeting more and more people who want to share my experience of FAITH. Well, I am putting the clippings below and will put them on the news and video links for future viewing. Even more importantly, I had a revelation this morning. This is just the beginning…. 

NEWS ARTICLES

http://www.carymagazine.com/cary/calendar/olympian.html?=wt.mc_id

lenscap_vol_2_2009

Other than that, if you don’t know, I placed third in the 60m in my season opener at the Millrose Games. I made some mistakes, but the bright side of things is that I have the knowledge and the time to correct them. I will post the video of the race soon.  I have officially landed in Europe to continue my indoor season here. More pictures and results to come. Stay posted…