Its about time...

I figured that its been way too long since I have updated at all! :-(

To start, I just wanted to thank my Father in Heaven for His wonderful and gracious love towards me. I wouldnt be the person I am today if it werent for Him and what He did for me on the cross many years ago. I am so thankful for my family and friends and the encouragement that everyone has provided me with throughout this first semester of LPN school.

School... its going well. I am done with my first 2 clinical rotations and we are starting Pharm and MedSurg together. The day I go back to school (the 6th), I have my first Pharmacology exam! I would appreciate prayers for the rest of the year. Lord-Willing I will graduate in June. I just hope and pray that I can manage my time properly.

Running... aka: the other half of Heather Anne :-). I am enjoying it very much. I am flying to Phoenix in 3 weeks to run a marathon. The nice thing is that New Balance comped my entry fee... so that saved me over $100. Dad will be going with me. His brother, Kent, lives out there with his family so we will be staying out there! I am so excited. The Lord has been teaching me so much with training properly and eating correctly. I have been blessed to have a very supportive family who thinks its "cool" that I do these marathons for fun. I know that I wouldnt even be able to make it to the starting line without the help of my Lord and Savior. He is with me throughout everything I do. I love being able to run with Him, he is a great training "buddy". I can talk to him all I want... and not run out of breath! :-)

I did it!!!!
I ran the Detroit International FreePress Marathon on October 19, 2008!
It was the most thrilling marathon yet. I ran it in 3:35.02. I qualified for the Boston Marathon with 6 minutes to spare.
The entire run I was thanking my Lord and Savior for the amazing race that I was able to run. I have certainly improved since the last marathon in April.
When you are running a marathon around mile 20 you are thinking Why in the world am I running something this? This is ridiculous!! But then you cross that finish line (for me with tears in my eyes) and realize what an accomplishment it is. It is a "celebration" of all your training.
Dad was able to make it to the Marathon which was awesome. I was so thankful that he wanted to go and watch me run. He saw me at mile 13, 23 and the finish. He said he really enjoyed it.
The Lord is so faithful to his children, he never ceases to amaze me. He watches over us in the darkest valleys. When I seem down or upset, He is always there to pick me up and bring me back into His arms. Never ONCE has he forsaken me. What a wonderful God we serve.

Its time... Marathon Time!

On October 19th, I will be running in the Detroit Marathon. Its during fall break, so I dont have to miss any school to fly up there PLUS, I get to see my family. To briefly describe the race... its the only marathon that crosses internationally (to Canada) twice AND I get to run over the Ambassador Bridge and through the Windsor tunnel... so, I am running for a mile underwater. How cool!??!

Okay... its been a long time since ive posted. Here are some things that have been going on:

1) I am in Practical Nursing school full-time, I love it. My professors are wonderful and I am getting to become friends with everyone in the program!

2) I am working part-time (about 16hrs a week) at a running store, which is great because I get discounts of running apparel.

3) I am coaching a couple or programs that are based out of our store. So, I get paid to run... which is fun for me!

4) The Lord is showing me new things everyday, especially with nursing school, and I am trying my best to glorify Him in everything I do.

Dad and I leave the 17th for MI, please pray for our flights (if I dont post before then).

Ill post pictures ASAP!!

LONG OVERDUE---

Wow, it has been a long time since I posted. I just thought id share a little bit of what the Lord has been doing in my life recently. :-)
First off, I can mention enough how wonderful and forgiving the Lord is to us. He is someone that I can always turn to if I need someone to talk to. He always listens to me, when I feel like no one understands me. And most importantly He has given me eternal life because of His son who died for ME! One word: Unbelievable.

One big thing that happened this summer was my acceptance to Practical Nursing school. First day is August 15th, and I am so excited. I would love to be thought of in your prayers while I am going to school. Its an intense 8a-4p, Monday - Friday program. Lord-willing I will be done in June.

If you would please keep my grandparents (both sides) in your prayers. My grandpa schiete is doing so much better since he had surgery in early March. I want so badly to see all of my family everday... sometimes I dislike living so far away from my family over the U.S. But, I know that the Lord has everything planned out perfectly and I just have to keep trusting Him.

I guess this little post is just a 'venting' post. But... I have been so frustrated and tired. I just needed to type.

What's funny is that... I get so frustrated sometimes and then I think of what the Lord has done for and given to me. Isnt He wonderful?!

-Heather Anne

Yes, the rumors are true.

I did run a marathon this past weekend.

On April 27, 2008 - I was blessed to run an entire marathon at the 8th Annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. One word that sums 99% of it would be emotional. Running and FINISHING a marathon has been a goal of mine ever since I thought about running. I never thought that I would've been able to do it after running for 10 months. Every time I got tired I would just pray and think of the verse - I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength. It was an incredible experience for me. Oh yea... and my time was 3hours41 minutes and 11 seconds. Just 12 (yes, TWELVE) seconds from qualifying for the Boston Marathon. But, thats a year away... so, I have plenty of time to improve! :-)

The picture is My coach Mike Detter and I. He jumped in with me at mile 25 and finished it with me. I don't think I could've had a better time without with help. We sprinted the last mile...it was worth it!

You can go to www.okcmarathon.com and click on "picture" and then type in my bib number 2994 to see more pictures of me! (I like the one's online better)

Spring has Sprung!!!
This weekend was the OKC Youth Confernce. The speaker was Scott DeGroff. He spoke from Romans 1 -12. It was such an encouragement to me to see everyone who came out to the conference. It was a good weekend. Scott reminded us that we are "slaves on a mission" and that our main job as a Christian is to be a light for the Lord and spread the Gospel. Thanks!

Here are some pictures I stole from LeaAnn... :)

That's me... just hanging around. Oh, and I did a few pull-ups!
Tim and I. I told him I was tired and we started doing push-ups, pull-up's, running, wheel-barrow. Yes, twas very much fun. AND very entertaining for the rest of the group!

The girls!!

Oh, and a special thanks to Rebekah DeGroff for wanting to hang out with me. She is such a lovely girl to be around! See you in two weeks!

Spring Break...
So, this means I have a little bit of time to catch up on blogging!
I took a long weekend off of work and flew up to Michigan for a wedding and to see my Michigan family! It was good to relax, see family and just enjoy God's creation in another state. I love traveling :)
Anyways... this first picture is of my grandparents and I on Sunday after chapel. The thursday I got to Detroit, my grandpa was rushed to the ER due to stroke-like symtoms. He was admitted to the hospital on Feb 28th and is still there. He had surgery on that next monday (he had 2 blood brain clots of either side of his brain). He was "asleep" for 9 days after surgery, but is doing a lot better! Thanks for praying!

The Beautful Bride Katie (now) Christopherson and I. The wedding was absolutely beautiful.

Sarah Lavery and I. This Lady (and her wonderful) family took me to the wedding, since grandma was at the hospital all weekend. I don't think I can ever thank them enough for everything they did for me and my family that weekend! Love you.

A New Day Has Come...

This week (for myself) has been another frustrating yet encouraging week. The Lord has really taught be how selfish my heart really is. It's hard to admit this, but it's so true. "My heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jer 17:9) Sometimes, it's so hard to comprehend how foolish I really am. But, the Lord has also taught me how "He searches the heart and examines the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve" (Jer 17:10) So, eventhough I have a sinful and deceitful heart the God of creation (in HIS humble and matchless presence) gives us a chance. Just because I have a deceitful heart, the Lord examines it and makes us as white as snow. "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. --- Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me" (Ps 51: 10 & 12) My God... such a wonderful thing He has done for a lowly and selfish sinner like myself.
One thing (that has taken me 19 years to figure out) that has become almost a 'ritual' to me is the fact that I can be down or frustrated, and then I can look to the Word and find an encouraging verse every single time. His word is so wondeful and Holy.
I was at one of Jabe Nicholson's seminar a couple of months ago and he used this analogy when going through Genesis and it has stuck in my mind since then:
To return evil for good is wickedness
To return evil for evil is the law
To return good for good is natural and
To return good for evil in Christianity.
I think that little analogy has been on my heart because of my attitude towards others recently. Due to my lack of "free time" in my life right now, sometimes I feel like I don't get to hang out with friends as much as I would like to. This semester isnt near as crazy as last semester, but I do feel like I am kinda alone. Working with adults all the time also makes me wonder if that is why I dont hang out with people my age. I guess I am so used to adults, I really treasure and respect what they have to say. But the Lord is always here for me. What a encouragement to KNOW that He is always here for me, no matter what the circumstances.

If you just pray that I will listen to my Heavenly Father for everything... not just the things I want to hear.

Ode to School.

Well, not excatly, but this semester has been full of it. A little update on my family and I: I'm still working, going to school and training for the OKC Memorial Marathon http://okcmarathon.com on April 27th! Mom and Dad are doing very well... dad was sick for a long period of time, but the Lord is good and we are all well. Stephen has a full plate of school for him this semester filled with tough courses required for his degree. Melissa is going to school, working at Bath and Body Works and still teaching piano! Katherine and Sarah are still both being homeschool by my amazing mom. Kathy's birthday is actually today... she is 17 years old! I really can't believe! It's so neat to see how the Lord is working in each one of our lives!

Please keep Paul Renes in your prayers -- he was taken to ER yesterday due to some internal bleeding in the esophagus. He will be staying there for his second night in a row (tonight). The Hughes - Horn family -- with the loss of little Elliot on January 21, they are needing prayer and comfort. My Summer Plans -- I have not quite decided what to do, but I do know that the Lord is in control and I am just trying to listen to Him!

Hope your first month of the New Year was blessed!

My buddy, Sarah, and I on our way to Wichita last weekend (I think I was at a stop sign... :-) )

it's Me... I was trying to do a little PhotoShop Magic????

Anna and I went to the Tulsa Zoo on New Year's Eve!!

Dallee Rose, asleep after a long day!

Simon and Ethan... Thanksgiving Day!

It's Simon! I had to crop this picture... look at those blue eyes!

This was Thanksgiving Day! It was really hard to me to smile, because I just had my wisdom teeth taken out... :(

Please pray...
For all who know the Hausmann family (who live in Atchinson, KS) please be praying for them. Four of the kids were in a auto accident late Thursday night in Waco, TX. Here is the article from the TX news station:
(January 11, 2008)—The accident happened before just 10:00pm Thursday, on Interstate 35 in Bellmead near Loop 340.
Police say two tires from the wheels of a south-bound 18-wheeler trailer came off of the rig and crossed the median. One of the tires struck a north-bound Honda Accord. The impact apparently had enough force to cut the passenger compartment of the vehicle in half.
The driver of the Honda, 23-year-old Luke Hausmann, of Atchinson, Kansas, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Three other passengers, ages 16, 19 and 20, were all taken to a local hospital. One of the passengers is still listed in critical condition
DPS closed the interstate, diverting all traffic to the access roads while emergency crews worked to clear the wreckage.
This following article was found at www.kwtx.com

-Heather Schiete

Well... it's 7 days into the year of 2008.
The Lord is so faithful. Constanly giving me things that a lowly sinner, like myself, does not deserve.
I just wanted to wish everyone a Very Happy New Year.

Please let me know if I can be praying for anything.