Journey to Boston

10 years ago last spring my sister and I  were exercising daily and at least 3 days a week we would run.  I loved these runs,  I loved our visits, I loved how I felt when I was done.  One weekend while visiting St. George I went on a run with Anji (Sheldon's cousin's wife).   We had a great run, during our run we talked about marathons.  Anji had runs several and encouraged me to try.  She said I was very capable. This got me thinking.  I didn't know much about marathoning at the time, but I decided I should try.  I talked to my sister Julie and we decided to do it.  We googled a training program and began running six days a week.  There were good days and hard days, but one of the greatest things I learned through those runs is how a good friend can pull you through the hard times and you can strengthen someone through their hard times.  We ran a beautiful run in Logan Utah in September 2004.  It was an amazing experience.  One of exhiliration and enlightenment.  The journey through the race was hard and taxing, but it was so fun meeting others along the race and hearing their stories.  I was unprepared for what happened at the finish line, the wave of emotions and joy that came over me compared to other tender sweet spiritual experiences I had in my life.  I wasn't ready for it.  I had related running to gospel principles before, but I didn't think I'd have that type of experience at the race.  I still treasure that sweet moment.

I had achieved my goal, I ran a marathon, I didn't think I'd do another until the next summer a friend approached me and asked if I'd like to do one again.  My love for running and great experience I had at the last marathon made me decide to jump right in and do it again.  I began training with her.  Unfortunately, three weeks before the marathon on a long run I got a stress fracture in my tibia and made it so I couldn't run.  I was bummed, but this allowed me to reevaluate my running and the time it took and exhaustion it caused me.  I continued to run, but decided I would really hang up my marathon shoes and explore it at a later time in my life if I was still interested.

Over the past several years I've learned a lot more about running, about marathoning, and about how to improve.  It's become a personal quest to improve and become better.  While on this journey I've become passionate about running.  I've read several books, learned about technique, diet, shoes, strength training, yoga, stretches, intervals which all help my running.  I have had numerous family and friends mentor and strengthen me through the process.  I've listened to hundreds of LDS General Conference Talks and songs.  I've made new friends as I've run and been taught so much.  I've loved the  hours upon hours of visiting with these friends.  One of the sweet experiences while running is the quiet that can happen.  Often when I'm running I can ponder, really ponder and learn.  This is where I feel I have known what I can do to improve myself, where I received sweet revelation for children and young women's and had insight into gospel principles.  


Boston to me is the "Celestial" race. It is the top race a marathoner can run.  It is the prize.  Running is an interesting sport in my mind.  It is an individual sport that one can help other's become stronger and better at.  As I have run in different races and trained -- I've realized a lot of what we do in the gospel we do in racing.  We mentor each other, we encourage each other, we read, we ponder.  We find time to run together to help motivate each other.  I've had to self evaluate and reflect on passions.  Is my passion for running greater than my passion for the gospel.  Am I doing these great principles with those I love and care about.  Am I mentoring others in personal progress, in scripture reading, in seminary... Do I spend more time in my gospel studying than I do in my running .. I feel too often in our world today our priorities become skewed.  Is my ultimate goal the Celestial Kingdom.   One passion I have right now is to share with others about how in todays world we spend so much time becoming better at worldly adventures are we willing to put that energy and effort into the Lord's Kingdom and bring others to Him.  Are we willing to mentor, encourage, study and read about our Savior, the atonement.   

Last spring when I ran my qualifying race in Utah Valley Marathon it was  a good race.  It was a good running day for me (runners understand good and bad running days).  Although, there were strong head winds between mile 15-20, I was prepared for them, even though it was slightly more hilly than I thought I was prepared for the hills and my body performed.  As I was approaching mile 20 I knew my family was close by.  We had planned for this and they were going to meet me with extra water and a cool towel to help me.  As I passed mile 20 and didn't see them I knew they wouldn't be far off, but I was anxious to see them, a joy again came over me and I reflected on how it would feel to meet up with family at the end of our mortal races.  For the next mile I received the sweetest energy over the Joy we will receive when we meet family at the end of our mortal race.  Then when I did see them at about mile 21 the energy and power it gave me to finish the race was incredible.  That is what God intended for us.  To come here and strengthen each other in our families.  

So yesterday I was at lunch when I saw the email.  I was with Sheldon, I wasn't sure if it was confirmation or denial.  He opened it for me and let me know I'd made it.  "I'd won my prize"  

So yesterday when I received my Boston Qualifying Confirmation I again reflected on what this was and meant to me.

Dear Marylynn E Paul,

This is to notify you that your entry into the 119th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20, 2015 has been accepted, provided that the information you submitted is accurate.

Although, I know this is only a worldly prize it was the goal I had set and it was a sweet moment to get in.  Unfortunately, this year there are too many applicants and there will be some who qualified who won't be let into the race.   Luckily the celestial kingdom is not limited to only 20,000 entrants and everyone is welcome, but we must qualify.  Today in seminary we talked about God's greatest gift to us is Eternal Life ... Exaltation and what is our gift to Him that will help us qualify...

Washington DC 2014

It's a little surreal right now as a review my thoughts of the past 5 days.  I was extremely blessed to again travel to Washington DC this time with Sydnee's choir group.   It was a great experience to be a chaperone and get to know these youth a little better.  I had a fun little group Isabell, Kellsie & Bree, others hung with us from time to time and I appreciated our discussions about God religion and families.  These are all great young women who are religious but not Mormon.  We left Thursday night on a red eye flight and arrived in Baltimore MD Friday morning about 11:00.  As soon as we arrived our inspired music teacher, Mrs. Ligon gathered all the choir kids and had them sing our National Anthem.

 It brought chills to my soul as I realized once again I was going to be blessed to partake of some our nations greatest symbols that help teach me how blessed I am to live in this Nation established by God. We loaded the busses and headed to the Capitol.  Here we joined our tour and again were able to go to the dome room.  I love this room and the art that is so good at representing this nations heritage and story.  I love that Liberty is the statue on top of the capitol.  I love the Apotheosis of George Washington painted by Constantino Brumidi, the illustration is George Washington rising into the heavens surrounded by Liberty and Victory, and 13 other maidens representing the original 13 colonies.  The dome is bordered by six groups of figures representing war, science, marine, agriculture, commerce, mechanics.  What a fitting tribute to our nations first president who was truly an outstanding and loving leader who helped with other founders establish this nation under God's power.  I love that I am reminded and learn new things about the capitol every time I am there and I am thankful for this legislative branch of government that establishes and makes laws for our country.

After we were able to go to the National Archive Museum and read, view, and learn again about the Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and Constitution of the United States.  Every time I am in DC, the spirit bears such strong witness of the truth and righteousness of these documents and the humble honorable men that created them, leaning always upon their Creator for direction in doing this.  It wasn't easy, and many had to give up their will for the greater good of what we partake of today.

Saturday morning, we were priveleged to watch our band and choir play and sing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.  I was able to go hand out programs and see one of my favorite memorials the Korean War Memorial.  I love the realness of this memorial and love the inscription at the front of this memorial "Freedom is not Free".  The sweetness and power of the music that was presented this morning was moving.  I feel so blessed that I was able to watch it and Sydnee was able to sing.
Below is the concert Sydnee participated in.  I will note the song under the video.

Star Spangled Banner

Worthy to be Praised (Sydnee has a solo in this one)

We then were privilege to visit the Lincoln memorial.  I love reading Lincoln's Gettysburg address and also his inaugural speech that is inscribed on the walls of the Lincoln Memorial.  Again another God loving man who changed and helped make the country we enjoy today.

The afternoon was spent at the Smithsonian Museums.  These are so fun and so good to learn from.  We went to the American History Museum, and the Air and Space Museum.  They were quick visits with in about 90 minutes, but good to get a glimpse, the fun kids we were with could move on quickly after each exhibit, but our great tour guide, Bill, gave us some wonderful history about the Star Spangled Banner and we were able to see the original Stars and Stripes that was flown when Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem to the Star Spangled Banner.

Sunday was probably not a typical day of rest, yet the activities we participated in constantly moved me and I felt the spirit all day.  Initially a group of us were able to attend a YSA ward in Arlington.  It was a tender sweet sacrament meeting where a young women spoke about trials and how the Lord can help us through them.  She shared an experience from her mission.  Then a young man got up to speak and as he shared his story he was raised in Panaca Nevada,  he asked if anyone in the audience had ever heard of Panaca NV and the last two rows (us) rose our hands.  He spoke again about trials and shared about his first semester at BYU and how devastatingly hard it was and an experience he had even though it didn't make his classes easier, but he knew the Lord knew him and loved him.  The choir sang a beautiful arrangement of Praise to the Man.  I was most impressed because this ward started at 8AM, again it was a YSA ward, at 7:55 the chapel was filled and the choir practiced before sacrament meeting.  I think I forgot to mention it was daylight savings week of spring forward.   We were so grateful for an 8:00 ward to allow us to attend church.  We then joined our group and went to Arlington Cemetery.  As we walked through the cemetery I was so moved that so many men and women have fought and served our country.  These men and women have made it possible for me to enjoy the freedom or running, riding, driving, attending church, shopping, traveling and doing many more things.

I have been to the Tomb of the Unknown soldier several times and enjoyed the presentation there, but today was unique and amazing.  As we watched the changing of the guards a wave of emotion came over me and I was touched again by all those who are unknown and not found, by those who are known and die in battle, and what a fitting tribute to these men and women.  Then our band director had arranged one of the most amazing experiences I will ever witness.  Four of our band, orchestra, and choir members were able to participate in a laying of a wreath (our friends Macie Stratton and Kelby Sosa were the choir members that were able to participate what a sweet honor and privilege that had to do this).

We then went to the Kennedy Center to watch a concert performed by three high school orchestras.  They all did a fabulous job.  Most the music and soothing and relaxing and let us relax, maybe to sleep, for  a few minutes.  What a wonderful experience to be able to partake of a concert in the Kennedy Center.

After this we went to a VA retirement home and played and sang for this community.  It was fun to talk to these retired veterans who really enjoyed our music.  It was also super sweet because Jeff and Keri and family came to watch and visit us for the afternoon.  After the retirement center we went to the Jefferson Memorial with Jeff and Keri.  I love Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration the Independence our first and second vice president and second president.  He was an incredible writer and brilliant man.

Our last days was set to visit the Holocaust Museum.  I have only gone here once and as I left I was so sad and depressed I really never desired to visit it again.  I honor the museum and I am glad they have made it but the last time it was hard to get over the hurt, anger and sadness I felt for those that were affected by the Holocaust.  So, I wasn't looking forward to this day.  Mr. VB the band director knew a curator at the museum and she had arranged for a Holocaust survivor to come and speak to our group.  That is where we began our day.  Jill Polley was her name, and she had a wonderful story to share.  Her family escaped around the time of Krystall Nacht (Crystal Night), this was something new I had never learned about.  Once she finished her story we then went to tour the museum.   It was a little quick we had less than an hour to tour it, but it was a good experience.  Again such sadness filled my heart as I read and learned more about this awful event in history.   They had arranged for our choir to sing in  The Hall of Remembrance where the Eternal Flame burns.  This room is acoustically made for choirs to sing in.  Our choir sang "The Inscription of Hope" the song they had learned about the holocaust.  The words were inscribed on a wall at Auschwitz.  The spirit was so strong as they sang this song every choir member along with all of us witnessing this were touched by the spirit.  It was a powerful moment.  I left with a hurt heart again, but so so so very grateful that I could go again to this museum and learn about these sacred men and women who endured such suffering and torment.  

This was written on a wall in Auschwitz during the Holocaust.

I believe in the sun

even when it is not shining.

And I believe in love

even when there's no one there.

And I believe in God
even when He is silent.
I believe through any trial
there is always a way.

But sometimes in this suffering
and hopeless despair
My heart cries for shelter
to know someone's there.
But a voice rises within me saying,
'hold on my child
I'll give you strength, I'll give you hope
Just stay a little while.'

I believe in the sun
even when it is not shining.
And I believe in love
even when there's no one there.

And I believe in God
even when God is silent.
I believe through any trial
there is always a way.

May there someday be sunshine,
May there someday be happiness,
May there someday be love,
May there someday be peace.

Although, I don't know if I'm ever ready to leave DC it was time for us to head to our planes.  How grateful I am once again to visit our nations capitol which is filled with such symbolic representation of our how and who helped create this wonder nation we live in.