Care and Keeping of Feet

So, in my line of hobby, feet are vitally essential. They usually are rather calloused, which any dancer will agree is important for avoiding blisters and the like. Naturally, they look a little less than attractive, but overall I'm quite satisfied with my feet. I probably should paint my toenails more often to disguise the state of my feet, but I'd rather spend that time dancing. Suffice it to say that from the ankle down, my feet are a lovely conglomeration of scars and callouses, in dire need of some TLC.

My heels have not escaped the fate of my feet, and they too bear lovely callouses and lines from the wide variety of shoes and straps rubbing against them. They've been getting better, after a round of ill-fitting shoes that quite literally rubbed them the wrong way, and I had hopes of them returning to a semi-normal state. Unfortunately, a 4.3 mile run on Thursday night sealed their fate. For some reason my heels tend to wear out the backs of my shoes, these current ones being no exception. I could tell that some excess rubbing was going on during the run, but I decided to take advantage of our halfway point and readjust my sock to help absorb some of the friction. The back of my sock and shoe showed a vibrant shade of red as I took my shoe off. Yes, in the first 2 miles or so my shoes had gouged/rubbed away not one but two blister-like areas. And, of course, I discovered this at the halfway mark (Provo Towne Center Mall), meaning my shoes had at least 2 more miles to keep working that magic. The return trip actually wasn't too bad, but my foot didn't get any better for that continued friction.

So, after this lovely run, I decided I probably should retire those shoes, even though they are pretty good, with the exception of the gouging backs.... I wore my ANCIENT Asics from high school track days-- which, I should add , have never given me this worn-out heel issue-- for my Saturday dance audition, and decided that the next time I bought shoes I would invest in some trusty Asics. Now, here is true inspiration at its finest.

A friend in my new ward, Eimi (pronounced Amy) announced at ward prayer that she had a free pair of running shoes in size 8, if anyone was interested. I raised my hand and she came to talk to me. Turns out, after she got back from her mission, she was really needed running shoes and had prayed to be able to get some. She went and bought some one day, and then a few days later her mom showed up with a free, barely used pair of shoes. Asics. I'm so thankful that she decided to share her blessing, because I now own a free pair of new Asics... exactly the shoe I wanted!

I wasn't praying for shoes, I wasn't even praying for a miracle or a sign that the Lord loved me. At church I'd had another warm confirmation of how the Lord is mindful of me and aware of my concerns, cares, and desires. But this extra blessing, from a simple announcement at Ward Prayer really surprised me and touched me. The Lord cares about my poor feet! And if He cares about that, He most certainly cares about the bigger things in my life that I'm seeking. Not many people can put their testimony into words, and mine came in a box today.

It reminds of me of a song, "Simple Gifts."

"Simple Gifts" by Elder Joseph Brackett (1848)

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain'd,

To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come round right.