What do I want for Christmas?

Ok sure, its cliche, but to us believers, the Lord is all knowing, and he knows what we want and what we need, pretty much always before we even do. This morning on the way to work I was the recipient of one of those "that is just what I needed" type of happenings.

So what happened? I flipped over to K-Love (Positive & Encouraging Radio 94.3), and a song I never really heard just started. I didn't know the artist, but as the song progressed, I just kept thinking. Yes. YES!. What a perfect gift that would be. One I've actually been to.. ah.. seeking, even praying for. What's the song?

Inspirational Song of the Day:

Brandon Heath - Give Me Your Eyes
From the album What If We

Look down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight

Touch down on the cold black top
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared

Chorus
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me you heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what's underneath
There's a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work, He's buying time

Chorus

I've been here a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just move and pass me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
I need a second glance
Give me a second chance
To see the way you've seen the people all along

Chorus

So what do you want for Christmas?

p.s. "Give Me Your Eyes" recently won a Grammy for Best Gospel Song of 2008, and the Album "What if we" won a 2008 Grammy for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.

4,171 and counting

I've tweaked the blog a bit. I've added a visible sitemeter that reflects the number of times the blog has been viewed. I started the meter today, so sitemeter will only reflect 1 or so hits. But the hidden google analytics has been running since the blog was started.

And would you believe it?

We've been visited 4,171 at the time this was posted. By people in 56 countries no less. Very Cool. I've got a wealth of other cool stats, but I'd probably just bore you all. I just wanted to share that news. Maybe its enough to get J posting again (hint hint). I know that her post we much more exciting than mine and brought the people in.

Also added at the very bottom of the page is a spot for those of you with blogs that want to "follow" this blog can also click there. I wonder who'll be the first. The widget looks kinda lonely there without any followers.

Hope you Advent is going well.
Peace

A day in a life..

Wake up.. run 7 miles. lunge 25 times, squat 50 times, do 75 pushups, situp 100 times, and close out with 125 jumping jacks. Now that is a way to start off a day. Much to my surprise, it was not as difficult as I was anticipating. Wednesday my legs were so sore that I thought today might not happen.

All told, as a part of this fitness challenge, I completed 16 runs in 16 days for a total of 140.5 miles. What now? I think I'll take a couple of days off to give the legs some time to recover.

How is your Advent season coming along?

I'm done... or am I?

Ok the 150k is done. I finished the last 10k today. The 30 mph gusty winds, the cold, driving rain, forced me indoors today. So 14 of 15 10ks were outside, today being the exception. Boy!! running on the treadmill is just as bad as I remembered.

But just when you thought it was all said and done...

Along comes the final "bonus activity". The bonus activities are what help as tie breakers.
So what is the activity? ....uuuughh.... Its grueling.

Part 1: 7 miles
Part 2: 25 lunges, 50 squats, 75 push ups, 100 sit ups, and 125 jumping jacks.

both parts are be done right after each other. There is no time limit, which is good. I'm setup for this tomorrow. There is a very real possibility I wont be able to finish. The calves and shin splints are making any mileage quite difficult. We'll see how far I get tomorrow.

If you are a praying type.. pray for some healing and strength, as currently I feel like amputating my legs...

Peace

1 day left.. I may be walking but I'll finish..

10k more to go. today's 10k was quite difficult. my calves and shins are really sore at this point. It could be over use, or it could be from to much running on uneven snow/ice. Only 10k more to go. I might need to walk part of tomorrow, but I'll finish. Today, I think I'll stink up the house with some bengay and start some advil.

Only 10k more to go.. and I hear we've got more snow coming today.. that means tomorrow should be even more fun.

Peace

150k in 15 days

The Chicago Marathon was on October 12th, 2008. In years past, I usually took a "break" after a bigger race, such as the marathon. My "break" extended into a "rest", into a "hiatus", into a "vacation", practically into total couch potato-ism.

It wasn't until November 25th, just over 6 weeks since the marathon, that I go off my rear end and hit the pavement. What started it? Its a Holiday Fitness challenge at our company fitness center. Its a Run/Walk 5k challenge. Its intend it is get people to incorporate more cardio into their daily and weekly lives. It Started on November 12th, and ends on December 11th.

But for me it was just the excuse I needed to break out of the running funk I've been in. Having started almost a full two weeks after everyone else, in order to reach the top goal of 150k I would need to run 10k every day for 15 days.

Now 6.2 miles is a long enough distance for just about anyone. But to start up cold turkey, and run 10k for 15 days straight is nuts even for a very accomplished runner (and I'm not that accomplished).

So here we are, December 7th. I've run 130k so far, and I've got two more 10ks to go. Since I hate running indoors, and if anyone has been watching the weather in the Chicagoland area, its been pretty nasty. I've been wicked cold, windy, snowy, icy, slipper. Some of the worst running conditions one could ask for. I don't really ever set out to impress myself, but I wasn't actually sure I could run 10k a day for 15 days straight. My legs are sore, heck everything is sore, and chaffed. Two more days...

Why submit a post like this? Well... to reasons I guess.. Once the blog is called "Tri for Hope, Sacrifice with purpose..." and I tell you what, this has been a large sacrifice, not just for me.. but the family as well. Two, its Advent, and while its the Lenten/Easter season that is popular for "giving something up". I'm using this challenge to prepare myself for Christmas. This is especially true since its during my run that I do my best thinking, praying, and generally feel closest to the Lord. So what better way that to go way overboard.. and run every day.. something I've not done in my entire life. Lastly.. maybe this post will inspire others to do something... anything.. I dunno.. maybe someone will give up using salt at meals. Its doesn't have to be 150k in 15 days. Just something you are going to sacrifice.. for a greater purpose..

Good Luck.. and Peace

From the mouths of... er um.. Cucumbers?

Thanksgiving is just around the corner for those folks in the United States. A day traditionally filled with family and with Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, pumpkin pie, cranberries, and probably some type of green bean casserole. Of course most would tie this holiday to some type of harvest season feast with the Pilgrims and the Indians in early settlement times.

Rather than talking about that, I'd rather share a verse of two from a Kids CD we have that my sons and I were listening and singing along with today. Its from the Big Idea studio's, the famous purveyors of our kids favorite.. Veggie Tales. This song is brought to you by Junior Asparagus its called "I am a Promise"

I Am a Promise (by Bill & Gloria Gaither)

I am a Promise
I am a possibility
I am a Promise with a capitol "p"
I am a great big bundle of potentiality
And I am learning to hear God's voice
And I am trying to make the right choices
I'm a promise to be anything He wants me to be...

This Thanksgiving, like many of you I'll be giving thanks for family, and health. But I will also be giving thanks for the day, and hoping for many many more days in hopes to fulfill the "Promise" God wants for me, and want me to be. Perhaps if all of us (myself included) lived up to our promise just a little bit more, we could bring about our own "bailout package". A bailout package to bring real change to the American people.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours
Peace

Back in the saddle again

Its now been about 1 month since the 2008 Marathon. Unlike last years marathon in which I was back out on the streets running within 1 week, I have yet to go out even for a single jog this year. Starting to feel a bit lazy, I grabbed the bike pump, filled the tired, and jumped back into the saddle. Being almost winter here though, I'm not that nutty to go riding outside. So I'm on the trainer in the basement. I must admit that I was unusually sore after the first few days. I have after all taken off from riding and swimming for most of 2008. Getting back onto the bike has got my triathlon vibe back. I haven't registered for anything (running or triathlon) for 2009. But its nice to be back on the bike.

Whats the point here? I guess, that even for people that seem to run all the time, and enjoy it, get burned out. Its ok to take a break. Perhaps switching things up is just what would be good for you as well. If not running, maybe biking, or swimming, or yoga, or oh.. I dunno.. Bellydancing fitness classes at the local park district. Whatever gets you active.. its like Milk. "It does a body good!!"

Peace

Message of the Day...

As I take a break from work, to refocus, to recenter, to renew, I look up at some of the inspirational quotes, sayings, and prayers around my desk. Whilst this might have been more appropriate on a general population level yesterday (voting day in the U.S.), I find it to be just the message I needed at this moment. Whatever the challenge, whatever the celebration, whatever the sorrow or joy, without having the proper perspective, we are just missing something. The Prayer of the Day is..

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (before the San Damiano Cross)

"All-highest, glorious God, cast your light into the darkness of my heart. Give me right faith, firm hope, perfect charity and profound humility, with wisdom and perception, O Lord, so that I may do what is truly your holy will. Amen." ... Saint Francis of Assisi

Peace

What a day...

A full report coming tomorrow. But the quickie version is. My 2nd Chicago Marathon is now in the books. The day started off quite nice, but quickly became hot and humid. The Race coordinators were ready as I believe there was ample water. I've not heard any negative reports. Web sites show the high today at 81 degrees, we all saw banks with temps up to 88 degrees, with the humidity level at about 73%. So it was far from idea marathon (running) conditions.

In the end, myself and two other Team World Vision Teammates crossed the finish line together at an unofficial time of 3:54:02. Quite a difference from the 4:23:48 from last year.

What does it looks like at the beginning? I found this link of the start of the Race at Chicago NBC5. http://video.nbc5.com/player/?id=746441

Again.. more to come tomorrow. I'm hitting the hay...

You should be signing my shirt...

Close to all 1000 Team World Vision Athletes gathers for food, fellowship, and inspiration as we endeavor to change the World Tomorrow. A sea of orange will take over downtown Chicago. Not just the 1000 Team World Vision runners in orange (that is approaching 2% of all racers!), but the thousands of spectators coming to cheer us on.

The thing is, we have already changed the World. Through those that sponsored me, and those that sponsored the other runners, A community in Zambia will now have clear water, A new school, and training of local villagers in how to grow and become self sufficient. Tomorrow we run with thoughts of our families. Not just those nearby. But our families in Africa that we are sponsoring. We lift up all our joys and sorrows to the Lord that his Grace will rain upon them.

(Olympian) Ryan Hall and his wife Sara shared their own personal feelings about being involved in World Vision and what all of us (the 1000 running the Marathon) have done for them, to inspire them. The Quote of the day (albeit a humorous one) from Ryan was

...I should be having you sign my shirt, after all You are all going to be out there twice as long as I would...

We had a wonderful meal. We met so many new friends. I can't wait until tomorrow to take my part on this Team. Thank you all for your support and Prayers. Together we have made a Real Difference. Not just in Africa, but here as well. Thank you...

Peace
Ted

Its time, Its time. Did you just say Its time...

Its been a remarkably busy September and beginning of October for me and the family. Ear infections, Kidney Stones, Severe Eye infections, First (and second) trips to the Dentist for a Toddler, First flu shots for an infant, Two (yes two) 20 mile training runs, Long (long long) work hours, Extended weeks of deprived sleep, 100 Year Storm, The spectacular collapse of the Chicago Cubs. It goes on an on. We're not complaining, that is not the message. We (my family) are going and expanding from all these experience. Also, Mother Teresa said it very well when she said...

I know God won't give me anything I can't handle;I just wish he didn't trust me so much. - Mother Teresa

It is now less that 4 days prior to the race. The training is complete. It just time to relax, rest (yeah right), trust the training program, and have faith that the race will play out as it was intended. Was it easy getting to this point? As easy as 1. 2. 3

1. Join Team World Vision (26.2 for Africa)
2. Run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
3. Change lives in Africa

There is still time. Will you stand with us in making a difference?

Who da man? (part II) "I AM"

It was a piece of history. 36 years of since the last No-No but a Cubs picture. As any Cubs fan will tell you. This September has been a pretty dismal month. But lets get real for a moment. Its a game. It doesn't (at least we shouldn't let it) rule our lives.

Many of my longtime friends and colleagues will be losing their jobs this week. To many lost their lives in the train wreck in L.A. People have lost there homes in Texas. People have terrible flooding here in Northern Illinois. Even our back yard is a lake right now. Nobody ever said life was easy. In fact, nobody ever said it was supposed to be fun. We all just hope and wish for a simple and easy life. Words easier said than to believe or live, but there is a plan out there for all of us. I hope that those plans are made evident to everyone very soon.

So Who da man? While its a great personal achievement for Carlos Zambrano. What's the first thing he does? Drops to his knees points to the sky, and give the Great "I AM" his props. In his post game interview, when asked if he had anything else to say, his response what "I just want to give thanks to my Lord". Amen Brother!

If nothing else, for one brief moment, amidst the flooding in Illinois, the cleanup in L.A. and in the Gulf. Cubbie-nation was given a brief moment of joy. A moment to look beyond, to forget, and find a moment to smile, and to celebrate a small piece of history. But most of all to give props to the Great "I AM".

Peace

Argument Starter

Quote from Father Pat Conner, taken from the 09/08 edition of Readers Digest

Never Marry a man who has no friends ... Steer clear of someone whose life you can run, who never makes demands counter to yours. It's good to have a doormat in the home, but not if it's your husband.

Enjoy your day!

Peace

Who da man? "I AM"

Ok ok. Not really me, personally. It was through the strength an perseverance provided to me by the great "I AM" that I was able to have such a successful 1/2 marathon just over a week ago. Its wasn't the PR (Personal Record). But it was the great feeling having strangers cheer for a Team World Vision athlete. For having runners familiar with World Vision ask me about the team during the race. For seeing another TWV brother finish the race as well. Its cool to be a part of something larger.

Jeremiah 12:3 "You, O Lord, know me, you see me, you have found that at heart I am with you". I don't doubt that the Lord knows me better than I do. But when I do run, bike, or swim, I do try to be one heart with our Lord. So Jeremiah capture's my in race motivation quite well.

So who da man? "I AM" is the da man. And as I finished the race I was pleased to give him his props.

33 days until the 2008 Chicago Marathon. I 20 miler down. 1 more to go.

Peace

Why World Vision?

As we get closer to the 2008 Chicago Marathon, we hope that traffic on the blog is picking up. Additionally, with the marathon approaching, that means the sponsorship window is closing. If we reached out to you, to consider a sponsorship donation, you might be wondering. Why World Vision? You might already have a favorite charity or cause you support. Why World Vision, whats special about them. Lets go straight to the horses mouth. Please check out: World Vision at a Glance

In a nutshell, World Vision is a Christian Humanitarian organization that seeks to raise Children, Families, and entire Communities from the desperate throws of poverty and injustice. Financial support and aid is helpful, but it well documented how foreign (financial) aid can lead to dependence by the very people you are trying to help.

As such World Vision seeks to lift those in need with a multi-pronged approach including Child sponsorship; Clean Water, Food Aid, HIV and AIDS prevention and care; Emergency Crises response; Humanitarian Crises response; Job/Skills development.

To put it simply. World Vision is not just giving a Man (or Child, or Community) a fish, to fill a need for a day. Rather they are teaching them to be fisherman, to fill a need for a lifetime.

Through prayer or sponsorship, Will you stand with us in making a difference?

I'm Done

A good friend of mine said once that it was no fun to argue with me as I never have an opinion. While that might be an accurate depiction based on my silence, it is certainly not true of what goes on in my head. For the most part, I don't feel entitled to express my opinion out loud as I assume I will be outgunned if I get pinned against the wall and don't want to go there. So I am taking my tongue and cheek comment about the green party and heading out of the blog sphere where more work can be done on reducing the actual headcount instead of just basing my decisions on the rhetoric.

13.1 for Africa

Today was the last "training race" before the Chicago Marathon. The Batavia Half Madness 13.1 was held today. My intent was to not go out to hard, but not have an easier race like the CDC a few weeks back. I started off at a torrid pace (at least for me). On a day in which the temperature was getting hotter, with the Lord's Help, I managed a new personal Best. I shaved about 10 seconds of my previous best 1/2 marathon time. I finished in 1:37:26 minutes, at a 7:26 pace (64 overall, 61 amongst males, and 12th in the 35-39 age group)

For a day in which I wanted to push myself, I ended up working a lot harder than I anticipated. It was great to see the family cheering on, out on the course. Thanks guys! that REALLY helped.

I'm thankful today, for being fit enough to compete. I'm thankful for the Lord's blessing to allow me a PR today. I'm thankful for a race close enough to home that I was able to still make 11am Mass with my family. I'm thankful for all the support from family and friends as I continue to train for the 2008 Chicago Marathon. And I thrilled for the support from a couple of runners and the spectators cheering me on in my Team World Vision gear. Its awesome that people recognize World Vision and the help they provide around the world.

Peace to you all. And thanks for your support for me and for Team World Vision.

How do you make decisions?

This morning I had one of those moments. You know the kind, where it seems a lot of completely unrelated things are going on (politics, conventions, work, home life, family). While not feeling lost, nor overwhelmed, but rather a bit curious as to (if you are able to step back to have a look at) how everything fits together. Being Catholic of course, I wonder how God is fitting all these dissimilar things together. If if you are not a believer in a Higher Faith or Power, you certainly would have thoughts about how things "fit together" nonetheless.

I think what triggered my thinking was pondering the obnoxious political rhetoric these days. Who's the better Patriot, Who's got more experience, Who is the better leader, Who's got the better judgment. As I listen to both Obama and McCain (but primarily this years crop of Democrats) I wonder how people live their lives according to one set of rules and one set of values, then attempt to govern and legislate by another. Perhaps there is a way to reconcile the two, but frankly I don't see how. (Example: using yellow balloons as a metaphor for any of the current hot button issue like guns, energy, abortion, etc) If I personally believe that yellow balloons are root of all evil, how can I function as a human being knowing that I governed or supported legislation that increased the desire and accessibility of yellow balloons. Unless these politicians are soul-less, empty husks, eventually governing and legislating in a manner inconsistent with your personal beliefs would have to completely tear and rip you apart on the inside. Is has to right?

Anyway. This morning, the homily at daily mass today really hit home, and then was further crystallized by something I read in our Diocesan newspaper. Its from St. Francis of Assisi.

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi before the San Damiano Cross

"All-highest, glorious God, cast your light into the darkness of my heart. Give me right faith, firm hope, perfect charity and profound humility, with wisdom and perception, O Lord, so that I may do what is truly your holy will. Amen." ... Saint Francis of Assisi

And to go further with St. Francis of Assisi, an even more applicable prayer (and more well known) is:

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Sometimes other people can make things clearer than we can. I found these words in describing St. Francis' prayer above:

Sometimes Christians are called to turn the world upside down. To bring the exact opposite of what we find in our world. St. Francis' prayer is a bold one, asking for strength to give of ourselves to meet the needs of others. He recognises that it "is in giving that we receive", that as we give of ourselves, we receive the peace and blessing of our risen Lord Jesus. We cannot earn eternal life, but that we are pardoned from the sins that block our claim on it.
Think about the situations that you are involved in that require peace, consolation, hope, light and joy. Then, if you're bold enough, pray the prayer!

I know how I make my decisions. How do you make yours?
Peace to you all.

Who's Steering This Boat Anyways?

I think SAHM's (stay at home moms) are incredible for what they do in sacrificing so much of themselves for their kids but I am just not one of them. While I love the time I spend with E1 and E2, I also love the work I do (all be it frustrating at times) as well as the other side commitments I am involved in. I feel like I am presently in a bit of a transition with my side commitments . On one hand, I feel that with several of them, I have done all I can to get them moving, but am just not getting any satisfaction out of the process anymore, on another, I think I lost my motivation years ago which makes me feel like I am not really being effective anymore, which makes me feel like it is time to have someone else take the post. None of these present commitments seem to fit well with the idea of "Sacrifice with Purpose", the title of this blog and actively changing the lives of others. While I have some thoughts and ideas that have been brewing for sometime, mainly relating to how to use my engineering background for "the greater good", I really have no idea how to go about setting forth down this path. I am sure my shyness around new people and lack of confidence as it related to my foreign language skills have held me back in the past, so this time around, I am hoping God will take me by the hand and lead me on the path I am meant to travel.

La Voz del Dia

The most beautiful thing for those who have fought a whole life is to come to the end and say; we believed in people and life, and life and the people never let us down

-Otto Rene Castillo - Poeta Guatemalteco

I was very excited to hear that Maya Essence is now open at 4357 N. Lincoln Ave in Chicago. It is a Fair Trade initiative and will offer fair trade goods for the community to support the work of small producers both global and local. I can't wait to check it out!

E-Squared - Tales from the Backseat

You almost had to be there to fully appreciate this one. As the saying goes "From the mouth of babes..."

On the way up north this past weekend, our discussion briefly turned to a concept idea raised by a family member. The idea was that the Catholic Church should be more relaxed, and if they were, perhaps they would not be losing parishioners left and right, and would be growing. Our discussion went into a hypothetical view on how such an approach would go do. As if the church might just one day say... "Ok we're wrong on the abortion thing. After all, Its not murder, its just killing unborn babies".

It was at this point our conversation was stopped cold. From the back seat, from E1 came

That's not right. No kill baby

As Ripley said, "Believe it or Not!"

Peace

By the way, the Catholic church is not losing people left and right, they are in fact growing according to recent numbers.

A quote for the day

"On the outskirts of every agony sits some observant fellow who points" - Virginia Woolf. This quote really struck a chord with me a few weeks back. It really speaks to so much in todays society. It has become so easy and almost second nature to tear people and other's actions down, but to do so from the sidelines. Do you just want to be a critical observer or are you willing to jump in the ring and roll up your sleeves and be part of the solution? I think we all would benifit from asking this of ourselves more often.

We visited the town where E2 was born and met some amazing people that are truly doing God's work counciling physically and sexually abused children as well as caring for children without a home. We made a promise that day to the director that we would help to raise money for some equipment they needed as it is very difficult for them to do this on their own. It has been nagging at my heart for awhile that we made this promise and now, home almost 3 months, I had done nothing but sit on the sidelines. Over the last few days, I started talking with our agency about the idea and I am very happy to report that today, through our adoption agency, a means to support the wonderful work that this group is doing is now available!

If you are interest in helping to support them, you can go to www.adoptionadvocates.org and click on the Donate Now button. Under the comments section, please state "Donation to be used for Forum on Street Children -Dire Dawa"

Time for Work

I got to work with 5 min's to spare this morning! Put my lunch away and grabbed my chai and sat down all ready to dive right in. As I reached for my mug, I caught a glimpse of it, on my shoulder, clear as day on my navy shirt, yes, it is, buggers. Thanks E2. I guess he wanted to leave a little reminder of himself with me today. I'm off to the bathroom needless to say.

God's Presence in Our Life

After confession this past Saturday, I have been praying for God’s grace to express my thoughts and feelings in a more positive and productive manner. Specifically, I hope that through these graces, the light of God will shine more clearly through me as it does in so many of the people we know.

I feel I am certainly an example of the highs and lows of the Lord’s attempts to do his work through me. One week I am completely free, trusting in Him and following the path He has set forth for me and the next week I am resisting, diverging and taking every detour along the way. I am certainly fortunate, along this journey, to have people who are a constant reminder of the amazing things that can be accomplished through His work. Though I am sure they have their own moments of questioning and divergence from the path, the light of the Lord shines brightly through them.

I am not sure how many of you know the story of E1’s referral, but the hand of God was truly at work when there was a question as to whether the path of adoption was the path that the Lord chose for us. When I prayed to God that I would see his name in church the following morning, I thought it all but impossible given that his name is not a biblical name. To our amazement, his name appeared behind the alter on one of the banners put together by the children that were to receive their First Communion. Later that night, it also appeared on a street sign and at a Mercy Me concert. After a few experiences like that, I sort of felt like yelling from the roof top “I’m I the only one seeing these things?”, meaning actually SEEING the hand of God working in your life. Frankly, at the time, I had never heard another friend or family member relay to me a story that was so demonstrative of the work of God in their lives.

Since that time, the Lord as brought an amazing number of people into our lives and also opened our eyes to friends we have know for years whose lives are transformed by the hand of God. I know several of these people read this blog, and it just want to express to them how much their faith and stories of how God working in their lives has strengthened my relationship with God. To the Marriage Encounter Couples, you have shown us the power of God in a marriage and demonstrated the strength of the sacrament when God is at the center. To E2’s godfather and family, most of your life journeys are relayed to me through hubby, but their impact is just the same. Your faith has lead you to incredible places and I see the hand of God each and every step of the way. You are a shining example to us of God’s love. To E1’s Godmother, our prayers are with you in discerning your calling. God Bless You All and Thank you for being a continuous source of God’s Amazing Love in our Lives!

Lonesome George Gets some action!

Last year, on our trip to the Galapagos, hubby and E1 met Lonesome George at the Darwin Research Center. George is the last remaining Pinta Island tortoise. Scientists have been in an quandry as to how to carry on the Pinta tortise species. George has now successfully breed with 2 female tortoises with similar genetic makeup to the Pinta Island species. Here is the rest of the article:

"On July 21, 2008 , Park rangers found a nest in George’s corral with nine eggs—three of which were intact, two of which had tiny cracks, and four of which were broken entirely. Eight more eggs were found in a new nest this morning—all eight eggs were in good condition. The Park staff has taken all thirteen eggs and placed them in incubators at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Eight eggs are set at an incubation temperature of 29.5 °C and five are at 28 °C.
In certain species of reptiles (including Galapagos tortoises), there are no chromosomes which determine gender. Gender is determined by the temperature at which the eggs are incubated. The higher temperatures produce females and the lower temperatures produce males. After many years of experimentation during the 1980s at the Research Station, staff discovered the temperature range at which the eggs would produce males and females. In this particular case, given the number of possibly viable eggs, the decision was made to put more eggs at the higher incubation temperature (female). In a population restoration effort, which this certainly is, it is more important to have more females than males.
There are now a total of 13 eggs in the incubators-5 from the first tortoise and 8 laid by the second. It will be another 120-130 days before the incubation process is completed and before it is known if the eggs are viable. "

Lonesome George is lonesome no more!

Ethiopian Cultural Camp

Wow, what an incredible, exhausting weekend on Lake Geneva for our first Ethiopian Cultural camp. We are still trying to recover and have all come down with colds (yes, I know, in the middle of summer!). The weekend was fantastic and filled with lots of great activities, cooking classes, kids games, a wonderful dinner, music and swimming. It was great to meet so many other families and one special family that took pictures of E2 for us while he was still in Ethiopia. I really makes me want to find a Guatemalan cultural camp for E1 to see what that is like.

The exhausting part revolved mainly around camping with a 3 year old and a baby that likes to move around and put everything in his mouth. Frankly, that part was utterly exhausting with E2 wanting to check things out but trying to keep him confined to the blanket we had put down for him to play on. Luckily, he was a big hit and met probably more of the families than we did which gave us a much needed break from holding him. E1 had challenges of his own, we were so far away from the bathroom that many times by the time he said he had to go, there was no chance of making it there in time. I think we double our "accident" count in one weekend. In hindsight, we should have brought his potty so he could have used it in an "emergency". Luckily, no more camping trips planned until next year when E2 will be walking!

On Sunday morning, we gave our fancy-dancy presentation about our cultural tour to the north in Ethiopia to an audience of about 35 people. It was quite nerve racking giving the presentation in front of Ethiopians. It would have been a bit different if our audience was just adoptive families. I just hope we didn't mess up any of the historic or cultural information too bad. In addition, to add to the complexity, T and I gave the presentation together. As we have never done a power point as a team, that added another challenge to the mix. We received many heartfelt comments afterwards, so I am hoping it came across well on all fronts.

E-Squared - Tales from the Backseat

Another edition (somewhat belated, but worth the wait) of..

Tales from the Backseat

E1 - “E2 is cute”
Mom - “Yes he is very cute”
E1 - “Do you like him?”
Mom - “I love him!!!, do you love him”
E1 - “I love him too, and da da and ma ma and baby e2 and e1”
Mom - “Are you guys holding hands back there”
E1 - “Yep”
Mom - “That’s nice”

Tonight on Animal Plant.....

Birds of Prey

This special documentary follows one family living in surburbia who has a new set of neighbors, four very large and very loud hawks. Follow along with the family as they experience the hawks bathing in their pond, froliking from tree to tree and their near misses with the families windows. But that's not all folks, be sure not to miss the group hunts that target all the furry little creatures in the yard and watch as they tear their prey limb from limb as tufts of fur and body parts fall out of the trees. Keep the baby and small pets inside and watch where you step, nothing says family fun like seeing a baby bunny's head being ripped off.

This program not suitable for young children

Oh Guatemala, Que Paso?

It really pains me to write this, but frankly, my frustration level is at an all time high. As some of you know, Guatemala, amid pressures from the US and UNICEF adopted the Hague in 2007. The previous international adoption system was controlled by attorneys and foster care. With the Hague, Guatemala will be turning the system over to a government run system that will take the control out of the hands of the attorneys. The system is presently in limbo with a standstill in some of the existing adoptions being processed as well as the halt of any new adoptions. Without the money coming in from adoptions, many of the orphanages can no longer care for the children. The workers are not showing up for work as they are no longer being paid and there is no food so the children are being turned out onto the street. It is a horrible situation, and unfortunately, it is the children that are the ones suffering.

When we started our adoption in 2005 of our first son, we were really adoption "virgins". In hindsight, though we have a beautiful son, it is hard knowing that we contributed to lining the pockets of these attorneys and that none of the money that was paid to process the adoption of our son went back into the child care facilities in Guatemala.

Last week we received a letter from our agency asking for emergency donations to support an orphanage. Their goal is to raise $100,000. This would pay for staff, food, medical, clothing, etc. Again, I recognize that we were part of the problem, and not the solution, but DARN IT! You never did ANYTHING in all the years you have processed adoptions through Guatemala to help these orphanages! You never did any humanitarian work in Guatemala to help reduce the number of children that were being relinquisted. You were happy enough to have an in country coordinator who didn't know a lick about Guatemalan culture held up in the Marriott and were happy as a clam to keep the baby train heading due north! And now you are asking US to send you money? Frankly, I would rather support 10 more children through World Vision in Guatemala than do that.

I will always remember what the Wide Horizon's of Children representative said at one of their presentation (we have never used them as an agency, just so I can be clear on that, but would do so in a heart beat). She said "Our main goal is to reduce the number of children needing adoptive families by finding ways they can stay with their biological family", she noted that it seems like a strange statement as in the business world, they would be basically putting themselves out of business. But I think that statement speaks to my point, adoption is not a business, it is about the children and identifying why these children can't stay with their biological families then using the resources adoption provides to improve the families and communities so more kids can be supported by their biological parents. Throwing money at an orphanage is truly a short term fix. What are WE all doing for the long term?

More Ethiopian Food and More on Ethiopian Culture

Ok, ok, it has officially been a week and a half since the baptism and I broke down and made some more Ethiopian food. I have been thinking about it for the last week and even though it was hotter than hubby's arm pits after a 12 mile run in our house last night (ok, that was gross, how about hotter than Dire Dawa at 7:00 in the morning?), I so missed it and kept thinking how lonely the injera in the freezer must be. I made some lentels and ground beef w'et. It wasn't quite as good as the doro w'et I made for the party, but its better than no Ethiopian food around the house.

That leads me into my next segment about Ethiopian adoption and fine line we all must walk. We are hearing recently, that the Hilton is becoming known as a baby house in Ethiopia. Because of the negative perception this is generating our agency is asking families not to stay there and to limit outings around town with children that are being adopted. I have heard of international adoption being termed a form of cultural destruction for the countries and cultures that process a large number of adoptions each year. Ideally, in a perfect world, children that could not be raised by their parents would find a home in their community. Unfortunately, this is not reality. As an adoptive parent, it is really a proactive effort and everyday thought process to not only learn a culture (or 2 in our case) that I am not familiar with, but to also teach that culture to our children. I have read about so many things in both the Mayan culture and Ethiopian culture that our children will not have an opportunity to experience because they no long live in their birth countries. In speaking with one of our Guatemalan friend, she said something that will stick with me, "We don't actively seek Guatemalan activities, because we are Guatemalan". And there in lies the conundrum, They ARE, we AREN'T. Is it a constant struggle to achieve the un-achievable?

E-Squared - Tales from the Backseat

On our way to the lake....after driving for 45 min's

E1 - Are we there yet

Mama - Nope, not yet

(a few minutes later)
Mama - Yah, I think I recognize this intersection, but I'm not sure I know how to get to the lake

E1 - Mama....that's not funny!

On Trying and Posting

I must admit to being a bit of a internet junkie when it comes to other people's blogs. I love reading stories from families living in Africa as missionaries or about the trials and tribulations of adoptive parenting and the journeys to become forever familes. Before hubby started this blog, I was excited, but really wasnt sure if I would post anything to it. When I read other blogs, and there is this raw honesty, I always wondered in the back on my mind what kind of flack they get from friend and family members, either making judgements on their parenting or offering unsolocited advice. I would imagine a blog is a different thing to different people, some just wanting to have an outlet, while others hoping someone else might share the common ground.

Now that I have started posting a bit more, I must admit that at times it almost seems like someone has rummaged through your bedroom and unlocked your diary. Many of the posts on other blogs I have read have been very emotional, and expressed deep feelings of hurt. So far, I have just tested the water. The feedback on one of my recent posts was something new to me. Unfortunately, most of the feedback really missed the point of the post and took a sharp left into "Some-Where-Else-Ville". Which has left me questioning if I should pull back and limit my posting to funny stories of the "Adventures of E-Squared", or if I should pony up and say "Bring it on".

Language and the Borne Identity

I overheard a conversation between 2 parents at E1's Spanish class this week about foreign language and the issues associated with beginning to teach a foreign language as late as 7th or 8th grade, or even high school which is typical in many American schools. Because of the way our brains develop, they are hard-wired to learning language as such a young age. Young children learn naturally language structure like learning how to walk. Young adults attempting to learn a foreign language must memorize grammar and sentence structure. I defiantly struggled in this regard while learning Amharic for our trip as you can read in my previous posts. I must admit though to aspiring to be the Jason Borne of international travel. To be able to be dropped in any country in the world and speak the language perfectly.

Language has always been important to me in our travels. In all of the countries we have visited, I always felt it was important to learn at least a few pleasantries and not travel assuming everyone will speak my language. Over time, I have noticed that we are received differently when we meet people and try our best to use their native language. I was particularly amazed by this in Ethiopia. There is a sort of kinship that evolves when someone speaks your language. As we waited for our 3:00 am ride to the airport from our Addis hotel, I stepped into a conversation between the desk clerk and a gentleman who was having trouble with his key. Having had a few drinks, he was having a heck of a time translating Swedish to English and the desk clerk who spoke Amharic was having a heck of a time understanding his broken English. The gentleman told me he was from Sweden and that his English wasn't very good. After being the go-between to help them understand each other I turned to him and said in Swedish "My Swedish isn't very good". I think his look of shock echoed my shock of the Swedish words coming out of my mouth (I really pulled that one out of the archives!). I would have never imagined I would be making use of my Swedish in Ethiopia. After he recovered from his shock (I think he was wondering how drunk he really was!) he complimented me on my Swedish. We spoke a bit about the areas we had traveled to in Sweden and then he was off to try a new room key.

While I am certainly no linguist and couldn't have spoken more than a few phrases to this gentleman, the power of language was very clear that night, and even though I am working with a 35 year old brain that is presently have enough trouble remembering the grocery list, I will keep learning, cause frankly, you never can tell when a few words of Quiche will come in handy! (Yes, I do know how to say, "come quickly, it's raining" in Quiche if you were curious!)

Why are we doing it?

Why is Ted running the marathon again. Wasn't the Chicago Marathon last year (and its brutally hot and humid weather) torture enough? Why does Jodie put up with Ted being gone (running) before the sun comes up some days, or coming to bed long past sun down (because he was running). What about those long weekend runs. What about spending time with E1 and E2?

Why? We are not just a family of 4. We are a World Vision family. Specifically a Team World Vision family. With all our hearts we believe in the wonderful work that World Vision does throughout the world. We are 1 of almost 1000 Team World Vision Chicago Marathon runners that have committed to help World Vision bring about the goal of a better world for Children, Mothers, Fathers, and Families in Africa in 2008.

Our family extends beyond the 4 people under our homes roof. We have a young boy we sponsor in Guatemala, an entire family we sponsor in Ghana, and another 7 year old boy we sponsor in Ethiopia. Having recently traveled to Ethiopia. We have seen first hand the awesome work that World Vision does in remote African communities like the Guraghe village in Ethiopia, where we met our sponsor child. We saw the school he attends, the fruit trees his father has learned to graft, and the water points to provide water for drinking and irrigation. We saw the hospitals, veterinary office, and the athletic field that World Vision built. But more importantly, we saw the joy and hope in the eyes of countless children and families during our visit.

Why am I running a marathon and why is my family behind me? Because our support makes a REAL difference. A difference we have seen first hand. Perhaps you'll join us and help to make the world better, one community at a time.

Won’t you help us to make that difference?

Peace

Prayer Request

We were deeply disturbed to get the news yesterday that our agency's care center in Ghana had been robbed and one of the house mothers assulted. Some of the children witnessed the assult. Everyone is very shaken by these events. The house mother now faces a potential divorce from her husband as that is the culture in Ghana. We ask for your prayers of healing for the children and the house mothers in this time of need. God Bless you.

So Many Sterotypes wrapped up into ONE Comment

I have been contemplating posting about my first "official" disturbing experience as the white mother of a black child for a few days, but when I think about what exactly happened that night, I am still perplexed by how a few simple words spoken by a stranger can be so heavily laden with stereotypes. After reading Theola Labbe-DeBose's article in the Washington Post (link in www.antiracistparent.com) and how after being on an alumni panel wearing the Princeton University colors one of the other panelist asked her what school she went to, she writes about the failure to be accepted and compares the recent New Yorker cover of the Obamas which echos this failure.

I was approached by a stranger at a city festival. Hubby and brother E had just headed back to the hot dog stand and I was playing on a blanket with E2 and dancing to the music. After a comment about how beautiful E2 was (yes, I know, he really is) the next thing she said was "Are you a single mother?" Frankly, I have never been asked that in my life. In all the places I have taken E1 to....NEVER. And I would venture a guess that most other parents have never been asked that either. No matter how you slice it, the comment is extremely offensive. Was her presumption that a white woman with a black child means the mother slept around or the black father didn't take responsibility for the child they created? The failure on her part was that she never considered that we might be a family consisting of a mother, a father and 2 lovely boys, black, white or other color. Her comment was formed by her preconceived notion of how a white woman would have a black child.

At this point, you are probably wondering how I responded. Did I punch her in the nose? Ignore it or stand up and be the antiracist parent I claim to be? Well, on many levels, I am disappointed with my response. I basically said "No, hubby and brother went to get a hot dog". Frankly, this was a bit of a cop out. In retrospect, a better response would have been "Why do you ask?" to get to the root of her perceptions and combat those perceptions with facts. In one of my books, racism is compared to a moving sidewalk, even if you are just standing still, you are still moving towards it. You need to actively walk against it. In this case, I was standing still and for that, I am disappointed in myself.

So Much Injera, So Little We't

I am coining a new phrase this week, it's kind of a glass half empty phrase, but describes how I am feeling looking at that pile of beautiful injera in my kitchen then glancing over to the licked clean bowls that previously held the doro we't, fish we't and red lentils. I am so exicted to have shared my Ethiopian dishes will so many of our friends, but after 2 straight days of cooking, I can't even force myself to pick up a knife and start chopping more onions. So the beautiful injera is sent packing to the freezer to await my next culinary creation. I must say, I am far happier with the dishes and how they turned out this time then my first go around. I think the home made spiced butter was the key. I have a book full of recipies, so I will have to figure out what I would like to try next. Maybe Lamb Tibs, I have never made that before.

I am sure hubby will post all the wonderful details of E2's baptism yesterday and the open house that followed. We are so blessed to have some many friends and family members that will support us in raising our boys in a God filled home. Both of our little guys had a blast yesterday, they were soaking up all the attention they were getting from everyone at the open house and hit the hay last night, exhausted!!!! Well, truth be told, we all hit the hay last night pretty exhausted. What a Blessed Day!

Today's Reading

Reading of the day...

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.

Peace...

You Can't Take it With You

Hubby always keeps me on my toes and never ceases to surprise me with something that he utters in passing that might just bounce out the window without a second look if you aren't paying attention. It has been a bit of a joke in our house since returning from Ethiopia as to where my wedding ring went, if I even know where it is and when I might be putting it back on. I don't really wear jewelry, anyone who knows me, knows that the few costume earrings I own have never seen the light of day. I do have a few rings that I picked up in markets all over the world. I enjoy them because they remind me of the places and people we have met, unfortunately, the quality on many of them would not withstand a day to day wearing.

When we have traveled, I typically wear only the band we found at a little tourist shop in Scotland on my ring finger. The band is my "second" of three engagement rings (long story for another day about a pool, a missing stone, and a disgusting bathmat). Originally, I took my wedding ring off at the recommendation of others to prevent the "banditos" and other unsavory characters that lurk around every corner in the places we have travel from stealing it. Now that we have been a few places, and saw for ourselves that there is a greater chance of getting robbed in Chicago than in most of the places we have traveled, I began leaving it at home for another reason. Frankly, I was embarrassed by it. The places we have traveled have really opened our eyes to how much we really have and how little thought we give to dropping several grand on a single piece of jewelry. Or several more grand on a kitchen remodel.

So the shocker the other day was when hubby said something like, "I don't know why they don't just let people rent the engagement ring. That way, you could show it off to your friends, get the pic in your wedding album, but then after the wedding, trade it in for a simple band", In my case, the flashy diamond thing is in the past (and with my left-handedness, it was always a huge problem keeping it flashy at all) and I am now trying to figure out how to get all that baby food out of all the little prongs !!!

I have some thoughts on the matter that I am waiting to hit hubby with at the right moment given that our 10 year anniversary is less than 1 year away. After a couple Gallos (aka Famosas) we will see if his reaction is "Are you Crazy?" or not!

Wild Brush fires, Flooding, High Oil prices, and we speak of our dire situation..

Droughts and Wild fires on the west coast. Flooding in the Midwest. High gas prices everywhere impacting commutes to work, family vacations, prices on consumer goods, and food.

Yes Food. Prices are higher, but in the simplest view. We still have some. In fact plenty. Just look at the shelves on any Jewel, Dominic's, Tom Thumbs, Walgreen's, Target, Walmart, etc.

We are only 4 weeks removed from our trip to Ethiopia in which my family was blessed to view the beauty, the traditions, and learn some of the history of this amazing county. We saw rural villages. We observed their simple, but fruitful lifestyles. We saw inner city poverty. We experienced a caring and compassionate people. And we always saw kindness, generosity, and hope, in those people.

While we did travel to numerous regions of the county, we did not see it all. But how could we. It was only two weeks. What did we miss? Namely, we did not see first hand the devastating effects of a poor rainy season, and high fuel prices on the less fortunate in some of the very remote areas. Its hard to watch, but I urge you to view this BBC video about the pending crises that is forming in Ethiopia. In our son's homeland.

BBC NEWS Special Report: Ethiopia Faces food crises

We sing "God Bless America". Our currency says "In God we Trust". Our pledge contains "..one nation under God.." In the Bible, Luke 12:48, it states

From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

We have rising unemployment. We have the credit and mortgage crises. And yes we have all the effect resulting from high oil prices. Despite all of these things. Almost without question, each and everyone within the United States is still blessed beyond belief. We can all help. Individually we cannot change a county. But together we bring about tangible, and very real change.

One very simple way to support those organizations at ground zero. At the forefront of this (and practically every other humanitarian) crises. World Vision is in Africa. They are in Ethiopia. My family experienced first hand the TREMENDOUS impact they are having. Not just on individual children, but on villages of thousands. Children with food, clothing and school. Pregnant woman with real health care. Mens with jobs and trades becoming self sufficient. Not just to provide for their families, but for their community. You sponsorship and contribution to Team World Vision will help those in most need. My family and I have seen the results, first hand.



If not World Vision, then perhaps some other organization. But don't just stand on the sidelines. Gas prices stink. Milk is expensive. The price of rice is outrageous. ...but to everyone who has been given much, much will be required...

Peace

Back to Work

Well, after 6 weeks of learning how to juggle 2 kiddos, we are back to work. It seems like the 6 weeks went by so very very fast. I know with E1, my 6 weeks were after we returned from Guatemala, whereas with E2, my 6 weeks included the 2 weeks we were in Ethiopia. I think that probably made a huge difference given that week 3 was pretty much a loss given the jet lag recovery and lack of sleep, hey, maybe that is even why I don't remember it!

I feel so incredibly blessed to be the mother of two amazing little boys! T would always say how we were so lucky that E1 was such a good baby and has such an incredible personality that we should preparing ourselves fora monster baby when number 2 came along because we had it so easy with E1. Of course we would love the little monster baby, it is just more challenging to bond with a child when its head is spinning around. Back to the point, E2 is such an amazing little boy. I can just see the determination in his eyes when he tried to reach something that is just beyond him. I totally crack up when he gets excited about something because he starts panting at me with his mouth wide open! Or when he decides he is going to do his baby pterodactyl noise for an hour straight. Or the face he makes when he puts a pea in his mouth. He is so intrigued by big brother E1, E1 will come over and tell him a story and E2 can't take his eyes off him! E2 whats to know what E1 is doing at all times and he so much wants to join him!

Hmmm, I wonder what they are doing right now....sniff...sniff

Just a taste of retirement

We've all done it, probably more often for us that are many years away from retirement. You have that multi-week time away from work. You get used to it. Less stress. No getting up at the crack of day to speed off for your 9-5.

Our vacation / adoption leave is coming to a close. As both J and I are heading back to the office next week. E1 will be fine, he's already been back to preschool for a couple of weeks. E2, well he's just starting daycare, so its gonna be a change for him. Me, I got back to work in a new position, so it will all be new for me also.

It was fun while it lasted, but its not time for retirement, so its back to work.

On the cyberspace front, We've not logged on much so we're a bit behind not only in
the blogging, but email and other stuff. Look for more updates soon. Particularly about
Team World Vision, training, and upcoming races for T.

Peace to you all, and Happy 4th of July

It has begun...

Its June 13th, and our Team World Vision Training squad (myself included) are all back from Ethiopia this week. While we try to dump our JET lag, catch up on sleep, get back into the groove or yard work, family life, and gasp our employment... We look at the calendar and see the date.

Friday June 13th. GASP!!! The week of June 9th - 15th is the first week of Chicago Marathon training. So we are already almost a week behind. So the first "long run" of 10 miles will be a bit
tougher given the 3+ weeks off from running.

As the training runs begin and the miles start ratcheting up, you'll see that destination Addis Ababa number climb closer and closer to the 7563 mile goal. As for now, its time to hit the sac and get some shuteye before the run tomorrow.

Peace

Hello ... Party of four, your table is ready

..... Party of four, your table is ready. We have returned home safely, and our Adoption Journey for E2 is now complete. Our two weeks in Ethiopia were remarkable, memorable, and changed us all, including our 3 year old E1. Mama, Papa, E1, and E2 are all doing well. Catching up on sleep, and we are all getting used to each other. Thank you to all that thought of us and prayed for us. The snafu's during our two weeks would have certainly been worse had it not been for those of you praying for us.

Peace...

Dust in the Wind...

Kansas sang "All we are is dust in the wind".
Jars of Clay sings about how we are earthen vessels...

As we get closer to our departure to pickup E2, stress levels in the house have risen. Going over what we have packed, or not packed. Trying to confirm reservations over less then reliable Internet communication with businesses in Ethiopia. We are both trying to tie up loose ends as work. J's Birthday (Happy Birthday J!!) T is struggling with contemplation about a new position at work, at the same time that some of his colleagues will be leaving next week due to yet another R.I.F (Reduction In work Force.. aka the ALU hatchet men are back..) Finances are as whacked as they been since we've gotten married.

All said, it has been a rough week. And so I thought that a verse from yesterday's daily reading was oddly appropriate. Especially for T.

Reading of the Day...

James 4:14
you have no idea what your life will be like tomorrow. You are a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears.
Instead you should say, "If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that."

Its easy enough to say "I trust in the Lord", or say that you know you can't do it all yourself. But when faced with immediate circumstances to test that. How will you fare? In our house, gulp, we're talking the plunge and trying to walk the walk. Trying not to think about that "what if's" and how bumpy the ride could get very quickly, and focus on the blessings that we have... and to simply have faith and hope.

Peace

Yirgacheffe. What did you call me?

Its been awhile between posts from J and I. Our home has been a hub of activity lately. So lets jump right into it.

Bone dry, was the coffee bin...
It seems fitting that the first coffee I've purchased myself in years, is an Ethiopian Yirgacheff (your-gaa-ch-eff). As our adoption travel day approaches, its nice to get a head start by drinking a cup (or a pot in my case) of smooth Ethiopian heritage each morning.

Construction is over...
My 2008 Team World Vision sponsorship page is up and running! I'll post separately about that. Gone is the "under construction" picture that graced the right hand side of this blog, and in its place you can now find the link my TWV (Team World Vision) sponsorship page. Children and Families lives are at stake, please take a look and prayerfully consider helping out.

Its showtime...
The right margin of the blog has a new element. Its one the Team World Vision motivational video clips. I still get goose bumps watching it. Maybe its easier for me to get into the mindset for this type of athletic sacrifice, but I still find it very moving.

Destination Ethiopia...
As you can see the mileage in "Destination Ethiopia" doesn't quite add up. It was a monumental task to try and cover 7563 miles in just over 1 year. However, the trial is not yet over. J and I will continue to log miles until we reach that 7563 goal. We'll post more on "Destination Ethiopia" shortly

That's the news, thanks for hanging with us, and we ask that you stick around, there is MUCH to come...
Peace

First Event is in the books...

With all the adoption related news, there has not been much in the way of Event updates. Well here it is...

The first event of the year was the Great Western Half Marathon. This was the second year I've participated. Last year my time was a surprising (to me) 1:40:19.33 (104th overall, and 94 amongst males, and 20th in the 35-39 age group).

My running/training partner set some lofty goals for this race. Not only for a new PR, but the idea heading into the race was to try to average a 7:30/mi pace. That is a pace I found I can hold for about 7 miles, but never attempted for 13.1 miles. As all runners know, some day you "have it" and some days "you don't have it".

In the end, I shocked myself with finishing in 1:37:36.9, with a 7:27/mi pace. Shocked didn't really capture my thoughts, perhaps stunned was more like it. For those bean counters, that time was good for 55th overall, 51 amongst males, and 11th in the 35-39 age group.

It was a nice sunny day, little wind, and the temperature was about as perfect as it could have been. Thanks to our World Vision Cheering section, know that it helped both of us to see you out there!

Peace
Ted

p.s. whats next? Well there are no triathlons planned for this year. Adoption activities will consume enough time that triathlons will be on hold until next year. I have two more half marathons planned, as well as the 2008 Chicago Marathon. I'm putting the finishing touches on the 2008 World Vision fundraising/sponsorship page, that will be ready in another day or two.

9 Years and counting...

To my lovely Bride J...

About 18 1/2 years ago we attended our first Dance together

About 18-1/2 years ago (coincidentally at that same dance) you realized that I wasn't the sharpest pencil in the box, and that in order to catch any signs from the female sex, they pretty much needed to be written on paper, thrown at me, and hit me in the face

About 13 years ago, we met up, face to face, for the first time in almost 12 years, along the lakefront, only to meet again a few days later where we shared (in my book) our first real kiss

About 12 1/2 years ago, somewhere over the plains of Oklahoma while in an airplane, I realized that I really loved this woman, and wanted no life without her

About Twelve years ago in the Scottish Highland City of Perth. I asked if you would be my wife, and to my good fortune, you said yes

9 Years ago today, in front of you, friends, family, and most importantly, God, we both said ... I do ...

It has been a memorable (almost) 19 years. And like all marriages, we've had our ups and downs, but things just keep getting better. After knowing you for close to 19 years, and having the privilege of being your husband for 9 of them, I would gladly said ... I do ... all over again.

I love you J! Happy Anniversary
T

Praise God, it's a Wedding Anniversary Miracle!

Our visa approval has been found and we have an embassy date! Baby E, we are coming!!!!!

We need your prayers!

The embassy lost our visa approval for E2, so everything is on hold until they find it or another copy is sent which could take a month or so. I am so upset I am completely beyond words. In an instant we went from traveling in a couple weeks to postponed for who knows how long.

Its Wednesday afternoon, do you know where your son is??

Well J, E1, and I do. E2 is in Addis Ababa, and HE'S WAITING FOR US TO COME GET HIM!!

WE CLEARED COURT !!!

In the eyes of the Ethiopian government, we are now E2's parents. On May 28th, we have an appointment at the US Embassy to finalize E2's US visa, and then we will be on are way back home...

...sigh...

...for the first time as a party of FOUR!!!

More news to come, but now I've got to get back to the phones and keep calling our family and friends. We're soooo excited. Thank you to everyone who has kept us in your thoughts and prayers. We still need you though, as we're now in home stretch ...

Peace

No news yet..

Its early still, only 8:35 am. However is it April 23rd, and as many who have been following along know, today is E2's court date. It is about 4:35pm in Addis Ababa (they are 8 hours ahead of us). It was mentioned that we may find out the results today or shortly thereafter. We will keep you all posted.

In the meantime, its time for another Reading of the day. This reading came up while reading the "One Bread, One Body" daily reflections. With the recent death of a relative of someone I know, and the diagnosis of cancer of someone close to me, and with the the questions and uncertainties around adoption, I thought this reading hit home.

Reading of the Day...

1 Corinthians 10:13
No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.

Peace

Ouch, Thats Hurts (As E1 would say)

Yes, I finally did it, after all my close calls with almost stepping on nails, almost taking a nail to the head, almost cutting off my finger during the tile cutting, just as I could finally see the light of day at the end of our remodel with the final coat of polyurathane drying, 75% of the mulch laid and the family room rug rolled up in the foyer ready to be laid out, I fell down the stairs and sprained my ankle! I thought for sure something broke after hearing snaping and cracking on the way down, but after a few minutes on the couch, I started walking around and moving furnature back into the family room. It swelled up quite a bit, but by the time I went to the doctor on Monday, she said I didn't even need x-rays, it was just a sprain! Maybe it was just the Lord telling me to SLOW DOWN! I have been taking it a bit easy, and rested a few days before continuing the work on the painting of E2's room. The hardest part on the ankle was the long periods of standing and treking painting materials up and down the stairs. Eventually, I gave in and just started washing out the brushes in the upstairs bathroom to limit the trips. It was pretty sore after Saturday this past weekend, but seemed to be a bit better Sunday.

The nursery is really starting to take shape, my sis is coming to get her bed out of the room that we have been storing and I got a great deal on a rug for the floor that is in the mail. So far, I have one wall with a mural that is a take off from an Addis artist of fishermen on the shoreline. The next wall has E's name in Amharic which I hope to put an Ethiopian cross by. The next wall has a few traditional homes and hopefully some donkey's carrying straw (this one is still in progress) and the last wall has a woman carrying firewood through her gate (take off from Ethiopia Reads book). All along the top is the colors of the Ethiopian Flag. As we did with E1's room, we hope to bring some things back from Ethiopia to add to the decor, but for now, I think we have a great starting point. I will be sure to post some pictures when we get the room cleared out a bit!

Leave it to the Romans

Well actually leave it to Paul in a letter to the Romans. As I was preparing for our last Spring session of "Why Catholic", we were referred this reading from Paul to the Romans. We were asked to reflect on its significance to us. Perhaps corny sounding to some, to me, just like the Reading of the day from the last post, its got a lot of "depth". So without further delay...

Reading of the day...

Romans 8:38
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers,

nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord

Peace

ps: only 24 days until the first race of the year. The Great Western 1/2 marathon. Training is going well, although tad bit of over training as the calves and hamstrings are pretty tight now.

All is quiet on the Western Front...

A friend shared this verse with me today. I found it nice, comforting in fact, so its high time to post another "Reading of the day"... Enjoy

..and lets all remember that out ...there... (waving a hands in a circle to reflect all the world around us) even though we may not always pray, or keep our thoughts on others, or even when we get ensnared in our own worlds, there are always people thinking about us, praying for us...

...and we can take comfort in that. For we never walk alone.

Reading of the day...

Hebrews 4:14-16
since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.

So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help

Peace

Time and Miles tick by..

As we await the result of E2's court date on April 23rd, I thought it was high time to update our Destination Addis journey. Especially now that springlike weather has finally arrived.

Destination Addis is displayed on the right hand side of the blog. Our family tracks our mileage, whether its running, walking, swimming, biking. From Chicago, its 7,563 miles to Addis Ababa. Unlike with E1, Destination Guatemala, was quite a bit easier at only 1,888 miles. We could actually go there and back. I thinking simply getting there, would be an amazing feat. Destination Addis is more than just simple exercise, its a way to help us pass the long slow months of the adoption process. Its a sort of therapy I suppose.

Anyway, its not been updated in some time. As we have just crossed the 4100 mark, we figured its time for an update. Only 3446 miles to go...