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!!!!!