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
Friday, June 13, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
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...
Peace...
Thursday, May 22, 2008
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...
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
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
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, May 2, 2008
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
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
Thursday, May 1, 2008
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!!!!!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
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.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
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!!
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
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...
Peace
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
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