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?