Love Languages

T and I were contemplating what our kids love languages were the other day, jokingly. Admittedly, neither of us have read the book so we were kind of making up our own titles given the fact the only one we really remembered was “acts of service”. We agreed that our one daughter’s love language had to be “stuff” (not the official title, but the best description we could come up with for her obsession with material items). While I pondered this some more, I was reading a blog and this sentence really struck me: “Growing up I wasn’t looking down at the expensive clothes or toys you bought me, I was looking at you, my role model.” We can get so hung up on the material/activity side of things that we forget that WE are the greatest influence on our children. Not what we buy them or how many activities we put them in. So here is the challenge: Hold up a mirror today and ask yourself: how do I portray myself to my kids? What do my kids see? Do I value myself? Do I value my marriage and show them that my marriage is a priority? Is my life in balance between family time, couples time and other activities? Do I take care of myself, have a healthy lifestyle? Am I showing them the value of friendship through the relationships I have? Am I showing them my faith and love of God? Actions speak louder than words and children are keen observers. We are a reflection of what our children will become and how we live our lives is the greatest example we can provide them, far beyond thousands of lectures, material items or sports commitments. Make sure the reflection you see in the mirror is who you want your children to become. When we value and respect ourselves, our children will learn that lesson through our example. And if you don’t like what you see, take the steps to change it. Be Brave and Love yourself!

Vivir mi Vida!

Destination Congo... I can see the river through the forest

Its been a Looooooonnnnnng Journey.  Destination Congo 7080 miles.  And we are rounding the last turn. With close to 40-80 miles per week between running and Bike Trainer.  It could be within two week.  How much has my life changed since "Destination Congo" started.  I could blog on that for a year and not cover everything.  But its been a wild wild wild course of event between that start an now.  Excited to put this chapter to a close.

Cause I'm Only Human......Love me for who I am and not for who I am not

Christina Perri tweets: "everything in this video is on purpose. i wrote it. it tells a story. figure it out. xx" "fact: i like who i am #human". From her mouth to mine, I LIKE WHO I AM!

Stand - Not just one word, but my one word

stand

/stand/

verb
- have or maintain an upright position, supported by one's feet
- rise to one's feet
- remain valid or unaltered
- adopt a particular attitude toward a matter or issue

noun
- an attitude toward a particular issue; a position taken in an argument
- determined effort to resist or fight for something
- an act of holding one's ground against or halting to resist an opposing force

And according to the Good Book
Ephesians 6: 11 - 15

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

My One Word

Each year my running brothers and I search, contemplate, and pray for a word.  One word.  The word we want to reflect our upcoming year. Not just the current occurrences and activities, but a word that we'll strive to fulfill.  During our annual reflection run on New Years Eve morning, we all share our words.  During the year we do our best to support each other in helping each other to live the Word.  Its not the time and place to describe here, but my word is "Stand"  On the surface a simple word.  But the more you think about it, and the more you know about our family situation and the challenges we face.  The challenges I face.  I think the Lord provided me with the perfect word.  The cheesy way to think of the work might be in the "Chumbawamba" sense.  "I get knocked down.  But I get up again.  You're never going to keep me down"  But my close friend Chris shared the Ephesians verse above, and frankly that just nailed it better than any words I could put to paper.  When 2014 comes to a close, the measure of the year will be the moment I can say.  "As for me and my family...  We Stood"

My motivational theme song to keep me focus during the challenging patches is this wonderfully appropriate song by Kristian Stanfill "The Stand"

betrayed and thanks

Two words you would not expect to see together in the same sentence.   And yet how profound.

...and on the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it...


Surely and example to all.  Amidst all the adversity and hardships we each face,  we can and should find and dwell on the things we should be Thankful for.

Here is a challenge.   For 7 days before you go to sleep, think of 10 things that happened (or didn't happen) that you are thankful for.  And give thanks to him who deserves it.

Another day in the Neighborhood

Some bloggers post everything and anything, and are consistent no matter what.  Other (like this one), I guess you could say absence makes the heart grow fonder. No that's not right.  Absence makes the brain wonder more?  or Absence make the wonder greater.  What is going on behind the curtain.  If we've been quite, surely there has been enough "activity" to warrant a blog post.   Guess so. Though lately our "activity" results in us needing to circle the wagons.

Halloween is past.  Thankfully without any major, Gi-normous issues.  Wont share them here, but the rollar coaster has been derailed a few times, and those that are in the know, well you are in the know, and its stuff we dont really post here.  Who want to see the neighbors dirty laundry anyone.  Its not as if you are looking to see if their is any more nasty then your own.

Sacrifice for with purpose.   Another opportunity arose.  Ran a marathon without any specific time, rather an "effort goal".  I did run with a group of Faithful men (our group calls ourself the Fellowship of Runners), and they had an aggressive time goal.  In the range of 8:02 - 8:15 per mile for all 26.2 .   Thats a pace I can hold for 7 to 15 miles, beyond that, I would need exceptionally perfect conditions to pull that off.   But I went out with them, hung in as long as I could, again knowing my personal goal was effort.  I did hold the pace for almostt 17 miles.  Slowly the pace crept longer and longer.  Ended up with a very respectable 8:29 pace for a 3:42 marathon.  Perhaps a Personal Record, but I'm not keeping track.  So what of the goal...

It was hard,  hard enough that I wasnt even able to focus so much on all the "sacrifice" I was offering up. But that's OK also.  Just mean I took it up a notch.  When one foot in front of the other, and keep breathing are about the only thoughts,  I'm thinking that alot is being offered up. 

Its no Thanksgiving.  But got a lot to be thankful for.  A great group of men to share some time with.  The ability to run longer distances, and persevere in the effort with the hope the effort will be accepted to bring aid to others.  A Wife the gave me the green light to go ahead and race, and held down the fort whilst I was gone.  A family, however challenging and dysfunctional we are, that keep me on my toes every minute of every day. Employment.    Enough spare change to buy some Chipotle when the need (and yes I do mean need, because sometimes you just need Chipotle) arises.  But mostly thankful that I've maintained my Faith during a year that would have possibly destroyed many men, they jobs, and their families.  

Don't know where the roller coaster is going, when the next derailment is, or when it might come to a peaceful stop.  But for today. The hands are still strong enough to hold on tight.

Peace

Its a Good Morning

I'm sorry, if you don't lifted up, more cheerful, and ready to face the day after listening to this, then you likely don't have a pulse.  Been quite a few morning lately that I would have needed to hear this.  5 Star shout out Mandisa!  Thanks for great song.

Hope you have a Good Morning (too)

Peace

A Headphones on kinda day

Today is a headphones on kinda day.  The kind in which you just tune into all the songs that help you to recharge, relax, refocus.  The kinda songs to calm your mind and body and reawaken your Spirit.

Yep.  Its one of those kinda days.
Peace

A unique view of suffering...

Tri for Hope, Sacrifice with Purpose...

Its right there in the name.  I've found myself sharing the sentiment with others recently.  Namely with regards to some of the races I registered for, and my goals and expectations for them.  Its not about the time, or the training, or a PR.  Its about the effort.  I repeat it often.  Since I am offering up my "effort", my goals are to have a great effort.

Sitting in Adoration, I came across this excerpt from "The Diary of St. Faustina" (343)

True Love is measured by the thermometer if suffering.  Jesus, I thank you for the little daily crosses, for opposition to my endeavors, for the hardships of communal life, for the misinterpretation of my intentions, for humiliations at the hands of others, for the harsh way in which we are treated, for false suspicions, for poor health and lack of strength, for self-denial, for dying to myself, for the lack of recognition in everything, for the upsetting of all my plans.

Now granted, St Faustina is a Saint. She perhaps her perspective is something to aspire to.  Since at least for me, thinking, considering, and accepting of all those daily trials as a gift, as and opportunity...  well that is just easier said than done isn't it.

Peace