Rough Start

I had hoped that starting this blog would give me extra motivation for at least a week or two.  And in some ways it did.  But this past week has been extrememly busy and I have had work or other activities 4 of the 5 week night evenings.  Somehow, beginning the blog just didn't give me enough motivation to get out of my warm bed before sunrise.  I signed up to train with a training group, Trident Sports Fort Worth, and my coach emailed the following training plan:

Mon Weights
Tues swim 45 min. Run 30 min
Wed bike 60 min or spin class
Thur swim 45 min run 45 min
Fri bike 60 min
Sat swim 1 hour. Brick bike 1 hour. Run 15 min
Sun bike 1:30

So far this week I have run 30 min and biked for 40 minutes.  Oops.  Rough start.  But its a beautiful day in Fort Worth and I'm off for a bike ride and run!  And hopefully next week will be better.

 

 

 

Taking Stock and Looking Ahead

Tomorrow is my birthday. I'm turning 39. And that means 40 is just around the corner.

I can't help but be grateful for a pretty amazing 39 years. But still, approaching 40 I realize there are some things I haven't done yet and I always thought I would. Still to be fair, there are also a lot of things I have done and experienced that I never expected I would.

Dreams Realized

• taught and coached in an inner city high school
• earned SCUBA Certification (and have been fortunate to dive in some amazing and beuatiful places places - Koh Phi Phi, Thailand; Palau Perhentian, Malaysia; Cozumel, Mexico)
• skydiving
• pledged Kappa Alpha Theta
• ran 3 marathons (Twin Cities, San Diego Rock N Roll, and Fort Worth Cowtown)
• lived in South East Asia for two years working with the Church
• skiied a double diamond slope (I fell alot - but I made it down!)
• read through the Bible in a year
• enthusiastically cheered on my favorite teams at special sporting events
• Mizzou at the Big 12 Basketball Tournaments in KC and Dallas and the football team at Cotton Bowl. Not to mention many games in Columbia and even a few in Lawrence
• Texas rangers in a World Series, and the KC Royals in regular season games

Unexpected Dreams Realized

• worked with refugees and refugee minors - some of the most amazing people from all over the world. A refugee is someone who has had to flee their country because their lives are in danger because of persecution. There are way too many refugees whose lives have been turned upside down and find themselves living in refugee camps around the world. A small percentage of refugees get the opportunity to resettle in the US and other countries. I have had the privilege to work with some of these amazing folks as they begin a new life in Fort Worth, TX. If you want to know more about what I do, check out this video
• bought a house
• played in the TN high school state champonship soccer game
• rode in a hot air balloon
• attended Mizzou - My years at Mizzou were amazing and it was there that the foundations were laid for who I am now. But I never wanted to go there. I had intentions of going to a small private school. Fortunately my dad (a Mizzou alum and a banker who I'm sure was considering the price difference too) didn't give up on the idea of me attending MU and took me on a campus visit when I was visiting him for Christmas. During the tour he took me to a part of campus that resembled a private school campus to me and I decided it couldn't be all bad and just might be worth more consideration. I'm so glad it all worked out the way it did.
• spent a summer studying at Oxford and travelling to Scotland and Whales
• proud owner of a sweet dog, Judson. I don't dislike pets. But I certainly wasn't looking for one. Many who visited my house would say someting about how great my back yard is for a dog. And I would always respond with something about how much time and money they take and I'm just not ready for that commitment right now. But then I noticed two cute puppies at work. I and several coworkers took a break to go check them out. And one of my coworkers took them to the vet and to find homes for them. How could I not take one? And Judson has turned out to be a great pet!
• became a licensed foster parent. Another thing I never would have expected. But through working with refugee minors, I've learned about the foster care system. I was challenged when I heard someone talk about true biblical hospitality as welcoming strangers into your home. Having bought a house and having extra room and having a history of helping youth (teaching, coaching, working with church youth group) it seemed that foster care was the direction God was leading. I haven't had any kids placed yet, but am ready when the time is right.
• hiked to the highest point in Texas. Inspired by an article in Texas Monthly magazine I and two friends, Janel and Rebecca, headed to the Big Bend area for a vacation that included Big Bend, Marfa, the Fort Davis Observatory, and Guadalupe National Park. Rebecca has documented the trip wonderfully on her blog. Guadalupe wasn't on our original itinerary and I had never heard of it. But Rebecca's Aunt had, and she said we had to go there. So, we did. And we climbed the mountain. It was amazing. It was also a realization to me of how out of shape I was but how much I loved hiking. That was the beginning of the idea to do something physically challenging for my 40th birthday.

Dreams Yet Realized

• travel to all the continents - I'm well on my way but still lack South America and Antarctica. Hopefully I will check off South America when I hike to Macchu Picchu in Peru. Then only Antartica will remain.
• to be married
• become an astronaut - that was an early dream. And I started college as a mechanical and aerospace engineer in search of that dream. But my path lead another way. I think this one will remain unaccomplished - but there's always the hope of space tourism.
• travel to all the states - I still need to visit Alaska, Conneticut, Delaware, Hawaii (I did touch down once in an airplane but since I didn't get out of the airport I'm not going to count it), Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
• compete in the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
• participate in the The Texas Independence Relay

This is in no way a complete list. And there is no way to put into words all the moments of friendship and grace I have experienced throughout my life. But it is a good quick summary of some of the defineable highlights. And it reminds me that I have had a good life. I want to continue to enjoy my life and be able to do the things God has called me to do - I need to be healthy and in good shape to do it. So, out of gratitude for the gifts God has given me and out of a desire to continue to live well, I'm going to focus for a year on developing habits that will lead to a healthier lifestyle.