The road to God only knows.

Chacaltaya.

2010-05-25T06:22:00.000-07:00

My friend, Isaac, and I went Mtn. Biking on Saturday 5/22/2010. We went to a mountain called Chacaltaya (5000+ meters). There used to be a ski resort at the top until the glacier disappeared.

We took bikes to the top and rode them back down to La Paz, Bolivia. It was a beautiful day of cycling in the mountains of Bolivia.

Isaac and I, with our friend Phil Kittelson, are hoping to go down the Death Road on the 29th. Hopefully, I'll have some good pictures and good stories to tell.

(The Mountain pictured above is Huayna Potosi.)

Ain't No Sunshine

2010-05-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

9 weeks.

2010-04-22T09:27:00.000-07:00

In 9 weeks I will be a married man.

2 months.

65 days.

I just had a wonderful 10 day visit from my fiancee, Carolyn. She got to see where we'll be living together next year. She got to see the school where we'll be teaching. She got to meet my friends here.

We went to some of my favorite spots and restaurants around the city. Blueberries. Alexanders. The Star of India. (We like the Royal Taj better:) We saw the home where we'll be living next year. A beautiful place. Open. Surrounded by mountains. Cute and cozy inside. We were thrown an engagement party with a Mariaci (sp?) Band! We saw movies and got sodas and popcorn! (It's really cheap here:) We went for walks to the grocery store. We had grilled cheese and tomato soup. We went for a beautiful hike. We just enjoyed every moment we had together.

I really miss her.

We will be married in 9 weeks, but we will be together again in 6! I'm really looking forward to being home for the Summer and all that we have to look forward to. I have to make this flight alone only one more time.

This 6 weeks will be hard. But I think it will be good, too, as we focus on the Lord, really focus on being present where we are, and get ready for the commitment we will be making on June 26.

I can't wait:)

Part of Bilbo's eleventy-first birthday speech.

2010-03-10T16:45:00.000-08:00

"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. This was unexpected and rather difficult. There was some scattered clapping, but most of them were trying to work it out and see if it came to a compliment."

haha.

28 years old.

2010-01-26T05:28:00.000-08:00

It's going to be a great year.

(the 8th graders made me a birthday card:)

Zongo Valle.

2010-01-23T16:31:00.001-08:00

love it.

Fast Pive Months.

2010-01-19T15:41:00.000-08:00

I decided I didn't like my most recent post. So I'm editing it:)

I did like the last line, so I'll keep that.

I think, really, I just wanted to share that I'm engaged! However, seeing as how the only people who read this blog already know that, it's probably kind of a silly thing to blog about.

I guess I could explain my subject. It comes from our engagement story.

I was standing with Carolyn at the church in Mt. Adams shivering, enjoying being with each other, and enjoying the view. The ring was weighing heavy in my pocket. My mind had gone blank...However, this was the moment I'd been thinking about since around September...asking Carolyn to marry me! I had some things planned to say, but standing there with my girl in the freezing cold trying to get up the nerve to get on one knee, i couldn't for the life of me recall what some things were.

The cold was becoming really cold. I finally remembered sort of what I was going to say. Either way, I needed to say something. I turned to face her and began. This spot is where we had our first date back in June. It was a lovely evening together. I think we were together for close to 8 hours and there wasn't one lull...It was just an amazing evening. However, back in June I was struggling with reconciling the feelings I was feeling for her with the fact that I was leaving the country in two months to Bolivia to teach... On the night of the engagement I explained that the last time we were at this spot (for our first date) I had no idea what was going to happen. We decided to date long distance. I told her the past five months, but I actually said the "fast pive months" (I was nervous!:) had been amazing. That I loved her so much and that it was nice being back at this spot again (on the night of the engagement) knowing that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. At this point I pulled out the ring, got down on one knee, and said, "Carolyn, will you marry me?" She said yes!

A lot has happened in the fast pew months. I finished up the first semester of teaching about half way through December. I had a wonderful 3.5 week Christmas break at home in Cincinnati with Carolyn. With my family. With my friends. It couldn't have been better. Now I'm back in La Paaaaz, beginning the second semester of classes. Carolyn is going to visit in April! We can't wait:)

At this point, Newandis' comment doesn't really make any sense, so I guess I should add again that after being engaged I learned that fiancee is spelled with 2 Es:)

I'm now back in Bolivia. There is so much to look forward to. My heart aches for Carolyn. I think it will be a long semester...but a good semester. I am thankful to be teaching again and with the students. I'm praying for focus and for peace and for joy. I trust that God knows what He's doing...

Life is good on the road to God only knows.

The Four Loves.

2009-11-30T04:56:00.000-08:00

"There is indeed a peculiar charm, both in friendship and in Eros, about those moments when appreciative love lies, as it were, curled up asleep, and the mere ease and ordinariness of the relationship (free as solitude, yet neither is alone) wraps us round. No need to talk. No need to make love. No needs at all except perhaps to stir the fire."

The Takesi.

2009-11-03T03:39:00.001-08:00

Campsites don't get much better than this..

A cow bought the farm...

2009-10-26T05:46:00.000-07:00

I had a very interesting weekend. As a staff we were going to Sorata for a retreat. It's a trekking hotspot. It was a beautiful place. We enjoyed some wonderful time relaxing together, worshipping, enjoying camp fires, eating good food. It was a nice weekend. It's a little rough being gone Saturday and Sunday and then having school on Monday...but all in all it was worth the time and effort.

It was a good weekend...except for an incident that happened on Saturday. It's sort of hard to believe that it actually happened. On Saturday as we drove down, I was driving "the beast." The beast is a 1978 (I think) Toyota Land Cruiser. It truly is a beast. We were driving along through Bolivia on a nice road, going about 40-50 mph (the beast doesn't go anywhere very quickly). We were in a farming area and there was a cholita walking her herd of cattle/sheep/donkeys towards us in the other lane. No worries. The cows gave every indication that they were quite content in their lane.

However, about right when I reach the herd, one of the cows decides it likes something on the other side of the road. So it gingerly walks across the road, sadly, right in the path of the oncoming truck. I slammed on the brakes but there just wasn't enough time to stop. I slammed into the cow going about 30 mph.

It was horrible. Thankfully, no one inside the truck was injured. Sadly, the cow did not fair so well. It didn't die, but was laying in front of the truck in shock. A crowd quickly gathered. Thankfully, the Molenas were close by. Marcos Molena is Bolivian and works for the school. They turned around and came back to help. I don't know what we would have done if he hadn't been there. A truck full of americans. Killed a cow. The crowd could have quickly gotten out of hand. Marcos was able to talk to them and explain what happened and we were able to settle the matter quickly. We had to pay for the cow, about $400.

Ironically, the beast comes equipped with a bull guard on the front. So the damage was minimal. Nothing happened to the engine. Which says a lot about the beast, because hitting an 800-1000 lbs. cow at around 30 mph probably would have totaled any other car.

It was a sad thing that happened. I felt really bad about hitting and killing such a big animal.

However, through all of it, even though some things about it are hard to understand, God's grace and provision did shine through.

No one was hurt.

Marcos was there to help.

The truck still drives fine.

I was driving instead of one of the girls.

There were others in our group nearby to help gather together the money.

The crowd did not riot or get out of hand.

And other little ways.

So it was not a fun experience. But I am glad everyone is okay. And hopefully the people in the town will be touched by our attitudes and actions towards them. We didn't get mad or angry or protest the price. We expressed our sympathy and our regret that it had happened. We paid for the cow. And Marcos prayed for them and the situation before we left. Hopefully, they saw something of the love of Christ in the craziness that happened.

2009-10-18T12:20:00.000-07:00

"Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away."

George Eliot

Live the questions.

2009-10-15T02:47:00.001-07:00

"...I would like to beg you dear Sir, as well as I can, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer."

Rainer Maria Rilke, 1903

Wacky Friday.

2009-10-12T10:55:00.000-07:00

Wacky Friday.

Zongo Valle.

2009-10-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

Zongo Valle. One of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

Lake Titicaca (it's okay, you can say it)

2009-09-23T04:18:00.000-07:00

Lake Titicaca is a beautiful place. I believe it sits at around 12,500 ft. And is the highest navigable lake in the world (that's according to Bolivia...this factoid is debated by other countries with higher lakes:). We can safely say it's ONE of the highest navigable lakes in the world. We had Monday off from school so 7 of us teachers went to Lake Titicaca. One of the teachers, Stephanie, got us the hook up through a friend of a friend who owns a lake house there. It was awesome. We relaxed, read, played games, hiked, tossed the disc. It was a nice way to spend our weekend.

Week 5 done.

2009-09-11T13:21:00.001-07:00

Well, that was a riveting discussion on Conditional Immortalism :)

In other news...

We've finished the 5th week of classes. We are tearing through this semester.

I just went running. It was very hard... That's all I have to say about that.

Have a good weekend!

Conditional Immortalism.

2009-09-01T11:09:00.000-07:00

http://wisdomandfollyblog.com/2009/08/04/a-defense-of-conditional-immortalism/

Hey faithful readers:
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the above blog post.

The more traditional view of Hell is that if you don't believe in Jesus you will go to hell and suffer conscious torment for eternity.

Another view of hell called Annihilationism says that there is no punishment in hell...when you die you are just annihilated.

The view presented in the blog, Conditional Immortalism, does hold to a very real punishment in hell...however, it is only for a designated time. Ultimately, a non-believer, after punishment is destroyed and will no longer exist.

The blog, wisdomandfollyblog.com, is my professor's and his wife's, Jim and Amy Spiegel. Spiegel is a professor of philosophy at Taylor University. At Taylor I was in a band with him and with Steve and Chris Jones. I got really close with them and with Jim's family my last couple years at Taylor.

Many of you know I start many thoughts and stories with, "Well, Spiegel says..."

I hope you are able to get something from his and Amy's blog.

2009-08-31T04:45:00.000-07:00

I got the bike late last week! It's been a complete joy to have and drive. Love it. I'll have to write more later about what it's like to drive in the traffic here. But for now, just wanted to show you the bike. peace.

Motorcycle.

2009-08-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

I went and looked at a motorcycle today. Unfortunately, the mechanic was working at it so it wasn't in a condition to ride. The bike is pictured second from the left. It's a Kawasaki KMX 200 2 stroke dirt bike/motorcycle. Scott, my roommate, and I rode over on his bike to the mechanic. He left his bike there to get some maintenance done on it. It was awesome riding on the bike over to the mechanic. So freeing to be on a bike...feel the breeze in your face...there's not the jerking and bumping and crowded stuffiness that comes with public transportation. I'm really excited to have a bike of my own and to be able to explore the city with more freedom. The bike I'm looking at is owned by the mechanic...so hopefully, that means it's in good condition.

Should be ready on Wednesday. Perhaps the next post will be sitting on my new motorcycle.

from Bolivia..

2009-08-06T16:04:00.000-07:00

My first post from South America. I arrived here in La Paz, Bolivia on July 26, 2009 at about 6:30 am. We had a very warm welcome from the other staff and other local missionaries as we got our luggage and made our way out of the airport. It was really nice being greeted by warm hugs and handshakes. We were even each given a bottle of water to drink. Hydration is very important the first few days as you adjust to the altitude and the climate.

We were then all shuffled into various vehicles that were to take us to our new homes. Isaac and I are living in a house. It was an interesting adventure getting into the house. None of the keys we had actually worked... So we were forced to jump the gate and open it from the inside. Then the house keys wouldn't work. So we were forced to find a broken window, jimmy the latch, and climb in. Actually...not very encouraging how easy it was to break in :)

But, no worries, we rolled with it. Alison, one of the returning teachers, made us some muffins. She even went to the store while we unpacked and got us a few things to eat, i.e. yogurt, eggs, bread, fruit, milk, cereal. So even though we had to break in, we still felt welcome.

The first week was spent with Ashlyn and Alison showing us the city. Ashlyn and Alison are both returning teachers. They came early to organize and run the orientation week. We learned our way around the city. We learned how to use public transportation. We got cell phones. We went shopping for blankets and things we forgot or were planning on getting here. It was a good week. It was a fairly smooth process...surprisingly. Moving from one Country to another Country can come with all sorts of complications...but I'm actually amazed how quickly I began to feel comfortable and at ease.

This second week has been a Teacher Work Week. All the teachers are here now. And we've been going to the school every day (except today (Thursday) because it's Bolivia Day! Don't forget to celebrate Bolivia's independence!). We've had meetings. We've organized classrooms. We've organized schedules. We've prepared lessons. It's been busy but really good.

It's starting to really sink in that I'm going to be an actual teacher with an actual classroom with actual students giving actual lessons and grades in an actual accredited school...sort of intimidating...okay, very intimidating! But I'm liking my schedule. 8, 9, 10, and 11/12 grade Bible classes. The curriculum looks good. There's just a lot I'm going to have to remember to do, like give out homework assignments and grade papers and stuff like that...teacher stuff that I've never really had to think about doing.

Altitude. Thankfully, hasn't been a huge issue. There's the occasional shortage of breath when going up stairs or climbing hills. I had a couple of interesting experiences going for a run and riding my bike to work...both were fine until the road goes up...then it's amazing how difficult it becomes. Like you're breathing very hard but it's not really helping at all.

...

Well, i started the above post on Thursday evening. It's now Saturday morning. It's rainy out. And we have to go to the school again for Open House for the parents and students. With the rain, I'll be interested to see how many people come.

If no one comes, it will still be good to be there and work on some more lesson plans.

5 days.

2009-07-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

I leave the Country in 5 days!!!

Missionary

2009-06-22T19:34:00.000-07:00

I'm currently in Southaven, Mississippi. I'm here attending the PFO (pre-field orientation) for my new job teaching through NICS (Network of International Christian Schools) in La Paz, Bolivia.

PFO is 2 weeks of meeting teachers, learning about third culture kids, learning what to expect living, teaching, and serving in a new culture.

It's been good.

I wasn't super excited about these 2 weeks. Mostly because my time is running short here in the US. It's hard to give up 2 weeks when I only have 5 left. However, I'm very hopeful that this will be an invaluable and enriching time.

I had a really interesting and good conversation with Nate at dinner tonight. He's the director at the school in Venezuela.

He was explaining something of the political and spiritual climates in Venezuela and Bolivia...I guess South America in general. It's a dark place. The Bolivian president, Ayma, has been on television offering animal sacrifices...

And the nature of these schools is powerful ministry. Since these schools offer an excellent international education people from all walks of life are willing to come and learn. They are receiving a Christian education along with all the other subjects. But they don't mind "putting up with" I guess the Christian aspect because they are respected, accredited, international schools.

So these schools have a platform to ministry to people that many churches and ministries don't have!

This director, Nate, warned me that it is a battlefield. I need to have people specifically praying for me. I need to specifically begin preparing for ministering and serving in what will definitely be a very difficult place to live and work...

I think the conversation for the first time really brought home what I'm going to do. I'm going to live and serve Jesus Christ as a missionary in La Paz, Bolivia. It can easily feel like just a really cool job...a sweet new opportunity...an awesome international experience in a new culture...which it is ALL those things. I'm excited for the adventure of it all.

However, I don't want to forget the strong spiritual opposition I will encounter.

I definitely need to be prepared. And I definitely need all the prayers I can get.

12,000 ft...

2009-05-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

...is a high elevation. I will call this elevation home for two years. Cincinnati is a lot lower than that...I'm really curious how my body will react and adjust over 2 miles above sea level. I'm anticipating altitude sickness. I've already experienced altitude sickness at 10,000ft in the mountains of Colorado. Just a headache. How long will a headache last? I don't like to take advil...would it even help? Does Coca tea help? How long before I don't feel like a chain smoker just walking around town? Will I ever be able to get in a hard workout? Mountain biking? Trail running?

I hope so.

Will I notice a difference when I'm back in the states visiting?

It will be fun to experience.

I'm not feeling many nerves yet about my trip. I know it will be difficult to leave my family, friends, and the familiar. I know I'll have some depression and loneliness. I know some days I'll probably wonder why in the world I decided to do this...but mostly, I hope I'm just rock solidly founded in Christ, and hope I can rest in the peace knowing that He's in control...even on awful days.

I think what I'm most nervous about is the responsibility of teaching and preaching the Bible to a bunch of non-believing high schoolers...I don't want to just tickle ears. I want to be true to the Word. I want to preach Truth and Love.

I love the approach Piper, Driscoll, Chandler take in their congregations...I want to have that sort of intentional approach.

But it's just a chapel service. Is that different than a church? It's a Bible class to non-believers...I'm not really sure what I'll be teaching.

This first year will be interesting. I hope I can maintain a humble approach to teaching and living in Bolivia. I'm sure I will probably learn as much, if not more, as I'll be teaching...

"Thanks for asking."

2009-04-24T09:47:00.000-07:00

I watched There will be Blood last night. Thomas hadn't planned on watching the movie with me. However, there we sat, enthralled. I'll give the film that, it is engaging. Beautiful cinematography. Slow, beautiful study shots. Fascinating characterization. It's an interesting story...I'm not sure what to think, really. The flim kept my undivided attention. It's rare that a movie will do that. I usually get bored, antsy, eager for the credits to roll.

Daniel Day Lewis' character is brilliant. His dialogue. His mannerisms. His expressions. His way of speaking to people. His solitude and privacy.

I would say more...but I'm not ready to yet. I need to ponder this one for a few more days. If you've seen it, then I'd love to read your thoughts and impressions. If you haven't seen it, it's definitely worth your time.

Boston Marathon 2009.

2009-04-21T14:08:00.001-07:00

I ran the 2009 Boston Marathon on Monday. 26 miles, 385 yards. Hopkinton to Boston. It was an amazing day.

I wasn't nervous about the run. Curious is more how I would describe my feeling. This marathon was the least prepared I'd ever been before a marathon. The past two months I hadn't been running. I ran 12 miles on the Monday a week before the race. I was sore for three days. Then I ran 5 miles on the Friday before the race...before that, it'd been about 7-8 weeks since I'd ran. I haven't been a slug, however; I've been training quite intensely on the bicycle. But still...even with all the cardio and endurance cycling provides...26.2 miles is a long way...and pounding on the legs and body is quite brutal. And being sore after 12 miles, I wasn't quite sure how I would hold up. I was curious. Will I feel okay? Will I have a total melt down? Will it just be average? Will I pull out some sort of crazy feat?

The weekend was great. I stayed with friends in Boston on the North shore. My friend Laura also went for the weekend. So it was a great time being with friends. Very relaxing.

Another friend, Angie, was also running the race. I stayed with her on Sunday night, close to downtown, in her apt. It was great having a friend also running the race. We were able to encourage each other in our lack of preparations :) Her brother made us breakfast in the morning. And it was nice just having a friend on the bus to Hopkinton.

Race morning was perfect. The weather was cool and slightly overcast. The energy in Hopkinton was fabulous. 26,000+ runners taking care of last minute race preparations. Talking, laughing, hanging out, getting ready. Sort of a nervous energy just crackling through the town.

I ran Boston in 2007...the worst weather I've ever run in. COLD. WINDY. RAINY. It was awful. I mean, it was sweet running Boston, but it was awful. The runners suffered. The times suffered. The crowd turn out suffered.

I remember being impressed with the crowd in 2007. It was still a lot more people cheering than normal. And I remember being a bit sceptical when people told me it was probably about 1/10th of the normal turnout.

They were not exaggerating.

Since the weather on Monday was so beautiful, the crowds were full and energetic. The number of screaming spectators along almost the entire 26.2 mile length of road was overwhelming! People handing out water and gatorade. Kids asking for "high fives" and handing out orange slices. It was great! It awesome how the city gets behind this race. And definitely made running a lot more enjoyable.

My run went well. I was maintaining about a 7 minute mile pace for most of the race. I was really good about staying relaxed and focused, not letting the crowd or the downhill sections lure me into running faster than I knew I should. I was on pace to do it in just over 3 hours, thinking maybe if I felt good enough I could pick it up at the end and come in under 3 hours. However, the last 6 miles or so, the hills took it out of me. I never slowed down too much, but I also didn't have the leg turnover to pick up the pace at all. I finished with a time of 3 hours and 7 minutes.

The highlight of the race: Wellsley College. There's a big sign proceeding the Wellsley section which reads, "Feel the Scream." They are not kidding. About a half mile before you get to Wellsley you can already hear them screaming. And when you get there...it's wild. 1000s of screaming college girls :) holding signs that say "Kiss me!" Well, all right. Mostly I just ran along the fence giving "high fives." A few times, though, I went for it. Twice I got cheeked...they turned their faces at the last second. One time, though; money. Wellsley...yeah, I'll be back to Boston some day :)

So, yes. It was a great weekend. Great time with friends. Great time relaxing away from work and the daily grind. And a great race. I'm quite sore, though. I think I'll just relax and take it easy.

Into the Wild.

2009-04-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

I finished the movie Into the Wild for the second time. It's becoming one of my favorites. It is a difficult movie to watch. The story is beautiful and tragic. It hangs heavy with me. After the movie is over I can feel the film for a couple days...

I think the film is such an experience for several reasons:

1. In some ways the character, Alexander Supertramp, reminds me of my bubby. The movie is sad...and makes me even sadder when I imagine this happening to my brother.

2. In general, the character is likeable. The people he meets love him. You, the viewer, love him. It's sad to imagine their feelings and reactions when they found out what happened.

3. The end is just so tragic. He journeys to Alaska alone. While there he comes to realize that "Happiness only real when shared." However, at this point he's trapped. The river is flooded and can't be crossed. He also mistakenly eats a poisonous plant. So you long for him to leave, journey back to his friends, and really start embracing life...but he can't. You watch him die.

4. And the story is just good. It's inspiring. You love what he's doing and how he's doing it.

I also like how the film is set up. It is set up like chapters of his life. The chapters have a flow to them. You see his childhood, becoming a man, learning wisdom, etc. And while the flow of the chapters makes a lot of sense, the timing is all over the place. The things he learns have a study flow, a logical progression. However, the time in which they're learned jumps all over the place. He might learn something while on the Bus in Alaska. Then his next lesson comes before he even leaves for Alaska. Perhaps that helps us as the viewer to see life more completely...not as a series of random events, lessons learned along the way, but as our collective experiences, relationships, past and present, shaping us and molding us into who we are. I like that.

The movie awakens in me a desire for adventure. I love his spirit. I love his refusal to settle. He's not charmed by things of this world: power, fame, wealth. I do not want to be charmed by these things either. However, there is also a twinge of sadness throughout the movie. You see him in relationship with people he meets along the way...and it's sad that he's choosing such a lonely road. Especially, in the end, at his end, when he realizes what he's missing, the people he's missing...and as happy as he's been in the mountains of Alaska, it would have been made sweeter by sharing it with loved ones.

It's hard to reconcile these two things in my mind. He awakens in me a desire to live freely and adventurously. However, I also share his desire for community and relationship...for a family. I'm wondering how the two go together. I don't think the only answer is living like a hippy in Slab City. Part of me wants to sell it all and just go on the road, into the wild. However, I know from past experiences, and also from watching his experience, that would not ultimately satisfy. We are made to be in relationship and in community.

Ultimately I want to honor God with my life. I don't want to settle. I don't want to just slip into the mainstream. However, I also don't want unrealistic romantic ideas of what life should look like to keep me from being happy or content.

I'm excited about Bolivia. It will certainly be an adventure. I'm stepping into the unknown. New job. New people. New place. New language. New culture. I pray that I can constantly rely on the Lord for strength, for wisdom, for peace.

Death and Resurrection

2009-04-16T18:03:00.001-07:00

I've been thinking about Christ's death and resurrection lately.

I think I understand the point of the death. I'm sure I don't understand it fully. But I get that Christ lived a perfect life. The penalty of our sin is death. And Christ paid that penalty on the cross. He took the punishment for my sin. He had to die because of my sin, our sin. He is the atoning sacrifice. Penal Substitutionary Atonement. Penal - death is required. Substitutionary - Christ died in my place. Atonement - through his blood we're made one with God, the relationship is reconciled.

And I believe in the resurrection. I believe Christ rose from the dead after three days. I believe that it was prophesied. I believe he said he was going to come back to life. However, I have trouble getting my mind around why he had to come back to life. What did it accomplish...what was completed with him coming back to life?

My friends and my mom have given some good insights.

The wages of sin is death. Jesus paid the penalty in dying and conquered death by coming back to life. So death has no power over us. We are in Christ, we are new creation.

Jesus is also our High Priest. He is our intercessor before God. In coming back to life, he returns and is our constant and eternal intercessor.

Also, the fact that he said he was coming back to life. Coming back to life and appearing to his disciples, proved who he is! He is who he said he was!

So, yeah, this really has nothing with endurance sports, or going to Bolivia...just something that was on my mind.

I'd love to hear/read any further thoughts.

Ironman? Not this year...

2009-04-15T17:46:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned earlier, James 4 has been the verse, or verses, of the year.

I had big plans for 2009. I was signed up to compete in the 2009 Louisville Ironman. I had my training regime all worked out. I was going to swim and run through the winter...ride when weather permitted. I was going to train hard for the 2009 Boston Marathon. I figured that would break up the focus of the training year. I could focus hard on the marathon. Then after the marathon I could focus hard on the Ironman. It was all planned out. I was motivated. I was enjoying being in the pool...a first for me. I was running well, swimming better, and cycling well. It was looking to be a great first Ironman.

Things started to go awry when a job opportunity came along. Late in December I heard about and applied for an overseas teaching position. There's a school in La Paz, Bolivia called Highlands International School. It is a Christian school. I have a friend who's been teaching there for the past three years. She loves her job and the stories and adventures she goes on always sound amazing. Well, I was informed of an opening at this school for the Spiritual Life Director... I applied. I interviewed. I was offered. I accepted!

Initially, I was hoping I could take the job and compete in the Ironman...surely it would all work out. As I continued with the interview process, however, the Ironman started to seem less and less likely. School would start in the middle of August. I would need to be there end of July...best case scenario, I would come home for the Ironman weekend, compete, fly back and continue teaching.

The director didn't think this to be the ideal situation. It would make me miss a lot of school. I would miss a lot of training... and it would have made for a grueling week of traveling and competition... So the more I thought and prayed about it, I decided to forgo the Ironman and take this job.

So that's what I've done. I have decided not to compete the Louisville Ironman. I leave for Bolivia on July 25!!!

I'm excited. really excited. It feels like God has a hold of my life. I'm on the road to God only knows.

I'm still running Boston Marathon. It's next Monday. But since Louisville fell through my training hasn't really been going great...I've been cycling a TON! But running...not so much. So Monday will be interesting.

Should make for a fun weekend, though. I'm going to Boston with one of my close friends and we're meeting up with and staying with some of our close friends. Should be awesome.

I can't promise that I'll write an update after the marathon...but I will try.

This blog is no longer an Ironman training blog ("when was it ever an ironman training blog?") I will try to keep things current though. I will try to share about my experiences in Bolivia, teaching, living, serving.

Keep it real, y'all.

2009-02-19T11:34:00.001-08:00

hi courtney. :)

Verse of the year...

2009-01-28T07:03:00.000-08:00

James 4:13-17
Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

"Go to such and such a place...run marathons...compete in Ironmans..."

Inspiration?

2008-12-28T13:44:00.000-08:00

I'm watching the 2008 Ironman Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

For inspiration.

It is inspiring. It is also not inspiring. Not that it's UNinspiring...

It is inspiring. They do well filming and editing the footage of these races. The stories are amazing. The pros. The age-groupers. The mass of triathletes is full of unique stories. People trying for just a finish...overcoming unbelievable odds. Others are trying to repeat a win. The spectrum of goals alone is inspiring. People from all walks of life, from all levels of athleticism, there to compete...to push their bodies to the limit.

I'm getting more and more excited for this event.

However, watching the race is also a bit... humbling is the wrong word... perhaps, sobering is a better word.

For some people, all the pieces fall into place.

For others it seems like anything and everything can go wrong. Flat tires. Broken cables. CO2 cartridge malfunctions. Cramping muscles. Heat exhaustion.

There are pro athletes who aren't able to finish for one reason or another! Pros!

It's sobering watching pros who can't finish. It's not like I can just chalk it up to them not putting in the training and planning... You know that a pro, more than anyone, is prepared. And some of them don't finish.

Also, some people just have equipment malfunctions. You can't prepare for that.

So as I'm watching this race...I'm getting excited and pumped to push my body to the limit. I'm getting excited for the months to come where I will be preparing physically and mentally for what's ahead. However, I'm also sobering up a bit...realizing I need to be prepared for anything and everything.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T08:25:00.000-08:00

To all my faithful readers, just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Hope everyone gets all that new training gear he or she asked for :)

Good and Bad

2008-11-18T09:55:00.000-08:00

I have an injury. I banged up my ribs pretty good while coaching wrestling on Saturday. It's a frustrating injury. You don't realize how often you use the muscles in and around your ribs.

Breathing in.
Exhaling.
Sitting up.
Using a screw driver.
Buckling the seat belt.
Lots of day to day activities have been affected.

It's been bad. I'm not able to practice with the wrestlers as well or as much as I'd like. Also, I've not been able to train for the Ironman as I'd like.

I tried swimming yesterday evening. I didn't even make it one length of the pool. I don't know why I thought I'd be able to swim...

But therein lies the good. I think this is the first time in my life that I actually wanted to swim and wasn't able to! That was a good thing. I feel I've hurtled a mental block.

I'm anxious to swim and anxious to improve my swim.

So, yes. I'm hoping my ribs heal in the next day or two. I'm, surprisingly enough, ready to get in the pool!!!

Good News!

2008-11-17T19:25:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to report that my upgrade request for a Category 3 cyclist was approved!

Cycling is split up into Categories.

You begin as a Category 5, or Cat 5, Cyclist. After you've gotten some experience, I think 10 or so races, you upgrade to a Cat 4 cyclist.

The Categories are 5-1. After 1 is Pro level.

To move between categories a cyclist must prove that he or she is ready for a higher level of competition. This is accomplished by placing high in races. Podiums are great (top three), but top tens are also respected.

I had a slowish start to the racing season. I didn't do so great in the Spring Series.

However, I really turned on the training in the late Spring and Summer. Finishing in the top Ten in almost all of the races I entered.

My highlights were a 3rd place at the Team Dayton Criterium and a 2nd place at the Kentucky Road Race championships.

It was a great year. The training and hard work paid off as I finally was able to "Cat-up" to a 3! I've been racing 4s for two seasons now.

I look forward to the higher level of competition the 3s will offer.

It will be tough because I am focusing my efforts on Ironman.

Let the training begin!

2008-11-16T19:41:00.000-08:00

All right, here is a picture. I've been a bit lax in posting on my blog... I apologize to my faithful reader(s) :)

I've been training for about two weeks now. Mostly swimming and cycling with a run or two thrown in the mix.

So this is what I look like at the beginning of my training. it will be interesting to see if there will be any noticeable changes in my build.

Race Report.

2008-10-19T18:01:00.000-07:00

Columbus Marathon was today. I finished with a time of 2 hours, 57 minutes, and 29 seconds. 6:47 minute per mile pace. I'm pleased.

The weather couldn't have been better. 38 degrees at the start. I'm not sure it got over 50 during the race. Sunny. No wind. Excellent conditions.

It was a really nice weekend. I drove up with my mom on Saturday. We had a nice pancake breakfast before we hit the road. We got our race stuff at the Expo and looked around. Then we had a fabulous Italian dinner near our hotel. Dad arrived later that evening when mom and I were already getting ready to go to sleep.

I wasn't really sure what my goal was going to be. The past week I'd been nursing a sore left leg/quad/tendon (I'm not really sure what was bugging me...). It was probably good in that it really forced me to take it easy this week. It also made me stretch a lot. So with an iffy leg, I didn't want to psyche myself out so i was trying to keep a pretty level head about the race. Just start running and see what happens. I definitely wanted to qualify for Boston (3:10 marathon qualifying time). So if nothing else, that was my back up goal.

Well, I felt pretty good in the morning. My leg was a tiny bit sore...not really sore, but I was aware of it, if that makes sense. Sometimes something doesn't hurt but something doesn't feel right...like an odd sound you might hear in your engine or something, just out of place.

I'm pretty relaxed at the start. It helped not having major goals. I met some friends at the start line. One friend, Chris Cavanaugh, wanted to run a 2:45. I sort of decided I'd start running with him and just see what happened. Sort of crazy and stupid..but I was well aware that I'd be running a lot faster than I'd been training. But I thought it might be kind of fun, you never know.

The music before the race started was great! Really heavy metal, pump-you-up kind of music. Made all of us runners feel tough, haha.

The race started and I felt great. The leg was no problem at all! I started running with Chris and we got into a great groove. We were running probably 6:20s for about 16 miles...that's about when my body started telling me it'd had enough.

I knew I was running too fast. Some people accidentally start races too fast. The energy of all the runners around you. The excitement of the race starting and the fans cheering...it's EASY to go out to fast and not mean to. I knew I was doing it...which is probably even dumber.

I was joking with the other runners that my goal was to have a major league melt down:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgStAPQhA3M (no worries, I drank gatorade...)

I knew I would melt down. I just didn't know when. and I didn't know how severe it would be. I mean, I was on PR pace feeling good for the first 16 miles! and in my mind I was thinking and doing the math...it was seemingly impossible that I wouldn't PR (personal record) and unfathomable that I wouldn't qualify for Boston...so no worries.

But at mile 16 my body took over. My mind kept saying, "Run faster!" But my body said, "I'm trying...it's not working...you went out too fast you dummy."

I didn't have complete melt down but I did slowly get slower :)

Unfortunately, I couldn't muster the umph in the last few miles to PR (2:56)...but I was happy with a 2:57..and I was even happier to be finished running.

The problem with perfect running conditions is that they are usually the worst post-race conditions. I was FREEZING! I was shuffling around with my teeth chattering and my shoulder shaking, trying to take in some nutrition, losing a lot of energy being so cold. People kept asking me if i was okay...I kept saying, "I think." and they would respond, "You think?" Haha. No dramas, though.

I made it back to the hotel and had a HOt shower. drove back to the finish area and met my mom and dad. Mom had a great race, too! She PRed by like 15 minutes! Crazy. She just gets faster and faster. She bought a shirt that said on the front, "The truth is you're fast than you think," and on the back, "The truth hurts. 26.2" I like that.

So all in all it was a great day of running. I learned that if you want to run 6:20s for an entire marathon you'd better put in the training time.

Running a marathon hurts.

Running a marathon hurts after a week of tapering, a good night's sleep, and a good breakfast.

Running a marathon hurts with fresh legs on a beautiful cool day.

I fear the pain, agony, and suffering that will meet me at the beginning, middle, and end of the Ironman marathon.

Running a marathon hurts...How much will it hurt after having already done 6-7 hours worth of intense swimming and cycling? I guess I'll find out.

In a strange way I can't wait for the Ironman marathon to begin. It will mean entering into a whole new level of suffering. Praise be to God.

Columbus Marathon

2008-10-11T07:08:00.001-07:00

I've got a marathon a week from tomorrow! I'm pretty excited about running this marathon. The past month and a half I've really picked up my running mileage. There was a three week stretch were I did weekend long runs of 18, 22, and 20 miles. I've also been doing faster paced 10-11 mile runs on Tuesday morning. And the occasional 5-6 mile run on Thursday or Friday.

I do most of my running with Doug Maxwell. He's also signed up for the Louisville Ironman. I enjoy running with him. You get to be really good friends with training partners. I might spend 10 hours a week with some of my training partners...I don't spend that much time with my family and close friends!

I feel ready for the race. I'm having a slight tendon issue in my left quad/hip area..but as I take it easy this next week, I anticipate that calming down.

My plan was to take a rest day yesterday. However, I just can't take a rest day when it's sunny and 80 degrees! It was such a beautiful day I had to do something!! So i went for a 30 mile bike ride :) I think I have problems. I don't know how to taper and take days off... but, to be fair, I did soft pedal...I wasn't hammering for 30 miles. I actually felt better after the ride. Flushed the legs out. Got the heart rate up. Stoked the fires a bit.

So I'm feeling good. I ran 7 miles today with no issues.

I'm not sure what I'll do this last week. I definitely want to be fresh on Sunday morning ready to race. But I don't want to be sluggish...so it's that balance of resting and not over resting...

i'm also really excited because I'll be running the marathon with my mom! I'm not sure she's declared a "qualify for Boston" goal...but I've declared it for her :) I think she's got the speed...it's just a matter of having all the pieces come together on race day.

Either way, no matter how we do, it will be a great day!

Focus

2008-10-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

I want to do Ironman well. I want to beat my body into submission. My goal is not just to finish. Nothing against people whose goal is just to finish...as I understand the race there's nothing "just" about finishing an Ironman. But that's not me. I want to push my body to the limit. I want to leave it all out there on the road in Louisville. I want to cross the line, hear them say, "You are an Ironman," and know that I couldn't have swam better, pedaled faster, or ran harder.

And to do this I will need to follow an intense and focused training program. Ironman specific. The past couple years my training has been a bit sporadic. I love running and I love cycling. So I pretty much just ride and run a lot. I don't necessarily follow a specific plan. Sometimes, if I'm training for a road race, I might sort of change what I do a couple weeks prior. If I'm training for a marathon, I'll start running bigger miles on the weekend.

However, it's a constant balance. If I want to be competitive in my bike races, my running suffers. If I want to run well in a marathon, my cycling will suffer. So it's a constant back and forth.

So with Ironman training, one thing I'm really looking forward to is having a singular focus. If I run a marathon the focus will be how does this fit into Ironman training and preparation for race day. And the same will apply to cycling.

The unfortunate reality with Ironman is the 2.4 mile swim. I'm really going to need to start swimming. It's by far my weakest event.

I think training specifically for Ironman will help me be fitter in general. Following specific training plans. Following specific rest days. Knowing when to intesify. Knowing when to go long and easy.

I won't have to worry about how this ride or that run will affect this or that race...it will all be part of the plan and will prepare me, hopefully, and Lord willing, to get to Louisville ready to lay it all on the line.

I'm running Columbus Marathon on October 19th (my dad's birthday and a day after my sister's birthday!). Oct. 19th will mark the unofficial start of Ironman training. I will begin swimming and cycling mostly through the fall and winter. I will begin training for Boston marathon in the winter. And 6 months out, in March, I will get training plans from Bob Duncan at Wheelie-Fun and begin the official Ironman training regime.

I would love to complete the race in under 10 hours. it's a bold goal, and I'm likely to fail...but what fun is it to set a goal that is easy to accomplish?

it will be a long, hard, difficult road to Irontucky...but it's one I'm eager to take.

Soon to come...

2008-09-29T07:36:00.001-07:00

Pictures.

of what?

I thought it would be intersting to sort of track the physiological changes my body will go through while training for this epic endurance challenge.

1. I will be posting a picture of myself when I officially start training for the Ironman. Look for it soon.

2. I will post a picture sometime in April...about half way through the training.

3. I will post a picture the day before the race.

4. And I will post a picture after the race.

I might look the same in every picture..haha.

But, maybe we'll be able to notice some changes in my build/muscle structure/body fat %? Who knows! Should be intersting!

140.6 Miles.

2008-09-24T12:38:00.000-07:00

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

2008-09-19T06:55:00.000-07:00

"All to the greater glory of God."

Have you ever seen Chariots of Fire? There's a line from that movie where Eric Liddell says to his critical sister, "When I run I feel His pleasure." I've always loved that line. I've always loved that truth and have resonated with it.

Endurance sports are more to me than just a physical challenge. Though they are that, and I do love the challenge... pushing my body to the limit. Endurance sports are more to me than just a way to stay fit. Though, they are that, and I do enjoy being fit. Endurance sports are more to me than just a way to eat whatever I want. Though I do enjoy the diet my sport allows.

To me endurance sports are Worship. I truly feel the Lord's pleasure when I'm running, cycling... not so much when I'm swimming, hehe. and I do truly, strive to do all things to the greater glory of God.

Now, honestly, I don't always keep this holy mindset. Sometimes I'm just riding to get the ride in.

And it's sort of illusory. You can say the ride is going to be worship. You can pray that God would be glorified through the race...but it's not really tangible. It's a focus. It's a mindset. I'm not really sure I can explain how I give God glory through my ride or my run. I'm not even sure that when I say I am that I actually am. But I try.

But, yes, the IRONMAN. I pray that this year of training will be a year of worship. I pray that the 10+ hours I spend in the water and on the roads of Louisville would bring God glory.

All to the greater glory of God.

A little history.

2008-09-09T17:44:00.000-07:00

I've been talking about Ironman for years.

I think I laughed the first time my dad suggested Lucas and I should run a marathon...but these things just happen. You train for and run a 5K. Then a 10K doesn't sound so crazy. Suddenly, you've agreed to go on a 12 mile run with some friends and before you know it everyone's talking about a marathon, then you're training for a marathon, then you've registered for a marathon, then you've completed 5 marathons and are currently training for your 6th!

The triathlon progression didn't happen quite so smoothly. I think for a number of reasons. Reason 1: It's expensive! Running shoes. Bicycle. Helmet. Goggles. Exorbitant registration fees.
Reason 2: It's a huge time commitment! Training in the pool. Training for the bike. Training for the run. It just takes up a lot of time and energy.
Reason 3: The Ironman is intimidating! I know how hard it is to ride over 100 miles. I know how hard it is to swim 1 mile, let alone 2.4 miles. and I know how hard it is to run a marathon! Now...do them all consecutively? Are you crazy?

I guess some of my readers (do I have any readers??:) might not know what an Ironman is.

An Ironman is triathlon. It consists of three sports: Swimming, biking, running.

You begin with a 2.4 mile swim.
Then you ride your bicycle for 112 miles.
You finish it up with a 26.2 mile run (a marathon...)

If you can do all of this in 12 hours...that's very respectable.

So I've sorted played around with Triathlons for the last few years. Olympic distance. International distance (Perhaps the triathlon equivalents of 5K and 10K runs)...even getting up to doing a couple 1/2 Ironmans a couple summers ago.

I wouldn't say I ever really caught the Triathlon "bug." I've been quite content to race on my bike team and run a marathon every so often.

However, though, I don't love Triathlon, I do love endurance challenges. I believe that's why I keep returning to the idea of trying to complete an Ironman...it's one of the ultimate endurance challenges.

So here I am. I've talked long enough. I've put it off long enough. It's time to put my body, my mind, my endurance, my strength, my spirit to the test.

I registered for the 2009 Louisville Ironman.

We'll see how it goes.

So this blog is to act as a sort of training journal. I want to keep my friends, family, loved ones, or any passer-by informed on how things are going.

More to come.