Friday

Good morning! It's Friday but I guess you already knew that. It's going to be a bit warmer today, which is a good thing. It is amazing, though, how quickly we (at least I) adapt to whatever the weather is. I found yesterday's 30 to feel quite OK, after the teens and twenties. This early cold snap, I think, will make the rest of the winter more manageable, at least our perception of cold. The problem, like last year, will be the duration, since we are starting so early. Oh well, enough weather philosophy.

Even though a bit sleep deprived from Wednesday night/Thursday morning's activities, I felt pretty good most of yesterday and got a fair amount accomplished. I did go see my friend and spent some time with him and his brother. I encouraged them to work on getting some transportation. They really need to be connected with church and with some of the four AA meetings we have in our church building. They desire both.

The day got better as it progressed. It ended with a good 5 mile run. Bill, Roy, John, Tim B. and I all ran, and since we all sport GPS watches, we ran a full 5 miles. We all knew it was the right thing to do, though Bill mildly chided us for something. I know that's hard to imagine, for those who know him - ha ha. I love my running buddies. The run felt really good last night. Running with friends has allowed me to speed up easily. I am really looking forward to working hard at running again.

The real highlight of the day was stopping by to see Cora. After the run, I went by there. Kedra, after a trip to Walmart, also came, so we had a nice little visit. Little Cora lights up my world. She is changing so quickly. Pure joy!

I have a funeral today. It's going to be easy and hard - easy because the lady was such a good one, hard because of the difficulty of saying good-bye for now. It's all going to be OK.

Tomorrow a run at 8 a.m.

Thursday

Good morning! How are you today? I am a little off schedule, and I hesitate to tell you why. After thinking about it for a while, I am going to tell you what happened, probably more as a cathartic move for me than anything else. Forgive me if this is inappropriate.

The last few nights I have not slept super well. I think it's easy to understand why. I am not training hard, and I am not eating super well. My body does not know what to do with either one, I think. That's fine. I will fix both really soon.

Last night I went to bed and was sleeping but not sleeping great. About 1:30 I heard it about the time Kedra spoke about it, "Your phone is ringing." Of course a phone ringing interrupting sleep is always disturbing. I cannot see without my reading glasses, so I answered blindly, hoping it was not one of my children. Thankfully, it was not any of them.

It was a guy I know very well, a guy who has had a very troubled past, a past that still haunts him. I became involved with him--striving to help--several months ago. He needed food and friendship. I've been trying to give him both, both are limited for all kinds of reasons. He has been in prison for some bad stuff and still struggles with addictions and depression.

I really like him. He has a gentle soul and kind demeanor. Over the last few months I have taken him places and taken him food, prayed with him, and tried to encourage him. He has no transportation and lives in the middle of nowhere in a nearby county. Often our trips turn into adventures as he asks me to go another place or two while out. I've learned to plan for it. Once a 30 minute trip turned into a two hour odyssey.

The call last night, actually early this morning, was a call for help. He was stranded in Mitchell and needed a ride home. I asked all the usual questions, trying to get out of getting out of bed. "Can't you stay where you are?" No. "Can't so and so take you home?" No. No. No. No. "OK, I will come and get you."

In the call, he named a person or two I know. They are people I have helped in the past. They have a very troubled past as well. As I pulled on my clothes and stumbled toward the garage, I wondered what I was walking into. I figured my friend was drunk and high. I knew the other folks were likely the same. While I trusted my friend would not be mean, I had some concern about the others.

Honestly I had the thought I could be walking into a set-up by some desperately addicted people who were going to take advantage of me. "Am I going to get shot/knocked out, so they can take my money and my car?" I'm almost ashamed to admit that, but it was there. I prayed it away, asking for protection. I developed a plan for avoiding a problem, but I did not have to employ it.

I pulled up the address my friend gave me. I knew exactly where he was and the kind of folks who live there. Wouldn't you know it? The streets lights around the place were all out. It was dark, very dark. I locked my doors and carefully pulled in front of the house, looking all around.

Mercifully, my friend was watching for me and came out of the place by himself. I unlocked the door and let him in. He thanked me and immediately confessed, "Allen I had a beer, actually 3, maybe 4-5." Then added he had been smoking weed as well. He summed it up, "I am stoned." He was very sorry and kept apologizing.

He told me it all started with a deer. He or someone killed a deer, and he wanted to share it with some others. The others are the ones who offered him the stuff he really does not need. He knows he needs to stay away, yet it is the pull we all feel, the pull to go places we should not go and do things we should not do. I am not much different than him. My vices are different and less noticeable, more acceptable, I suppose.

I took my friend home, about a 15 minute drive. He apologized over and over. I told him it was OK. When we got to his place, he wanted me to turn off the car and talk. I told him I would come over later today to talk. I prayed with him and was thankful he opened the door and got out of the car. I drove home, watching for deer. I was back in bed a little before 3 but did not sleep well after that.

There is whole different world out there, a world most of us do not know much about it. I see it quite often and have stepped into it from time to time. I see some of its citizens in our food pantry and at our "giveaways."

That world is easy to judge and condemn, yet I find a lot of faith there, perhaps more than in my world. Most of them don't go to church. They don't feel welcome. I had a lady last week, while she was getting some coats and food, say, "I don't have any good clothes to wear to church."

I think these are the people Jesus cared the most about, pretty sure about that. My problem is I don't know how to enter that world more deeply. All I know to do is to love it, not condemn it, and try to help the people who live there, which I think I do. I must admit is does not feel very satisfying. It seems like an exercise in futility, but I know it is what God wants.

This morning I've received a 4 part text from my friend. He thinks I am mad at him and will never do anything for him again. He is grieving a loss that is not going to occur but probably one he has lived a few times. I will go see him later on. It's all I know to do.

Wednesday

Good morning! It's Wednesday, and it's going to be a really good day, I just know it! I hope you are doing well. We are going up and over the freezing mark today. This is some thing to be positive about, right? If it hits 40 today, we are going to feel like we have hit a heat wave. This is the good benefit of really cold weather really early in the winter. The relatively milder weather is going to feel really good.

Yesterday was a good day, and like most days, the things I planned and things that actually happened did not match. I know that going in everyday, so it does not bother me much at all. I just try to stay faithful in whatever I'm doing.

I forgot to tell something. Ben has been anticipating deer season for a little while. He has done the scouting and prepping necessary. Saturday was opening day of gun season, so he was out early. He did not get anything, so he went back out in the evening and, again, came home without getting one. Meanwhile my beautiful daughter called about 10:30 Saturday night to say she did get a deer. The problem with this is that she got the deer with her car. So she is now carless, as it sits in Rockport, IN awaiting the verdict from the insurance company. Thankfully Rebecca and her passenger, Melissa, were not hurt.

Last night three of us braved the elements for a little 5 mile run in Bedford. Bill, John, and I got it done. It was nothing spectacular, but we completed the course. Since all three of us are GPSsers, we did a true 5 mile run - ha ha. I am pleased with how I am progressing. I leaning hard toward doing the full marathon in Louisville, followed by the Terre Haute tri in May. These two events will keep me focused this winter, I think. I really want to restore my running, and doing a spring marathon should do the trick.

Today I am gong to rest from endurance work. Tomorrow at 4:45 John and I are planning to run. Bill may join also. Who else wants a Thursday evening run? We'll see...

Tuesday

Good morning! So I am hearing there is another 2 hour delay. It seems our culture has gotten so soft. Everyone should be like the guy in the picture. Get out there and toughen up a little! C'mon man! Part of me would love to rant and rave about the softness of our culture and how people don't know how to work hard and handle adversity, but it would be an exercise of little value.

I guess one of the reasons I like endurance athletics is that it requires you to address the issues of your own softness. I am often exposed and then try to work through it. The guys I associate with are some of the most tough-minded people I know. They really help me, which in turn, helps me to better deal with all areas of life. Don't under estimate discipline in one area carrying over to other areas of your life. Start with one thing and let it move to others.

When my children were growing up I used to speak to them about a "wide range of comfort." This was usually spoken to a complaint about it being too hot or too cold or too something. My mini sermon was about trying to adapt/accept a wide range of temps (or whatever) instead being focused on 1 ideal temperature. You get the point, and I think it is an important one. If you have a wide range, then you will not complain (as much).

Yesterday was busy busy. There is a certain "hecticness" to my life right now. I am trying to figure out what it is and deal with it. It's not bad and I don't think I'm complaining--that's not my intent. There are a lot of little things that seem to pile up on each other. Probably nothing that a bunch of lists will not take care of -- ha ha. Really.

One of the things on the front burner is the Give Thanks 4 Road Race.  It's coming along really well. I think we will have our best race yet. Our preregistration is strong, as is our brand, I think. We work hard to create a good, fun, encouraging atmosphere. If you are on Facebook and have not yet, pleas go to our Give Thanks 4 page and "like" it. We put out good, helpful information daily.

Today is going to be good and busy one. I think I am going to Bloomington and Loogootee. Jet-setter, that's what I am. I will be looking forward to at run at 5:15 from Parkview. Hopefully I will not be alone.

Have a good 'un!

Monday

Cora enjoying a cool Saturday

Monday morning! Good morning! Looks like there is a little snow on the ground. North Lawrence has pulled the 2 hour delay trigger, and I figure before I finish this, Mitchell will do the same. So it starts...

I don't have a lot to report this morning. I had a nice 4.87 mile run on Saturday. This is what Garmins measure the normal "5 mile" Hillcrest Circle/back run as. It has become a running joke (see what I did there?) between the neo-Luddites and those of who love our GPS devices. We are accused of being slaves to them etc., which is probably true - ha ha. Oh well, I caved and stopped short, figuring I would take one for the neo-Luddite team.

Two weeks past Ironman I am feeling pretty good. I have another couple of weeks of just doing what I feel like doing, and then I will develop a plan for something, depending on what race I choose to focus on. I like where I am right now. It's pretty relaxing, especially after a year+ of focused training.

Well, we do have the 2 hour delay, which doesn't affect me too much. Kedra, as a teacher, is of course affected, but I think she will probably go in at the regular time and take advantage of the extra time to prepare. I will probably go for a 5 mile run around daylight. It does not look too slick out there.

Overall the weekend was good and relaxing. After the run and breakfast at Golden Corral, I went home and worked on church stuff for a couple of hours. Then it was firewood time. I had put the completion of gathering my wood until after Ironman. I was fearful of getting hurt. This means I was a little behind, but I fixed that on Saturday. I worked for 3-4 hours - cutting, splitting, stacking. It is good cross training. I enjoy it. Sunday came and went and went well.

OK, I will let you get back to regular life. Thanks for stopping by!

Friday

Hope this is not you!

Good morning! It is Friday! And since I did not get everything done yesterday, it is going to be busy work day for me. That's OK, I'm an Ironman - ha ha. That's my new joke/mantra with Kedra. This may backfire, for she revealed last night she may use this to motivate me. "What do you mean you can't clean the garage (insert any/all activities here), you are an Ironman. You can do anything." Oops. Did I mention I didn't do the swim?

Today I finish up my sermon, hopefully. Then I will spend a little time with the preschool kids. I love those little ones. They are funny and precious.

After that I am taking a guy to meet his probation officer in Martin County. I've been working with this guy for a while and really like him. He has quite a past but is a gentle soul trying to live in a different story.

I ran yesterday morning. It was OK. It is only my 3rd run after Ironman, so I shouldn't expect a lot, I suppose. I am purposefully just taking a day at a time, not thinking too far ahead, giving myself permission to not plan anything just yet. I think my goal right now is to try do something about 5 days a week. Tonight I may go swim, and I think there will a group run in the morning.

OK, if you want more, then you can go back and read my RAIN Report 2011. This is the epic fail that led to Ironman Florida.  What's that, you say you don't care? Oh, that's fine. I will never know.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday

Kinda Funny

Good morning! Thursday, all day long, it will be Thursday. What will this day bring? I can let you know tomorrow, if you want. What's that? You don't really care that much. Oh, OK, I understand.

Today is "Prep for Sunday" day, the day I try to get a sermon pretty much formed. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. As it looks right now, I do not see too many things to take away from prep time. Sometimes I have meetings etc. that crop up. Right now, after some early morning stuff, I appear to have a clear day.

I plan to go for a 5 mile run before 8 a.m. I am still trying to figure out what is next for me, and I am very much at peace about not knowing. In the meantime, I want to stay in touch with running, biking, and swimming. Running will be the easiest thing to do. Biking is now going to require setting up my old bike on the trainer, and swimming requires a trip to the pool. Yes, running is the easiest by far.

Right now I am thinking of just doing an hour a week on the trainer, just to stay in touch and keep my rear end toughened up. I am thinking of swimming 1-2 a week and working on improving over shorter distances and not worry about going long at this point. It looks Louisville is going to be the focus for a lot of my friends. I will probably go that direction. I am thinking marathon (as opposed to half marathon), even though I've said I would do a spring marathon. Oh well...

Yesterday was a busy. good day in the ministry world. So many people have so much going on. And as I have said many times before, I can't really say much about it.

OK, I have an early breakfast, followed by a run. Here we go!

Wednesday

Cora enjoying the warm morning yesterday

Good morning! Here we go - another day, another gift from God. I'm a little on the draggy side this morning. I was sleeping well until I heard Kedra's phone ringing at 2:30 this morning. I woke her up to answer it, asking, "Who is it?" I'm always concerned it will be one of our children with a problem. Caller ID said it was not one of the children and was from someone we did not know, so she didn't answer it. The problem was both of us did not sleep well the rest of the night. That's the way it goes sometimes. I'll be fine. Hey, I'm an Ironman - ha ha. And you know I had to stay up past my bedtime to finish the event.

Yesterday was a busy one. There seemed to be lots of stuff going on all around. The most interesting thing was a woman who came to the food pantry. I know her. She used to work for me along time ago. She does not ask for much and only when she really needs something. As I was talking with her, helping her, she thanked me for helping her daughter in law a while back. I really did not know who/what she was talking about.

As she explained the situation and described the person we helped, it all came back to me. I can't go into details, but it was a messy situation that required discernment and a real risk that we were being conned. We opted to help anyway. The conversation yesterday confirmed we did the right thing. It's rare to get these confirmations. The woman yesterday was tearfully grateful to us (church) for helping her family through a real mess. It's nice to get a little positive feedback and assurance we helped someone. I take it as divine encouragement and am thankful.

Last night I got to run with Jim, Bill, John, and little with Tim M. Tim met us as we were coming back. I have really missed running with my buds, so this was nice. I think we are going to get our Tuesday night runs established again. Who know - there may even be a trip to Wendy's afterwards? We all agreed if we did that, we would swap the frosty for chili. And we would have to eat less than after a long ride.

OK, I really need to get moving... Catch you later.