Iron Man

Acts 17:28 For in him we live and move and have our being.

Well this past weekend I certainly saw a lot of movement as our grand niece, Melissa, competed in the Iron Man competition. What an amazing girl she is. I have posted a picture of her after she just completed 2.5 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking (much of it uphill), and finally running 26 miles. How exciting and fun it was to be with other family members and cheer on this accomplished athlete. While we stood at the finish line we cheered on other competitors as well. Some were shouting, others ringing cow bells and still others clapping. It was a such an emotional and thrilling experience. My niece, Annie, turned to me and said "can you imagine what heaven will be like with our loved ones cheering us on as we approach the finish line." I thought that was a very good analogy. Isn't that what we are all here for, to cheer each other across that finish line into the arms of our loving Savior and friend, Jesus?

Embrace your family and friends, encourage them to keep going when they are too tired to go on. Cheer them on to finish the race. I Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. The prize Paul is speaking of is heaven. It is my prayer that you win the prize.

Notice the smile on Melissa's face. How did she manage to be doing so well after that grueling experience? Well first of all Melissa didn't just decide the day before to compete in the Iron Man she decided a year ago. She was committed to endure the pain of practice, practice, practice. She was self disciplined. No one would have thought she was weak if she would have said forget it I don't want to work this hard anymore. This was something she wanted to do and nothing was going to stop her. Certainly not pain or fatigue. What drive!

Well Melissa, your endurance is certainly an inspiration to me and my goal of honoring God by getting this body, God's Temple into shape. So what is your idea of an Iron Man? Maybe it is like mine, walking 3 miles, taking a shower and going for an evening bike ride. Not as grueling for sure but what can one expect from an older, out of shape gal. Whatever your idea of an Iron Man is lets get moving and complete the race!!!

By the way did I mention that she came in 14th in her age division? Go Melissa!!!!

My great accomplishment is that I moved another half pound closer to my goal making my total loss 24 1/2 and working towards my next goal of 25. It pales in comparison but races are won one step at a time.

TIP :To make yourself accountable, start keeping a food journal. My cousin Mary does this and she is proof that it works. Give it a try.

Restoring Honor

Hello,

Well, it has been awhile since I have posted anything on my blog and I thought I better get to it. The primary reason for my silence is that my weight has stayed the same since I last wrote. We did a little traveling and had some fun visiting with family. Believe me, being with my family it is a real challenge staying the same weight.

What we did this past week end brings me to posting something today. Bob, Nancy (my sister in-law) and myself went to Washington DC to the Glenn Beck rally "Restoring Honor" it was an amazing event. We went by bus Friday morning with 57 other people it took 12 hours and some pretty sore bottoms to get there but we made it!!! Saturday morning we left the hotel at 6:15 to walk 8 blocks to the Lincoln Memorial for the rally that was scheduled to start at 10:00 am. The picture above shows what we saw when we arrived . There was a sea of people from the Lincoln Memorial all the way down to the Washington Monument. People waving flags and some carrying crosses. My heart was filled with such hope knowing that there are so many like minded people from across our country. People who desire to return this nation back to its founding principals. People who have grown weary of the direction this country is going. People who have faith, honor and integrity. People who desire to make a difference not only in their personal lives but in the lives of others. Everyone was so kind and nice, they were willing to squeeze over so others would have a place to sit or stand. In the crowd that size and in that heat it is hard to imagine no one starting a riot but we did not see or hear any anger. We saw some who helped carry wheelchairs up steps and some who gave their seats so others could rest for awhile. Right near us there was a man who just returned from Iraq and his little girl. What a beautiful little sweetheart she was. So many friendly people in our immediate surroundings.

I am thanking God for Glenn Beck, Elvita King (MLK's neice) and others like them whose lives have been threated but still decide to speak their message of hope. I am reminded of a verse found in Esther 4:14 when Queen Esther was asked by Mordecai to speak with the king so that the Jews could be delivered. Queen Esther being a Jew herself, was fearful for her life and this is what Mordecai said to her "who knows but you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" It is an amazing story too lengthy to tell at this time but not too long for you to read on your own. Please do so, it is truly worth your while.

My point is that if Glenn Beck and Elvita King whose lives have been threatened for speaking the truth do that for us, what is stopping us from standing with them and speaking the truth to those in our circle of relatives and friends? At the rally we were asked to spread Faith, Hope and Charity starting with our families and friends. Another thing that Glenn said that truly had an impact on me was "that what our children gaze upon they become" he asked us to pray with the door open so that our children could see us. My friends what does your children and grand children gaze upon? I pray they see Faith, Hope and Charity in your life and mine. Remember you may be called for such a time as this!

I am going to get off my soap box now but before I do I beg you to watch Glenn Beck nightly on Fox Cable News at 5:00 pm he is an amazing man and truly worth your time. If you can't watch him at five record him and watch him when you can. Please do not let the opinions of others determine what you feel about what he says. Watch and then make up your own mind.

God Bless You,

Caroline