Hal Higdon

www.halhigdon.com is a great web reference for runners. Especially check out his training scheduals.

Rachel and I are taking up a new sport. Climbing is what there is to do out here, so climbing is what we do. This picture is taken from the top of camelback mountain. 

Here we are on Catalina Island. What a cool place! 

We're finally in Phoenix and it was 118 yesterday, or so we heard! Rachel and I had no idea where this trip was going to take us, but looking back it was well worth it. We're tired, broke, still homeless and jobless, but we're working out all of the details right now. I've got to say, I have a new perspective on life having taken this trip. Thanks to all who helped make this trip a success. Thanks God for an abundant life. 

Half Way

We are planning to leave Oregon tomorrow morning very early. We've
recently had a great time with Jen Gingrich and Rod Yoder here in
north Oregon. So far, Cliff has become quite accustom to traveling in
the car. He just finds a place to sleep and chills out. We've
visited Marion SD with Larry and Anette, Oak Lane Hutterian, the Bad
Lands SD, the big horn mountains, Jackson WY, the Grand Teton National
Park and Yellowstone, Boseman MT with Jimmy and Melinda Talarico(we
tied them in Cranium), Cascade ID was nice with Uncle Pal, June, Jake
and Gracie, leaving ID we drove through the Columbia River Gorge and
had a great view of Mt. Hood. There are so many detail, so hopefully
I'll get the audio blog to work tonight or tomorrow morning. I
haven't really tried to figure it out since there is so much to see
and do. Greetings to all who know we're on this trip and are praying
for us.

Life Upside Down!

A Dream Deferred
Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

Being with out a permanant residence and staying at my parents house
has been a bit crazy. I've had some time to think back to old dreams
and think about them in light of my present worldview. Here are some
dreams I've had in no particular order. This is also my first list.
Dreams are important.

To be a doctor, pastor, rock star, photographer, gardener/landscaper,
naturopathic physician, husband to a loving wife, friend, a good
brother and son and lastly I dream to do the will of God.

How does that look? I feel so behind on my dreams, yet I feel like
God is saving me for something else.

Lord, Your will be done in my life. Amen.

I'm not running anymore...

...because my schedual is filled with the agenda of three young, smart, energy filled boys. They tend to have different agendas than Rachel or I do. It's a funny thing because I've always thought that parents that don't exercise and gain a lot of weight are just lazy. I can be a bit harsh sometimes I know. I don't think of myself as someone who judges others, but I must confess that there are times when I do. The human mind is full if horrible things, I know. Anyway, since we've been caring for Rogelio, Christopher and Fernando, I now see that it is such a difficult task to care for ones self, and much more so having to care for others as well. I'll try to go running soon since right now is not a good time. I'm very sunburned from our trip to the Warren Dunes in Michigan. Hmm..Side note. I have found that it is possible to get exercise if I do it with the boys. Playing tag, hiking up the dunes, going on nature walks all leave me the option to watch them play, or join in and work up a sweat. As far as quite time and time for meditation, that seems to have to come early in the morning or late at night. These are not the times when I feel the most alert and awake. These are not the best times for me to do these things.