Running update

I didn't want to run today but knew that with the storm coming that I might not get to for a few days. So I ran 2 miles. I'm on target for frequency and 2.7 miles behind on my distance goal. I ran the second mile more than a minute quicker today.

Another snow picture and running info

Here's a picture of a little town about 9 or 10 miles from here. They plow their snow to the middle of the road. It makes the intersections a little scary. Good thing there's only 2 or 3.

Went running today. I'm 3.3 miles behind my goal. But only ran 2 miles again. I ran the second mile faster again but it wasn't because of the snow. I tried to run it faster. I wish there was a way I could show you the little graph they show me but it isn't bloggable yet. At least I don't know how to do it.

Now taking suggestions

I'm looking for some suggestions for a mini-vacation. Spring break is the first week of April and poses some little problems for a week long vacation. So we're looking for a 3 day 2 night or 4 day 3 night alternative for during the week. Anybody have any good ideas? We've thought about trying to rent a cabin or house. The whole hotel thing isn't our favorite, I don't sleep well with the girls in the same room. We could do a suite or even a room if we had to though. Help me with some ideas please.

Left for Dead

I read a book that Steph and I gave Dan for Christmas. Aren't I a good brother-in-law? Giving gifts that later I'll use. So about the book. It's an incredible story of how Beck Weathers was left for dead on Everest and he how he later walked into camp. They still didn't think he'd live but he did. He lost a hand, most of his other hand, and his nose. The rest of the story is how he was able to save his marriage. Strangely the book made me want to go climb a mountain.

Snow

We got just a little. Ok maybe more than a little. We even cancelled evening church last night and now school was cancelled today. I may post a picture for you later. (edit: ok it's later and here's your picture) I went running Saturday before the snow came. I didn't want to but I knew it would be a few days before I would be able to go out again. The wind was awful coming from the East. My pace was exactly a minute quicker for the mile back. I am now officially 1 run and 3.7 miles behind on my goals.

Nike + iPod

I now have everything I need for the Nike + dealy. It's starting to warm up too. So I've actually used it a couple of times. I'm looking to set a goal for it. I can set distance goals, speed goals, calorie goals or frequency goals. I'm thinking of setting a distance goal. Something like 100 miles in 12 weeks. You can only choose from 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Speaking of goals, I went to a Pistons game a couple of weeks ago. I still have a way to go before I hit all the major sports this year.

A Game

How many people can you name from this video?

I'm back

Sorry for the drop off in posts. The faster internet is back and so I'll post more. Since I posted last not much has happened. I did get to see Facing the Giants and I recommend it to anyone. It's a really good movie.

To make up for all the lost time I'll share some fun with you. I found out today that China is trying to correct it's Chinglish. China has had a problem with the interpretations on many signs. Read this article from the Wall Street Journal. Make sure you check out the slide show and then you can search for more examples. I've seen some really funny ones. This morning on Headline News they showed some examples from menus. My favorite was Husband Wife Lung. Sounds yummy.

Dungy and Daniel

Daniel chapter 1. No lions real or costumed. Daniel was taken from his home, family, everything he knew and was placed into a different culture. There they tried to make Daniel like everyone else. They taught him the language. They taught him the literature. They changed his name from a name that glorified God to a name that glorified a false god. They also tried to change his diet. "Daniel resolved not to defile himself". He refused to become like everyone else. He stood up for what was right even though it made him different than everyone else and people didn't think he'd succeed if he was different. The chief official was afraid that he'd look worse than the others. Daniel and his 3 friends ate veggies and drank water for 10 days and looked better than the guys who ate steak and drank wine. Being willing to be different and staying true to God didn't hurt them but instead helped. Tony Dungy is similar. He entered the coaching culture that taught that guys must be tough and tough on players. I've met these guys in ministry. They tell you that you aren't to be friends to the people you minister to. Instead you must be an authority figure. Dungy came to coaching with the idea that serving God came first. Family was second. Football came somewhere after those. That was different. He also came with the idea that you don't have to curse/bully/humiliate (sorry flashing back to my high school football experience) to get players to play for you. You could be a Christian and a nice guy and coach football. Dungy wasn't afraid to be different in a culture that didn't value the same things that God values.

Super Bowl thoughts

Wooooooohooooooo!

As I drove home last night, by the way it was 6 below zero, I was thinking about what Ken had told me earlier in the week. "the sad thin[g] will be if 'you win' sunday, you will discover the meaninglessness of it all" I'm not trying to bash Ken at all. Ken is my friend. So I was contemplating what he had said. I've decided that this Super Bowl was far from meaningless. Jesus Christ was glorified and praised last night. Tony Dungy used every opportunity to give praise to God. On a personal level, I celebrated with a brother in Christ. I'm happy for Dungy. I'm proud of how he represented Christ. Also on a personal level this Super Bowl was a great opportunity for my family. We bonded over the whole thing. We wore Blue and White together through the playoffs. We walked through the house saying "Go Colts". We wore our jerseys. We talked about how Dungy was a good modern day example of Daniel chapter 1. I'm afraid that this whole experience has made a difference in my life. But I think every experience makes a difference in my life. I'm glad this one was a positive one that glorified God.

I think that anyone could have won the Super Bowl MVP. Everyone played good last night. I would've loved to see the o-line get it. Manning had plenty of time. The running game worked. The o-line blocked great. You could argue for Rhodes, Addai, Sanders, Manning, really any of them.

I was sitting next to a Jr. Higher when the Bears went up 14-6. He was a Bears fan. He yelled in my ear "What's the score now Pastor Paul, what's the score now Pastor Paul". I reached over and patted him on the cheek. I had nacho cheese all over my hand from the taco I was eating. He had nacho cheese all over his cheek. He didn't say much the rest of the night. I'm not one to rub it in, but I also don't like to take it either.

Slow internet

Sorry I haven't posted more about the Super Bowl this week. I really am pumped but our internet has messed up and we only have way slow dialup right now. It's not worth waiting for. So I'll have more soon hopefully.