That 3rd one is a little picture into what my last week has been like. I have spent these last 4 months training and tip-toeing around sickness of 6 other house mates and trying to find rest between runs so that I could have the privilege of running for those who can't be free. I had been slowly raising funds over the last few months to send a long to the Across America team riding this Summer Specifically for injustices in South East Asia. No, no I wont be riding my bike across the states again this Summer, BUT, there is an incredible team who will be and this cause means so much to me that I wanted to continue to reach out and educate others while taking the opportunity to connect with other runners in a race to tell them about the gospel and encourage those who were struggling.God has given me a body to sacrifice physically and the devil has tried to destroy me on more than 1 occasions with my physical health to try and prevent ministry opportunities. However My God (The only TRUE God) is omni powerful and omni present and he provides when we least expect it.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".- Philippians 4:13
So I woke up Monday morning of last week with a tickle in my throat and instantly went into recoup mode trying to prevent any way that I could. By Tuesday, I was in full on survival mode. I took off work because I had barely slept from the pressure in my sinuses. Denying anything and everything I blamed it on my allergies and tried to alternatively take a more natural approach. But that created a rather terrible chain reaction of even worse symptoms pulling me into a full fledged head cold. RATS!
With in my denials, i admitted to my boss that I was rather struck down by admitting I was sick. He responded, "ya think?!" He then went on to encourage me with these words. "Listen, you're going to run this race. You might walk a bit but God will bring you through it. He's called you to do so. Just remember that either way when you cross that finish line you're going to feel absolutely terrible."...Thanks.
But it's true. One way or another I knew I wouldn't be feeling physically great so the best thing I could do was wait until the very last moment and pray for Gods guidance to lead me on this course in Humboldt.
My other boss suggested I eat a ton of Garlic... So I ate and entire fist of Garlic with in a 2 day period. I was thankful I couldn't smell or taste because I'm sure besides the coughing and hacking, I was also the one who detered mosquitos from our camp site and where ever we hiked in the park.
However the Garlic helped. SO! if you feel a cold or a sore throat coming on eat garlic cloves diced on some toast with butter. it will clear it or at least suppress it for now.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".- Philippians 4:13
I met a girl named Brooke, she was from Atlanta (Hotlanta). She had seen this place on a road trip to Oregon with her friend and needed to come back to run it because of how beautiful it was. We ran together for 4 miles as we tried to distract each other with questions about life, God and life styles. High fiving massive redwoods in the midst helped us keep our pace. I parted ways with her and took the last 2 miles alone. It all went so fast yet so slowly. and even in the midst of that, I was already looking to my next opportunity to run for others.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".- Philippians 4:13
I came up that hill/bridge with my venture jersey and Philippians 4:13 written on the back on my calves. While I had "Dave" on one knee and "Moms" on another. Kicked it into gear and crossed that finish line feeling such joy and I couldn't be happier. Regardless of the repercussions from illness in the days to follow. Standing with in His creation after the race in Eel River thigh deep in ice cold water as I waddled in. I was a lone... I was standing there in His magnificent presence. We stand there every moment of every day. Every moment of every day we are standing in His glorious presence. This experience stripped me again of walls, stepping out of boxes of what I thought I could do but in truth it's what God could do in me.
It's been 3 days and I could barely walk for 2 of them but now my legs are fine and my lungs and nose are trying to recover. Coughing fits and exhaustion. Was running while sick the wisest choice? Probably not. But was it possible and worth it? Absolutely. Because of it I was able to raise hundreds of dollars for South East Asia. Because I ran, God was able to encourage through me via scripture and through life story telling. And through his faithfulness I can say that though this body is temporary, it is very much a vessel that is being used continually.
Though we get older and our bodies continue to decay, God still brings forth opportunities to use them with righteousness and thanksgiving. Can I just tell you that there were a lot of people who were retired and much older than me that were apart of the "100 club"? Yes that's 100 marathons! And there was an older gentleman who upon finishing his race on Sunday completed his 409th marathon! What the heck! To some it might be absolutely insane. To me, however, it is absolutely inspiring.We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
May it inspire you to move forward and do something that you never thought you would be able to do or even possibly think of before now. Adventure brings opportunity and opportunity is lost with out stepping out of comfort into adventure.
Keep Adventuring.
Financial needs:
Solid Rock Outdoor Ministries:
$400 for WMPC course via SROM in Wyoming beginning June 1st, 2014 Donate here Invoice #INV-259
LOVE DOES:
6 people to contribute $100 each=$60012 people $50= $600
Donate here for my tour for those in Uganda
<3 you did repel the mosquitoes.
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