Reverse Neil Boron

One week ago I finished my "reverse Neil Boron."  Which was a week in which I ran the 100 miles from Mississauga to Buffalo, and then ran the full Buffalo Marathon.
Physically it was the most I have ever challenged my body, and yet looking back I think I could have done a bit more. Sometimes I believe our minds are the only thing holding us back. We set limits based on our personal experiences and what the supposed experts tell us when to stop. Set your goals low for they are easily attained seems to be the thinking of today.

My first day I ran 19.0 miles or 30.6 km, I started in Mississauga and ended in Oakville. Early on the weight of my back pack was bothering me until I thought of the weight abused children must carry. I ran past two fields one vacant, one a prestigious golf course. I saw the dandelions as the children of the world who have suffered sexual abuse. We want them to go away so we can ignore their stories and tell ourselves everything is okay, it is easier to gaze upon beauty than to listen to brokenness. The golf course is fake! Ratanak International for 25 years has listened to these stories, allowed the people affected to tell them, and has provided the means to a new story (complete healing) It is an honour to help such a worthy organization.
Dandelions are beautiful!

 

My second day I ran 24.8 miles or 40 km, I started in Oakville and ended in Grimsby. I finished the day with many body parts starting to complain. Epson salt baths and ice packs helped me prepare for the next day.

 

My third day I ran 21.1 miles or 34 km (officially) Wrong turn added a few unofficial, remember marathon runners are not too bright. I started in Grimsby and ended in St Catherines. No one made an offer for the "antique" posing for the picture, so I guess I must keep running. I don`t know if Orange is the New Black, but Orange is the New Shoe. Other shoes` cushioning have worn out, and they will be sent soon to an Orphanage in Haiti.

My fourth day I ran 34.5 miles or 55.4 km. My father was there for my first three marathons and all four walkathons. A highlight for me was when he stepped between two marines and called my name in Boston at the 20 mile mark. He was my first and only choice for this challenge.  Part one of The Reverse Neil Boron is finished.













Neil Boron interviewed me and my family while I was in Buffalo. We presented the trophy to each other, it is reserved for those willing to run or walk 100 miles in support of Ratanak International.  After the interview I was nervously watching the weather as part two of my journey, the actual running of the full Buffalo Marathon was going to be run in near record heat.

The weather man was right on. My second hottest marathon run ever. Many times during this race thoughts of quitting kept coming to me. Something greater than myself was and is at work.

Now I am one week away from The fifth annual Ratanak 5kmwalkathon. Doubt is all around me. I set the aggressive goal of $30 052, someone from my group of organizers posted it to $30 252. A number we are only 10 percent of the way.
For me this will be a week of reflection and healing. I need to pray and try to get out of the way for this is to be a week of watching the Lord at work.
this link is for my donors page

http://em2.ca/ratanak?hope&kwd=HOPE17

Larry
 




 

Twenty Eight Days

I started reading a new book "The Locust Effect" by Gary Haugen. Not an easy read! I read a little and have to take breaks, reading what so many of the world experience on a daily basis overwhelms me. Reading of these people, and their pain, torment, heartbreak, lack of justice and overall lack of hope, is sobering. What really gets to me is how so many men look at vulnerable people as opportunities to exploit instead of opportunities to help.
This is not only a third world problem as my newspaper yesterday had the story of major arrests in a pornographic sting in which many of the victims were fourteen year old girls.
Again I question the choice of free will if this is what men are capable of.

Our aquarium has a new issue, mystery snails. Mystery snails enter a tank through plants, they breed quickly and can contaminate the water. We went to an aquarium to ask an associate for advice.
My family spent over one hour looking at each beautiful coloured species of countless fish of every shape and size. Earlier in the week a young friend from work was telling me what Bible verse he would use to convince an atheist of God. Walking around this aquarium and having my senses overwhelmed by such beauty I thought the best way to convince an atheist of God`s existence would be to bring the person here.
Even this eel, not Gloria`s favourite is beautiful in its own way.

The associate gave us a number of options. One was to add copper to the tank, this supposedly would kill the snails and not harm our fish Triton. Another option was to put lettuce in a jar and collect the snails when they go on the lettuce, the third option was to add something called an assassin snail, a snail that eats mystery snails.

We picked options 2 and 3. Option 1 is so much the way of the world when we have or create a problem. Eliminating snails through the use of copper probably would affect other things such as Tritons health. As with any major problem in the world, until we get to the root of the problem and solve these, we are just creating other problems with our solutions.

Today is 28 days away from me running The full Buffalo Marathon. I have started to "taper" which is when a runner after increasing their mileage every week for a number of months starts to decrease their weekly mileage until the actual marathon. I will continue this until my final week when I will run from Mississauga to Buffalo, not exactly an efficient taper week, in total I will run 126 miles or 205 kilometers in one week. To help with my recovery this year, especially when I run to Buffalo I wanted to add acupuncture. I know an acupuncturist whom I trust but her office is a long drive against traffic. I found a store within a mile of my house who provides acupuncture. 
My first meeting was amusing to say the least. The acupuncturist is from another Country so I do not know if it is her English as a second language that makes her words seem so harsh, or if that is what she really feels.
The first meeting she told me "my stomach is no good", and also pointed out five areas in my legs she had found issues with. I felt like telling her "you missed two." But thought better of making a joke to someone who was going to be putting needles into me in a few minutes. Later as she cleared her throat for another comment I inwardly cowered. Imagine my surprise when she said "you are in very good shape." Since that first meeting we seem to have an understanding of each other. She tells me "you are running too far, it is no good for your body." I tell her "I know but you cannot run two kilometers to prepare for 42.2" One day she asked me how far I ran the previous day. I answered 32 kilometers, again I cowered as I waited for her response. She told me "I was really crazy!" How can I argue with that?  I actually got her to smile as I responded if I wasn`t crazy enough to run this far she wouldn`t be getting my business. She than asked me how my energy was? I told her how many people do you know that can run 32 kilometers? I saw another hint of a smile.

Hands put your empty hands in mine
And scars, show me all the scars you hide
Tears make kaleidoscopes in your eyes
And hurt, I know your hurting but so am I
And hey, if your wings are broken
Please take mine so yours can open

Even when I`m breaking down
I`ll find a way to break through
Even if we can`t find heaven
I`ll walk through hell for you

Love, your not alone
Cause I`m gonna stand by you
Even if we can`t find heaven
I`ll walk through hell for you
Even if we can`t find heaven
I`ll walk through hell for you

As I reflect on my past seven marathons and look forward to the  challenges I face in the next few weeks these words from Rachel Patten`s song I`m Gonna Stand By You refresh me and resonate so deeply in my soul. I look forward to two healings, one mine. I look forward to crossing the timing mat of the Buffalo Marathon and writing the words of an old song bringing the end to a man made problem with a God made promise and solution. I look forward to adding another chapter in the story of the most unlikely advocate for young woman in Cambodia.

Larry








  

Do I Know The Way To Buffalo?

Today I ran The Chilly Half Marathon.  A record was set today, the outside temperature for this race; not my time. I ran with no hat and no gloves to a very respectable 1 hour 40 minutes.

As I picked up my kit at the expo on Friday a volunteer gave me a coupon for 20 percent off the sponsors line of product. I laughed out loud thinking of the remote chance of ever using this coupon. The sponsor was Mercedes Benz.

Last week I came across a quote I loved, it is deep and not light hearted.
Charles Bukowski

Find what you love and let it kill you.
Let it drain you of your all.
Let it cling onto your back and weigh you down into eventual nothingness.
Let it kill you and devour your remains.
For all things will kill you, both slowly and fastly, but it`s much
better to be killed by something you love.

Immediately I thought of Brian McConaghy and Lisa Cheong and their pursuit of justice and freedom for those in Cambodia. I thought of the sacrifices they make daily.
For approximately three months out of every year I try to do the same.
Next is an article sent to a magazine for May`s printing.

I have been a runner for the last seven years. Running is an unexpected gift I have received; it is my shelter from the storms of life, eliminating my problems and stresses. This "gift" has added years to my life.  

I have run seven full marathons. I am currently in training for my eighth, scheduled for this May in Buffalo.  Training for and running marathons is the hardest thing I have ever chosen to do. The day of the race yields many surprises, very rarely positive ones!  Indeed, though running has added years to my life -  Running marathons may have taken some away!

I run marathons for the not for profit organization Ratanak International. Their mandate is to help victims of sexual exploitation in Cambodia.
I run marathons because I feel I have to; not because I like to.

I run marathons to show my daughters that to follow a dream you must make sacrifices.

I run marathons because I was always told "one man can make a difference." Running marathons has allowed me to try and be that man.

I run marathons experiencing temporary pain, in a small way it reminds me of the pain these young women must bear.

I run marathons because I am not smart enough to stop.

I have also been part of organizing four 5km walkathons to benefit the same organization.

 
The walkathons have raised over $95 000. Since this will be a special 5th anniversary that will see us reach the impressive figure of $100 000, I felt the need to try and do something special to celebrate this numerical milestone.
It is said that "imitation is the highest form of flattery".  Well, two years ago Neil Boron, a radio host from WDCX in Buffalo walked 100 miles from Buffalo to Mississauga and then took part in the Ratanak 5km walkathon.
One summer night I watched a documentary with my wife on runners called ‘Desert Runners’. One race was in The Sahara Desert, and in one day the runners ran 100 miles. This challenge appealed to me so I asked my wife permission to try this race; not surprisingly I was denied.

A week later I asked my wife about another idea that I had devised: namely, a  ‘reverse Neil Boron’!  I would run from Mississauga to Buffalo, and then run the full Buffalo Marathon on May 29. She said yes provided I get a driver.

My father, Don, agreed and now we are in the beginning stages of planning my run.

This journey may be called: 'Don and Larry`s Excellent Adventure.'  A huge problem for me in this endeavour will be my sense of direction, or lack thereof. I have been lost in every single part of the Greater Toronto Area; fortunately for me my driver/spotter knows his way around Ontario very well and my fear of making a wrong turn and running an extra twenty miles are mostly alleviated.

 My first marathon in Mississauga 2009 was run in support of the "NewSong Center": a project Ratanak started up in response to the need for looking after very young girls rescued from sexual slavery. A few years ago, Ratanak turned this program over to another organization and concentrated its efforts on another area that they felt needed support: young woman further along in their healing, but who were not quite ready to move out on their own. This program was named the “Ratanak Achievement Program”. I have decided that all funds from the walkathon and my journey will be directed to this program. I thought of the possibility of a young girl aged ten at the NewSong Center at the time of my first marathon who is eighteen now living in RAP. I thought of how with each marathon I ran she may have been moving closer to her healing, and how the efforts of a man in Mississauga she may never meet may have improved this young woman`s quality of life, and may have given her a chance to succeed.

There are so many great causes in this world. My heart always has been with the girls in Cambodia, perhaps because I am blessed to have a beautiful family of two daughters and my wife, who have experienced a much different life then the young women I run for.

I believe many people working together can partner and make a difference in these young women and their destinies.
More information in upcoming blogs.

Larry

 

 

 

 

The Way Of The Cross

The month of January was not kind to my family. We spent almost every day at Hospitals or doctor offices. We dealt with meningitis, pneumonia, and migraines. We were afraid, exhausted, overwhelmed, and ill. Death smothered us for an intense 48 hour period. January is over, Thank God! Everyone in my family who was affected are on the way to full recoveries. February please be kind.

Reading quotes on social media as a loved one was unconscious and moved about restlessly in a coma on the intensive care unit, close to death, one stood out. "fight this disease, tell death to f___ off!" I have read a similar quote on a cancer website for a young boy.
My mind started working and I pondered these words a great deal.
When we think of defeating or overcoming issues in our world such as sickness, injustice, etc. We always think of offensive actions. We want to do something, anything, we want to be active, initiate, we want to fight, we want to be on the offensive, marching forward. We never want to stay still, to rest, to endure, to recover.

In other words we chose "the way of the world." We rarely chose  "the way of the cross."
The way of the cross goes against our being, but it seems to be the most efficient way to win. When your body is ravaged by meningitis you can`t fight, you have to let the antibiotics flush out the bacteria. Same with pneumonia, being active is counter productive and causes far more harm than good. Migraines are treated by lying down in a dark room, not by doing something.

Churched people always love the story of Jesus and his righteous anger. Jesus overturned tables, and drove out the moneychangers with a whip. We like this story, sometimes we use it to justify our episodes of anger. We can relate to a God like this. We struggle to relate to a God who allowed Himself to die on a cross. Which event created a greater ripple effect in history?

Mahatma Ghandi was largely responsible for India`s freedom of English rule by marching, hunger strikes, and imprisonment, his approach was nonviolent civil disobedience.

Martin Luther King Jr and Malcom X both had the same goal: Black equality with whites. One approach was nonviolent civil disobedience based on Christian beliefs, one was militaristic, highly violent. My opinion is that MLK Jr`s approach has furthered black persons rights.

Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for many years in South Africa for his views on apartheid. Nelson Mandela eventually became President of South Africa, apartheid has been abolished.

Ten years ago my heart was broken from the stories I heard about young Cambodian girls held against their will in rooms to be used as sex slaves. I saw pictures of some of these rooms, these rooms were made of concrete, bars were on the windows, there was only one door, one way into the room, one way out. I saw pictures of some of these girls.

One day I tried to put myself into these girls place. I tried to imagine the terror they must have felt when they heard the approaching footsteps, seeing the door handle turn, seeing an outline of a man who was there to terrorize, brutalize, and destroy.
One day I came up with a worldly solution. What if I take some of my really tough friends, what if appeal to all the good men we know, men who love women and young children as Jesus did. What if we offer my solution. Fly to Cambodia enter these rooms and put ourselves as guards to these children. Any men entering these rooms must go through us to harm the young girls. If we are defeated we will leave the room and the children are at the mercy of the victors, if we defeat these men they must leave Cambodia never to come back again.
This is a "way of the world" approach that for obvious reasons has not been attempted.
I than thought of another way of the world approach. I would run full marathons for these children. At the time running a marathon seemed kind of glamorous and sexy. I have since learned of some of my limits. I can run 21.1 km (half marathon) relatively easy. I have shovelled snow, cut the lawn, cleaned my eaves troughs the same day. I usually work the next day.
I can run a 30 km race with a little more difficulty, but generally I have found very few problems at this distance.
I have never had an easy 42.2 km (full marathon). After 30 km many things start to happen to my mind and body. I need at least a week to make a somewhat recovery, my body is usually off for at least a month.
The full marathon is my way of the cross, it is my way of bringing funding and awareness for the exploited people in Cambodia.
I am much closer to the end than the start of my marathon career, so this year I have decided to really test myself, and hopefully draw a little more attention to my cause. 

I am indeed training for the Buffalo Marathon. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. Two years ago Neil Boron of WDCX radio walked the 100 miles or 160 kilometers from Buffalo to Mississauga and than took part in the Ratanak 5kmwalkathon. The week of May 20 to May 27 I will run from Mississauga to Buffalo.
May 29 I will run the Buffalo Marathon.
June 11 I will watch other participants running/walking at Erindale Park for the fifth annual 5kmwalkathon.
June 12 to September I will rest, heal, refresh and allow myself to be restored.

Larry




 

The Gift Triton Ghost Shrimp

The other day I was sent a link to a video from a friend. After viewing it I started the process of writing this blog.
The video shows a young woman playing a violin in the subway. For the next few minutes alternating scenes from the subway and her life are shown. Most people in the subway ignore her, in fact most don`t even look up from their phones. The alternate scenes are the lady playing her violin in front of full stadiums, receiving awards, etc. At the end of the video a small nativity scene is shown and the question is asked "do you see the gift?"
The woman`s name is Lindsey Stirling, she played Hallelujah.
Ignoring the obvious, in that a lot of  people refuse the gift of eternal life started by the birth of Jesus, I thought of the people in the video missing out on the here and now gift. The gift was the opportunity to see a world class violinist playing a beautiful song just for them, at no cost. Possibly busyness, fear or some other reason kept them from receiving this gift.

I thought of all the gifts in my life. A Pastor once wrote "if you honestly pray and thank God for every blessing in your life, you will not leave your house that day."
In a book by Gary Haugen he mentioned a gift he wished to leave with his children.
These are my thoughts of instilling a gift.
"As the father of two teenaged girls I have tried to leave them a gift. The gift I have tried to teach is to look down, and not up."
By that I mean, "Don`t look up at people who are more successful or have more money than you. Don`t look up at people who are more famous or attractive than you. Look down toward people who have less than you and need help. Look down and offer whatever you can: your time, your money, your love. Look down and thank God for each and every blessing He has given you, and share them with people who need them most."
Looking around at what I do have, and not what I could have had sobered me. I realize how many gifts in the form of family, friends, health, employment, freedom, etc I take for granted in my life.

"Now I`ve heard there was a secret chord that David played and it pleased the Lord." are the first two lines of Hallelujah.
I believe the secret chord in David`s life was obedience, and total trust in God. David fought a lion, bear when he was protecting his sheep. David defeated a giant who was mocking his God. This is the time in his life that God was most pleased with him.
For me obedience and trust comes from running yearly marathons in trying to bring healing to hurting people in Cambodia.

On December 26 Boxing day my family was getting ready to leave our house for a special birthday meal that took place in one hour. Isabella my younger daughter was very upset about her fish Triton and his health.
After investigating my family realizes his water is not healthy and we start a lengthy process of draining the water, cleaning his tank and refilling his tank with clean water.
Part of the deal of taking this fish from a friend was that my daughter`s were to be responsible for his care. I am upset and ready to let loose with a lot of angry, negative comments. Comments that would hurt someone who already feels terrible.
I realize part of my anger is thinking ahead and what it will cost me. Tomorrow was to be a very rare"me day." A day where I slept in, took it very easy, and had no responsibilities. Now I think about continuing the process of cleaning, and refilling the tank. I also think of going to the pet store with all the post Christmas shoppers at a busy shopping mall, not my idea of fun.
Before speaking I think of how God the father handles my sin, how He handled the prodigal son, how He relented on His punishment of David numbering his fighting men, how He gave Hezekiah healing. 
When calm I hugged Isabella and told her "there are consequences in life for our actions, and our inactions, however we will pray for mercy for your fish." I resisted the temptation of making promises either to God or my daughter.
The next day the pet store was packed of course. The nice lady who worked there made sure our filter was working and sold us ghost shrimp, as they help in cleaning fish tanks. She also told us the next few days were the most important for Triton.

After the second day I thought Triton would die as he was very sluggish and would only move a few inches. Today, the fourth Triton is moving around a little more and actually came to the surface for his feeding. The shrimp are fun to watch, especially when they eat, as the colour of their food shows through their transparent bodies. We may have created a different problem as Isabella has told my oldest daughter Katarina she cannot eat shrimp at restaurants any more as that would be like eating a family member.

 

In an earlier writing I wrote about some responses to my daughter`s sensitivity, such as being told my daughter`s could not live on a farm. That's fine God did not put us on a farm. I could not live on a farm either.
A friend remarked how she was like Isabella when she was young, a friend who is heavily involved in bringing freedom to the captives in Cambodia.
Studies done on serial killers, sadists, rapists etc have found many times these people started out by inflicting pain on animals.
Instead of trying to push down my daughter`s sensitive nature, why not embrace it for possibly God is using her love and compassion of animals as a way of preparing her for her calling of a group of marginalized people later in life, much as He did with me.
Larry



 

Childrens Laughter Keep Running But Please No Hills

As an amateur writer I seem to have high standards for books I choose to read. A book came in the mail that I could not wait to start reading, finishing the book in less than a week I was not disappointed.
Midnight Jesus written by Jamie Blaine was the book. Jamie writes about his experiences as a late night psychotherapist, and how he constantly finds Jesus amongst the least of these. Many parts of the book resonated with me.
Here are three examples.

Jamie writes "There are people of faith who somehow find the place where they are standing on the hilltop, smiling and clean in clothes that match, arms lifted in the sun. I am not one of those Christians. I am mismatched and muddy, and ragged, and if there is a hill I`m falling down it backward with both feet in the air."

When I read this I pictured someone who represents a picture of who I perceive to be "the perfect Christian." I thought of a pastor I know, the most righteous man I have ever known, still married to the same wife, both kids successful and heavily involved in ministry. This pastor confessed his sin from the pulpit, minor stuff I do ever day, and think nothing of. He is approaching 70 still preaching with integrity no scandals, still going strong.
If there is a hill for Christians I want no part of it. I have ran too many hills in training for crazy hills in marathons.
Hill is a four letter word for me. Climbing hills are traps.
Is a shepherd higher up the hill than a King?
When was David more alive, happier, closer to God?

Imagine my surprise when twice in the last month I had examples of others viewing me as the guy on the top of the hill.
Driving to a 5k run that benefitted breast cancer my Mother in law expressed concern about leaving my car in a high school parking lot and taking a shuttle to the race. I told her "I am not worried about something bad happening to me when I am doing some good to help others." Sketchy theology at best with no Biblical backing, but for me I have found this to be true.
She replied "if that was true you would never have anything bad happen to you."
I looked over at her expecting a smile, and saw she was looking straight ahead. Although it is great to have your mother in law believe this of you it shocked me to realize how little she knows of the true me.

At work we are given a yearly review by a superior. Coworkers have charted your year with comments, statistics, etc. If the good outweighs the bad you are given a raise. Vice versa and I guess your wages stays the same or worse.
My last review lasted a long time. At the 10 minute mark I wanted to stop the process and ask if I could make a recording to play back the conversation to my wife for the times when I am less than perfect.
After 30 minutes my manager finished, not one negative comment. I was a bit dizzy and felt like I had just experienced an out of body experience and that someone at work had been masquerading as me for the past year.

In his book Jamie talks about his work in a roller skating rink, he said. "I have never once dreaded going to work at the rink. Never remember having a bad day. Never thought of calling in sick. It`s the lights and the music, the wind in your hair. The smell of hot popcorn and little kids laughing.
Little kids laughing is the voice of God."

When my youngest daughter was in kindergarten she would stay after school and play in the playground with a friend of hers. The sounds of these two little girls laughing and squealing with utter joy without a care in the world lifted my spirit and brings a smile to me many years removed. I think God enjoys these moments most, for this was His purpose, His intention for children.
God does not allow us to feel this sense of contentment forever, for it is a broken world in which we live in and although we are broken ourselves sometimes God wants us to try and help others mend.

One day while watching my daughter play my mind wandered to the lives of other young girls I had learned about. Girls who lived a world away from me. These girls life experience has no joy or laughter. Their squeals came from terror and pain. Torture and misery were part of their everyday existence. My thoughts had taken me to the young girls in Cambodia held as sex slaves.

Tears spilled down my cheek as I thought of the unfairness of life.
These girls and their abusers represent the voice and the will of satan being done on earth.
I so wanted to as much as possible to give the girls in Cambodia a life like my daughters. I wanted satans voice drowned out so these Cambodian girls could hear God`s voice. I realized funding and awareness were the keys to combatting this problem. Taking stock of my life skills I realized I seemed to have no way of making this goal become a reality.

At a crossroad in his life Jamie went to a pastor for advice. Jamie`s pastor told him "God rarely gives specifics. Just start walking and God will show you the way."
My daughter finished kindergarten and moved into grade one. This was a crossroad point for me, for now I had the morning off  before going to work. Running became part of my exercise routine and one day I had the thought why not run a marathon dedicated to Ratanak International and it`s work with oppressed people in Cambodia? A moderate amount of money was raised, a newspaper article appeared so I decided to run another marathon.
For the second marathon a little more money was raised including another newspaper article.

After the second marathon I calculated how much time and money I put into training for my marathons compare to the money raised.
I concluded that if I had put these hours into a minimum wage job and donated the money to Ratanak International I would have made a bigger contribution.
Marathon runners are nothing if not stubborn so despite these figures I ran my third marathon, Boston 2011. Boston is where I thought of having a small 5km walkathon to benefit Ratanak.
 
Things that are torn down and destroyed, things left for dead cannot be restored overnight.
Jesus used the parable of the mustard seed Matthew 13 31-32 "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of all garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches."
Now as I continue running I see part of God`s perfect plan in my life.

Today I just finished another race The Angus Glen Half Marathon. This was race number twenty three for me.
Here is the shirt and the medal.

I love the shirt for my family sees me this way before every race, Ratanak volunteers see me this way before and at each walkathon.

Here are my running medals.

I seem to have accumulated a lot. They have a lot of sentimental value but besides that they are worthless.
Beginning stages of planning for the fifth Ratanak 5km walkathon have begun. I think of a Mayor, M.P.P, Councillor, professional runner, Blue Jay player I will invite over the winter.
I think of the publicity generated and the money raised.
So far the total is over $95 000.

During my time as a volunteer for Ratanak  I have heard examples of former sex slaves as young girls, becoming University educated, and counsellors themselves. I have heard a story of a former victim, a young woman dancing freely with no shame. I have heard stories of young woman being healed enough to move out of programs to live on their own allowing other to take their place and continue healing.

Yes as Jamie`s pastor told him God rarely gives specifics.
For me my life has been just start running, just keep running and God will show the way has been my life the last eight years. 
My running medals have no earthly value but one day I will meet my heavenly treasures.
Larry


  

Five Weddings Triton Five Kilometers

This was the year of the wedding for me. I had five friends marriages. I attended three. The last wedding we received a gift, the newest family member arrived.
I am not Abraham and Gloria is not Sarah we received a Betta fish.

The bride met her husband on the dating website "Plenty of fish" and thought having a fish at the reception would be a nice touch. The bride asked Gloria if she would be interested in keeping the fish after the reception? Dr Dolittle aka Isabella heard about this offer and we could not say no.
During the ceremony I heard the familiar words "forsaking all others" and wondered why this seems so hard.
This problem has been going on for a long time. In responding to the Pharisees. Matthew 19:8 Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard."
I have been taught the men of Israel were leaving their wives for younger woman and were looking to be justified.

Back to the fish. I was a nervous wreck at the reception as I had a vision of something bad happening to the fish, such as a guest knocking over the bowl, or a guest pouring something into the bowl.
Finally it was time to take the fish to the safety of our hotel room. Unfortunately the parking lot for the reception hall was full so I had to leave our car at the hotel. This mean`t a very long walk for me.
During my walk three youths were across the road talking, and acting very aggressively. I wondered what to do if they started bothering me?
Fortunately the man in a suit carrying a fish bowl through the park late on a Saturday night attracted none of their interest and I did not have to find out. Next my arms started getting tired and I had visions of me dropping the fish bowl. I compared it to the point in a marathon when things start going South and I have to force myself to keep going.
Fortunately our fish survived and now resides in our aquarium.

I have learned a lot about this type of fish. Isabella named him Triton. Betta fish are native to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. I thought if I cannot go to Cambodia at least I have brought a bit of Cambodia to my home.
Betta fish have another name, they are also known as Siamese fighting fish. Triton would not get along with other Betta fish, even females. Triton has a very short list of other possible fish we can introduce him to. Triton in spite of his beauty will probably have a very lonely life.
When we turn on his aquarium light we noticed Triton would charge into the glass. We have since learned this is common with Betta fish as they are attacking their reflection thinking it is a rival.
My oldest Daughter Katarina always tells me "I give out life lessons." Sometimes I am learning them as well.

Triton charging into the glass makes me think about people who let other people and events from their past affect their present life. When things from the past are not dealt with and anger and bitterness still reside we become like Triton smashing into the glass. The people who have hurt us are long gone, the only person getting hurt is ourselves. In some ways until we learn to let go of these negative emotions the person/people who hurt us will always have control over us.

I ran a 5 kilometer race last weekend. A friend once asked me "for a 5 k race would you just get out of bed?" For this one that is what I basically did.
I had a cold\flu that lasted one month, this race was scheduled in the middle of this time. I was still awake at 2.30 a.m. coughing quite a lot, on the downstairs couch as not to disturb Gloria. I ate a bowl of Doritos and chuckled to myself thinking this is not the "carb loading" I should be doing. All in all I got two hours of sleep.

As she takes this picture Katarina says "try to look like you don`t want to kill someone."
Driving to the race I am coughing and my Mother in law is concerned about me running. I tell her not to worry, she responds she always worries. I think back to driving my ninety year old Grandmother somewhere a few years ago and how she was worried about her son. I told her son was sixty something, she responded "you always worry about your children no matter the age."
We are told not to worry in the Bible, but Motherly concern is a beautiful thing and I have been blessed to have every woman of importance in my life having this quality. In some ways I think God is concerned for us in the same way.

The start of the race is a bit exciting. There are many people at this event, I almost ran into a cameraman who was kneeling on the ground I guess to get close ups. I have always wondered how the first runners in a race know how to follow the course (Most of you who know me know I get lost everywhere.) This Sunday I found out. A motorcycle police officer leads the first runners. I know this because somehow I was one of the runners close to the front. The course is flat, the wind is strong, my breathing is very laboured. The 3km sign appears and I think of stopping to walk, this actually encourages me, for this thought comes to mind in every race I have ever run. I think of the reason why I am at this race and I continue running.
The 4km mark a huge hill starts and I get angry at the Race director who decided on this course. I think of people nearing the end of a difficult stretch in their lives and quitting before finishing, not knowing how close they were to finishing. I think of someone I know who has finished chemotherapy, and is now starting radiation, numbness in her hands, and for her every day has become a struggle.
I continue running to the end and came in tenth place. Isabella`s Principal saw me at the run and told Isabella "your Father is an excellent runner." Wait for it, yes wait for it, wait for it a bit more (I have waited eight years) Isabella answered "I know."
Today was not for my results, today was for someone close to me.

I just finished running the CIBC 5k run to end breast cancer with my mother in law and two daughters.
I ran for the past as I have lost two Aunt`s to this disease. Lois who is still remembered fondly and missed dearly. Karmella who sadly I never had the chance to meet.
I ran for the future. A future in which I hope my teenage daughter`s never have to fear.
One in nine woman in Canada will develop breast cancer.
One in twenty nine will die from this.
A sign at the event mentioned "since 1986 mortality from breast cancer has declined 43 percent."
I ran for the present. My Mother is a two year survivor.
Mostly I ran for you Katherine, my sister in law deep into your second battle with this disease.
At the start of the race there was a parade of ladies who were all cancer survivors. I long for the day when pain and fear are not part of your existence. I long for the day when you write, edit, and laugh again. I long for the day when your body is cancer free. I look forward to the day when you take part in your own personal parade.
Today I ran for you Katherine!

Larry