Gratitude

For help, for health, for good weather...for not dieing.

Mile 1- This isn't so bad. It would be really boring if we just ran back and forth from the start to mile 1, 13 times.
2- Wow, somebody could cheat pretty easily right here.
3- (whistle, whistle)
4- Kinda sweet that we get to run in Nebraska, then Iowa, on the South Dakota border.
5- First major incline. Man it stinks, sewage doesn't smell good, especially when you're running.
6- That wasn't so bad...man, how does this guy who stops for every drink and goes to the bathroom a lot keep on catching up with us?
7- OUCH! Where did that come from?
8- Guy to me: Over there is where Iowa's first state fair happened. Lewis and Clark came up the river over there, ya know.
9- I think everything is numb now...sweet, crusin right along. I should probably be embarrassed that old guys are passing me.
10- I should have eaten more oranges at that last stand.
11- K, here's the first devil hill that people told me about.
12- Almost done with this hill
13- K, halfway there, I wouldn't mind just running back the same way, the scenery was gorgeous.
14- Maybe I'll be able to run the whole way
15- "dare you to run" "I can go the distance, I know every mile will be worth my while." I think I have a memory with all of these songs.
16- Haha, Nope. OUCH! It's back.
17- Oh my gosh I hate this hill, this is the real devil hill. How do we have such steep inclines like this in Iowa?!
18- Hill, you should end right now. I thought they said the hill is only up to mile 17?!
19- Ya know...life is like that. A lot of devil hills and miles 15-18, but on the downhill there's always a sweet old lady to give you gatorade.
20- This bites.
21- Don't think about the pain, don't think about the pain.
22-25- Pain, torture, cruelty...evil world, life bites. My legs hate me. I don't like my right knee right now. How is it possible to hurt in every inch of my legs?!
26.2- (deep breath)...yes. it's over, I did it, these oranges are good. Sup Jamie? Where can I fall over and die? Life is good. All is well. Accomplishment.

"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving" -W.T. Purkiser

I feel like I should write in here although I don't really know what to say. Maybe I'll just say what I'm thinking right now. I was invited to participate in a program/conference on diplomacy in China this summer. It's really expensive but it would be an incredible experience. It would be good for my resume and I think it would help me jumpstart a career in diplomacy, government, international development, or whatever it is I want to do with my life. Lately things have been happening with my major, classes, and other things that are kind indicating the direction of my career. I think it would be incredible to actually be involved with something where I could help improve the world cause that's what I want to do with my life. But things could happen where I'd have to live in a big city and possible 50-60 hour work weeks. There's kind of two sides battling in my head: do I want to have an intense political career? or do I want the simple life? I wish I could have both where I do world-changing work from 8-5 and then go to my simple home in the suburbs, and play with my family the rest of the night. I really just want to be an awesome dad, always coming home with a flower for my wife and candy for the kids, wrestling with them all, etc. I think my marriage prep class is getting me to think of all this now more than anything. But I still feel like Heavenly Father has given me certain talents that He expects me to use to help others.

A recent survey was released that only 30% of people our age in the U.S. are happy, while nearly 80% or so of the people are happy living in Africa and other third world countries. Here are some other stats:

800 million people go to bed hungry every day.

Over 1 billion people live on less than $1 a day with nearly half the world's population (2.8 billion) living on less than $2 a day.

20% of the population in the developed nations, consume 86% of the world’s goods.

There are so many people with so little. My problems are nothing compared to theirs, and yet I complain everyday about little things. I've been blessed with so much. I personally need to do better at being grateful for what I do have. I need to do better at showing God and others my love for them. I have lots of good examples in my life of people who give selflessly. All God wants is for us to love Him and His children. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!