back in the swing of things--

Well for those of you who follow my Twitter you know I have been trying to get back to running... well after taking 4 days off I went running this afternoon and increased my distance to a grand total of 1.5 miles......at a ten minute mile I am not fast right now or going long distances yet but I am starting to get back into the act of running. Even feeling that first little bit of runners high.

I am finding more and more that when I have people to run with who are faster and can run farther than I can, I am more motivated. I have been running on the tread mill because I am a pansy and it is flipping cold outside...ranging from 20's to 30's- too cold to just jump right into-maybe next year I will be accustomed to the cold and will be able to run long distances and not feel like my lungs are about to burst.

In other news I am scheduled to take the GRE on Feb. 21 and I feel completely unprepared...I have study aides but it is hard to take the first step of opening or getting those out.... I did however find out that my sunday school teacher's wife is a math teacher= sweet....I am really struggling to regain the ability to do advanced math- like I know what has to be done to solve the problems but not how....hopefully w/in the next month I will have a new confidence...
anyway I hope everyone is well.
Much love, Ira

Happy New Year!!!

New year time for a new post.... so I have spent a little time in reflection on events of the last year and as I look back at choices and actions I have done in the last year all I can do is strive, hope and pray to do better. I am floored by God's patience w/ me as I feel like all I seem to do is fail Him. I have been attempting to read the bible through since my junior year of college as my quiet time and I am now in Acts at the begininning of the new year and it makes me so humbled as I read of Paul and how bold he was about his faith....talk about living in light of eternity, so often I find that I am a poor pitiful man worrying about what people who are dying and going to hell will think of me if I talk to them about my Savior- who cares what people think- God give me the wisdom to be so in awe of you that you are on the tip of my tongue no matter the context I am in at the moment. I am so thankful that God made Salvation a process in which day by day as I seek him I am made holy....

I really miss having running partners who not only push me to get stronger w/ physically running distances but also those who encourage; push me to grow and point out truth to my life spiritually. A very wise man pointed out to me once that truth will either make you mad or make you holy---I really need to get back into a running routine before moving this May so I can just join back into that time-I need the extra push and encouragement.

Well we have had a busy fall this last year and it has made both Melanie and I stressed at times so we are using some extra cash(this is an illusion there is no such thing as extra cash) and going to Branson for a one night getaway today. So I guess if you need us you can call the nuclear phones.
As always much love,
Ira