After talking with the Careforce staff we came to the date of May 6, 2007 as the launch date for the walk. Sorry for all the changes but we are trying to optimize the effectiveness of our work/walk.
Honestly, I am upset with myself about my training right now. There are, of course, lots of reasons... Christmas season, snow, cold cold temps, new work on conference administration, tender bruised heart. Ok, so I have decided this portion of the training is about the MIND. I know I have written about this before but it continues to be an area that God is working in me.
How can I overcome the external influences and make a way through to obtain my goals. I'm still working on that but I wont stop, I will never stop. This is a trial that I can use to my advantage in this training. My body is responsive and strong and will catch up in the spring again. But for now it is slow hard slogging. That's ok, just keep moving.
The other day when Paul was picking up some GingerAle for me cuz I was sick, he also surprised me with a 3 dvd set on Shackleton and the story of the expedition to the Antartic in the boat the Endurance. Paul knows how much I love those stories of perseverance and teamwork. Those men did unhuman tasks - like navigating through the roughest seas in the world in a small open life boat exactly to the island they aimed for over 800 miles away! a feat that could hardly be matched today with modern technology. Or scrambling over mountains to reach an isolated fishing village in record time - when repeated today with technical clothing and navigating tools by experienced mountaineers took 3 times longer than Shackleton and his couple of men who had been fighting the ice and seas for 2 months previous. What was in those men? What did they carry inside them that took those bodies past the limits of human endurance and stamina?
Shackleton made a commitment to his men when the Endurance was finally swallowed by the ice, he said, "Well men, lets go home." He spoke these words of hope to his crew as they stood on an ice flow, the summer was coming in hard and hot, and their vessel had just abandoned them giving itself up to the sea.
Words of hope, commitment to each other, hard hard work, and faith. Do we still have any remnants of these virtues within? Do I have any of Shackleton's love for his men, commitment to my goal, willingness to work harder than I have ever worked, and faith that will sustain my hope?
I am working on it. Shackleton is one of my heros (he didn't do everything right, he failed in many areas of his life) but I want to remember the things he did well. Against all odds, against all British navel protocal, against all hopes, he brought every last man home safely. He set a goal and set everything aside to achieve it.
Today, that means loving my best friend, working harder than I have before, and keeping my eye on May 6. Its just one simple step in a long line of steps that will bring me home.
Thank you Charlotte for encouraging me to write again! d
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2 comments:
What an inspiring word!! You certainly will finish well.Keep up the good thinking and telling us about it. I am inspired to continue on my way too. Love Mom
Denise I've been thinking about you and praying for you. Reading your blog I realize how simple steps is about so much more than a walk. Thanks for sharing your journey and be encouraged in spite of the cold!
Kellie
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