It has been a month since I've last posted - my bad. It's not due to lack of things to write about, it's just that the past couple of weeks has been crazy. But this early morning, 3am to be exact, somehow I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. What else is there to do but update the blog, right? RIGHT!

Here's what I've been up to lately... other than sailing of course.

The month of August ended by moving to my own apartment. Thanks to my friends in LaCrosse (JJ, Joy, Joel, Becky, Mike, Glenn, Bing, Miranda, Sara, Anita) and Madison (Nobregas, Reynolds, Jeff, Matt, Sara), the move went smoothly. Of course, I was worried that there wouldn't be enough hands to do the work. But, God provided and my friends delivered. He even brought a couple from LaCrosse to help out in Madison. How sweet is that?! I am enjoying my new place - somewhat of a change from owning a house but it will do for now! It is right next to the bike trail that leads to downtown and the capitol plus shops and restaurants are right below my building. What more can I ask for?!

The IronMan competition was in MadTown last weekend! A bunch of crazy people were swimming, biking, and running all day for the race. I got a chance to watch from the lake for the swim portion and it was amazing!! At 6 in the morning, the water was calm with a glassy surface as the sun rose from the east. Fifty minutes later, there were man-made white caps and waves that overtook the water as the athletes jumped into the lake. What a sight! As a kayak volunteer I helped out directing swimmers to get back into track. Then at the very end, I got to follow the last swimmers and cheer them on to the finish line. I couldn't help but be inspired by what they would go through to push and define their limits. Deep inside I was wishing that I was as crazy as them and that I would be doing this too. I'm sure to these athletes this doesn't come easy - Yes, the race day is tough but even tougher is the day to day discipline and dedication in training for the race. This reminds me of life in general... our Creator has created us in the likeness of God - more than just what we define as a 'normal man'. How does that look, exactly? Well, Jesus lived this life for us. I would look at him and say 'He's crazy - I can't do that'. But, if I am to live for what I'm created for then I'll have to believe that this is possible. I will have to discipline myself in training to become more like him.

I might not be crazy enough to be an IronMan but I'm crazy enough to be a follower of Jesus. I can pass on an day race but I cannot pass on the race of life.