i probably think this song is about me

"You need a new image today?" As soon as the woman across the counter at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles office asked me that question, I immediately followed with my response, "You bet...I've been waiting 5 years for this moment." I wasn't satisfied with my license photo since the day I took it in 2005, but there was no way to hide the fat and frustration that came with it. For 5 years I have looked at my license and waited for the day to get a new photo taken. I'm just happy I lost the weight before that moment came. I would be in denial if I claimed that yesterday wasn't a day of vanity for me. And anyone who goes through a period of extreme weight loss have probably fought that same vanity. I fight this battle, but my license photo take was a very big deal to me. I must have looked in the mirror 25+ times yesterday (this is fairly common practice for me anyway) making sure that my hair looked okay and practicing my smile. I wanted to make sure that the picture was something I could keep for a while (and in Mass, they let you keep the same photo for 10 years). In fact, the reason I went yesterday and not the beginning of next week was due to the fact that my hair's window of looking good was running out. You know what I'm talking about: you get a haircut and within a few weeks your hair looks perfect. Then within another week or two, it's time for a new haircut. I even brought a change of clothes with me to work so that I wouldn't be in a dress shirt and tie for my photo. I wasn't sure how much of me they would get, but I wanted it to look normal. I was excited at the opportunity to trade in my creeper, stalker-style license pic for a new normal looking one. Vain or not, I don't know...but I'm pleased with the results.

new mindset. new goal. same passion.

Around this time last year, I decided to run a marathon to raise money for Speed the Light. I was still losing weight and trying to get back into shape after spending 7 years of my life overweight (most of which I was over 200 lbs.) I didn't have as much time as I would have liked to train and it proved to be a difficult task. As a result, I finished in a slower time than I had hoped for. But let's be honest...the thing that really mattered to me was that I had finished! I learned a lot about perseverance. After a winter-long hibernation from all things running, I laced the running shoes again a month and a half ago and quickly fell in love again. I realized that I'm in a much different place. I'm not in the process of losing weight. In fact, I'm in the best shape of my life (both physically and spiritually). It didn't take long for me to want to do another marathon. At first, I just wanted to do it for myself. I didn't want to "hassle" people asking for support for Speed the Light again after having done so last year. But, in the last few weeks a lot has changed. I really feel like God's been laying it on my heart to run for him and not myself. As a result, I will be raising support for Speed the Light once again. People can choose whether or not to give. I will not neglect in giving the option. What's really cool though is that I have a new mindset and goal. I love running hills again. I have cut significant time off my normal running speed (2+ minutes). I don't give up when I feel tired or sore. I push through. That's because I'm trusting more in God and choosing to give him my best. Speed the Light is my passion...I cannot help myself from doing all I can to help support missionaries around the world. It's something I can do to impact millions of lives in a positive way. And by partnering with me in support you can do the same. So marathon #2 brings with it a new mindset. a new goal. but the same passion for God and for his heart (missions).