Hello everyone! First, let me apologize–it’s been a long time since I’ve updated on here.
Second, thanks to facebook, let me welcome new readers–feel free to scroll to the beginning to see how the ocean swimmer wound up in the desert. It’s a pretty cool story filled with pretty cool people.

It’s been so long, I’m not sure where to start. It’s been a great six months out here, although a bit lonely at times. However, I’ve definitely learned that when you get all the “noise” out of your life and you’re free to listen to the Lord’s voice, there’s no telling what amazing things will happen. And if you know me, it’s no surprise that I wound up 2500 miles away from my closest friends and family. Let’s just say that me and God–we’re in a good place right now, but still learning.

So–what have I been up to? I figure I’ll do a quick list to bring everyone up to speed without boring you with my tales of adventure.

Drove 2500 miles across the country.

Inspiring Drive

Got back in the gym for serious training.

Started eating right. Very right.

Had a great visit from my parents and my friend Christal, and discovered low and behold that I’m not the only water being in the desert!

A dolphin at the Mirage Las Vegas

Saw lots of cool Christmas things at the casinos, even though the only time I head to the Strip is when friends come to visit.

Polar Bear made out of flowers at The Venetian

Fremont Street Christmas Tree

Had a few friends come to visit!

Cassie at the Wynn


Bill at the Green Valley Ranch and Casino


Derek


Diane

Went skiing.

Took Kyle to doggie school. He was a star!

Superstar Kyle at doggie school!

Started boxing.

Christal after one of my workouts on a visit

Went horseback riding in the desert.

Horseback riding at Red Rock


Never thought I'd be here!

Hung backwards over Hoover Dam.

Hanging over the Hoover Dam

And am constantly amazed everyday at the beauty that is around me. Not a day goes by that I don’t get in my car to drive to work that I am nearly moved to tears by this country out here. Even though it’s so much different from what I’m used to, and given the fact that the closest thing I get to a salt-water fix is by filling up my sink and dumping a bunch of Morton’s in–I’m ok out here. I really feel I have a solid understanding of why I’m here, and what I’m supposed to be doing. Seriously–whoever thought moving to LAS VEGAS of all places would be designed by God to make me stronger, more centered and more open to His plan? Take a look….

Lake Mead, about 25 minutes from my house


Snow on Mt. Charleston


Red Rock Canyon

Ok, now that the quick recap is done, I just got back from a CRAZY trip back to Florida to compete in my 8th consecutive St. Anthony’s Triathlon. And what a story. So sit back, fasten your seat belts (You’re going to need them) and get ready for a wild ride.


I left Las Vegas on the redeye–first time for me–at 1:45am. I was so excited to see water as we came into Memphis–not to mention trees–that I took a picture.

Mississippi River

We went through a thunderstorm somewhere over Oklahoma that left me a little white in the face, but we landed safely around 6:30 am CST. We were supposed to take off around 8:30am for Tampa, but alas–it was not meant to be. I had been up for nearly 24 hours at this point–so after a “minor” meltdown I got it together and grabbed a turkey sub and grabbed a quick nap after it became apparent we weren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Sometime around 2:00pm, I met a couple in the terminal who will most likely be lifelong friends of mine. Ginny and Claude. Wow. I think they were hand-placed by God just for me. They were headed to Tampa for a conference. And man did we share some good laughs at a relationship that formed near us, and a crazy lady who got her self-proclaimed “oral gratification” by eating mini pecan pies. HILARIOUS. After sitting around for a few hours, we finally learned the delay was for a broken flight attendant call button.

A call button. They flew in a part to fix it from Atlanta. It didn’t work. They flew in a part from Denver. It didn’t work. Around this time, Claude and I went up to the ticket agent and got rebooked on the last flight out to Tampa that night at 8:30 or so. And thank God for Claude who led me through that process–because after several more hours of laughs in the Memphis airport, we got on that plane.

And what a ride that was–we flew through the same storm system that dumped the deadly tornado in Mississippi. I’ve never been on a more rough flight–lightning flashing all around, and the sound of thunder banging outside. I made my peace with the Lord, but we safely touched down in Tampa–minus clean underwear–sometime after 11pm.

It had to look like this.

Christal and another awesome friend Amy picked me up at the airport, and took me to my hotel. Christal had called ahead, gotten permission to go in the room, and had my refrigerator stocked with everything I would need for the race. Did I mention I have amazing friends?
Jonathan showed up the next morning–he’s been to 7 out of 8 races, and we counted down to the start.

But–the delays weren’t done yet. THE SAME STORM SYSTEM that had followed me from Vegas to Oklahoma to Memphis and to Tampa was stirring up waves in Tampa Bay, so I had to wait while they changed the swim course around a bit. Finally–it was off the beach for the triathlon. The swim was fantastic, but the bike…. the winds… wow. It was all I could do at times to stay ON THE BIKE. I started making up songs and singing them out loud to the tune of the wind whistling through my spokes.

By the time I hit the run, I was pretty beat. But despite a slow pace and some cramping issues, I finished. Thank you Jesus! Another St. Anthony’s in the books.

Finisher's Medal 2010 St. Anthony's Triathlon

After visiting with friends, eating some nice meals with great people, and running around town–I had to catch a 5:30am flight out of Tampa on Tuesday, which I promptly missed because of a long security line. Delta rebooked me, and I was headed for Atlanta at 11:10am–more turbulence that turned me a nice shade of pasty white, and finally at 3:30 PST, I touched down in Vegas, went to work, and was home by midnight.

It was a whirlwind adventure filled with a lot of trials–but I have to tell you, it was all worth it.
To my parents–thank you for your love and support that helps me chase these wild adventures wherever they may be.

Hoover Dam with Mom and Dad

And to two of my best friends–I couldn’t have done it without you guys. I love you both so much for supporting me, my dreams, and believing in my potential.

Jonathan and Christal waiting by the finish line

So now–I’m back home, I start boxing again in the morning, and I’m excited about the next chapter of this Western Journey. I miss the water, my family and my friends, but I know that God has me here for a reason–I know what that reason is, and I’m trusting Him to guide me every step of the way.
Turns out being a Dolphin in the Desert isn’t so bad after all.

A dolphin at the Mirage Las Vegas

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