Funny thing about focus…when you have it, the pain of the sacrifice used to purchase it gets you through.  It was hard, as it always is, to say goodbye to my family this morning. As I write-I wait for my plane and from the secret letter I had hidden in my stuff-Rhonda wants me to do as well as I desire to.

My family is like nothing else on earth.  I made sure to leave letters on every mirror in the house and secret love notes throughout.  My focus here is to race-but, my passion is to bring attention to Living Water International.  This makes the discomfort of spending a few days away-OK. If I was just “going to race”-it would not work.

Of course-I want to meet my goals, exceed my expectations, perform. But if I lose focus on what I am doing…I lose focus.  Even now- I thirst as I write, knowing as soon as this is posted I’m going to get a few gulps of cold water.  Do we really understand how fortunate we are?? Do I? Do you?

Please-If you have not done so-check out www.water.cc and take a few moments to see what Living Water is doing in places that truly thirst.  Not only for water,  but Jesus Christ.  That’s what it’s all about.  I stand on that one truth in my life. It’s because of Jesus all things rest in my life.  This week I’ve been reading in Acts-It’s amazing how throughout the New Testament Jesus is depicted as sitting at the Right hand of God-but, when Stephen is stoned by the religious wacko’s Christ is standing.  Man-that’s freaking awesome. I desire that. In all my sinfulness and humanness and flawed flesh, I want to do as Stephen did. Stand for my Hope and Truth in Him. Not by telling everyone-but living and showing that He is my reason.  I tell my kids that all the time-“Anyone can say it-Live it”.

 In my comfort  it’s easy to sink in selfishness and not even know it.  Forgive me God for playing in the sandbox, when I need to be on the playground getting roughed up--Skinning knees and bruising shins.  It was always the best place to be growing up-not risking a thing.  Looking at kids swinging on the monkey bars or jumping off the swings.

 Matchbox cars and action figure is the sandbox.  Fun, safe, easy.  

This weekend when I race my hope is that I celebrate the gift I’ve been blessed with, to help even just one person see that truth trumps-- half truths.  That freedom in Christ is true freedom.  At the end of the day, that’s what matters……with my big dumb mouth or misplaced intentions- Christ loves me.

Christ loves you.

I want to thank a few people (and I will throughout the week) for helping me.  My sponsors are incredible. I know I often say this-but, I mean it more each time I write. The Athletes Lounge, Vuelta Wheels, Living Fuel, RYU, Jeremy Frechette Photography…so kind and supportive.  Not to mention the stuff is awesome.

Friends-Aaron just dropped me off here-thank you for taking time to drive me man. Coffee with you is one of my favorite things.  Pat Pisano-your encouragement is like medicine.  Joe-I need your honest evaluations always-you help me more than you know.  Thank you for always being in my corner.

So many more-and I’ll get to them throughout this week.

Getting ready to fly here….My focus on the flight will be to finalize and look over my race plans. I needed the Tweet I got from Neil Scholes from the UK this morning---Big week ahead, keep your head in the right place and believe in my training.

It is a big week, my head is in the right place…and, I believe in my training.

Thanks for reading.