A goal to work toward

I've been away on a journey of spiritual reflection and renewal. (Actually, Mr. M and I went back east to see family.) HOWEVER, I did discipline myself to pray fervently, with fasting, for most of the trip. The specific request and focus of my prayers was for God to show me practical ways I can help a friend who is in the midst of a great trial. God granted my request in a train station. I was flipping through a magazine and saw an article about walking a marathon. Earlier in the week, I had seen a man in a "Team in Training" t-shirt, part of a team of walkers dedicated to raising funds for cancer research. I thought for a minute, and figured I could be my own team, and give the funds I raise directly to my friend for medical expenses. I would just have to write some letters to raise the funds, and find a marathon to enter. Well, I got on the web and found some info on the marathon held annually in my town, and it costs a lot of moolah to enter. So, I thought some more, and I've decided to do this: I'm going to measure, on my trike, the distance of a nice, long pathway near my home. After I've measured the distance, I'll write to some friends, telling them what I plan to do (walk that distance), and asking them to help by praying and, if possible, giving. Then, I will walk, and walk, and train and train until I can walk the distance at a good clip (a 15 minute mile, at least). This way, there's no big fee for me, no overhead, no registering, and I can set my own schedule. My plan is to be able to do the walk near the end of October. I would ask all who read this to pray for my friend's health, and my perseverence to train. This won't be easy for me, but that is just what I wanted-something I could do that would be sacrificial, and require real commitment on my part, a joyful offering of my time and energy on behalf of my friend, a sacrifice pleasing to God.