There is Black Friday and following that is Cyber Monday. Black Friday is the day that historically retail stores break out of the red and into the black on profits for the entire year. It's not the day that stores will sell the most for the holiday season as record selling days will be the days closer to Christmas day, but black Friday is the day that economists will use as the barometer for all retail sells for the Christmas season.
Many people enjoy getting up early and fighting the crowds on Black Friday for those once in a season bargains. I'm not one of those. I would rather sleep in and enjoy my coffee and piece of dark chocolate while reading the newspaper.
Austin and Kelsey had to both work so Becky and I spent Black Friday together. I helped her carry in all of the Christmas decorations from the garage and after helping a bit with the tree and lights, sat down to watch some football while she scurried about humming Christmas songs and putting up decorations around the house.
We took a little break in the afternoon to get our Christmas shopping done without leaving the apartment. We got it all done online within two hours. That's my type of shopping!
While we shopped online, we were also helping the cause of loving God and people through using the Loving God Fellowship toolbar that we have downloaded on all of our computers. Each time we made a purchase Loving God Fellowship got a percentage donated to them through GoodShop.
On November 7, 2010, I ran the Marshall University half marathon in honor of my sister, Ramona G. Runyon, and to raise funds for the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA). I logged 420 training miles between July and November preparing for this one race and had to press through painful injury, but that is nothing compared to what my sister and others with lupus go through every day. I want to thank those who have already donated to this vital cause.
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans, and at least five million people worldwide, have a form of lupus.
As of today, we have been able to raise $790 in donations to LFA in honor of Ramona. We need continual research that will produce medical breakthroughs leading to lupus specific medications, treatments and eventually a cure. I can’t thank those enough who are partnering with us in this endeavor.
Please know that this is just the beginning. You can find more information on our website at http://LovingGodFellowship.org/lupus . We will keep that page updated with our efforts. I hope and pray that more will join us on this journey of love, hope and healing.
Thanks again to all those who have already donated to this vital cause. As we all utilize our time, talent and treasure in making a difference in our day, many will be helped and we will fulfill our purpose on earth in loving God and people.
On November 16, 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Arthritis Advisory Committee voted overwhelmingly (13 to 2) to recommend BENLYSTA® for approval as a treatment for the autoimmune disease lupus. If FDA approved, BENLYSTA would become the first new treatment for lupus in 52 years. While today's vote is a positive step, the FDA still must make a final decision to approve BENLYSTA in the coming weeks.
On November 16, 2010, an FDA Advisory Panel will review scientific data on two late-stage clinical studies of an investigational medicine for the treatment of lupus, known as BENLYSTA™. This is a historic day for lupus as BENLYSTA could be the first new treatment approved for lupus by the FDA in 52 years, when Dwight D. Eisenhower was President of the United States. In addition, BENLYSTA would be the first treatment ever developed specifically for lupus to be approved by the FDA for lupus. ~ Lupus Foundation of America
I am running in honor of my sister, Ramona Runyon, to fight lupus and help raise funds for the Lupus Foundation of America. Will you join us in the fight?
We are raising funds for the Lupus Foundation of America. I expect more donations for the cause to come in the weeks ahead and after taking some time off and letting the tendinitis heal in my feet, I'll be hitting the pavement again for the cause of fighting lupus. It is a terrible disease that impacts many people. Many are suffering. We need a cure!
I was up at 3:45 AM to begin my pre race routine of eating, drinking and stretching. My pre race breakfast consisted of 2 peanut butter and blackberry jam sandwiches, 2 cups of coffee, 1 banana and a tall glass of milk.
I finished the 13.1 miles in 2:19:23 which is slower than my best time for a half marathon which is 2:02, but I'm pleased with the time since I was running injured with tendinitis in both feet.
It was 25 degrees when I started at 7PM and 35 when I finished. The Lord blessed us with sunny skies.
Splits:
mile 1 - 9:56 - I ran this first mile faster than I planned to get warm quick.
2 - 10:29 - Warmed up good and had a pretty good sweat going.
3 - 10:33 - Tendinitis pain started in left foot.
4 - 10:18
5 - 11:08
6 - 10:24
7 - 11:11 - Tendinitis pain in both feet now and extreme in left foot.
8 - 10:43
9 - 10:33
10 - 10:55
11 - 10:43
12 - 10:32
13 - 9:32 - My fastest mile as I didn't want to leave anything in the tank at the end.
I'm thankful to God and the support of my family and friends. I'm blessed to be surrounded with such precious people.
Keep pressing toward the finish line!
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:1-2 ESV)
The focus is not on where and how. The focus is on meeting together as Christ followers for the purpose of encouragement.
How frequent? Often.
How do we know this?
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. ~ Hebrews 10:25, NLT
It is not the product of a victory or a command. It has no finishing line, no final deadline, no fixed definition of achievement. Peace is a never-ending process, the work of many decisions by many people in many countries. It is an attitude, a way of life, a way of solving problems and resolving conflicts.
- Oscar Arias Sanchez, Excerpted from his 1987 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.
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