So they say to "Never Say Never!"  I said I'd never race an ironman distance triathlon.  But, after my eighth half ironman race, I knew I was ready to challenge myself to a new distance.  At the Beach 2 Battleship 2011 half ironman race, I was watching all those ironman athletes, and knew that my time had come.  But I also knew that committing to train for an ironman can be a selfish proposition when training can get up to 15-20 hours/week.  So what better way to combine my love for triathlons and my love for the Lord than to dedicate my race to raising funds for Team Samaritan's Purse.  I have been involved with Samaritan's Purse for about 10 years--first with volunteering for Operation Christmas Child, then with raising funds for OCC for the past 3 years via  the High Country Kids' Triathlon, then working at the OCC processing center for the past two seasons.  Samaritan's Purse is located almost in my back yard and I really believe in all the organization does to help victims of war, disasters, and disease.  Not only do they minister to the physical needs of the victims, but they also share the good news of Jesus Christ. 

" For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:35-40