Dear Family and Friends, 

Update 5/17/13:  Again, I thank you for your encouragement, well-wishes and generous support.  Training for the Ironman has been a life-changing experience for me and my family.  I have learned more resolutely than ever how much my husband (my rock) and children mean to me and how much I love and need them!  I am also more keenly aware of how much my family and friends have been motivational forces in my life!  I so thank you all for your words of encouragement and your smiles and hugs.   I look forward to "putting it all out there" tomorrow and riding on your prayers (I really could use your prayers tomorrow)!   In case you have the time, you can track my progress throughout the race at live.ironman.com.  My bib # is 1916.  I am truly grateful for your support of Samaritan's Purse and enabling me to reach my fundraising goal.  Your generosity has directly (positively) impacted someone's life in this world, and when His children give to those in need, God takes notice! 

Proverbs 19:17  Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.  

Once again, cheers to all of you in your "race in life!"  May God richly bless you in the journey!

Love,  Indira

Update (12/12/12):  Thank you all for your generous support and prayers through the first phase of this journey.  I have completed the Route 66 Half Marathon, and by the grace of God, it went well.  Unlike my first 13.1 eight years ago, I was better prepared for this race and was able to walk the day (and week) after the race!  Now, as I enter the next phase of training for the Ironman, I ask for your continued prayers and support, as the training involved becomes more demanding and intense.  I am able to drag myself out of bed at 4:30 in the morning because my purpose in completing the race and finishing well is beyond myself.  I feel a sense of enthusiastic obligation to do my best and adequately prepare for the Ironman--to merit the support of those whom are sharing in this cause, and for those whom your donations will benefit.  If you'd like a little perspective on the race, you can go to youtube.com and search "Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas 2012-Full Circle." It is a 17-minute overview of the race and what inspires people to do it. Again, thank you so much for all of your openhanded donations! You have given so generously that I have increased my fundraising goal from $1500 to $2000.  For those of you who haven't had a chance to view the attached video, I invite you to take a look.  This is a wonderful opportunity to share in a significant mission impacting the lives of those less fortunate than us, all over the world.  This is a chance to truly "love our neighbor."  In the words of C. S. Lewis, "Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained."    

 

David and I began supporting the ministry of Samaritan's Purse (samaritanspurse.org) about a decade ago when we learned about Operation Christmas Child through our local church. Through the years, we've learned the ministry of Samaritan's Purse extends infinitely beyond providing gifts to needy children around the world for the holidays.  Samaritan's Purse sends teams of volunteers, missionaries, doctors and nurses around the world to serve war-torn areas like the Sudan; areas devasted by hurricanes and tornados, like Katrina victims, Haiti victims and Joplin residents; and currently, teams in the northeast U.S., serving victims of Hurricane Sandy.  David and I have been fortunate to play a part in serving people around the world by financially supporting Samaritan's Purse, and in serving on a medical mission team in Shell, Ecuador in February 2012.  

 

Presently, I am combining my love of sport with the opportunity to further serve those in need by competing in the Ironman Texas Triathlon on May 18, 2013 (ironmantexas.com) and the 2012 Williams Route 66 Half Marathon on November 18, 2012 (route66marathon.com).  The Ironman consists of a 2.4 mile open water swim, a 112 mile bike race, followed by a 26.2 mile run.  The half marathon will be a 13.1 mile running race.  I have been prayerfully balancing my time between managing my home and raising my children, homeschooling, working part-time in the ED, serving in my church, and training for these events.  I will be running these events as a member of Team Samaritan's Purse and will be raising funds for Samaritans' Purse to aid ministry and service efforts all over the world.  Please take 5 minutes to watch the accompanying youtube video (to the right) highlighting Samaritan's Purse ministries--and, hopefully, you will want to join me in serving our country and our world together.  It is my sincere desire to energize my friends, family, colleagues and patients to be as healthy as they can be, and to use their talents and abilities to serve others while serving God.  I also desire to be an inspiration to my children--to always strive to be the BEST they can be, no matter where they are in their life's journey.  I have always believed that sport is the quintessential metaphor for life...through the victories and defeats, the euphoria and the suffering pain, the dark nights and the quiet sunrises, the friends and the rivals, the accolades and the sneers...the accomplishment of completing the race, to the best of your ability, is a priceless gift from God.  

My best to all of you in your "race" in life!

 

If you choose to support me and team Samaritan's Purse, 100% of your donation will go to Samaritan's Purse (tax-deductable donation) and their ministries locally, nationally and internationally.  You may donate online by clicking on the green "donate" link.  May God bless you as you bless others!

 

Thank you for your consideration.

 

With much love,

 

Indira