First morning at the Gym

Today was the first day that I was not officially the pastor of the church here in Asunción. I've handed the baton off to Pastor Marcos Bernardini. Our mission gives us the last month of our work in country to prepare for our departure, which includes packing, selling, cleaning and saying our good-byes. I decided months ago that I was going to use the month to get back in the habit of exercising (which for me is running). So this morning, I put the theme to Rocky in myipod and went to the gym to begin my aerobic training.

My mind typically has been consumed with the church for many months... I don't feel like I have had much time to think about anything else. So, I thought it might be interesting to journal my first thoughts away from the church.

Thoughts
1. I searched for a bike in the corner away from the crowd. (Thought: Ohhhh, bikes in the corner are in the corner because they are in need of repair. I'm feeling a little embarrassed after having tried each of the three bikes before realizing that).
2. Spandex is the clothing of choice. (Thought: The only other person not wearing spandex is the janitor. Everyone probably thinks I'm one of the janitors).
3. The stationary bike has different courses. Unfortunately, I don't know how to program it and have to pick a course from the "mountain" category. (Thought: Why did I choose the 1996 Olympic mountain course? Atlanta obviously is not flat).
4. Feeling the burn. (Thought: I never realized I had an inner buttocks).
5. Macho in Latin culture. (Thought: Why couldn't I just tell the trainer that I was tired and that I couldn't do another 30 minutes on the stationary bike).
6. Just because I used to run doesn't mean that I still can. (Thought: This inner buttocks sensation seems to kick in at the 8 kph pace... but when I go any slower I look like a wimp).
7. My wife doesn't want a minute-by-minute update via the cell phone. (Thought: When I retire Karen is going to kick me out of the house).
8. Heart Beat monitor. (Thought: That's neat. Oooo, I don't think the red zone is where I want to be... is 190-200 bad?).
9. Two older women on either side of me while on the tread mill. (Thought: Are they going faster than I am? I'm going to go over the 8 kph mark... hey, my butt doesn't hurt. Woohoo! Ouch! Dab nabit... just you wait old ladies, I'll get you yet).
10. I dropped my keys. (Thought: I'm just going to walk home because I'm certain that once I bend down to pick them up I'm not going to stand up again).

Conclusion
I need to get back into ministry as soon as possible. Left to myself without purpose, I really don't have anything worth sharing.

The good news is that I did accomplish more than I thought I would. I worked out for well over an hour and burned over 600 calories. My initial goal is to burn over 1000 calories a day inexercise and lose 20 pounds in a months. My wife thinks I'm crazy. After journaling my thoughts I'm beginning to think she might be right.

Thanks for your prayers and support. We are TEAM!