Ryan + the cover of Runner's World

FACT: This may or may not be the best magazine article you've ever read.

The Power and the Glory

You'll be inspired.

Humbled.

Awed.

You might finish with watery eyes. (I did.)

I'm so thankful Ryan is going to the Beijing Olympics representing three things I hold so dearly; faith, country and team.

Though I've only met them a handful of times, I count Ryan and Sara as friends; a couple whose shine the light so bright they are contagious to be around. Despite their rising fame as the power couple of running, they are entirely humble. Sara has had a desire to help people in

developing countries ever since she was a child. Ryan has been trying to make it to the Olympics since he was 14. Now, they are doing both. And though I expect him to win gold in Beijing, he will remain fulfilled without it. They have hearts of gold, a campaign for children in Zambia called "More Precious than Gold"

Ryan and Sara; It's a blessing to work and hang with you two. Thanks for all you've done already. We're praying and cheering you on!

I'm back.

hey friends. Fundraising letter is about to go out, so I figured I should update. Here's the skinny.

We finished the short film on July 5th, literally hours, before the film festival. Adam Jacobs was the man and showed it twice, and Ryan and Josh gave an awesome talk and answered questions about Team World Vision. Thank you everyone who helped make the short possible: Ryan and Sara, Josh, Adam at TheFinalSprint.com, Jill at Sharing the Victory, (cue up the Emmy music that announces my Thank You speech time is about up) and our music people; Bradley Hofbauer, Slingshot 57, So Long Forgotten, and my 7th grade girlfriend and good Chicago friend Rachele Eve.

We're going to re-edit the film with all the new Olympic Trials footage from Oregon... Ryan, Josh and Michael all told their stories so I'll replace the sketchy phone call voices and youtube quality video, but if you want to see what we put together in a week, here it is. Careful, it's loong.




So that's that for now.

The 2008 Team World Vision Chicago Marathon hit 1,002 members this week! That was one of the goals that our director Michael set last fall, so it was exciting to see. TWV has grown from nothing three years ago to one of - if not the - largest charity team at the largest marathon in the world. What a blessing to be part of...