Monday, October 31, 2011

Source of Strength

This is the third part of my All Souls Day Run, remembering and praying for our dearly departed. I received 43 names to pray for. Including 4 of my own, I am running 47 miles in honor and in memory of 47 loved ones.  (More on http://www.prayingrunner.com/2011/10/my-all-souls-day-run-remembering-and.html).

As of this writing, with sadness, I am adding a name of dear friend of my wife and I - Frank B., who I just learned of his recent passing from esophageal cancer.  He was a very kind and gentle friend of ours from Marriage Encounter.  He is survived by his wife, Edith, and two older boys.  Frank, I like to think that my wife was there to welcome you up in heaven.

As Christians, it is our belief that our loved ones who have gone before us are preparing us for our own time as well. This means that we are still in communion with our dearly departed. We pray for them as they can pray for us. As I ran today, I prayed and asked for their intercession to help me continue running. Amazingly, I actually felt regaining a second wind in spite of the tiredness and pain I've been feeling the more I run. I have run 37 miles out of 48 miles I pledged to run in time for All Souls Day. 

Other than the 5 that I know, 43 of the names I've been praying for I don't know personally.  But having prayed for them the last 3 days, I feel connected to them and strongly feel that they are also watching over me, like they watch over their own loved ones. In life, even unto death, they are our source of strength.

Send Off

This is the second part of my All Souls Day Run, remembering and praying for our dearly departed. I received 43 names to pray for. Including 4 of my own, I am running 47 miles in honor and in memory of 47 loved ones.  (More on http://www.prayingrunner.com/2011/10/my-all-souls-day-run-remembering-and.html).

Change of plans. At the last minute, I had to drive to Oakland, CA to take my son and his friends to a dance practice. So before I left home, I quickly mapped a route to run in Oakland while I wait for them to finish. I charted 2 churches in 5.6 miles.

When I arrived at my son's venue, one of the dads present there (also a runner) helped me out with directions in my route. Another dad warned me of the ongoing "Occupy Oakland" protests, and another dad bid me a safe run. Two moms gave me a hug before I took off. It was a nice send off by people who cared. I heart-fully appreciated it a lot. I ran alone but I didn't feel lonely. I knew that I was in people's thoughts when I left.

I took all 47 names with me today, this time, written in my notebook of prayer requests. I read all the names as I ran (during traffic stops while waiting for the green light) and when I stopped at the two churches:  Sacred Heart Church and St. Leo the Great Church. I also read a prayer for the deceased for each of the names.

Sacred Heart Church in Oakland, CA at Mile 2.2

Church of St. Leo the Great in Oakland, CA at Mile 3.2

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Living Water

This is the first part of my All Souls Day Run, remembering and praying for our dearly departed. I received 43 names to pray for. Including 4 of my own, I am running 47 miles in honor and in memory of 47 loved ones.  (More on http://www.prayingrunner.com/2011/10/my-all-souls-day-run-remembering-and.html).

Yesterday I covered 21 miles. I also had a chance to visit 3 beautiful churches in Walnut Creek, CA. I wrote down their names on a post-it note which I carried in my hand the whole run. I read each name as I run and said a prayer for the deceased. I repeated this quite a few times the whole time. Approaching the end of my run, I prayed the rosary.

A touching encounter happened to me when I arrived at St. Anne's Church at Mile 15.6. The route I ran to St. Anne's was hilly and I was starting to get tired at this point. Worse, I was getting thirstier; I forgot to bring my hydration to this run so I was always on the lookout for a water stop.  However, since I ran on a trail, sometimes, there's no water stop for miles. Anyway, when I arrived at St. Anne's, I forgot all about my thirst and fatigue when I saw the beautiful church. I went around the grounds to look when a man came to greet me.  He happened to be the pastor and read my "Praying Runner" shirt. He thanked me for what I was doing, and sensing that I came from afar, offered me water. I also asked for his blessing when he gave me 2 water bottles and I went on my way.

Living Water. John 4: 13-14  Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

St. Stephen's Church in Walnut Creek, CA at Mile 7.6

St. Anne's Church in Walnut Creek, CA at Mile 15.6

St. Mary's Church in Walnut Creek, CA at Mile 20.6

Thursday, October 27, 2011

My All Souls Day Run: Remembering and Praying for Those Who Have "Finished the Race"

"I have competed well; I have finished the race. I kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7) St. Paul wrote these words at the close of his life as a testimony to the accomplishment of his mission in life. It is also a fitting tribute to our loved ones who have done their work here on earth and have gone before us.

A pink rose for my wife at her funeral.
I love you so much.
On November 2nd, All Souls Day, we remember those who are no longer with us. To honor the memories of  our dearly departed, I am praying and running one mile for each name of your loved one you send to me. Please list for me their names (or initials) and your relation to them (family or friend) and send them to me by posting it here in the comments box, on http://www.facebook.com/prayingrunner, or via email to prayingrunner@gmail.com

No list is too short or too long; I shall run and pray for them all. I shall keep the memories of your loved ones sacred in my heart as I run and pray for them starting on October 29th up to November 2nd.

May I request that if you are so inspired, to share or repost this on your page to your family or friends so I can pray for them as well. Thank you and God bless!

My All Souls Day Run: Remembering and Praying for Those who have "Finished the Race"

"I have competed well; I have finished the race. I kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)  St. Paul wrote these words at the close of his life as a testimony to the accomplishment of his mission in life. It is also a fitting tribute to our loved ones who have done their work here on earth and has gone before us.

On November 2nd, All Souls Day, we remember those who are no longer with us. To honor the memories of  our dearly departed, I am praying and running one mile for each name of your loved one you send to me. Please list for me their names (or initials) and your relation to them (family or friend) and send them to me by posting it here, on http://www.facebook.com/prayingrunner or via email to prayingrunner@gmail.com

No list is too short or too long; I shall run and pray for them all. Your loved ones will remain in your heart forever and I shall keep that sacred memory in my heart as I run and pray for them starting on October 29th up to November 2nd.

May I request that if you are so inspired to share or repost this on your page.  Thank you.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Praying for Marriages

During my pilgrimage run last Saturday, I saw six different couples either walking or running. I ran 11 miles mostly on paved trail. So that’s about one couple for every 2 miles. That's not a lot, but that was enough to communicate to me a clear message. Finding the time to run or walk together can help in your relationship. There was one study I read that the couples who run together communicate the best and are the happiest than those couples where only one of them runs. One can argue that running is a solitary activity; so it wouldn’t work effectively for couples. But this is totally untrue. Running together is really a good time to support each other and share some precious time with one another.

The other night I went to a dinner dance that my wife and I attended for several years in a row. This year I courageously attended the event by myself for the first time. A big group of our married couple friends came in force to support me. Of course I was very sad, hurting, and crying inside the whole time. I tried to hide my true feelings because I didn’t want to spoil the night for my friends. The whole time while listening to the music and watching other couples dance, I reminisced the fun times that we had last year at the dance. How my wife loved to dance; and she danced even if she felt weak. I went on longing for her the whole evening until the band finished playing their last number. I was sitting alone at a table, when the bright lights were turned on, and there appeared in front of me a sea of beautiful couples dancing, embracing, holding hands, looking at each other lovingly, and celebrating the moment. At that instant, I felt the urge to pray for couples, especially for marriages. “Dear God, bless these couples and their marriages. May they find joy and love in their relationship, and most of all, strive to keep God always in their marriage.” My sadness actually disappeared after I prayed. I realized I wasn’t alone in the midst of all these couples, but my wife was with me in spirit. Death may have separated us, but our love for each other remains forever.

My wife always prayed for good marriages, including ours. It was just fitting that when I made my pilgrimage run today to see those six couples. It was really heartwarming to see them walk or run together. As soon as I saw the first couple, I dedicated my run in prayer for all marriages and to ask for the grace to make them instruments of God’s love to the world.

Finally I also prayed for special prayer requests.  For Lisa A.'s son and his relocation decision making, and for her personal intentions.  For Larissa O.'s running group's successful training and also for her personal intentions.  I brought your prayer requests with me as I ran and pray all the way to the two churches I visited to pray as well.


Christ the King Church in Plesant Hill, CA at Mile 5.2

Queen of All Saints Church in Concord, CA at Mile 10.8

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

To Be With Her

Last Sunday, I ran to be with her.

Today, I pray to God to help me to carry on. In as much as I feel fulfilled to keep her memory alive as I run, I must also keep on going for the sake of all the people for whom I shall pray during my runs. To my readers, I humbly ask for your prayers for me - for strength to move forward.

I also ask to continue sending me your prayer requests or to share my ministry to others.  My hope is to bring hope to people who need prayers. And also if you are so inspired, join me if so possible, or in spirit, to run and pray with me for the prayer requests received.

Here's the Tiffany necklace from the Nike Women's Marathon 2011.
It is for you with all my love!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

I Run To Be...

That's the Nike Women's Marathon 2011 slogan. When you sign up, you fill in the blank. "I run to be...".

I run to be healed. This Sunday in San Francisco, CA, I am running the NWM 26.2 in honor and in memory of my wife who passed away 7 months ago after a long battle with breast cancer.  Her story on http://www.prayingrunner.com/2011/03/she-has-crossed-finish-line.html. This will be the third race I am running since her death. For as long as I can, I will run all my races in her memory.

I run to be nostalgic. This is a very meaningful race for me since this is one of the races my wife wanted to run. Unfortunately, when her cancer came back, she progressively became weaker. She had to stay in bed most of the time while I kept on running.  One day she was looking for me when I came back from a run. I told her that I went out to run and prayed for her.  She told me to keep on running and pray for other people as well.  This started the "Praying Runner." She will always be my inspiration of my ministry to run and pray for other people.

I run to be in the moment.  "What does it profit man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?" (Mark 8:36). Since my wife died, I am devoting my life to the three of the most important priorities in my life - my faith, my family, and my friends. Just like the way my wife lived her life, she never let a moment slip away without praying and showing how much she loved us. My 15-year old son shared to me his favorite quotation - "Yesterday's history, tomorrow's a mystery. Today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present." From Philippians 4:6,  "Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done."

Running has kept me moving forward since my wife's death. Running lets me discover God's presence in my life. Running is my moment. And I share this moment with all runners, with my wife, family, and friends. This run is also for to all the people who request for prayers. You are in my heart and be rest assured of my prayers. I will keep running and praying for you.


Running NWM 26.2 holding a pink carnation in honor and in memory of my wife

Monday, October 10, 2011

Pilgrimage

My aunt suggested to bring my wife, who was on intensive cancer treatments then, to do a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I would have loved to but I just couldn't afford it.  Knowing the healing miracle that could happen if we visit the Holy Land, I prayed to God at that time to give us the blessing of a pilgrimage, if He so willed it.

Well, I was never able to take her to do a pilgrimage. I felt disappointed at myself that I couldn't bring her to the Holy Land; but I promised that I would take her to visit as many as we can, churches she hasn't been to and pray together. So while she was healthy enough, I took her somewhere close, to the magnificent Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, CA. This was the first church I took her, it would also be her last.

Today I ran 4.6 miles and visited the Cathedral. I tearfully reminisced the time we were here. I prayed and stayed here longer than usual, then I headed out to continue my run.

She is no longer with me physically, but I always think about her in all my prayer runs and to all the churches  I visit in my runs. After all this time, I am now able to take her on a pilgrimage.

Our Lady of Lourdes in Oakland, CA at Mile 2.6

Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, CA at Mile 3.6

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Runs End, Running Doesn't

So it's been a week since my last marathon.  And I'm back into running.   But it's easier said that done. The weather's getting colder and the nights are getting longer. Sometimes I just like to get it over with - just like crossing the finish line of a run and I'm all done.

I almost did not run today.  I almost did not run the last 2 runs before today. I just have a 101 valid excuses not to run tomorrow.

But while I can, I also have 101 much better reasons to go on running. Today I ran to pray for special intentions - said and unsaid.  To name a few, for a husband and father who is suffering from diabetes, for a friend's niece who is terminally  ill, for a friend who had two unfortunate car accidents in a day, for Joy who passed away yesterday from cancer and for surviving daughter, Shirlyn; for a breast cancer survivor from Ohio who fought and won over cancer two times, for Beth M's family and friends living with cancer, for Casey who had another surgery to remove cancer wrapped around her spine, for Darren, a mother of 2 girls, who is sick, and for Lisa's special intentions. These are my reasons to keep on running.

My wife wrote a love letter to me in 2001 after she completed her treatments from her initial breast cancer Stage 2 diagnosis, "Sometimes, it's just so easy to give up because cancer is so painful. But I always think of my reason to keep on living - you, my Love and our son, Tim. You are the reason for my existence and I want to continue living with you and Tim knowing how much I love you." She lived for another 10 years; she died of metastatic Stage 4 breast cancer in March 2011.

Runs end, running doesn't. Life must go on for me and I have 101 reason to keep on living.

Please send me your prayer requests or of your family and friends. Be rest assured of my prayers. Today I ran 14 miles, praying along the way, and visited 2 churches to pray as well.

Our Lady Queen of the World Church in Bay Point, CA  at Mile 4.2

St. Peter Martyr Church in Pittsburg, CA at Mile 9.7

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Healing Run

...and praying for strength for myself. Fall has begun and the weather is changing. Days are colder and nights are longer. I can feel the sorrow creeping in me.  I've been missing and longing for my wife more - and crying more lately. I usually looked forward to the holidays coming up; I still do, but now with trepidation. How will I "celebrate"?

So in this run I prayed for the blessing of strength. I went on an 11-mile course and stopping by 8 churches in San Francisco. It was a beautiful run. I experienced an overwhelming sense of peace and grace. Seeing the church tower as I approached, entering the quiet and magnificent nave, and looking up at the altar of all the churches I visited struck me with such awe and inspiration to give praise and thanks to God. Then humbly I kneel and say a prayer to all the people who have requested for prayers. I spent a few more quiet moments to pray for my wife. Before she died, I wanted to bring her to all the churches she wanted to visit. I was too late; but here I am now, my beloved wife, visiting as many churches as I can during my runs.

Below are pictures of the churches I visited.  One picture is not of a church, but of a hospital - it was the UCSF Cancer Center where I took her to see one of the best oncologist in the country, for a second opinion, with sad results. It would be her last complete evaluation - she passed away 5 weeks later. I stopped by the entry way of the hospital and just broke down in tears. I know I needed to cry my pain.

I miss you, my Love.  Thank you, Lord, for the healing run.

Saints Peter and Paul at Mile 2.1

St Francis Xavier at Mile 2.4

St. Mary's Cathedral at Mile 3.07

Notre Dame Des Victoires at Mile 2.7

St. Patrick's at Mile 3.7

St. Boniface at Mile 4.7

St. Joseph Roman at Mile 6.2

UCSF Cancer Center at Mile 7.8

St. Dominic's at Mile 8.0

St. Mary of the Assumption at Mile 8.7