Hello friends and family,

Recently, I had started to freak out about not having secured a place to stay in Cambridge, MD for my first Ironman race of the season. In fact, I was awake one night thinking about it and then prayed about it. Next day, I went to the office and one of my fantastic agents, Lorianne, came up to me and asked if my race was in Cambridge. I confirmed and then she told me that her sister lives there. She said she would get us in touch and see if she was close enough to the race start to stay at her house, and if not, she might know someone who is. I was absolutely astounded. Not only did she remember that my race was in Cambridge (with all that she has going on in her own life), but took the time to talk to her sister about it and see if it would work out. Wow.

One day later, her sistser emailed me and then we talked by phone the next day. What a dynamo she is! Her name is Lisa and once we got on the phone, she started finding out when we (my BFF Crystal) are flying in, where the race is and what we needed. Right off the bat, she gave me 3 ideas for lodging: Bed and Breakfasts, marinas and private homes. Apparently, the race is so big and there are not enough hotel rooms, that people with boats and homes open them up to racers and make money in the process. Another wow.

Also, Lisa offered to email her meditation group to see if any of them either live or knew of someone that lives near the start. She asked if Crystal or I was allergic to anything and then even sent me a copy of their recent ebook on meditation and running! Wow again. Then I saw emails back and forth between them about who knew who and where they lived and what would be better for us.

The first Bed and Breakfast I came to is Victoria Gardens http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/maryland-cambridge-victoria-gardens-inn.html - Lynette Chase. I called to see about availability but got a voice mail and figured I would either get no call back or the call that says, "we're full and I don't know of any place else that you can go." To my surprise, Lynette called back while I was out on my ride and left a message that her B&B was full but she knew someone that had two rooms left in her house and had already left her a message that she might have someone who wanted them. She was calling me to see what Crystal and I preferred and would put us together. WOW! this lady had nothing to gain from coordinating our stay at her friends' house...I thanked her and said that we would be thrilled to stay with her friend, who, by the way, has a house even closer to the race start than any of the hotels that were orginally available. I offered to call her friend directly so she wouldn't have to coordinate and so gave me her number to do so.

A bit later she called back to say that she thought about it and realized that she had a couple that was only staying with her for two days and since Crystal and I were staying for 6, it made more sense for her to transfer the couple to her friends' house and have Crystal and I stay in her B&B. She said she already called her friend to see if that would be ok and wanted to know if it was ok with us. Also, she said she would make us breakfast everyday and whatever I wanted before the race on race day. Wow! Of course we wanted that! I agreed right away and thanked her again for doing so much to make our stay wonderful.

I called Lisa and she was thrilled and we are now figuring out when I can stop by and meet her and thank her for all her help. She also wants to know how my race goes.

When I told Crystal the story of how all of this came together she was astounded as well. I was so surprised at how helpful and completely benevolent these people were that don't even know me; all because I needed help. Wow! And I am continually shown over and over that if you ask God for something, he delivers it, and fast.

This brings up my next blog which will be about the team of people that it takes to be a great Ironman...even though its an individual race, it takes a big team of people to get you there.

I am so thankful and grateful for this journey and the opportunity to meet these incredible people that God puts in my life.

Also, if you or anyone you care about is traveling to Cambridge, MD this year, PLEASE have them contact Lynette at Victorian Gardens!!!