I’ve never been known as one to do things half-way. I finish what I start – or at least give it
my best. I try really hard to avoid the “easy
way out” temptations. I set high
standards and aim to reach them. I trust
that honesty and integrity is rewarded where it counts. Simply put, I was raised that if you are
going to do something you should do it right (something that often makes my
children resent my upbringing at chore time…), and I guess somewhere over the
years God transformed that advice into: If you are going to do something for Me
you should do it ALL OUT. So here I am (again!),
jumping into something totally crazy.
Completely on faith. Counting on
success beyond all logical reason. With
both feet freely flying through the air headed in the direction of Hope. But as Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:13a, “If
we are ‘out of our mind,’ as some say, it is for God,” and I am 100% okay with
that.
So, what am I up to?
Well, I am up to running my first full marathon on January 12, 2014,
with the direct intent of raising $10,000 for SHOW HOPE. Yes, I said marathon. And, yes, I said $10,000. Both mammoth undertakings, but both truly
what I feel (after a lot of prayer!)
led to do. Sound crazy? Well, that shouldn’t surprise you, I just
warned you about that in the first
paragraph…
Basically, it goes like this: I am a single mom with five children. I don’t have a lot of money. I don’t have a lot of free time. I don’t have the ability to get out and
travel. But I do have a heart for orphans and I do believe that God has a plan for using me to care for His
children no matter my circumstances. I am
not in a place to adopt. A mission trip
is off the table at this time. I don’t
have much to give in the way of hand-me downs or medical supplies. But what I do have is the ability to
run. Even if it is like a girl. And,
honestly, that is all Jesus requires of me.
To give what I have when I have it to be used as He can use it. So, this January, I will do just that. “Run like a girl” for Jesus. Literally using my feet for Jesus as I train
for and then conquer a 26.2 mile course for “the least of these”.
Mark Stuart, former lead singer of Audio Adrenaline, has
described that Christian rock group as “a band about hope… a band that reaches
out to the underdogs in the world and reminds people that no matter where you
come from or what your shortcomings are that you can do incredible things
through Christ.” And that is where I am. The band’s song “Hands and Feet” addresses
the exact desire that I have – to be His hands and His feet wherever He leads
me. To set aside thoughts of failure and
fears of the unknown and instead find strength in Christ by pursuing His
mission as He leads. Wherever He leads. To try “to touch the world like [He] touched my life.” Even when that means running (a really long
way….).
Two years ago I was doing my best to work up to running, rather
than run/walking, a full 5K (3.1 miles).
I accomplished that goal once
and then wound up giving up exercise altogether for about six months to deal
with other aspects of life. Now,
however, I have three half-marathons behind me and am looking to complete a
full marathon five months from now, at a maximum 15 minute average mile pace –
for all 26.2 miles! I am no
athlete. I am no super-woman. But as I have always openly admitted I am an underdog and I am okay with that -
because God can use that way more
than a super-hero any day. As Paul
states in 2nd Corinthians 12:9, “He said to me, ‘My grace is
sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will
boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest
on me.”
And so I shall run.
And then walk. And then run. And then walk some more. And then run, and walk, and run some more… And
then eventually cross the finish line of the Walt Disney World Marathon in
under seven hours (with my fabulous brother at my side!). And what I ask of you in this endeavor is your support. No running involved (unless you want to), no
travel (unless you want to), no early morning exercise, blisters or sweat
(again, unless you want to...). Just
your support – first through covering my training and ultimate race day efforts
in prayer, and also by making a financial donation toward my $10,000 goal and
by helping me spread the word far and near about this great way for anyone to
join with me and Show Hope in providing life-saving care to orphans and
adoption grants to waiting forever families.
Show Hope is an organization created ten years ago
specifically to aid families with the financial aspect of adoption. It has grown immensely over the past ten
years and yet remains focused on being a movement to care for orphans. Show Hope exists to empower each person to
play his or her part to ensure every child worldwide knows the love of a
forever family. They provide adoption
grants to assist families with the financial commitments of the adoption
process. (Helping my own family THREE
times!) Show Hope also provides medical
care and shelter for orphans through special care units in China. And closer to home they advocate for orphans
by mobilizing high school students through The Movement , college students
through the Red Bus Project, and offer mission trips for youth and adults
alike.
Not everyone is able to adopt,
nor do I believe every person is called to, but in James 1:27 it is made clear
that everyone is called to do something – “Religion that God our
Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows
in their distress” - and Show Hope provides an astounding number of ways for us
each to answer that call.
Show Hope has blessed my family in more ways than I can
count. From adoption grants, to
volunteer opportunities, to mission trips, to this chance to advocate for
orphans, to actually caring for one of my children while he waited in China to
come home… there is no limit to the ways Show Hope has allowed my family to
become part of their Movement for Orphans.
Show Hope truly is a life changing organization and it is my pleasure to
donate my time and physical ability to raise money for such a wonderful
cause.
Again, I may not be able to do much – I don’t have much
money and I cannot adopt again – but I sure can run like a girl and get the
word out.
Please join me as I raise $10,000 for Show Hope. Every
dollar helps, and little amounts add up quickly. All donations are greatly
appreciated, but just $26.20 (one dollar per marathon mile) will put me well on
my way to my goal.
To donate, please click here to donate
online. If you prefer to donate by
check, please contact me at swallowsnest6@hotmail.com
and I will provide mailing instructions.
(All payments made directly to Show Hope –online or check- are
tax-deductible.)
And please share this blog or link with your friends and
family. You never know whose heart will
be touched to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Not everyone is called to adopt, but everyone
can do something, and sponsoring me as I run is a very simple way to do
something.
And just between you
and me…I have promised Show Hope that I won’t quit running until I raise the
full $10,000, even if I have to run more races to do it, so please join me –
before I start to resemble Forrest Gump.
=)
Suggested donation amounts:
$26.20 - $1 for each marathon mile
$10 – every dollar makes a difference
$100 – One hundred of these and we’ve done it!
$466 - $1 for each training mile run (over five months’ time)
$1000 – Ten of these and we’ve got it!
Love
seeks to meet a person's deepest needs, and an orphan is an orphan because they
have lost their parents. Adoption says, "I will not leave you as orphans,
I will come to you" (John 14:18), but many willing families are unable to
adopt because of the financial barriers. What better hope can you give an
orphan than a family who will show that child the love of God? – Show Hope
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