Mission Possible: Haiti 2012

Dates are finally set for my mission trip to Haiti in October.  I will be traveling with a group from October 5-12, 2012 to Haiti to serve in orphanages who took in children after the devasting earthquake.  Words can't express how excited I am to go on my first mission trip.  This has been something that I have wanted to do for a very long time, so essentially it's a dream come true.  We are all servants for the Lord, but this takes serving to a whole new capacity.  I will need financial support to help with my endeavor; I've already raised enough money to get my passport.  This was the first major step in preparing for traveling out of the country.  If you have a heart for missions but can't travel, please consider making a donation to support my mission.  Here's a link to my donation site if you feel so inclined:  http://www.gofundme.com/c1xn8

Now it's time to spiritually and emotionally prepare for this journey.  Over the next several months, I plan on digging deeper into God's word so I can be a better servant when we reach Haiti.  I know that I will also be challenged emotionally when we arrive.  I've seen pictures from past trips, and words can't describe what you can see in these children's lives.  You can help by praying for the children of Haiti and praying that we all have the strength to stay strong while we are there.  Jokingly, I've told Shannon to be prepared for a suitcase that contains a Haitian child in it when I return.  In all seriousness, I'm not sure I could choose just one.  Shannon will be staying behind on this trip to keep Emme while I'm away.  Pray that he survives that mission too!

Whether you join me financially or spiritually on this journey, I appreciate you!  I've learned that life's greatest gifts come when serving others, so I'm truly excited to begin this mission.  Thanks for supporting me, and my family, before, during, and after I travel.  In God's love...

St. Jude Country Music 1/2 Marathon

I'm back!  My graduate classes are finished for the semester and I have decided not to take classes this summer so I should have lots of time to write in the next few months.  This weekend was quite busy and fulfilling so I wanted to share what I was up to.

Friday night I sponsored a team of 165 runners from my school to run in the ING Kid's Rock Marathon in Nashville.  The marathon is great, the kids run 25 miles before the event and finish their 26th mile on race night.  I started this team my first year teaching at Stoner Creek Elementary with 65 runners.  The following year we had around 80, last year 105, and this year 165.  Our original motivation for forming the team was to support a student in our school who had brain cancer.  It thrills me to say that this year she (Mighty M) ran with our team.  It was a bittersweet moment for me to watch her cross the finish line running while remembering back to years past where she crossed in a wheelchair.  What an inspiration!

Saturday, I headed downtown to walk the half-marathon (that's 13.1 miles) myself.  My awesome neighbor and great friend Tim joined me.  He too, was in a wheelchair during his life so this 1/2 marathon was special to him also.  What an accomplishment to finish 13.1 miles when there was a time in his life he couldn't even walk.  This is my second year doing the 1/2 marathon so I knew what to expect.  

Every year I find motivation watching so many people walking/running beside me.  At mile 8, I passed two runners.  One was a single leg amputee and the other was a double leg amputee.  At that point I knew I would finish.  If they could finish on artificial legs, I could certainly finish with healthy legs.  Rounding the corner in between mile 12 and 13 I read a girl's shirt.  It said "I'm running for Dad.  I miss you everyday!"  She had on a cancer awareness tank.  Ugh, I haven't crossed the bridge of losing a parent yet (thank you good Lord) but that shirt hurt my heart.  Another group of girls I passed were running for a little brother of their teammate who had cancer.  They all had pictures on their shirts of the boy.  Again, thank you Lord for sparing my child from cancer.  Needless to say, I passed motivation all along the course.  

The people of Nashville are so gracious and welcoming during the marathon.  Sure, it's a great money maker for the city (40,000+ runners will do that) but they LOVE the marathon.  Through the residential parts of the race they had fruit, snacks, water misters, and of course adult beverages for the onlookers.  Many had motivational signs to hold up for the runners.  Cheerleaders from all across Nashville lined the streets.  Bands were set up at every mile and volunteered their time to keep the runners entertained.  Nashville truly is a great city.  I love my home in Texas, and Nashville is as close to Texas as I have ever found.  

Next year I hope to complete the half while running.  Both this year and last year I was injured before and couldn't properly train to run.  My other goal is to run the same race in Dallas.  I hope to try to coerce my sisters into running with me.  And of course, I want to find something or someone to motivate me through.  

Overall it's been a great weekend.  I've done a lot of great things athletically, but finishing a 1/2 marathon tops my list.  I definitely feel accomplished!