Elizabeth Engelhardt

I was doing this wrong

2012-01-06T11:04:00.000-06:00

Don't you love it when you start doing something and you think what you're doing is right, then have a friend that says, "umm...no that's not ok!". Well that just happened with me.

Let me explain. I thought the game of burn the calories, but see if I can still come in under my allotted calories from Lose It! was ok, and I AM WRONG!! It has been brought to my attention that I AM WRONG!! Trying to lose this way is VERY DANGEROUS to my health. So here is the new game plan (AND THE CORRECT WAY) -

My allotted calorie intake is 1442 to lose 1.5 pounds per week OR 1192 calories to lose 2 pounds per week. HOWEVER, I can NOT eat less than this EVER, otherwise I'm starving myself and THAT IS NOT OK. I also was told that when I exercise, I need to replace at least those calories as well. So if I burn 400 calories, I need to eat another 400 calories to STAY HEALTHY!!

For those of you who are following my progress, understand that I thought what I was doing was ok, BUT since it was brought to my attention that it wasn't, then I WILL BE MAKING THE CHANGES TODAY.

Thanks, Brandi, for speaking the truth to me that the way I was calculating my intake and output of calories was wrong. It's never easy to admit your wrong; however, in this situation, I am and I need to make it right, now. I will still be working on NOT snacking if I'M NOT hungry and making better food choices, but I WILL start losing weight the healthy way, and not any other way.

Week 1 Day2 Rundown

2012-01-03T21:08:00.000-06:00

Here's my plan. According to Lose It! I can consume 1442 calories each day to lose the weight that I want to, so my goal is to see how many calories I can counteract with working out. It's a game (I'm a bit competitive) I'm playing with myself. I'm working out twice a day, in the morning I'm doing my P90X Lean Routines and then in the afternoons I walk or do my Couch to 5K running while my kids ride their new scooters. I'm alternating them every other day.

So here are my totals for today:
Calories allowed: 1443
Calories consumed: 1278
Calories burned: 698*

Here's what I decided a few months back when I tried before to lose weight and kept getting frustrated. Instead of having the goal to lose 20lbs, I'm taking them 5lbs at a time. So my first goal is to go from 171.4lbs to 165lbs. This way I'm feeling more success on the way. Hope that makes sense.

*These are ONLY the calories that I am burning while doing exercise.

Happy New Year!!! - Here's my Resolution

2012-01-02T20:07:00.000-06:00

First off, I want to apologize for 'all' of you who follow my blog (I think there might be 2 of you) for NOT updating since March. Life has flown by & gotten extremely busy. I know have a Kindergartner AND a 2nd grader in our 1/2 Charter School, which we LOVE. 4 hours of school a day ROCKS. My contract hours have been picking up, and therefore, this poor blog has been neglected.

First I want to wish you a happy New Year. Second I want you to help keep me accountable. I need to have a healthier lifestyle and I need some help. This blog for the year of 2012 will be my journal as I journey to making better food choices, exercise choices, and over all life choices.

So today was the first day of my new workout regiment. Today I went back to P90X, but instead of the traditional workout that I only got through 5 weeks on, I am doing the LEAN workout. It is designed for those of us that want to shed some pounds. I have between 20 & 25 I'd like to kick to the curb + my core muscles are like that of an old lady....I got flabby, pathetic, sissy ones...I also need to get my stomach to quit being so finicky about things & sporadically getting nauseous.

Since my kids had one more day off of school, I got up at 5:30AM (I know INSANE) and did my core synergistics workout from 6:00 - 7:00 AM. (I burned 482 cals). We had to take my husband to work this morning because he got called in, so I got him & the kids McDonald's as a treat, BUT NOT ME!! I came home & made me oatmeal (200cal) & drank my coffee(55cal). The kids & I then ran LOTS of errands & I continued to drink LOTS of water & had a snack of a banana (1-5cals). We went to lunch at Chili's where I ate 1/2 of the lunch portion of a cobb salad (178cal) witha 1/3of the lite Ranch dressing(27cal) on the side AND 1/2 a bowl of loaded baked potato soup (205cal). Came home, rested, and then took my kids scootering. I did week 3 day 1 of my Couch to 5K (burned 286cals), so in essence, I worked out twice today. (Which is what I'll be doing Mon - Fri) from now on. We went to the park, ran one more errand and the kids got Chick-fil-A for supper. I got ONLY a chicken tenders 3 pack and ONLY ate 2 (250cals). I was going to heat up the other half of my loaded baked potato soup from lunch, but I'm not hungry so I put it back in the fridge. I also chewed a piece of gum (5cals) and I'm currently trying to drink some Sleepytime Tea w/2 tsp of honey & 3 tsp on fat free milk in it, but I can't seem to get it down...

So here are the totals for my day: I consumed 1,072 calories (my goal is 1,442) and I burned 768 calories. I'm still UNDER my 'allotted' calories by 1,138, but I think they'll just disappear. I'm weighing myself every Mon morning at 6 am. Last week I was 168lbs, today I am 171.4...I'm not sure what happened other than maybe because I was up to late last night & drinking lots of water up until midnight.... Oh yeah, I using Lose It! Android app and web page as my log.

Here are my goals: I would LOVE to weigh 155lbs by March 20th AT THE LATEST. That's dropping approximately 15lbs in 3 months...I THINK I can do it. I want to stop picking off my kids plates. I want to stop OVEREATING, when I'm full or satisified, I want to STOP eating, put the food away. I want to do better with my portion controls.

Right now I think my IBS is acting up, so I'm NOT drinking my sleepytime tea, but I am sleepy so that's a good thing. Please help hold me accountable. I will VERY hard to come here EVERY night to journal about my day.

Building the Blocks

2011-03-23T08:57:00.001-05:00

I met this family through the blog world about 4 or 5 years ago. I have been keeping up with them ever since. I got to FINALLY meet Amy at the Together 4 Adoption conference back in October. Amy's heart is so very real on her blog and in person. She does NOT hold anything back, she speaks truth in such a loving way.

Todd & Amy have 9 children! They have 4 biological beauties and 5 adopted beauties as well. God has called the Block family 'to go and do' by moving to Guatamala to care for orphans there. This is HUGE since Guatamala closed adoptions to the US several years ago.

Here's what I am doing: I am praying that God will allow me to partner with the Blocks and use my business to fundraise for them as I do for other families adoptive families. We will also be praying for them daily. I look up to and respect Amy so much, that I want to be open to what God wants us to do to support them.

Please watch the video below and see just how the Block family is living out James 1:27 and think/pray about partnering with them, details on how are below the video.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27(NIV)

Would you please consider partnering with this family as they partner with the Lord caring for the least of these?

Tax deductable giving can be made at:

Commission To Every Nation
Todd and Amy Block
P.O. Box 291307
Kerrville, TX 78029-1307

Online giving at here.

Follow their story at http://buildingtheblocks.blogspot.com/

It's my birthday and this is what I want.....

2011-03-18T09:53:00.000-05:00

Today I turn 34 which means I've been:

a daughter for 34 years
a big sister for 30 years
a wife for 14 years
a mom for 7 years
and a fighter for what's right...well I'm still new at this one, so it's probably been 9 months.

Human trafficking is close to my heart, I probably don't fight for it as loud as I should, but I do think about the 'what ifs'. What if it was MY daughter, what if it was MY niece...what if's can go all day long. But action speaks louder than words.

So for my birthday, I would like to see how much money we can raise to fight human trafficking. Please click on the button and donate $5 and I will send YOU a gift, you just have to tell what kind.

Thanks for helping me fight for those who have no voice or freedom.*

*All money raised will go to Children's HopeChest and they will put it to good use in India.*

AUCTION!!!!

2011-02-11T20:51:00.001-06:00

I LOVE how people come together to help those that they don't even know!! What's better, is I LOVE seeing God's hand orchestrating it!! After I published the most recent Burrell fundraising delivery blog (See it here), I was approached my one of our cousins (by marriage) about her wanting to donate something that is super cute for Emma's adoption fund. I can't even believe it. Kim makes some REALLY CUTE things for little girls and she wants us to auction off this - the tutu and leg warmers- It's value is $25.

Here's how the auction is going to work. Make your bid in the comments section over at Elizabeth Engelhardt Creations and help us raise money for Emma Charity's adoption fund. The auction will go until 10pm on Friday, February 18th. On Saturday, I will post the winner. They will have 24hours to make their payment via paypal. Please help spread the word & let's see how much money we can raise to bring home Emma Charity.

Her Debut...AKA:She's 7 today!!

2011-02-09T12:21:00.000-06:00

I think I went to bed around 11pm to wake up at 4 or 4:30 am in labor. It was going to be a LONG day. I was able to labor in the tub for a little bit, but my goal of a 'drug free' birth was not able to take place. About the time I hit transition I couldn't catch my breath since I was being moved (from the tub to the bed to be checked and back to the tub). Because of the epidural, my labor stalled for several hours.

When I look back and think about that day, I feel in some ways I could have gone without the epidural, but I also have no regrets from that day. Perryn made her debut at 4:58 pm and came out with violet (deep blue) eyes and beautiful red hair.

Perryn,
As I look back over the last seven years of your life, I am amazed by your beauty, your compassion, your love, your imagination, and your creativity. I love that God has place you in our lives to care for you. I know that I'm not the best mom in the world, but I pray that I am showing you how to be a Godly wife, mother, sister, and daughter.

I look forward to a fun filled year of you being seven.
I love you precious girl,
Mommy

Now the excitement begins...AKA: continue down memory lane

2011-02-08T09:29:00.000-06:00

Well, on this day 7 years ago, we woke up, showered, and tried to figure out what we should do for our day. I was tired of 'waiting', so Gabe asked me what I wanted to do....church...so we went to church...Guess what happened within 10 min of the preaching starting (I think we were late and missed the singing), yep, contractions came back. This time I had to pay attention to 2/3rds of them. Gabe asked me if I wanted to leave and I said, "No way, these aren't going to last long..they'll go away just like the previous 3 days."

Well, I was wrong...they continued throughout the day...we went to lunch with friends and then went home to rest. I watched Hitchcock's "The Birds" and Gabe played xbox. Of course, after about 3 hours or so, Gabe suggested we go walking to see if we could get the contractions to kick into gear. I begged not to go, because I knew that they would go away since that's what they did the previous days. Guess what, I was right..they left after I was on the treadmill for 10 min.

So, we went back to the apartment, ate some dinner, and went to bed. I remember falling asleep to "The Bourne Identity"....

.....to be continued until tomorrow, when Perryn makes her debut!!

Recap Continued

2011-02-07T06:38:00.000-06:00

So, I didn't update how Miss Perryn made it into the world the last two days because well frankly they were uneventful days. On Feb 5 and 6, 2004, we would wake up and get our day started. Our birthing class swore up and down that walking helped labor...ummm...not for me...I would start having some contractions, so we would go walk the mall only for them to stop completely!!

However, on this day, Feb 7, 2004, I woke up and had some serious contractions...or so I thought. We even called my friend Kecia to come over. Gabe had the car running, I was laboring, he called the dr, but the midwife said I was in early labor, and not to come in just yet...so guess what I did...I walked...I paced the apartment, praying and hoping that it would help my labor along and we would get to meet our sweet girl on this day...but God had other plans for us.

Tomorrow, was very exciting day for us as we got ready to meet our sweet girl!! Until then....

On this day 7 years ago

2011-02-04T10:33:00.000-06:00

On Feb 4, 2004 I went to work and then went to see Dr. Valenti...my AWESOME OB. He wanted a biophysical profile of Perryn to see some development stages. They were measuring the placenta, the fluid level, her size, her head, and her breathing...or the act of. Well, Edie pushed and pushed on my stomach, but this stubborn girl would not 'breathe', so off to the hospital we went. They hooked me up to the monitors, fed me some supper, and tried the biophysical profile again. She failed, again. Dr. Valenti came in and said he was going to do it because my strips were 'too perfect', but he couldn't even get Perryn to breathe.

He had one more 'trick' up his sleeve to try to get her to breathe, otherwise, we were having a baby that day (which Gabe and I secretly were hoping Perryn would fail the test, so we could meet her sooner), but the black vibrating device he put on my lower stomach did the trick....evidently my girl was loving her sleep then like she does now!! That vibrating device woke her up and she started 'breathing', so we were sent home to 'wait' for labor to start...This day was the beginning of 5 very long days of labor...no worries...it wasn't too intense...yet.

Her shirt says "Are you sure these are my relatives."

More tomorrow....

One day - One lunch

2011-02-03T10:45:00.000-06:00

I just participated in Addisyn's One day - One lunch....Will you join me and the others with giving away your lunch money today to help orphans in Africa? Here's where you can find out more about One day - One lunch.

a CUTE giveaway

2011-02-02T19:39:00.000-06:00

My friend Caroline is having a giveaway of a VERY cute baby blanket giveaway!! Go check them out!!

You get to choose if you want a pink or blue one!! Woohoo....IF I win, I know who I'm giving mine too....

T minus 1 week

2011-02-02T17:52:00.000-06:00

Well, the count down has begun for my precious first born to turn 7 in one week....how in the world did time fly by so fast?? I've been thinking and reminiscing over the days leading up to her birth and the first few days and months after her birth. It was crazy and surreal....but for now, I will leave you with this.

My due date was Feb 2, 2004. I was still teaching special ed, I had already gained 60 pounds, it hurt to sit for long periods of time, and I could NOT wait to meet my precious girl!! I will try to update you each day as to what was happening to us as we anxiously awaited the arrival of our first born....

Here's Perryn's meeting her Great-grandparents for the first time.

Marco........POLO:

2011-01-22T22:21:00.000-06:00

aka: Where have I gone??

I am SO SORRY, I have NOT blogged since 2010!! I know I'm a busy mommy who has to prioritize. I hope to try to blog at LEAST once a month!! LOL....we'll see how it works out. It's all about time management....

So, we had a GREAT Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'll blog specifically on Christmas as soon as I can and HOPEFULLY BEFORE March, but no promises...Our theme was 'family time' so we got lots of gifts that would bring us together as a family.

This is went out with our Christmas card.

Now, onto other things. God is doing some work on our little family. Please be in prayer for Gabe as seeks God's heart about some things that are precious to him.

God's been working on my heart to. It took me (I'm ashamed to say) 8 months to finish Beth Moore's study on Esther and I LOVED IT!! I've now moved onto her study about the tabernacle called "A Woman's Heart: God's dwelling place." So far, I LOVE it too. My goal is to finish by June...It's another 10 week study, and I hope to be finished way sooner, but June 1st is a good goal for me. (insert snicker). I'm also reading the Bible Chronologically...it's making so much more sense to me doing it this way. God is speaking to me and I'm reading it more like a 'book' than 'the Bible'. I'm ahead of my daily readings because, I want to know what happens next.

Here's what I thought about Job when I finished reading that book (this is straight from my journal):

Job was rich and LOVED God.
Satan had to ASK permission to test Job, God said 'yes', BUT put limitations on him.
Job - like all of us didn't understand why his life had changed from GREAT to HORRIBLE.
Others did not understand either, instead of his 3 friends praying WITH him and FOR him - they CONDEMNED him.
Job then in turn had to DEFEND himself from his friends, but did not do this graciously.
A younger man literally put ALL 4 men (Job and his friends) in their places by speaking wisdom to them about who God is since they had obviously forgotten.
God then spoke to Job and REMINDED him that HE is GOD, NOT JOB and HE(GOD) is IN CHARGE OF EVERYTHING.
Job confessed to God his sins and his wrong thinking - which were his sins - he had been questioning God.
God then blessed Job with MORE than what he had BEFORE Satan went after him.

You see, I often FORGET that GOD IS IN CHARGE OF EVERYTHING. God knew this about me so, he truly spoke to me while I read this book. We need to be careful about how we 'address' our friends who are suffering. We need to be careful about being judgemental, even if that is not our intentions...that is a problem that I deal with. We need to speak truth to those around us, but we need to do so in a loving and kind manner. Even MORE important, we need to be praying for those who are currently struggling before we do anything else or even more than anything else. God is continuing to remind me of this with people he is putting in our lives.

I feel like I may be forgetting this or God is truly speaking to them because sometimes I feel like I'm being pushed away...even as I try to speak truth in a loving and gentle way. I'm not sure....I do know that when things get really tough, these precious ones tend to push me away, so I also find myself BEGGING God to save them and am I doing everything I can to show them God's love. It's tough, but I know that God is preparing me and them for 'such a time as this' to quote Mordecai from Esther.

I am currently in Genesis reading about Jacob (who is now Isreal) and all that he is going through. I am VERY confused as to why it was okay for him to have 4 wives and what on earth were Leah and Rachel thinking giving him their maids to bear him children as well? If I've learned anything up until Gen 31, it is:

Men should NOT be married to sisters - it causes too much drama and competition.
I am SO GLAD that this is NOT the way we live today...yikes.

I look forward to learning more as I read through the Bible. And just so you know, my resolution this year is to go wide AND deep. So, I'm reading the BIBLE chronologically to go wide, but doing the Beth Moore study to go deep, and I can't think of a better study than the one on the tabernacle to go DEEP with. Along with both of these I'm working on memorizing at least 12 verses this year as well.

I'll try to blog on Christmas and my thoughts about the Esther study as soon as I can, but for now, know we are all doing well and I can't wait to see what God has in store for us in 2011.

I have 5 children....

2010-12-02T22:16:00.000-06:00

My sweet Alyssa, who is blossoming
into a BEAUTIFUL young lady.

This time in 2008 when my husband asked to get a job, I was reluctant, but God knew exactly what He was doing when He provided me the job that He did. I got to teach one last time to a beautiful group of preschoolers who are now in Kindergarten. In that group of children, I have made some really good friends. I LOVE each of those children I had in my class and I try to keep up with them as much as possible, but there are 3 that I consider 'mine'.

You see, these 3 'extra' children, well their moms are some of my dearest friends. These children are some of the most precious children I know, and when I get the honor of getting to take care of them, I just loop them into my family. I treat them just like I treat my own children.

My precious Jesse, who is one of the
silliest boys I know!

You see, I feel like God has placed them in our lives for a very special reason. When I get a phone call from these special mommy friends asking me if I can help them out, I try to move heaven and earth to be able to get a chance to spend time with these great kiddos.

So, in the last 2 weeks, I've been honored to be able to attend special events at school for 2 of my 'extra' kids. When people ask me if they are all mine, I often hesitate and actually CRAVE to say YES, YES! ALL OF THESE PRECIOUS KIDS ARE MINE!!!

Adorable Bella, who often is mistaken
for Perryn's twin!!

I think God is giving me a glimpse to what He might have up His sleeve when I have all of these kiddos in my van...sometimes I have all 5 together, but most of the time, I only have 3 or 4 total...at one time - when I say 3 or 4 that includes my two! heehee.

So, Lord, I can't wait to see how you bless our little family of four and make us a bit bigger. I can't wait to see what kind of house you provide for us so that we can keep adding to our family. I can't wait to see the cute faces, races, and specialties that you are going to put into our family. But....

since it's not time to add to our family, please help us to love on the single moms that you have brought into our lives, the families that need a little extra help because they have two working parents and they need us to just step in every so often.

Help me to bless those families that are currently adopting with fundraisers and my voice. Please help us to pray for, love, and encourage each of these families and those others that you bring into our path.

World Aids Day

2010-12-01T09:07:00.000-06:00

Please watch this video about Adoption and HIV/AIDS. I pray that if God blesses us with more children that we will not be hesitant or ignore those children with HIV/AIDS. I feel that He does have some special plans for us in adopting some really special children. I pray that we are open to adopting the ones that He places before us.

Giving

2010-11-19T10:12:00.000-06:00

So, I'm one of those people who LOVES, just LOVES to do things for others and watch smiles be put on their faces. That's why when God showed me/told me that I needed to revamp my creative business, I didn't argue with Him at all!!

You see, I also LOVE to be creative. It's almost more of a stress relief to create things for others than it is to go running or exercise in general.

I love to be creative with my baking (I'm more of a baker than a cook).

It took me stepping out of my comfort zone to make both this pirate and the crane cake. I like to be more a 'paint by numbers' decorator not so much a free hand decorator.

I love to be creative with paper as well. I LOVE to create something that is a representative to a family. For example: the pink daisy announcement represents a client whose baby, Savannah, was born straight into the arms of Jesus. The three daisies represent her, her husband, and their son Jaythan. The butterfly represents, Savannah.

The Ladybug card is for a friend who wanted to announce the adoption of their daughter, Kaiya from China. The large daisy represents, daddy - Russ. The medium size daisy represents mom - Angel, and the small daisies represent all three girls together - Zoe, KK, and Kaiya becoming sisters.

I'm not sure where else one could find a place to really put so much TLC in the things that are made for them.

Well, last weekend, Nov 13, Perryn and I went to a Holiday Open House. We sold bookmarks, Christmas cards, raffle tickets, and cupcakes. You can find out how Perryn was a special part of the Open House here and how our table did here. I had agreed to do the Open House to help fundraise, then I felt I was getting too stressed, so I tried to back out. Well, God knew what he wanted me to do. Perryn and I went to the Open House and we sold, what God wanted us to sell. Here's the COOLEST part about the whole thing. Even though I walked out of there at the end of the day with approximately $250 of profit in my purse, I really only made $9. How you ask?

Well, I got to write 3 checks. Two went to Children's HopeChest for part of their "Change their Story" campaign that we are kind of doing, but in a more unique way. But I also got to write a check to a family who is using me to fundraise for their adoption in Russia. Here's what she said on facebook:
"Oh, my goodness!!! You are beyond amazing!! I just opened my mail, and have not stopped crying! I had no idea you were selling Christmas Cards at that event to raise money for us and the adoption!! I am overwhelmed with gratitude and love for your servant's heart that is so full of God's love!!! Love you!! So grateful for you!"

This made my day. Not because I was looking for any glory, but because my HUMAN side wanted to keep more than just $9 from that day. For about 2 minutes I struggled with the profit I made, because I have NEVER made that much profit at one time with my little business. But, I quickly was reminded by God that HE wanted me to bless others. That's why I have been blessed with the talents that He has given me. It was a really cool feeling to mail those three checks....almost a surreal feeling.

I know, it's taboo to talk about faults and I kind of feel like I'm 'bragging' about what happened last week, but I'm not trying to do that. I want you to know that their are several causes (adoption/orphans and Child Trafficking/sex slaves) that are close to my heart and I am so glad that God has blessed me with ways to help them out. To help make a difference to others. This is our way of beginning to celebrate Advent this year. Instead of focusing on just us, I want our family to really focus on giving and blessing others.

My voice is really small, because it's only one, but I need YOUR help to make my voice a little bit louder. Please help me spread the word about a giveaway that I'm hosting. There are 11 DIFFERENT ways you can enter it to win a handmade Advent calendar PLUS 4 books signed by Tom Davis, CEO of Children's HopeChest. Will you please help me spread the word,and enter the giveaway? So, please hop on over here and find out how YOU can enter this giveaway a WHOPPING 11 times. You don't have to purchase anything if you don't want to, but please look around and help spread the word for my giveaway. Many thanks and blessings.

Raffle Tickets

2010-11-03T19:25:00.000-05:00

I would like to help a dear friend of mine get her little girl, Emma Charity, from Russia. She is currently selling raffle tickets for $5 and I have 20 of them. Please let me know if you would like to have one, so we can connect and get the info that we need for you to be entered.

The drawing will be on Dec 19th and will be shipped where ever the winner lives!!

I saw God today....

2010-10-23T19:11:00.001-05:00

So, today I ran my VERY first Half Marathon The Chosen for Adoption 1/2 marathon. I was 'awake' at 4AM, because I was nervous I was going to oversleep for the race..LOL. I also needed to help get 2 children dressed and loaded into our van.

Anyways, we got to the race and I had to go potty REALLY bad, but the line was LONG and they had already started the race. So, I sucked it up and went ahead and started. When I looked at the start clock, it said 3 mins, so I started the race 3 minutes late. I got to the first mile marker/water station and waited in a line for 5 min to use the Porta John....after that, my race went pretty well.

I rounded the #2 mile water station and my legs started to already fell extremely heavy; however, I knew I could push through the little hills that were there. I looked up into the rain clouds and saw a very faint rainbow, and a whisper from God, "I AM HERE today." I started to get very emotional knowing that God was running with me today.

After the water station at the 3.5 mile marker, I saw the sunrise through the storm clouds, and God reminded me again, "I AM HERE". As I came up to the 5 mile marker I saw the vastness of his creation in the waterfalls, trees, and the river below, and He reminded me AGAIN, "I AM HERE". I got a chuckle going down a really steep hill knowing that I was going to have to go back UP that hill in a bit, and thought, "God you have a GREAT sense of humor!" I even saw God in the rain because it started very humid, but it cooled off a bit and the wind picked up, and I could feel Him fanning me.

After mile 5 I began seeing others from my church's running group, and a high came over me that was very encouraging to me. I turned around at 6.5 miles to go back the way I came, which was pretty cool, because I could kind of gage where I was in the course and how much further I had to go.

Along the way, my feet, ankles, and knees began to hurt. And I would pray, God, please take the pain away. This is when I felt the furthest from Him in my race, but as I prayed and asked Him to keep giving me the stamina and the endurance, the pain would disappear.

Towards the end (and even right now) my right ankle and knee really began to hurt. I remember hearing thunder and laughing because I had 'forgotten' that God was with me and he was giving me a audible reminder that He WAS STILL THERE with me.

finish line

The craziest thing is that it hurt to walk more than to run. Now, here's the COOLEST part of the WHOLE race. I RAN THE ENTIRE THING!! Well, at least 90% of it!! I walked through EVERY water station (which I had planned to do). I used 3 of my 4 energy gel packs along the way. I stayed very well hydrated.

By the time the last 1/2 to 1/4 mile, the pain in my right ankle and knee were getting to be a bit unbearable, but I was determined to finish the race RUNNING, and with God's great and awesome help, that is exactly what I did. I even had a cheering section cheering me on. I know for a fact that the last few picture of me from the professional photographers are me crying while I ran, because I was hurting, I was ALMOST finished, and well because it was my very first 1/2 marathon.

When I crossed the finish line, they said my name and where I was from, I got a bottle of water, and a medal. My total time was 2 hours 54 min 23 sec. Now if we took the 3 min from the late start and the 5 min bathroom wait off, I ran my very first 1/2 marathon in 2 hours 46 min...LOL.

Now, as I ran the entire thing (walking through the water stations and walking a couple of times in between on the way back due to pain) God was reminding me that I was running for the girls who can NOT run. They want to, they need to, but they can't. They are being owned and trafficked for sex and this is NOT OK!!! So, I ran for them. I'm not sure what my totals for sponsorship are, but the last I heard it was $581. Now, yes, that is $2000 short of my goal and does not provide the rescue of 2 girls; however, it does supply about 12 rescue packs to help the girls who have been rescued. And that is GREAT news. Please check out the Indian Rescue Mission and keep up with what they are doing to help rescue girls in India (this is where my sponsorship money is going.)

Be looking for me to continue to run for these girls. The next race for sponsorship will probably be in the late winter/early spring and then I'm looking to run a triathalon in June. I can NOT wait!!!

For your enjoyment, here are some pictures of what Gabe and the kids did while I was running. He also snagged some pictures of the other Austin Stone runners...I heard we had 50!!!

**Now I just need to figure out where to get one of those cool 13.1 stickers for my running box. Heehee.

It's time

2010-10-23T07:00:00.023-05:00

Right now, as you read this, I am running my VERY first 1/2 marathon. I love that God chose the Chosen for Adoption Half Marathon to be my very first to run.

One day on the highway coming home, God revealed to me that I needed to run for the girls that The Indian Rescue Mission works very hard to rescue. For example, these 21 (TWENTY-ONE) girls were rescued on WEDNESDAY, Oct 20, 2010. How AMAZING is our God that HE ORCHESTRATED the RESCUE of 21 girls at ONE TIME?

These girls have a handful of people to fight for them. The least I can do is run for them.

So, my goal was $2500 to help fund 2 rescues, but I didn't reach my goal. [There's still time to sponsor me (go here to do that and BE SURE to write "Elizabeth's 1/2")], However, with the $581 that has been raised supplies about 13 rescue kits. See these girls need some 'supplies' to get them through the next few days/weeks/months as they learn to live a different lifestyle than that of the sex trade.

So, thank you to all who donated. Please pray for safety and health over the next several hours. I predict it will take me approximately 3-4 hours to run this race.

T minus 10 hours

2010-10-22T21:30:00.000-05:00

Well, the time has come and in less than 10 hours I will be running my very first (of many, I hope) 1/2 marathons. God has protected me over the past several months as I trained and he has given me insight to what He wants me to run for. Just like in my creative business is helping adopting families fund raise, He has asked me to run for those who can not run for themselves.

So, here's a little of what has happened today. I went and got the van all ready for a small road trip, and a road trip we have taken. We had lunch in South Austin at Jason's Deli and then we stopped at Aquarena Springs to explore their glass bottom boats. I got a deal on tickets yesterday at Living Social Austin yesterday and paid 1/2 price for our boat ride. It was SUPER cool to see all the living things on the bottom of the San Marcos River and learn a little history in the process. Here are some pictures:

With the frogs.

Frogs on the side of their aquarium.

Look at those HUGE fish behind them.

With the nobby knee tree.

On the wetlands walk.

Turtles on the log.

Looking out the window.

Perryn looking at the bottom of the river.

I'll let you know tomorrow goes after the race. We got a late check out, so maybe I can update you before I go home. Hugs.

BREAKING NEWS!!!!

2010-10-20T16:07:00.000-05:00

I just received this email from James over at The Indian Rescue Mission. This is worthy of praise; however, the reality is that there are MANY more girls that need to be rescued. Please read the email, and then learn about how to help more girls get rescued below.

Email:

BREAKING NEWS: 21 GIRLS RESCUED

In a joint operation done by my friend, Shyam kamble along with Maharastra State police rescued twenty one girls from various brothels in Pune today ( October 20,2010).

Among the rescued, 11 girls were minors and others were majors. They were all trafficked from Bangladesh to India.

Please pray for these girls.

James Varghese

Founder and Executive Director

Indian Rescue Mission

Email: jamesvarghese@...

indianrescuemission@...

Website: www.indianrescuemission.org

www.rescuemissionindia.weebly.com

In case you're not aware of it, I'm running a 1/2 marathon on Saturday (yes, in THREE days) and I am looking for 200 people to help sponsor me for at the LEAST $10 each. When you donate you MUST put "ELIZABETH'S 1/2" in the notes section in order for your donation to go to rescuing more girls that are being trafficked. Click the HOPECHEST donation button below to donate via Paypal or click on the "I RUN FOR RESCUE DONATIONS" button to donate via credit/debit card. Make sure you designate your donation to go towards "Elizabeth's 1/2" whichever method you choose to donate. Thanks.

You can read more about sex trafficking here.

Here's how it works

2010-10-19T11:09:00.001-05:00

**UPDATE:As of 3:45 CST, I am now sitting at $581 of the needed $2500, thank you for giving.**

First off, thank you every one that has donated up to today. Right now, I sit at $436 since I last posted an update. You have generously given $30 in the last 24 hours. People, this is NOT enough, I need to raise the $2500 and here's why:

I feel like I haven't really conveyed to you what your sponsorships will be going to help when I say, "Help rescue girls out of brothels." Well, here is a post from the CEO of Children's HopeChest, Tom Davis, talking about the sale of virgins. **Please note, that below is an example of the type of evil, and not the actual rescue you would be funding with the money you send towards my sponsorship. Make sure you put in "Elizabeth's1/2" in the notes section of the giving page. Click HERE to give OR click this button in the article to give through Paypal, make sure you designate it's for "Elizabeth's 1/2" here as well.

How to make a profit selling virgins for sex

Wednesday July 21, 2010

Categories: Orphans, Sex Trafficking, The Poor

*UPDATE* Children's HopeChest has raised the full amount needed for this project. If you are still motivated to give, we will use your donation for similar projects within our ministry.*It's apparently very simple.

First, you establish yourself as a respected community leader who heads up a women's rights group in India. This will solidify your reputation as someone who protects and defends young girls.

Next, you need to really specialize in something to keep the customers coming back for more. You need, as the marketers call it, a "unique value proposition." You decide to focus on virgin girls. Highly prized and more expensive than girls with experience.

For clientele, you cater to corrupt police officials, local authorities, and the occasional visiting VIP or dignitary. That way, you'll always remain safe from raids and prosecutions.

Last, and most importantly, you need a good supply of virgins. For that you have an arrangement with the local boarding school for girls. Potential customers browse through your photo book of potential child sex victims. Once they make their choice, you bring the girls to your brothel to be raped for profit.

Sadly, this true story is unfolding right now in India.

A well-respected women's leader and her husband run a trafficking and prostitution ring specializing in virgins and young girls. The description above is true in its details, documented by our partners in India.

A rescue operation is in the works, and I am raising funds through this blog to free as many girls as we can. Will you help us?

They have documented at least five minors--all girls--being held as slaves. The rescue plan involves using the local television station to expose the operation, and thereby force the police to conduct the raid.

Will you join me in supporting this rescue operation? Here are the details:

*UPDATE* Children's HopeChest has raised the full amount needed for this project. If you are still motivated to give, we will use your donation for similar projects within our ministry.*

Rescue Operation: $1,250 - ($125 per girl we plan to rescue)
If we successfully rescue 10 girls, that's just $125 per child saved. This involves setting up the rescue operation, getting the investigative team in place, coordinating with the media and police, and conducting the raid itself. Even if $1,250 rescued only one girl, it would be far worth the investment.

Rescue Kits for Each Girl: $450 - ($45 per girl up to 10 girls)
These kits are the first step in restoring a girl's dignity. They contain clothing and personal hygiene supplies. The girls are taken immediately to a government after-care facility, and these kits provide each girl with needed supplies for the long journey ahead.

Professional Social Worker: $6,000 - Salary for 12 months
Once in the government after-care home, our partners will send a Christian social worker to meet with each of the girls and begin to counsel them toward long-term recovery. Until the girls are allowed to leave that facility, our partners will provide consistent biblical counseling from a licensed and educated social worker. Providing this victims' advocate is critical because in many cases girls are returned to the parents or relatives who sold them to the brothel in the first place.

Our goal is to rescue up to ten girls. Although in a similar attempt a few weeks ago, only one girl was freed from her captors. I will keep you posted, and encourage you to continue to pray, to spread the word, and to give as you are able.

Here are two ways you can be involved:

Join our Prayer Conference Call TodayOur prayer team, iFast58, will pray for this operation on their weekly sex trafficking prayer call. Please join them today (July 21) at 1:30pm Eastern Time. Call 760-569-9000 ID: 968101. If you can't make the call, please commit to pray for this rescue.

Make a Gift to the India Rescue OperationClick the donate button at the top of this post to make a gift toward this rescue operation. A gift of any size will make a difference. Give even $5 to stop this horror. A $45 gift buys one girl a rescue kit. A $125 donation helps rescue one girl (if we are successful in freeing 10 children). A $500 gift pays for after-care social work for the girls. Make a gift today. All donations are processed by PayPal and received by Children's HopeChest, a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit corporation. We are members of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability also. For more information about our ministry, please visit http://hopechest.org .

Re-Post this Entire Article on Your BlogFeel free to copy and paste the whole article on to your blog for your reading audience.

Read more: http://blog.beliefnet.com/redletters/2010/07/how-to-make-a-profit-selling-virgins-for-sex.html#ixzz12ox3ThrT

**Help me raise the money to rescue these girls. I keep thinking, what if it's MY daughter, I would want someone to find a way to rescue her, to help her. Please help by donating whatever amount you can to rescue someone else's daughter. Make sure you designate it go to "ELIZABETH'S 1/2" or we won't be able to rescue these girls.**

waiting, praising, thankful...still running

2010-10-18T09:02:00.001-05:00

UPDATE: As of 9:30am (CST), I am sitting at $406 in sponsorships. Here's what I need. I need your voices to help me find 210 people to donate at least $10. I know there are LOTS of people working to help me out and we have 5 days to reach $2500. Remember when you donate you HAVE to designate that you want your money to go towards my sponsorship in the notes section of the giving form. Thanks a million. Our God is good ALL THE TIME.

So, as of right now, I am currently waiting to here from my friend Matt over at Children's HopeChest to let me know how much more money I need to raise. I can't wait to find out because I know MANY of you who I know and who I don't have given what you can. For that I am truly thankful. I am praying that God will move in a powerful way to through this 1/2 marathon to bring to light the horror of child trafficking.

Until I can get back to you with an update on the current totals of my sponsorship, please continue to spread the word through email, facebook, twitter, or word of mouth that I still need at least 225 people to donate $10. The race is SATURDAY, 5 days away!!

Please click on the picture below to donate and put "Elizabeth's1/2" in the notes section, otherwise, your donation will not go to my sponsorship. Hugging you all!!

Racing Bib

2010-10-16T12:23:00.000-05:00

Here's my racing bib. Now, it seems even MORE real that my race is NEXT Saturday.

For some reason blogger wants to load this vertical as opposed to the horizontal way it's been saved...

So now I'm dealing with a few emotions.

I'm nervous

I've never run more than 4 miles on a consistent basis and those consistent 4 miles are a very new thing for me, before that it was only 2 miles.
I don't like crowds, and the starting line is always crowded.

I'm scared

I won't raise at least my goal amount of $2500
I won't be able to make the entire 13.1 miles
About the aftermath to my body after running 13.1 miles
I'm scared I'll let the people down at Children's Hopechest and the Indian Rescue Mission.

I'm thankful

I'm thankful for the opportunity to shed light on a very serious situation in our world.
I'm thankful for the people who are sponsoring me.
I'm thankful for the people who are helping me spread the word about needing sponsors.
I'm thankful for my family & friends who are being so supportive.
I'm thankful that God is taking care of all my needs.

It's crazy for me to be having these feelings because I know that God is in charge of EVERYTHING, but I also know that it's normal for me to have these feelings because, well, I'm human.

Please continue to spread the word and to pray for me, my safety, my health, and for the sponsorships to continue coming in.

**Click here to donate. Please make sure you put "Elizabeth's 1/2 marathon" in the notes section.**

1 week

2010-10-16T09:47:00.000-05:00

One week from today, I'm running my first 1/2 marathon. I'm on my way to go get my race packet so that I can 'dress' up my race bib to show that I'm running for the Indian Rescue Mission.

I will find out next week what my totals are for my sponsorship, but until then, I am still looking for 225 people to donate $10 to help rescue children from being in brothels in India. Have you donated yet? I'll post a picture of my bib when I get it fixed. Until then, click on the picture below to donate and make sure you put "Elizabeth's 1/2 marathon" in the notes section. Thanks again.

10 Days and counting..

2010-10-13T16:46:00.000-05:00

I have 10 days to raise $2314 to help benefit the girl being trafficked in India. Will you please help? Click on the donate button here to donate. Make sure you put "Elizabeth's 1/2 marathon" in the notes section so that we can keep a total for my sponsorship. Will you help by spreading the word and consider sponsoring me for $1/mile, $10/mile, or even $100 per mile.

Here's a cool thought: I have 409 friends on facebook. If everyone of those friends donated $10, ONLY $10, that would be $4000 and would help more than 2 girls be rescued. Could you donate just $10, please?

click on picture to donate. Remember put "Elizabeth's 1/2 marathon" in the notes section.

2 weeks....

2010-10-09T18:24:00.000-05:00

2 weeks from today.....I'll be lacing up my running shoes

2 weeks from today.....I'll be wearing the Red Letters that say, "I run for....RESCUE. I run for....IRM"

2 weeks from today....all the training I've been doing over the past several months will be put to final use.

2 weeks from today.....my "I run for campaign" will be finished collecting money until next year.

2 weeks from today....I'll be running my very first 1/2 marathon...that's right 13.1 miles total AT ONE TIME!!

You see, I'm still waiting to hear from Children's HopeChest about how much has been raised for my sponsorship, and due to their new software system I won't know until the upcoming week. Here's what I pray for, long for....that the email I get next week says something to the effect: "Elizabeth, we finally got your totals and to date you have raised your $2500." OR even better an email that says, "Elizabeth, you have gone OVER your $2500 goal." Either one of those emails would be AWESOME. But since I don't know what my totals are yet, I need to assume we are a LONG way from meeting our goal of $2500.

So here's the deal. I need your voices!! Please go read what my new friend Kristen says about what happened at the T4A conference when someone spoke up. She wrote it out so eloquently. I was sitting right next to her and was amazed about what God did in that room. Please go check it out.

Then I need this from you over the next 2 weeks.

Please pray for me as I continue my training to be successful. With allergy season kicking our rears this year, running outside is proving to be a bit more difficult than I'd like.
Please pray for the money to come in.
Please pray that I meet and exceed my goal of $2500.
Please spread the word to get more people aware of what I'm doing.
Please consider donating yourself.
Please pray for the girls that this money is going to go help in India.

Help young girls like these.

Some REALLY COOL giveaways you should know about:

2010-10-08T10:26:00.000-05:00

So, while at T4A last weekend, I got to meet the fabulous Kristen from We are THAT Family. She is hosting a giveaway through The Vintage Pearl to win a REALLY cool Africa necklace. You should totally go check it out and see the other cool things she has to offer in The Mercy House shop. Be looking for some cool postcards from me soon....I just need to get them made...LOL

Next, go over to My Crazy Adoption where Kari is giving away a FREE MISSION TRIP to Ethiopia!! Yes, you heard correctly!! Go check it out...it's way cool!!

Lastly, I don't have a giveway that I'm hosting, but I have revamped Elizabeth Engelhardt Creations. I've also received my first Christmas card order to be used towards my sponsorship for my "I run for...." campaign and a cake order for the day after my run!!

Have a great weekend and I should be able to update you on my sponsorship totals next week. Children's HopeChest changed software, so it's taking a little bit longer to find out.

I need some MAJOR help

2010-10-04T14:15:00.001-05:00

I need some MAJOR help getting the word out. I am down to the count down of when I run my very first 1/2 marathon. This is also the first time I have tried to have a race sponsored. Here's where I need your help.

I am trying to raise $2500 to rescue 2 UNDERAGE girls from the brothels in India, but my one voice is small. I need all of your voices to help me. I watched as God moved among the people of the Together for Adoption conference in such a way that enough money was raised in a matter of 3 hours to rescue 3 girls. I totally think we can raise enough money in 19 days to help 2. Please help me spread the word.

**REMEMBER TO ADD "Elizabeth's 1/2" in the note section so that the money you donate goes towards my sponsorship.**

Click on the picture to donate.

Together for Adoption Conference

2010-10-03T18:29:00.000-05:00

So this weekend, Gabe and I attended the Together for Adoption Conference that was held right here in Austin. Gabe was sick and missed the first day of the conference, but I got to enjoy it. I'm still trying to process all that has been put in my brain along with figuring out what I missed, where to go find it, but more importantly what does God want me to do with the information that I received this weekend. So, right now....here's where my heart and my mind are in regards to reflecting over the last two days.

Part of me has walked away from the conference with more questions than answers. I can't decide if that is a good thing or a bad thing right now. I think I wanted to go into the conference and get a "When God tells you to go adopt, here's what it will look like, here's what you need to do, here's the child you will get, etc, etc, etc.". I did NOT get that. I got some information about how to fund an adoption, how much it will most likely cost, where I can adopt from, but more importantly what we as the church need to do to help the orphan.

I also had to a heart check on Friday night. You see, I went into the conference very excited to meet lots of faces that I feel like I have gotten to really know online, but not ever met. I got to hug friends that I have known for years, and meet lots of new friends. I got to meet THE Tom Davis (he wrote Red Letters, Fields of the Fatherless, Scared, and Priceless). I got to meet warrior girls and people I follow on Twitter. I had to do a heart check to make sure I wasn't at the conference to use it as a social 'hookup' to meet others. I also had to check my heart because I was so frustrated that Gabe was sick and wasn't able to get in on the information that I was getting at the same time.

Right now, here's what I came away with from T4Acon. I learned that even though we haven't adopted yet, we can still love and support those who have or are currently in the process of adopting. God revealed today that the way I can support them is not only by praying for them, but helping those who need to raise the funds to adopt.

You see I have this very tiny creations business and I don't make any money with it. Right now, it's standing idle, not blessing anyone. Guess what God revealed to me today as I was saying good bye to some of my new warrior girl friends? "Help bless Laurie with her upcoming adoption. Create for her, so she can bring her beautiful, blue eyed, daughter home from Russia." I can so do that. All, Laurie has to do is let me know when she needs my cards.

I also found out that Children's HopeChest got a grant and they are creating software to help tie people into the causes that they are passionate about. Guess what? Not only am I passionate about orphans, but God has put child trafficking on my heart too. So, just like my blog title says, "I run for....." Once this software becomes available, it will allow me to fundraise for my races in an easier manner by me being able to keep up with what I've raised and not having to rely on information from others.

I also realized this weekend...I need to get my passport. I need to be ready to GO, whenever God calls me to. I've already said yes, but how can I go, if I don't have things ready when the call comes?

Please know, that I am not done processing all that God is asking of me. My prayer is that I don't have 'church camp high' and it leave in a matter of weeks. I want this feeling of passion to help others to stay on fire and for people to know that it's all about God. Please pray for me in that regard.

Thanks.

Me, Julie Gumm, Tom Davis, Amy Block, and Angel Weir at the blogger meet up at T4A.

God is IN CHARGE OF EVERYTHING!!!

2010-09-01T14:27:00.001-05:00

Aka: Training update.

I come to you in TEARS today. These are tears of joy and not pain. As many of you know, I will be running the Chosen Adoption 1/2 marathon in approximately 8 1/2 weeks, October 23rd. When I launched my sponsorship 4 1/2 weeks ago, I wasn't sure I would make my goal of $2500 to help rescue girls through The Indian Rescue Mission. Well, let me let you in on a little secret....GOD DOES BIG THINGS!!!

As far as training, my body is still learning and getting accustomed to running further than 2 miles (2 miles is the MOST I ran at a time in High School 15 years ago.) I've gotten sick a time or two, but I've pushed through and persevered. I've been tweaking my training to make sure that I can run 13.1 miles to the best of my ability. I've learned that training for a 1/2 marathon is not only a physical thing, but there is also a mental training that takes place as well. You see after I got sick the first time I ran 5 miles, I was hesitant to try again. The second time I ran 5 miles wasn't quite as bad, but I really only made it 4.5 miles and then I had to walk the last 1/2 mile. This Saturday, I'm supposed to run 6 miles and before Monday, I was REALLY nervous, but now I know I can do it...I'm taking 1 mile at a time, taking a water break (walking for 30-60 secs) and then running some more. This is going to be the BEST way for me to finish and run 13.1 miles on Saturday, October 23rd. I'm training my body to race in this way.

Now, sponsorships. Here's the deal. I did NOT know how much of a goal I needed to set. I have NOT done a lot of 'campaigning' to get more sponsorships. What I have done is blogged and mass emailed. I sent emails to EVERYONE (or almost everyone)in my address books (I've got three of them) and I've blogged. I've been curious as to how much has been raised over the past 4 1/2 weeks, but because of office move taking place, Children's HopeChest and I have been playing phone/email tag. Well, last night I was able to "speak" to someone about how much has been donated for The Indian Rescue Mission so far. MY goal is $2500, but God's goal is MUCH MORE. I've been praying and praising God that according to yesterday's figure, The Indian Rescue Mission is going to be able to rescue 6. Here's the thing....God is NOT done.... So far $9011 has been raised through different avenues (including, but not limited to my sponsorship) at Children's HopeChest to benefit The Indian Rescue Mission.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

To all of you who have already donated to my sponsorship, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I don't think God is done yet. With 8 1/2 more weeks left until my race, I now come to you to help me spread the word. Let's see if we can DOUBLE or even TRIPLE this amount. Help me raise $18,000-$27,000.

Will you please help me spread the word? Twitter, blogs, facebook, word of mouth, at work, at church, to friends and family.

This is ALL GOD, not me. I'm just following HIS instructions and watching HIM do HIS work and I want to give HIM ALL THE GLORY!!!

I RUN FOR RESCUE!!!

Training update

2010-08-13T10:38:00.003-05:00

UPDATE: I ran 4 miles in 48 min, which is over 11 min per mile. My time will get better as I continue to do longer distances. It felt good, as I usually only increase my mileage at 1/2 mile, not a mile. My total for the week is 12 miles running.

Ok, so I have been putting off blogging until I had an update on how much money has been donated towards my 1/2 over the last two weeks, but I can't get a hold of the person at Children's Hope Chest to get that info...I think she might be on vacation. No biggie, as soon as I get in touch with her, I'll keep a running tab on how much more we need.

Anyways, here's how my training has gone over the past two weeks. After I announced I was running the Chosen Adoption 1/2, Teagan woke up that night with 101.4 fever that lasted 6 DAYS!!! Needless to say, my first week of training was non existent due to needing to take care of my sweet baby. This week; however, I have had a GREAT week of training!! So far I have run 3 miles on Mon and Wed, walked .5 miles and ran 1.5 miles for a total of 2 miles on Tuesday. My bff, Danielle, and I are will be running 4 miles later tonight...Just so you know, I have NEVER run further than 3 miles at a time!! So, I'm nervous and excited about running later this evening. I will update here after my run to let you know how I do. Also, just in case you are wondering, I am doing Hal Higdon's 1/2 marathon training.

Here's how I need your continued help and support:

Prayer -

that God blesses my training. That there are no more 'hiccups' along the way.
that at least $2500 is raised, but that He will surprise us all and more is given (we have until Friday, October 22).
for the girls that need to be rescued.

protection of the staff
protection of the rescues
knowledge of the girls that NEED to be rescued.

Financially -

can you donate a $1 per mile, $10 per mile?
can you donate anything, because any amount that gets us to $2500 is helpful.

A rescued girl.

Please go visit The Indian Rescue Mission. You will see exactly how and where your support is going. Remember that CHC has partnered with IRM to rescue these girls. In fact, I just found out that less than 24 hours ago, the IRM rescued a 14 year old girl.

How are you going to help these girls? Are you going to pretend that you don't know that it's happening or are you going to do something about it?

A giveaway....

2010-08-05T11:54:00.001-05:00

So my friend and fellow Chosen 1/2 Marathon runner, Jamie, is giving away some Pitter Patter Art over on her blog. This stuff is CUTE!! I'm looking forward to sending a gift over to a friend who is "paper pregnant". Go check out Jamie's blog and get registered to win!! (btw-she is giving you 7, SEVEN, chances to put your name in the hat!! How cool is that!!) Registration is going until Sunday at midnight, with the winner being drawn on Monday!! Woohoo.

This is what I want for myself, but I'm actually thinking this would be good for ALL the Warrior girls!!!

Click to join IamaWarriorGirl

This is why I'm running

2010-08-03T17:29:00.000-05:00

I received the following email today about a Rescue that will be taking place tomorrow. Will you please pray with me that this rescue will take place.

INDIAN RESCUE MISSION UPDATE (Day 1 and 2)
After 2 days of long investigation we found the minor girl at a brothel in Pune red light area on Tuesday, August 3, 2010. In spite of many difficulties, our investigation team made their entry inside the brothel and spoke to the girl. The name of the girl is Haseena and she was trafficked from New Delhi. She has expressed her interest to come out of the brothel. She told her that she wants to come out but she fears the brothel keeper as she will not allow.

Tomorrow we will be meeting with the Police and request them to take action.

Please pray:
For successful operation. No Tip off
For the safety of the team
For Police co-operation
For the safety of the girl at the brothel.

This is why I'm raising money. Will you please help me?

12 weeks....

2010-07-31T22:45:00.000-05:00

In 12 weeks I will be running my VERY FIRST 1/2 marathon. On October 23rd, I am going to head down to New Braunfels, Tx with some GREAT people from the The Austin Stone Community Church to run the Chosen Adoption Marathon (or 1/2 marathon in my case).

Here's why the Chosen Adoption 1/2 or full marathon is such a great race: Our entry fees are going to benefit our ABBA fund at The Austin Stone. What does this really mean, you ask? It means that people like my husband and myself can get a grant or a no interest loan to help us with our adoption when God provides the perfect timing. How COOL is THAT??

My buddy, Jen at the end.

Well, here's the thing...over the last several months, I have been really, I mean REALLY enjoying running!! I've run/walked a few 5Ks and I ran/walked/biked the Muddy Buddy.

I asked God, how can I take this new found joy of running and help others? He told me to run 1/2 marathons 4 times a year and have them sponsored. I was ecstatic when I found out that it was very easy to have races sponsored. So then my next prayer was, who would my sponsorship benefit for this first race? I was torn, I mean really torn as to who I should benefit from my sponsorship money to. Should I have the sponsorship go towards The Austin Stone's ABBA Fund OR should I have my sponsorship money go somewhere else? So, I prayed, waited, and listened.

You see, about 3 years ago, I was introduced to Tom Davis and Children's Hopechest (CHC). Tom wrote the books, Fields of the Fatherless and Red Letters. Both of these books are about the least of these that Jesus talks about Matthew about whatever we do to or for others we do or for Jesus. The friends who introduced me to CHC and Tom Davis, also introduced me to some very sweet, warrior girls.

The warrior girls are a group of women who want and desire to FIGHT and pray for oppressed, for the orphan, for widow, for the least of these. Well, our 'leader' the girl who started it all, Brandi, started Ifast58 and is a liaison with CHC. She kept us informed of what was going on when the CHC team in India was needing prayer and what was going on. She also kept us in the loop about CHC teaming up with the India Rescue Mission. For at least 2 weeks, we prayed for safety for the team and for the information they were receiving.

All this to say: I had a very tough decision, but felt God leading me away from sponsorship for our church's ABBA fund and towards Hopechest and helping girls who are being trafficked. UNDERAGE girls.

Here's what I am asking from you. Will you please help me? My goal is to raise $2500 by October 23, 2010. Please click on the Donation button and go straight to CHC to donate. Please make sure that you put "Elizabeth's 1/2 marathon" in the Notes section so your donation goes towards my sponsorship. Please take the "I run for..." blog badge and add it to your blog too. Will you sponsor me by donating a $1 per mile, $10 per mile, or is there something else you can give. ANYTHING, ANYTHING will help rescue girls who are being sold into slavery and being trafficked.

The Countdown begins.....

2010-07-28T18:47:00.009-05:00

There are so many things that we are in the countdown for....

I get to deliver not one, but 2 cakes for foster children Aug 2 and Aug 5th!! (5 and 7 days away)
We get to go to a wedding reception for our Children's pastor on Aug 13. (16 days away)
Perryn starts 1st grade at Star Charter on Aug 23. (26 days away)

But the MOST important and the MOST fun things to begin our countdown are:

The T4A Conference. What's that you haven't heard of T4A? Well, you must have been under a rock...It's the Together 4 Adoption Conference on Oct 1st and 2nd here in Austin!! We can't WAIT!!! Gabe and I are looking forward to finding out more information on how we can help and how we can begin our adoption journey. (65 days away)
I am also looking forward to meeting LOTS of my newest and bestest friends, the Warrior Girls. These girls are such an encouragement to me, even on my 'best' days. They know how to help me see what God has in store for me and for those less fortunate. (65 days away)
I'm running the Chosen Adoption 1/2 Marathon on Oct23rd!!! (86 days away)
But the MOST IMPORTANT count down, is that I will be launching something EXTRA SPECIAL, in just 4 DAYS!!! You're going to have to hold on and keep checking back, because I'm MIGHT give you a SNEAK PEEK over the next 4 days as to what will be happening on Aug 1st!!!

Contentment

2010-07-26T13:08:00.007-05:00

Yesterday at The Austin Stone, Darrin Patrick from The Journey Church guest preached for us. Let me just say, "WOW"!! He preached out of Philipians 4:10-13. We all know verse 13, but I have never looked or studied the verses prior to it. He talked about true contentment with our lives.

He referenced these verses:

'But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.' I Timothy 6:8 (ESV, emphasis mine)

'Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." ' Hebrews 13:5(ESV, emphasis mine)

To me, before I started reading Radical by David Platt, this was what my American dream consisted of....a NICE house in a nice neighborhood.

Darrin said that contentment is "Being ok with who you are & what you have, NO MATTER what's going on around you!" That is the most profound statement that I've heard in a LONG TIME.

Contentment is a strength issue, but not MY strength issue, DIVINE strength issue....letting God in when things are going well (like now) and when things are going bad. Contentment is a foretaste to heaven...and I can't wait to get there.

Am I a bit nervous? Absolutely. Am I bit scared? Absolutely. But I also know that the 'secret' to contentment is to NOT stop at the 'pointer' but GO ALL THE WAY. For example, not to just continue to run, but to run for others. Not just bake cakes and be creative, but make cakes and be creative for others. To not just buy a house, but wait to buy the one that God has in store for us.

So for now, I am content with being in a 2 bedroom apt, having 1 car, having Perryn in a Charter School instead of homeschooling, and whatever else God hands me right now. Are you content with God has given you?

Warning, warning

2010-07-24T23:15:00.003-05:00

As you can see a new look has taken over the blog, which coincides with a new season in the Engelhardt household and it's going to be a WILD ride. I am giving fair warning that there will be more pictures, there will be more blogging, and there will be a different 'feel' to our new blog. Why you ask? Well, because God has been doing a work in our lives and hearts. Here's what's been happening:

1. We have had a GREAT summer! I've been to the pool, been to Colorado for a family vacation, been studying Esther, started running again, and been reactivating my LOVE for reading.

2. I am DONE, finished with just talking and posting little blog badges on the sides of the blog and not really talking about them. So, be forewarned, the TOUGH stuff WILL be talked about now, with NO sugar coating.

3. Securities and Fears - I have begun to take back my security...no one else is getting access to it anymore. Why? Well, because I have done some reading (Beth Moore's So Long Insecurity). I've also been working through the Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman Bible study with Ms. Beth. God has truly given Ms. Beth a gift to speak truth and she is using that gift in a fabulous way and God is using her to speak and work on me. (I also found on Lifeway.com that I can download the video sessions as I need them for $5 a video. Yes, it would be so much more fun to do this study with a group, but I can do it when I'm able to with my crazy schedule.)

4. Family vacation - we went on a family vacation for the 2nd time in 2 years!! This time we drove all the way to Pagosa Springs, CO. We had a BLAST!! I will get picture up as soon as I can.

5. Blog Badges/Tone/Books - here's the deal. I have been reading So Long Insecurity and we start working and discussing the book Radical by David Platt with our Missional Community group. Gabe and I both feel that we need to change our attitude and our 'American' dream is changing. As of today (July 24, 2010) we are now a one car family again. We sold Gabe's car and bought him a bicycle. We live a mile from work, why...guess what - it's getting us out of debt FASTER. We are seriously looking at whether or not we are going to buy a house anytime soon. We are waiting for God to show us that.

The blog badges that are on my blog ie: Red Letters Campaign and Hopemongers, well there's going to be more. And as much as I LOVE being creative....I am going to be using my talents to help the least of these and not promote a creative business that isn't doing very much. Will I still accept orders? ABSOLUTELY, but I'm not advertising anymore...no more Tip Junkie, no more SIS. More Children's HopeChest, Charity Water, Love146, and T4A. These guys need MY voice; however, small it is.

6. Running - I have been running a lot over the past several months. I've done a couple of 5Ks and the Muddy Buddy. I ENJOY running, I'm having fun. I've also felt God asking me to use my new love and joy to help those less fortunate. So, at least once a quarter I will be running a 1/2 marathon and having it sponsored. I will be running the Chosen Adoption 1/2 in October in Gruene, TX. This one will be sponsored, but I'm going to wait to share who's going to benefit from it.

I hope that you will continue to read my blog, and now it's going to more deep and emotional and not so superficial anymore.

I will leave you with a VERY cute picture of my kids and BEVO, because, they are always picture worthy.

Blessings,

Priceless

2010-06-15T13:38:00.004-05:00

So, I'm behind on blogging, so sorry. But, I do want to let you know about a giveaway that's going on right now. I LOVE Tom Davis' books. I currently have Scared and Priceless on my reading wishlist. I just hope that I win this contest for the Priceless book!!! So head over to see if you can win the book and some Saints Coffee!!

Family

2010-03-24T16:29:00.013-05:00

These are our most recent family pictures. My uncle was kind enough to meet us at The Long Center in downtown Austin for a couple of hours. He did a fabulous job and I can't wait for him to do it again. He took a TON of pictures, but these are the best in my opinion. Enjoy!!

Cleaning....

2010-01-12T10:28:00.002-06:00

WOW!! What a start to this new year I have I had so far. I am in my 3rd week of my official status of STAY AT HOME MOM, and I LOVE it!! I love the little things that come with being a SAHM, like cleaning...never liked cleaning before now, but now I love keeping our home clean and picked up. As I was cleaning the children's bathroom, I thought to myself, "this doesn't look too dirty, it could wait one more week to be cleaned." Then God whispered to me, "Your heart doesn't always appear dirty on the outside, but I need to clean it on a regular basis so that you and I have the best relationship possible." OUCH!! This is so true and I love that in the simpleness of cleaning a bathroom God SPOKE to me. Here's how I am now preparing myself to be able to hear what He has to say:

I'm in my 3rd week of Engaging in the Scriptures as well. So far I have read the first 8 chapters of Matthew and the first 9 chapters of Psalms and Genesis. God is speaking to me in so many ways. I find it fascinating that the last two sermons from the Austin Stone have helped solidify what God has been saying to me. That when I start to read God's word and spend time with Him, he is going to reveal the problems in my heart. Guess what...He has!! My heart is full of doubt, untrust, and lack of faith. My mind knows what I need to think and believe, but my heart is 10-20 steps TOO FAR BEHIND!!

Over the last 3 weeks God has been working on me, revealing to me through both the scriptures I have read AND the messages at The Austin Stone, that I NEED to be INTOXICATED with God and spending time with him, a lot like the way I felt when Gabe and I were dating and first married. That my lack of faith, doubt, and untrust is an unbelief in God. Because of my NOT trusting and lack of faith that He WILL provide for us financially, I don't believe that HE IS GOD! This stung to the core when God revealed this to me last week. This week He reminded me that as I learn to read and spend time with Him, then He is going to work on the stuff that is causing me to NOT have the best relationship with Him. And that is EXACTLY what God is doing right now.

God is reminding me on a DAILY basis that I MUST and need to rely on Him every minute of every day.

I feel like the following clip from "Facing the Giants".

God is preparing our family for the next season in our lives and now we must wait on His timing. He is preparing my heart to be ok with whatever is next for our family. Right now, I must prepare for all possibilities and be ok with HIS timing, not mine. I can't wait to find out what/when it is, but until then, I will continue to pray, study, and spend time with Him daily!!

Christmas 2009

2009-12-29T08:24:00.013-06:00

I apologize for not getting our blog updated since school started. It's been a crazy 4 months. Here's what's been going on in our neck of the woods!!

Perryn is still doing quite well in kindergarten, she can read, but doesn't like to take the challenge to read on her own without lots of encouragement. It seems like she doesn't have confidence in herself that she knows the words in her brain and they can appear ANYWHERE and she will still know them. We both absolutely love Mrs. Gunn her teacher and she is doing a PHENOMENAL job!!!

Teagan is doing well. He is really trying recognize his name, so anything that he sees that starts with the letter T is his name even if it's the word 'the', it's his name!! He is still very big into trains and cars. In fact, we all pitched in (grandparents) and got him a second hand Thomas the train set and table!!
Gabe is still doing well at Scott and White!! We moved at the beginning of Decemeber and we now live 3 minutes from the hospital!! In my opinion it's the best move we made next to moving back to the Austin area. We get to spend more time with him before he goes to work and he often gets to go get Perryn from school with us and we all take him to work!! His shoulder has been healing from his surgery that happened over the summer, but he is having to deal with some painful scar tissue that has broken off or something..this is making his shoulder very tight and painful.

I'm doing well too. My best Christmas present from Gabe was allowing me the opportunity to quit my job and come back home to spend time with Teagan. God has provided what we need in order for me to do that. I am looking forward to getting back into my card business and expanding to do more of my cakes. I MISS my students terribly, but have already made promises with lots of them to be able to have play dates frequently!!
Our Christmas this year was grand. We focused on Jesus's birthday and even sang to him and had made him a giant cookie cake for the celebration. We did get to do stockings and even got to have breakfast with Santa.
We got to participate in an old tradition at Gabe's grandmother's house of decorating cookies for the first time this year. It was a BLAST!! Perryn (especially) and Teagan really loved getting to decorate the cookies that Omie had made for them. Then the best part was they got to pick some of decorated cookies out to bring home with them to eat...they loved it all around.

We once again gave our annual handmade Christmas ornaments to our families, but we went a step further this year and gave money on their behalf to help orphans and the least of these over in Africa. We have some friends that started the Hopemongers Cooperative so that we can help fund some of the needs in Africa with a little bit of money...meaning we got give what we could afford and see exactly where it was going. We got to choose who we were helping and often see it be delivered before they Hopemongers team left Ethiopia!! That was the COOLEST part ever!! Here's where we helped this year on the behalf of our family:

We got to help give a diaper shower for 35 babies at the Kebebtshey orphanage in Ethiopia.

We helped with hair care and staff supplies at the Kebebetshey orphanage as well.

We also got to help fund a nice Christmas dinner at the Leper Colony.

And...we got to help fund getting mosquito nets for the orphans at Emmanuel orphanage in Ethiopia.

Each of our families got a card and a picture of where we donated, so that they could see exactly where our gift for them was. I am hoping that God will allow me to team up my card business with the Hopemongers team so that if/when people donate and they want to do it as a gift for someone, I can help with a card and a picture.

Please pray that God will continue to bless our family in 2010 and that He will bless my little creations business as well. I would love for it to take off and it be able to fund little things like adopting our next child. Enjoy the end of 2009 and may God bless your family immensely in 2010!!

The First Day of School

2009-08-25T21:09:00.005-05:00

So, it's been a day of firsts in our family today....Teagan moved from the Geologists class to the Astronauts class, I moved from the Ecologists class with my students to the Editors class, and Perryn started her VERY first day of Kindergarten!!

I can't even believe that Perryn is going to kindergarten. Any of you who know us, knows that we would much rather be homeschooling, and God wants us to send her off to kindergarten. This has been very hard on both of us (Perryn and me), but as much as I want to do what I want to do, I am hoping to show her the example of obedience.

Yes, I teared up on the way to school, a little bit more walking in the door, and A LOT more on the way out the door. The traffic was INSANE, but we made it!! The highlight of my day, was seeing her smiling face when I went to pick her up in the daycare van and she ran to give me a hug!! Here are the few pictures I was able to capture, yes we were running late with the traffic we encountered, so just deal with these pictures please....

We are in quarantine...AGAIN!!

2009-06-09T12:15:00.000-05:00

So, bless Teagan's little heart, he has another run of his staph infection. The second one in 8 weeks. This run seems to be worse than the first with a couple of his spots looking like there is a bigger 'infection' going on. We must watch him carefully and if he is NOT making healing progress by Thursday, we have to go BACK to the doctor on Friday...here's what he looked like last night after his bath..

In unrelated good news...here's what we did at the end of May..Miss Perryn graduated from Pre-K (I don't have any good pictures) and we had her dance recital. She was spectacular. She was quite tired by the end, but all in all she did very well. Here are some pictures from that day...There is a video from photobucket that is one post down from this one...the last picture is BFORE everything started when she was excited..this picture, was part way through the recital when I could tell she was getting a bit bored...

2009-06-09T11:39:00.001-05:00

A bit of fun

2009-04-17T09:32:00.003-05:00

So who says that when you are in 'quarantine' you can't have a little fun and pretend to be a fireman wearing 'sunglasses'?? We should be in our last day of having to stay home and I am so proud of Teagan and how he is handling everything. We still have several days of being on THREE antibiotics, but soon we should be down to one. I can tell that the kids are missing their friends at school and so am I!

A 'forced' vacation

2009-04-14T07:41:00.005-05:00

So I have been 'put on vacation'. To some it wouldn't be such a bad thing, but for me, I feel like I needed to plan more and I feel like my room is quite ready for me to be gone ALL week!!

For his 3rd birthday, my sweet boy got another gift from our party venue, an infection of hospital grade! Evidently it's going around, and when I stopped by to let them know about it, they didn't seem all that concerned or interested in cleaning their playscape....not sure we will be going back.

Now that we know what our sweet boy has, we have to stay 'quarantined' til at least Friday and pray that he does NOT get any worse. He does NOT act sick other than crying at the DROP of a hat. He is on a potent antibiotic every 8 hours, for the next 10 days. ALL of us get to put an antibiotic ointment in our noses twice a day for the next 3 WEEKS!! So for my 'unplanned' forced vacation, I will be cleaning my apartment like nobody's business, getting back into my running regiment..slowly, and trying to rest as best I can with the extra bathing and laundry I have to do EVERYDAY!

Bluebonnets

2009-04-11T21:00:00.000-05:00

Well, we finally made it to the bluebonnets!! We have been driving by them everyday for I don't know how many weeks and we finally made it over there to them. I may use these as their yearly pictures this year!! Not sure though. I think they came out pretty good. These are my top favorites!!

Teagan's 3rd birthday

2009-04-11T20:20:00.002-05:00

I can't believe I have been so busy that I haven't been able to post a blog!! Yikes!! Sorry!! So here's our family update from the last 6 weeks.

March: Gabe had his 33rd birthday, I had my 32nd birthday, and we celebrated our 12th anniversary. I got a 'promotion' at work. Basically, I got some added responsibilities to see if I have the leadership qualities to possibly get into an administrative role within my company.

April: Gabe had shoulder surgery on his left shoulder and will be back to work on Monday. Teagan has turned 3!! I am being recognized as "Teacher of the Month" out of ALL 18 schools that are within my company!! Right now Teagan might also have a staff infection on his side. He has lots of blister type things all over his right side and they seem to be spreading. He is on a topical antibiotic, doesn't seem to be itching them, and we will know something definitive on Monday. We are also planning on going camping at the end of the month with Gabe's mom, as well, as celebrating my grandparents 60th anniversary. It will be another busy month and I would like to figure out how to start running again in the midst of it!

Here are some of Teagan's birthday pictures from his party!! Enjoy and just look at how big he is getting!!

Friends make life fun!!

2009-02-20T19:05:00.008-06:00

Last weekend we went down to help with the Food Pantry in Giddings. This month we got to take Perryn's new BEST friend, Adaline with us. She is quite precious and adorable. Here is there fun on the trampoline AFTER we handed out 225 baskets of food that nice, cool, Friday morning!!

Perryn is 5!!!

2009-02-09T19:48:00.004-06:00

Today, Perryn turns 5!! It is so hard to believe that 5 years ago today we were welcoming our first child into the world.

Perryn you are the light of our lives. You are creative like me and adventurous like your daddy. You are flexible, loving, kind, and generous. You love everyone with your whole heart. You are quick, witty, and funny. We love you heart for God and for helping those less fortunate. You are one of a kind and we wouldn't trade you for anything. We can't wait see what your 5th year has instore for you and what God has instore for your life. You are beautiful and we love you. Happy birthday sweet girl!!

Perryn today at school wearing the silly birthday hat that I got for her!!

Perryn and Gabe leaving for the Daddy/Daughter Dance!!

Perryn's birthday cake (we had a My Little Pony themed party on Sat.)

Perryn at her party where everyone was singing to her!!

Christmas 2008

2009-01-25T14:47:00.002-06:00

This was our first Christmas in Austin and Gabe had to work!! So, the kids and I loaded up and went to my grandparents house. We went to the Christmas Eve service with my grandma (she is an AMAZING handbell player), went to look at lights, and then spent the night. Since Gabe was working, we spent the ENTIRE day there. We got to open presents throughout the day. These are all the pictures I have, but this is first thing in the morning. We got to open gifts when my parents came, then again when my aunt and her family came over. The only other low point of the day (other than missing Gabe) was Teagan got a fever and puked right before we left to come home.

Abby

2009-01-13T20:28:00.003-06:00

I know that you are dying to see Christmas pictures, but they are still on my camera. With the move and work, I am WAY behind to get them up for you.

Tomorrow, little Miss Abby starts her hardest round of chemo treatments, will you please pray for her? During this time her life is going to be the most vulnerable and the hardest to survive.

Abby is just a bit younger than Perryn and for the first time, I was able to 'try' to put myself in Michelle's shoes. I couldn't do it very well. I began to feel very overwhelmed with the possibility of what life would be like if Perryn was sick. I am choosing to pray for Abby, her family, her health, her life. That's all I can do right now. Please pray for her family as well. Her new treatments start tomorrow.

I will try my hardest to get pictures up by this weekend!! Here's one of Abby though!!

URGENT Prayer Requests:

2008-12-29T20:19:00.002-06:00

The holiday season as wonderful as it is when it comes to being with family and friends, remembering that very first Christmas, does have some difficult times for some families that have been struggling a bit throughout the year. Please pray for these following families as they are leaning not on their own understanding, but God's.

MckMama and family: As many of you may remember her son, Stellan, had heart failure while he was still in utero. He was born healthy and has a great 8 weeks, but now he is battling a SEVERE case of RSV. He is on the edge of needing to put on a ventilator and is in the Pediatric ICU for the next 7-10 days! Will you please pray with me for Stellan's healing, especially tonight, and that he would not need to be put on a ventilator to help him breathe.

The Riggs Family: Abby is about to turn a sweet 4 years old is battling leukemia. This girl is a fighter, but her fight is long from being over and she continues to have SEVER side effects from her chemo treatments. The next few rounds are going to be the roughest on her little body. (I just realized today that Perryn is just over a year older than Abby.) Please pray for her healing and that she will be able to tolerate the chemo.

Chad and Nicole: I recently found Nicole's blog through my friend Laura over at String of Pearls. Their baby Dylan was born yesterday with Trisomy 18 and lived a perfect 7 hours. Please pray for their healing during this time of grief that they are experiencing. Please pray for the hands of God to be on them right now.

The Burrell Family: Many of you may remember that my first String of Pearls order was for this sweet and precious family as they celebrated the life of their precious little girl, Savannah. I check in on Christina every so often, and she is really struggling with not having her baby here with her right now. She trusts in God, but He is feeling far away from her right now. Please pray for this family as they continue to work through their grief!!

Thank you so much for praying for these families.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T20:03:00.002-06:00

I hope each and everyone had a great Christmas with your families. This one was special to be able to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my grandparents. We enjoyed a fun day of opening presents, visiting with family, and remembering the birth of Jesus. We did, however, have some sad parts to today....Gabe had to work a 12 hour shift (so we haven't seen him since yesterday), AND Teagan has been sick most of the day. He had some moments of having fun and not feeling bad, but that was when he was loaded up on Advil. Bless his little heart he got REALLY sick right as I was trying to load up the truck to come home. So I had to stop that and Grandma and I had to clean him up a bit!! Looks like I'm calling the doctor tomorrow and not going to work...

Have a great holiday weekend...

Life...

2008-12-21T09:19:00.001-06:00

So, when I wrote my last post I had just accepted a Full Time teaching position teaching 3 and 4 year olds!! Well, to say that our life has been turned upside down from that decision would be an understatement. The children and are I still trying to get into a good routine. This week was the first time we made it for ALL five days of preschool!!! We are going for 3 and 1/2 this week and then we are are off the next week to move.

Now the move...where to start there. I think we have a total of 15 boxes packed. I feel it's very DIFFICULT to notice that we are moving!! Our apartment looks like the Tazmanian Devil lives here, which adds to my stress. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect a perfect house, but I HATE living with 'pathways' and always stepping over stuff!! I am trying to figure out a way to hire 2-3 packers for 2-3 hours on Jan 2 so that EVERYTHING is in a box in time for the OFFICIAL move, even though we get our keys on the 31st.

Work...feels like the honeymoon period is over and the gratefullness that was felt for taking this very DIFFICULT class is gone. There are days where I feel like NOTHING is going right; however, I seem to be the only one that thinks that. I am not sure if that is good or not. I am finding myself climbing in bed around 8:30pm and asleep by 9ish, which is leaving little time to do any cards which in turn makes me sad. I know that once we get into a really good groove, I should be able to pick back up with my cards. I am not being able to go running, which I was just getting into a good routine with before I started working. I am so tired by Saturday, that we usually take that day as our Sabbath and just hang out; however, that means that we have A LOT to do on Sunday....which means that I should wrap this up.

Please pray for us. We have been able to get into a good groove during the week, I moved bedtime up to 7:30 instead of 8, I am still getting to have snuggle time with one child each night, but our weekends don't have a good groove. We just need to continue to see and feel God's grace on us right now. Thanks.

An update and a VERY worthy raffle!!

2008-12-06T07:46:00.004-06:00

So, it's been a bit busy around this week as I took on a FULL time position with the Preschool that I have been working as a Substitute for. God's hands have been ALL over this job and He made it CRYSTAL clear that He wanted me to go full time. I am going to be able to still take a week off and a few days to move to our new apartment, but the BEST part is that we can STILL go help with the Food Pantry in Giddings EVERY month!! God is SO GOOD!!

We are continuing to praise His name this Holiday season as we look for the REAL meaning of Christmas. It's about helping those in need, supporting worthy causes, and it's about JESUS. For that I am going to start posting (as much as I can) some worthy causes that we are supporting this Christmas whether we do it monetarily or through prayer. The first one is CLOSE to my heart as I work with one of the beneficiary's side by side to help families who all of the sudden have had the hope taken out of their pregnancies.

MckMama is hosting a raffle over on her blog to help 3 special charities, String of Pearls, No Hands but Ours, and The Elison Project. I am COMPLETELY amazed that right now the raffle has earned over $9600!!! I think it might be because the item everyone is trying win is a Cannon Digital Camera with a lens, bag, and strap. Please head over the MckMama's blog to check out the raffle and enter in for a chance to win, but more importantly to support these great causes this holiday season!!!

Advent Conspiracy

2008-11-26T10:32:00.002-06:00

So, I have had many people send me to this website already in the last few weeks, and I feel that it is important for me to share it with you. We have made our Christmas gifts for the last several years, and will continue to do so this year. I let Perryn choose what kind of gift to make and we go from there. In a selfish way, we always used the extra money we saved by making gifts, and getting more gifts for our kids. Well, this year, I think we will use the money that we are saving to get our children 1 or 2 gifts and then giving the rest to 5for50, 50000shoes.com, or The Capital Area Food Bank. This will be part of our new family traditions that I am looking forward to starting with our family this year. I challenge you to do the same. Please watch this movie and remember you can help someone too.

A Small Fryday Giveaway

2008-11-22T16:00:00.002-06:00

So, I have been following this sweet family for a few months, and I enjoy seeing what MckMama is up to everyday. She is the one that introduced me to String of Pearls. (As many of you know, I have partnered up with String of Pearls with my card business to bless the families.) Well, she is hosting a giveaway to benefit String of Pearls. The fun part, is that she has already said that if she wins the Divine Caroline award at the end of November that she will donate those proceeds to String of Pearls. Please go check out what MckMama is up to these days and help support String of Pearls at the same time. Thanks.

Here is the card that I was able to make for a String of Pearls family just a few weeks ago.

Since we are home bound today...

2008-11-20T09:22:00.005-06:00

We are home bound today due to Teagan got EXTREMELY sick last night. I don't deal with bodily fluids very well (unless we are potty training). I am good with cleaning the child up NOT the other furniture or clothing that gets messed up while the child is getting sick. Luckily Gabe was at the end of his shift and he was able to come home about 30 min early!!

Anyways, we are NOT going anywhere today, and I am pretty sure we aren't going anywhere tomorrow either. If that's the case, I may try move some appointments around in order to work all 3 days next week...that's neither here nor there at this point....Anyways, I am going to try to catch up on housework, cards, and the blog....so far I have 1 out of 3. Here are some pictures from the last month or so. I can't find the card with the Halloween and Pumpkin patch pictures on it. (My Flower Mound friends...Please TAKE every advantage of that GREAT pumpkin patch up there....I REALLY MISS it. ) Now for the fun stuff!!

Who knew a bathtub could be fun to play in WITHOUT any water in it?

Perryn, Madeline, and Lilly in Granddad's tree (M and L's granddad.)

One of the butterflies that we were able to release!!

We surprised Pawpaw for his birthday and went bowling with him!!

Perryn, Madeline, Lilly, Teagan, and Will in the tree...just missing Baby Thomas...Wendi, I guess we should have figured out a way to 'strap' him to the tree!! LOL

Perryn is just not so comfortable up there, but she really enjoyed climbing that tree.

Overwhelmed

2008-11-18T22:47:00.003-06:00

Fair warning: This is going to be a "GET REAL" post!!

So, many of you who follow me on Twitter or Facebook know that I have taken on a J.O.B part time with a Private Preschool here it the Austin/Round Rock area. I am substituting 3-4 days a week. Let me start from the beginning....

About 2 weeks ago, I began putting in applications around town for a teaching position or childcare position of some kind. After meeting with a mortgage planner, we figured we needed to have some supplemental income to help us get the down payment we need to buy a house as well as help to fix our credit from when Gabe lost his job several years back. So, I started putting in applications. I went for an interview at the Preschool where they hired me as a part time sub right on the spot...I began orientation the next day, it was HORRIBLE. I left the children in the preschool that is right across from our apt and headed ACROSS town. I CRIED the whole way to orientation and then throughout. It was rough. Perryn and Teagan did fine....

I worked ALL day Wed and Thursday, we went to Giddings for Food Pantry on Friday, stayed the night because I was way too tired to drive home. Hung out at home on Sunday, but still had to run to the grocery store and do the house cleaning. I worked ALL day yesterday, half a day today, I'm off tomorrow, working ALL day Thurs and Fri this week.

I am debating about going FULL time because I love the 'idea' of my own class; however, I've got a good deal going right now, where I only pay $5 per child per day for preschool. IF I go full time, then I would have to pay tuition which in turn would be around $1100 for both kids...yikes. I have turned into a single parent on the days that I work because we are up and gone first thing in the morning and Gabe gets home after we are all in bed. We get to see him on the weekends ONLY. For the SECOND week in a row, I do not have my Bible study lesson completed!! I am beginning to fall behind on my card orders as well....

I know that this is all coming across as whining and complaining, and maybe that's what it is, but this is hard. God asked me to give Him everything and when I do, it all seems to fall apart. I HATE not having control. I am not sure if I am going to need to give up my Bible study or not, but I know that if I can't keep up then I need to give my spot to someone else who can....I am getting home late and I am so tired that I can't get any work done on my cards, but Gabe is being a hero and supportive and helping me out on that as much as he can.

The kids seem to be doing ok with the adjustment. Perryn tells me she doesn't like school because they make her lay down and rest for 2 hours...HOWEVER, when she falls asleep, then she has a VERY HARD time going to sleep at bedtime...(she's still awake at 11pm). She is writing more words at school on paper, and Teagan came home for the second day in a row with the SAME pants on!! We are all just really very tired. I am struggling with disciplining since I have been gone all day, I don't want to be grumpy when I am home with them...it's a battle within me and with them...I don't want them to lose the respect and what we work on with being obedient with us.

To top ALL things off, we are moving in less than 45 days, and I haven't even begun to pack!!! Please just pray for us and the transition that we are currently in, pray for guidance as to what I need to do about my Bible Study, please pray that I don't lose what I have accomplished so far with my Card Business. Please pray that I continue to let God be in control and not me. Thanks so much for listening....I feel better being able to get everything 'off my chest'.

String of Pearls prayers

2008-10-28T22:13:00.005-05:00

UPDATE: I have posted the announcements that I made for this family on my Card Blog. Please go check them out!

For those of you who have been following my business, you know that I teamed up with an organization called String of Pearls a couple months back. I have been working on a set of announcements for a family that was praying that their daughter would make it to term, but knew that God always had a plan for them. I got word tonight, that their daughter, Savannah, was born unexpectedly today. Please pray for this family as Savannah came 4 months early and because of her condition, joined Jesus today as well. Her mom, Christina is seriously ill. I am hoping to get her announcements in the mail by Friday. You can check in on this family here. Thanks.

Final update on Amy's virtual baby shower!!

2008-10-28T22:00:00.001-05:00

I just thought you would like to know how Amy's virtual baby shower turned out. Here's the post from Angel's blog about it!! I couldn't have said it better and I am happy that we were able to help a little!

The final check is in the mail for Amy and her precious family!!!!!!!!!! Amy's Virtual Baby Shower was an overwhelming success and I have all of you to thank for that! I am so blessed that we were able to help her to welcome 5 new sweeties into their family. Are you ready for the final number????

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!

We raised

$1,396 dollars!!!!!!!!!!

That is on top of gift certificates and gifts that were sent directly to the family. YOU ARE AMAZING!! What a way to be the hands and feet of Christ to these sweet little pumpkins. The preparations are well under way to get ready for her five new children to join them.... They are using this money to buy beds and car seats and clothes and all kinds of goodies!

I have more good news too! Amy's blog is now open to the public. She made it private for awhile since sweet Kaden's adoption was not final. Now that he is official you are all welcome to go check out her awesome blog....

buildingtheblocks.blogspot.com

We will all get to follow along and watch how this family gets ready to go from a family with 7 kids to a family with 12! What an adventure! THANK YOU ALL! I am truly touched by your generosity and I can't get Amy to quit crying about it whenever we talk about it. She is not hard-as-nails tough like I am! ;0) Hugs and happiness, Angel

On the mend...

2008-10-19T12:58:00.002-05:00

Well, after 2 trips to the doctor, $150 doctor costs and medicine, breathing treatments 2-3 times a day, and several sleepless night, the children are FINALLY on the mend!! We did have some coughing last night, but for the most part, everyone got to sleep!!

I am not going to lie, but this has been a rough few days! Limits and patience has been tested, but all in all, we have survived. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for healing at our house.

We are sick....

2008-10-15T17:37:00.002-05:00

The kids are sick this week...Teagan has had some 'extra' challenges to potty training this week, but he sure is a trooper and only had a few accidents. He had some fever yesterday too. Perryn woke up this morning with a nice barking cough and a 101 fever...Both kids are now on breathing treatments twice a day for a while....Please pray for their healing...Gabe had a root canal today plus his shoulder still bothers him quite a bit, me, I'm just really tired!!

2008-10-10T23:14:00.002-05:00

Please go check out Angel's blog. I have been praying for Abby for sometime now and I can't even imagine what all her family is going through. I think we will be making a care package and grabbing a hat for her this weekend. Thanks.

Adoption musings by a 4 yr old!!

2008-10-09T16:22:00.004-05:00

So, we came to Giddings today after the Pumpkin Patch in Elgin. We picked my dad up at his house and then headed to the bank and to lunch. After we left the bank I was telling him about Amy adopting 5 siblings and how much I admire her!! Here is the conversation that Perryn had with her Big Daddy!!

Perryn: Big Daddy, you need a adopt some children.
BD: Well can I just adopt you?

P: No, because I already have a family.
BD: Then who do I need to adopt?

P: Orphans that live in orphanages in China or Africa.

BD: Really well, do I have to love them, feed them, and take care of them?

P: Yes. Your good at that.
BD: Do I love you and take care of you?

P: Yes.

BD: So do you think that I have enough practice to adopt a child?

P: Yes.

BD: Where will they sleep?

P:In my spend the night room with me. I think you should adopt 64 or 25 children. Maybe as many as you can.

My dad and I are smiling really big trying not to laugh! I think Perryn would love to have a big family like Amy!!

BABY SHOWER!!

2008-10-03T15:25:00.006-05:00

So, I have been following Amy for several months now and just love how she has surrendered her ENTIRE LIFE to God and how He is using her and blessing her and her family's socks off. The question was asked this week in our lecture at BSF "Are we willing to give up what it would truly cost to be used by God?" I couldn't answer that question on Wed, and right now I feel God speaking to me and asking some VERY hard questions. Amy has, she knows what it is truly costing to give everything up to be used by God, and I am truly in awe of her! I pray that, I too, one day can be standing in a position to say, "Yes, I have surrendered EVERYTHING TO GOD.

As many of you know, I give 30% of ALL of my sales to the Red Letters Campaign to help them with the "Launch Ethiopia Project" to get orphans and orphanages sponsored in that country. Well, for the month of October, my 30% will be going to Amy's baby shower as she and her family welcome 5 new children into her home in the next few weeks. This is a great time to order Christmas Cards since we have just a couple of months before it gets here. I am working on a small wait list, but it's not too long. Please help me help Amy as she needs to get LOTS of things to welcome these cuties into her home!! To place an order head over to my card site.

If you would rather just make a donation to Amy's virtual baby shower, please go here. The following is a post from my buddy, Angel's blog to let you know exactly what we are doing for Amy and her family. Please read on and help us at least praying for all the details to fall into place as smoothly as possible!! Thanks and big hugs to you all.

Some blogger buddies and I are hosting a virtual baby shower for my friend Amy. YOU are invited. If you would like to participate or help host the shower then read away! We are glad you came. :0) Amy could really use our help and support. I hope we can all let her know how much we care.

My dear friend Amy is expecting 5 babies.... Yes you read that correctly. FIVE! Nope- no typos. She is expecting 5!!! The due date is projected to be 4-6 weeks from today and she just found out she was going to have 5 more babies 2 days ago. :0) AMAZING! You think THAT is amazing??? Wait till you hear this...

she already has 7 children at home. Oh yeah. Now we are talking. Now she will add 5 more beautiful babies to their family.

Now this family needs 5 more beds, 5 more car seats, 5 more dressers, 5 more seats at the table, clothes for 5 more, etc. etc. And no, they have no idea what they are going to drive! The new kiddo's are a sibling group of five coming to them through the foster system -but they are no longer foster children because this precious family is adopting them. They are ages 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.

Recently I blogged about my visit with Amy and her precious family here and here. Here is some of what I said about her...... Next it was off to see my dear friend Amy. Amy is one of the best things that has happened from my blog adventure. Amy started following my blog back when I was in process with Zoe. She had 4 tummy kids and 1 adoption under her belt at that point.

She basically liked my blog cause she thought I was fun and a maybe just a little CRAZY cause I was adopting older..... UNTIL...... God told her she should adopt an older child. LOL!!! So she e-mailed me and an amazing friendship was born.

She went on to adopt the wonderful Mya and now sweet K. I, of course, have added Zoe and Kaiya. This year I got to go on an amazing mission trip to Eagle's Nest Orphanage in Guatemala with her.I just love this lady. I KNOW God sent her to me! She is such a support to me. I learn so much from Amy. I truly admire the way she parents her children. She is a Proverbs 31 type of woman. I was in awe spending the night in her home. She has 7 children and her home is peaceful and fun and pleasant. Her children are so sweet! They are amazing.

SO THAT'S MY FRIEND AMY!!!! The number of children blessed to have her as a mother are now 12!

Not everyone has the gifts to mother 12 children. Not everyone can be a teacher or president or run a bulldozer. We all have certain skills. Amy has the skills to have a large family. God has gifted her with 12... Twelve children who are loved and safe and happy together.

12 is a good number... don't you think? After knowing Amy I know this is her gift- being a mother.

Some people don't like twelve. They say it's too many. I celebrate that Amy has such a grace and courage in the gifts God has given her. I celebrate the lives she has changed by surrendering her own life to serve others.

12 is great! 12 can be handy!

What would she ever cut out to make her life easier?

Is there anything or anyone she would leave out? Heaven forbid!

Life isn't always easy-

it can even get down right messy!

What makes it worth living???

Looking back and seeing this.....
Looking out on a field and seeing this.... Soooo I think for Amy.... 12 is AWESOME!
So, Amy and crew, the next time some sad little person asks you WHY you would EVER want to adopt 5 more kids...

You just say, "Look, for us it's not about more kids."
"For us it's about more people to love!"
Plus tell em' to hush up or they will have to deal with me. Ya' KNOW how tough I am! ;0)

I know that not everyone celebrates our adoptions the same way they do pregnancies. I know some people don't see the 12th child the same way they saw the first. We KNOW that's not at all God's view. God celebrated each of your babies before the world began. We know that and we are REJOICING with you and with them. I can hardly wait to meet them.

So for everyone who wants to celebrate with Amy would you consider donating a gift of money to help them get started with these 5 new kids? I have placed a Pay Pal donate button on the top right hand corner of my blog. It's SUPER easy. Just push the donate now button. I will send every penny I collect to Amy.

I considered a gift card or buying gifts but I know that Amy is so thrifty that she will make the money go farther than I ever could! Let's help them out! Thanks for coming to our virtual shower. Make sure you leave Amy a comment below to give her new kiddos a shout out!

Hugs, Angel

PS Please feel free to spread the word on your blog and use this post in part or in whole. You can help host our virtual baby shower!

Check out Holly's blog. She is my co-host and started the idea of getting this going ASAP.... Precious! Thank you for helping me get this together Holly.

Accident prone???

2008-09-30T22:24:00.003-05:00

Or is Teagan getting us ready for a ER visit soon?? This is what happens when a child wearing crocks running DOWN a hill looks like after he falls!! The bump that you notice on the right side of his face (looking at him) happened at the park YESTERDAY!!!

The butterflies

2008-09-30T14:37:00.002-05:00

First off, I am SO SORRY that I haven't gotten these pictures up sooner. It's been a crazy few days and my card business is now working on a small wait list with lots of stuff still to do.

Anyways, Perryn has been asking if we could get some caterpillars and watch them grow into butterflies. My aunt has a passion vine that caterpillars just LOVE, so she snagged us a couple of caterpillars. However, they made their chrysalis before we could get down to pick them up, Anne was kind of enough to take Perryn out and find 3 more caterpillars for us to bring home and watch them turn into butterflies.

Well, we have watched 3 butterflies hatch (one that was already in a chrsysalis and 2 of the caterpillars that we brought home). We still have a small caterpillar that is working to grow and turn into a butterfly, but I am not sure that he will make it...we will just have to see.

Since we have so many pictures, I decided to make a slide show, enjoy all the pictures. They sure are fun to see what God can do with a little caterpillar. And for all of you wondering, yes we lost all of our fish about 6 weeks ago, so we used the empty tank to house the caterpillars!!

Stay tuned.....

2008-09-25T12:11:00.000-05:00

We have been housing caterpillars in hopes to see them turn to butterflies....well 3 out of 5 have graced us with their presence. Stay tuned til tomorrow when I will have time to post ALL the pictures of what has happened in our little waterless aquarium!!!