I saw God today....

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

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

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!!!!

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

**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

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

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

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..

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....

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.

1. 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.
2. Please pray for the money to come in. 
3. Please pray that I meet and exceed my goal of $2500.
4. Please spread the word to get more people aware of what I'm doing.
5. Please consider donating yourself.
6. Please pray for the girls that this money is going to go help in India.  

Help young girls like these.