Some REALLY COOL giveaways you should know about:

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

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

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!!!

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

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?