not quite like i planned

so it turns out one can get out of shape way more quickly than one might realize. first run lasted all of 4 minutes. yikes. spent the next hour and 10 walking, so i'm still glad i went, but geez! i have got to get myself into shape if i think i'm running a half in september. :p

first run

in a little more than one hour i will be taking my first run since the half marathon...nearly two months ago...
and i. can't. wait. :)

day 3 of 9.
i can't keep up.
whose idea was this?
must pay more attention.
and be willing to say no.
balancing need feels more like a juggling act.
and so i try again.
because somewhere there is grace.
enough for one more day.
sleep.
breathe.
trust.

the results are in...

I've been dying to write this blog post...and I have not had the time until now. I'm actually at the Balch Hotel right now...working...but Samantha was kind enough to put it on my list of "projects" for the evening! So now that our guests have their warm and gooey chocolate chip cookies, I'm free to sit and tell you the awesome news!

All the money is finally in, and I can tell you that I was able to raise $1400.00 for the Rogers' family adoption!! That is more than $100 per mile! I still tear up when I think about the people who contributed, some of whom I've never met and most of whom have never met the Rogers' family. I am blessed beyond words at your kind and generous hearts and I pray the Lord will bless you richly for your generosity.

It has been an amazing experience and I could not have done it without so many folks cheering me on...or without the incredible GRACE that God gave me to do something so completely outside of myself. I can't believe it's been almost a month since I completed my first half-marathon. Pretty amazing. I still feel so proud of myself for finishing, and my legs cannot wait to start running again! Seriously. Did I tell you? I'm planning to run another half in September. :) Yep. This is not a belated April fool's joke. It's totally going to happen :). You're welcome to keep up with me through this blog. I'll post about my training...and my life...from time to time...but for now, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! For loving, supporting, and praying for me and for the Rogers' family. We are all unbelievable grateful. :)

P.S. For those keeping tabs on the Rogers' through this blog, they have now moved up to #4 on the waiting list. A recent change in adoption regulations means they will have to take two trips to Ethiopia which has added an additional $4,600 to their expenses. Please pray for God's continued provision and go to: http://bringinglovehome.blogspot.com to read more about their journey. For you coffee drinkers out there, they have an online coffee storefront where you can purchase fabulous coffee and a portion of the proceeds goes toward their adoption expenses. :)