Training, fundraising benchmarks, and what God is teaching me through it all

I guess now is as good a time as any to update!  Today has been kind of a big day!
I finished my pre-training on a high note.  I had a very good run this evening.  My time is still slow, but I'm okay with that because I find myself enjoying my runs more and wanting to go longer.  The trick may be to become an evening runner.  Tonight's run was awesome!  It felt cool, had a nice breeze, but in reality was still 90 some degrees and deep in the heart of Texas.  My light went out through my run (good thing I changed my course to a more lit course at the last minute), so I ended up walking more at the end in fear of tripping, but all in all, it felt great.
More importantly, as I ran tonight, people from all over my life continued to donate, and got me to my June benchmark!  So far I have raised $2,000 out of my $10,000.  July is our $3,000 benchmark, and when I meet that I will officially get the link to register for the NYC marathon.  No turning back!
As much as this is a dream of mine, I'm also reminded daily of why I am doing this.  I'm running for the children.  I'm running for those who can't protect themselves.  And in the process, I'm listening to books and podcasts that are teaching me more than I could ever imagine.  My heart is being broken for children all over this world, both across the world and here in my community.  I'm being called to minister to these children in a variety of ways.  Running is just a part of my story.  I'll be sharing the rest of what God is teaching me soon, I just have to wrap up a few loose ends.  All I can say is, it's really exciting!  When God puts something on my heart, God REALLY puts something on my heart!  And right now, that is protecting children near and far.
Thank you for joining me on this journey!  Thank you for supporting me!  Thank you for donating to this great cause!  And most importantly, thank you for praying for me!
(Also, thank you for keeping me accountable and asking how my training's going.  It's because of you that I keep going, because I don't want to look lazy!)
I couldn't do this without you, and for you I am grateful!

Last week of pre-training

Today I began my final week of pre-training!  Next week I begin the "official training" for the NYC Marathon.  Basically this just means that I go from running in minutes to running in miles, and my skipping days are long gone!  But that's okay, because I've tried to not skip many days in this pre-training as well.  Last week I took my shoes on our mission trip.  I only got in 2 good runs, but that's 2 more than I would have if I left my shoes at home!
This month has been tough, because I've had to take time off of fundraising.  I've been out of town the majority of June, but I have faith that it will all work out.  Today I laced back up and hit the pavement.  I had a great run this morning, and am going to finish this season of pre-training strong.  As I ran, I listened to this podcast.  It was a great reminder of why I'm running.  The podcast is called "Happy Hour with Jamie Iverson" and today she spoke with a friend that was on her recent Kenya team.  They were working with Compassion International, but so much of the work is the same.  It was inspiring to hear about where they were, what they were doing, and how me hitting the pavement is changing the world!  Yes, it may have been a different organization, but they are all so similar and really just are bringing Jesus, health, and healing to the world, and I'm so happy to be a part of that!
So far I have raised $1243 for Team World Vision.  My goal is $2,000 in July, but I have to raise $3,000 by August to get the official registration link.  I believe it is going to happen, so please keep praying for me!  I've hit a few road bumps in fundraising, but some people are stepping out offering help, so I'll be meeting with them now that I'm back.
Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement!  It's happening!
To donate and/or see my updates, please check out the thermometer on the right side of this page!

Today's view from my run.  See the precious deer on the right?  They were all over the park this morning!

Can I do it? And other doubts.

I'm having a bit of a freak out moment this week.  Did I take on too big of a goal?  Can i actually raise $10,000?  Can I actually run a marathon?  I'm not in the same shape I used to be, what if I fail?  What if I took on too big a dream?  What if I disappoint everyone?  What then?
What if I don't finish?  What if that van picks me up because I'm too slow?  Why isn't my time what it used to be?  What if I don't even raise enough money to get there in the first place?  What then?

I'm freaking out.  It's Summer.  For everyone else, summer seems to be about health.  For me, it's when I'm the unhealthiest.  As hard as I try, I can't always get a run in when I'm on a mission trip or at camp.  And eating healthy?  It's really hard when sugar, sweets, and fried food is being thrown at you from every angle.  I'd love to enjoy the farmers market and cook a healthy meal for myself, but the reality is that I'm stopping at Whataburger on road trips to and from youth events.  I feel so gross.
I was finally able to run this week, and my pace is the slowest it can be to finish the marathon.  That means, that I have to stay consistent or speed up for the next 20 some miles!  Usually there's room to slow down, but that's not the case here.
So, I'm freaking out.  I'm trusting God that I'm going to be able to raise the money, but honestly, I'm scared.  I need a big idea that pulls from the community, and not just people I know.  I've talked to a few restaurants, but even then I would have to sell tickets, and I only know a small group of people in SA.  Does anyone have any grand ideas?  My old house was the perfect place to have a garage sale, but I don't know if anyone could find me here.  What's something that you've seen done in the past that could be an epic fundraiser?

Really, I just need prayer.  Prayer that it all works out.  Prayer that my training gets stronger, that I get healthier, and that each run gets better.  Prayer that a big fundraising idea will come my way, and that it will be something I can do.  Prayer for these summer months that are busy and stressful, may I find time to train and to share my story with those around me.  God is in control.  For one reason or another, I am on this journey.  My plane tickets and room are reserved.  I'm going one way or another.  But I'd really like to be there to run.  I'd like even more to finish.

It's not about me, it's about the children.  It's not about me, it's about the children.  It's not about me, it's about the children.

Time to change my focus.

Fighting Evil

Today we had our team meeting to learn about Child Protection and why we are running.  One comment stuck out to me.

"This is where we are combating evil.  We are fighting against the harm, abuse, and neglect that adults bring to children."

Ouch.  That hurt.

As adults we are supposed to protect our children, not harm them.  There is so much hurt and pain in the world, and this is just a little thing I can do.  I've had the dream to run the NYC marathon for 7 years now, but the more I learn about the cause, the less it becomes about the run.  With each conversation, book, or documentary, my heart is being changed.  I want to do something, and this is a good start.

Today I learned more about the countries we are running for as well.  This is what we are raising money for.  World Vision is actively at work in these countries and this is where our fundraising will go:  (forgive me if it's not spot on, my notes aren't as great as I thought they were)
Bangladesh/India- kids work in dangerous conditions.  Many working in dumps and being pulled out of school to work.  Team World Vision is working to make safe labor laws, to keep kids in school, and to create safe work conditions for all.
Cambodia/Vietnam- to protect and rescue kids from sex trafficking and to offer healing and counseling to those who have been rescued.
Mozambique/Kenya- (Mozambique has a special place in my heart, it's where I first fell in love with Africa) To protect and rescue kids from child marriage.  Often families sell their children to pay off debts or for money to pay bills and live.  Kenya also is trying to recreate rights of passage and put a stop to FGM (Female Genital Mutilation)  To learn more about FGM, listen to this podcast.  It's hard to listen to, but so important to learn about and put a stop to.
Uganda- (my other heart)- putting a stop to child sacrifice.  Witch doctors have begun sacrificing children for more money and "better cures"  It's heart breaking and can be stopped.  Value on children and alert systems are being put in place.
Armenia- Armenia doesn't value girls, so many are terminated in utero.  Our goal is to teach the importance of girls and bring gender equality.
Honduras- Refugee children.  Children are fleeing violence in their community.  World Vision is working with unaccompanied children that have traveled to LA and Houston, but wants to protect children where they are at, so their families do not feel the need to send them away all alone, just to keep them safe.

Child protection is anything we can do to protect, rescue, serve, and love these children.

It was such a good meeting, and I'm embarrassed that I took such bad notes.  I'll be listening to the recording again, it was filled with good stuff.

But the main thing that stood out to me is that we are here to protect the children.  We are fighting against true evil and harm that is being done to these children.  I've lived such a safe life, and these kids are fighting for life day by day at such a young age, its unimaginable.  But together, we can do something!
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
This is the change I wish to see.
My goal is to raise $10,000.  Here's how your donations work:

$20 is enough to help a child who is a survivor of sex trafficking to be adequately represented during a police investigation. (Cambodia and Bangladesh)

$45 is enough to help 2 child survivors of labor trafficking receive free legal support during trial. (Cambodia and Bangladesh)

$90  is enough to help 2 girls to go through an Alternative Right of Passage and avoid FGM (Kenya)

$500 is enough to help provide 2 cell phones for the village Amber Alert System to combat child sacrifice (Uganda)

$1,310 is enough to help to provide school scholarships for ten girls vulnerable to FGM and child marriage (Kenya)

$5,000 is enough to help fund a 2-year, village “Amber Alert” Radio Program to decrease child abductions and combat child sacrifice  (Uganda)

$3,500 is enough to help to fund a province-wide community event to promote Gender Equality and the fight against prenatal sex selection (Armenia)

Will you pray about donating to this great cause?

Our final comment in the conference call was this:
"It's dark stuff, but there is hope!"

YOU can be the light to someone!

Starting at the finish

Today I took a field trip to the finish line of the New York City Marathon.  In just over 6 months I will be running 26.2 miles to raise money to help protect children.  Up to this point I've been doing a lot of research about the cause, and learning a lot.  God is moving in my heart and I am excited to make a difference.  If that means I get to run 26.2 miles at my dream race in New York City, well, that's an added bonus!
I took some time at the finish line today to think about my journey.  Right now I'm just in pre-training, but in just a few weeks, training begins!  Already I am feeling stronger, and know that if I keep up with this I will be good to go!  So that's my goal!
In the meantime, I'm also thinking about fundraising.  I've got a big goal and a long road ahead of me, but I know that with God's help, it will happen!
If you have any fantastic fundraising ideas or would like to be a part of my fundraising dream team, please let me know!  The more the merrier!  It's a big job ahead, and I need help!  I'm so excited for what we will accomplish and for the many children who's lives will be saved because of it!
Thank you for your support, your prayers, and your encouragement on this journey!

Here's a few pictures from my run in Central Park today to sign out!

It was a beautiful day for a run, but it will be even better the next time I'm here!

Run for water Run for LIFE

Today I did three things.
1.  I said YES!!!

2.  I laced up!

3.  I put back on my jersey!

So why did I do all of this?
Well let me tell you...
This story goes back a few years (almost 18) so bear with me!

In college I took my first over seas mission trip to Venezuela.  I fell in love with Venezuela and the people there.  It was the first time that I felt a sense of call to mission.  Somehow, I knew someday that I would return.  This was in the spring of 1999.
In the fall of 1999, or maybe the spring of 2000, I don't really remember, I was offered the opportunity to join a mission team to Mozambique, Swaziland, and South Africa.  Since I had the travel bug and was feeling out this call to mission, I jumped at the chance to go!
We spent most of our 2 weeks in Mozambique, where again, I fell in love with the people, and I fell in love with the land.  I joked then, and I still joke now, that Africa and Texas are very similar!  I have a love for both!  Again, I didn't know when or how, but I knew one day I would return to Africa.  My heart was calling me "home."
In college I majored in Special ministries with an emphasis in youth.  I knew God was calling me in to youth ministry, but I sure loved the mission classes that I was taking on the side!  After graduation I decided to take some time and explore this passion for missions.  I chose to return to Venezuela where I could stay with a family that are friends of mine and had taught my missions class.  I went to Venezuela for almost 6 months, and loved every bit of it.  While I was there I prayed about my call to missions.  God made it clear to me that I was supposed to return to the US and use my passion to give students experiences in missions.  It was tough, and I tried every way around it, but God made it clear that I was to return home.  I knew I had these two passions for a reason, I just didn't know quite how God was going to combine them.
I came home and settled in to youth ministry.  I love working with students and I love sharing local mission experiences with them.  Youth ministry is definitely my calling and my passion.  But there's always been this little voice in my head whispering "you'll go back."
Fast forward to 2012 when I felt the overwhelming call to return to Africa.  Many of you know this story, but it's always fun to share.  I was in Zumba class at our church and the song "This time for Africa" came on, and as we danced around, I turned around to see our giant map on the wall.  It suddenly hit me "THIS time for Africa!"  It was time to go!  God was calling me back!  FINALLY!!!
So I set out on a journey to find out where to go and what to do.  My church was incredibly supportive and approved a sabbatical so that I could go and serve 2 months.
Through much prayer and many conversations, and a seed that was planted many years earlier, I decided to team up with Village of Hope Uganda and work with them for 2 of the best months of my life.  I love Uganda.  I love the Village of Hope.  I love my boy Elijah and the many friends that I made there.  I am so lucky to have friends and family all over this world!  I loved my 2 months there, serving in a variety of ways.  I loved it so much that I went back 2 years later and served again.  The Village of Hope is definitely my home away from home.  But even as I was there that second time, I couldn't figure out why God was calling me to a passion for missions and for youth.  Why did God keep calling me stateside?
Even recently, I had a conversation with one of our pastors who always mentions my heart for missions.  And each time, I ask God "what are you doing with this?"
Well, I think I found my answer.
I have never once doubted my call to youth ministry.  I knew that my passion for missions was a side calling, and something that I thought I might settle in to later in life.  Recently, God is showing me that it is something more than I imagined.
Just over a year ago I got involved with Team World Vision.  TWV works with the Rock'n Roll marathon and half marathon in San Antonio to bring clean water to children around the world.  One of these places is Uganda (my heart).  Having found joy in running, I joined the team, and it was not at all what I expected.  I was much more out of shape than I thought I was, and I had more issues than I thought I would, and in the middle of training I took off for Africa again.  Excuses, excuses.  The marathon I signed up for ended up being a completely different marathon experience than I got!  You can find the whole story here.  The experience I got ended up being so much more when I was encouraged to tell my story.  Even now, as I shared my story at our team dinner this year, it was odd to me that we would celebrate what I felt was a failure, but God used for His glory!  This was the first time that I became truly aware that I was running for something more than myself.
This year I set out for redemption, and to run the marathon.  Training started out strong, and I was on the right path when one of our students needed someone to walk with her so that she could be a part of the team.  (Again, you can find this story here).  I decided to run/walk with her instead, because it was more important for her to catch this passion, and since it wasn't about my run, it was about bringing awareness and raising money to bring clean water to children in Africa, it was an easy choice to make!
So this year I set out to reach a goal of $3,000 for clean water, to bring clean water to 60 kids.  At this moment I have raised over $2100, bringing water to 42 kids!!!  What an exciting time to be a part of something bigger!
I feel like I am finally understanding this passion for youth and for missions!  It's not about me traveling around the world, but it's about making a Kingdom difference around the world, and I feel that this is one way I can do it.  I can help worldwide missions while serving here stateside!
So, this is a really long story to get to this short finale, but it's been blowing my mind to see God bring this all together!  This next part gets a little jumbled, because it's currently in process.  I apologize for those of you who have read this far that it might get a little confusing, but here goes...

In 2010 my grandparents passed away.  My grandma had battled Rheumatoid Arthritis for years, so has my dad, and many other people in my family and close friends of mine.  On a journey to become healthier, I decided to sign up for a 5k for Arthritis and started running in my grandma's honor.  Once I finished my 5k, I thought, "I could double that", and I kept running!  I finished a 10k and thought, "I can double that" and I kept running!  I ran my first half marathon in 2011 and my first marathon in 2012.  And although my health has changed, my love for running hasn't.  More important than running is running for a cause!
So, I love running.  I love missions.  I love running for a cause.  I also love TV.  Somewhere in the beginning of this running journey, I saw an episode of "How I met your mother" that talked about the New York City Marathon.  This was at the beginning of my 5k training, but it put a bug in my ear.  Somehow through that episode, through visiting New York, and through having random conversations with people, running the NYC marathon has become a dream of mine.  I don't know for how long, but I know for over 5 years.  I've learned all about the lottery system (because there's no way I qualify for the time trial!) and know when to put in applications, etc.  I hoped that one day I would run the NYC marathon.  I think that's mainly why I haven't given up running, even when my health became poor again.
Volunteering as a captain for Team World Vision has been an incredible experience this year.  I love what they are doing in Africa, and I have been moved by the books I have read and speakers I have listened to.  One thing that has been sticking out to me is that while I have been raising money to bring clean water to children in Africa, I have been learning more about the importance of this goal.  I had been focusing on the health of the children, on the children being able to go to school, the danger of terrain and animals, etc.  One thing that my eyes have been opened to in the last few months is their physical safety as well.  Johnny Huddle was our speaker at the team dinner and he spoke about girls being taken and sold while they were on their walks to get water.  I read the book "Running for my life" by Lopez Lamong (incredible book!  Check it out!) and he talked about his sister being raped on her way to get water.  Story after story about these kids and their safety and the importance of having water close to home so that these risks can be eliminated.
At the same time as learning this side of the importance of local, clean water, our students at the Village of Hope are home for vacation, and this is a time that we pray extra hard for these girls as they are at risk of being sold to older men.  This is a very real problem all over the world, and World Vision is one of the many organizations working to do something about it.
So, in all of this, I'm questioning this call to mission.  I'm loving being a part of TWV.  I'm learning about child trafficking, and I learn about TWV having a team at the NYC marathon.  As it turns out, the team at the NYC marathon doesn't raise money for clean water. New York is one of the only TWV teams that doesn’t fundraise for clean water projects in Africa, but instead fundraises for Child Protection projects in Kenya, Uganda, Cambodia, Mozambique, and Bangladesh.

Did you catch that?  Two of these countries already have my heart, and I get the opportunity to run for them and their safety!
Here's what Team World Vision says about this specific event:

CHILD PROTECTION
An estimated 85 million children are engaged in hazardous work that threatens their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Millions of children are forced into such work, including sexual exploitation. And many more suffer abuse in their homes and schools—often by someone they know.
If we are to achieve any significant or lasting progress in improving children’s well-being, we must first keep them out of harm’s way—whether we are working in our development areas, nearby communities, or fragile contexts. Feeling safe and secure is the primary factor in a child’s own sense of well-being.
That’s why World Vision is expanding our work to help protect millions more children from exploitation, abuse, and violence—helping them move from vulnerability to the life of safety they deserve.We want all children to be cared for, protected, and participating in decisions that affect their well-being.

So all this said, and this very long blog.  It seems that a lot of my hopes, my passions, and my heart are coming together for one Epic event!  I will be running the NYC marathon in 2017!!!  I am beyond excited!!!
I'm excited to learn more about Child Protection and to be a part of what Team World Vision is doing around the world to bring safety to our children. I love that this project teams up with the water projects.  It's overall safety and health for children.
The title of this blog is "Run for water Run for Life" and As I keep running for water, I am now also running for life in a new way.
God is really doing something on my heart with this child safety stuff.  But that could make this blog never ending.  So, I'm not really sure what to say, except that I am so excited to be a part of this team and to be a spokesperson for children in Africa whether it be for the Village of Hope or World Vision.  Our children's safety and health is first in all of our minds.
So, there it is.  Today I said yes!  I laced up my running shoes and started training!  I hope you will join me on this journey!

I want to live and leave a legacy

There aren't many things in life that I really want.  I don't think I'm very materialistic.  Things in my house don't cost much.  The things that matter most to me involve a memory or a loved one.  These things aren't very valuable to others, but extremely valuable to me.
That is until this weekend.  Last night at our team dinner, Brian (the director of Team World Vision for our area) mentioned a hero medal.  This is a medal that finishers will get if they raise $3,000 and bring clean water to 60 kids.
I want that medal.
I REALLY want that medal!
I thought about it today, and I was asking myself "Is this just something that looks cool that I can hang on my wall?  Why do I want this 'THING' so much?!"
I was kind of upset with myself for getting so materialistic all of a sudden, but then I realized why.  I want this medal because it means I did something beyond myself, I did something for someone else!  I've spent so much of my life focusing on myself, and now I'm realizing that there is this legacy I can leave behind.  These kids will never know my name.  They will never know that I ran/walked to bring them clean water.  It means nothing to them.
Well, not nothing, because it means life!
These kids will no longer have to miss school to get clean water.  They will no longer have to fight off mud, animals, disease, etc to get clean water.  They will no longer live in fear of being kidnapped and sold to human trafficking while fetching water.  There is a safety that comes with clean water, and having a clean water source close to your home.
Our speaker last night told us stories of girls being raped or sold to older men while they were out getting water for their families.  These girls had to walk anywhere from 6-12 kilometers each way and face all sorts of dangers.  I want to be a part of giving these girls a new life.  I want to bring water to them.  I want them to be able to go to school, be a kid, focus on studies.  I want them to grow past 10 years old.  I want them to never have to worry about clean water for their children.  I want to be a part of something bigger.
It's not about me, it's not even about the medal.  It's about changing lives.  I want to be a part of that.
Nichole Nordeman has a great song called "Legacy."  Her lyrics include "I want to leave a legacy, how will they remember me?"  This song rings in my head.  I don't have kids.  I may never be married.  Sometimes I wonder about the life I'll leave behind.  But then I think about the love I'll leave behind.
Running/walking for Team world vision is a part of my legacy.  Giving kids clean water is my legacy.  Sharing about the Village of Hope and the children who need sponsorships, that's my legacy.  Loving the youth here in the US and around the world is my legacy.  I want to be remembered for doing something greater, for giving to something greater.  Thank you for helping me to live and leave this legacy!
I don't have $3,000 to give on my own, but you have helped me to reach this goal!  As of this moment we have raised $1877 and brought clean water to 37 kids, which is awesome because that's my age!  I still have a week to make my $3000 goal.  Thank you for investing in this cause and for giving to these children.  You are helping to wipe out the water crisis in Africa!
If you haven't donated yet, will you prayerfully consider making a donation here?
Thank you for joining me on this journey, for loving these kids, and for leaving a legacy!
Love,
Carly