Reason to Run

I wouldn't call myself a super girlie-girl . . . I like being outside (as long as I don't have to sleep out there and there is electricity and plumbing near by), I can step on my own bugs (as long as it's a little one and NOT a spider or grasshopper or cricket), I don't have to get my nails and toes done monthly (just kidding, yes I do!), I can live without a blow dryer and curling iron (as long as I have a ponytail holder and don't have to go anywhere important), a little sweat isn't that big of a deal (as long as it is really only a LITTLE and running is not the cause of the sweat)!

Well, never mind, I take that back, I am more of a girlie-girl than I thought! :)

But, I have found that even a girlie-girl like me can deal with a little sweat when you find your reason to run! Yes, I have actually begun running (more like a slow jog, for now) 3-4 times a week and here's why . . .

A good friend of ours, Rebecca, is a runner and when she found out about our decision to begin the adoption process and saw how much it was going to cost and she felt God calling her to do something to help. She found a 12 week Bible study called Run for God and it goes along with a 12 week couch to 5K training and in January we began the study and training at our church!  

Here is a few snapshots of the group that meets on Sunday nights for the bible study and training ...

The original plan in this bible study is that once you have completed your training the class signs up to run in a local 5K but Rebecca had the idea that we would plan, organize and have our very own Waiting for Dallas 5K and all the money raised would go towards the expenses of Dallas' adoption. 

Talk about motivation!

First, I have to say, I have been AMAZED at how God has been working to help us get all of this together. Planning a 5K is a bigger deal than I ever expected but things have truly been falling into place!
God is Good!!

Second, I owe a HUGE thank you to the 5K committee that is working behind the scenes to get everything ready! ThAnK yOu Anna(my sister), Amy, Yaritza, Adrienne, Ashley, and of course Rebecca! Y'all Rock!!

Third, I am amazed at the progress I have made. I've gone from DyInG (I wish that was an understatement) after 1 min of running to being able to complete 5 mins of running while talking at the same time! 

**Side note: Run for God has a 12 week couch to 5K app that goes along with the bible study but you can only get it if you have an iPhone since I have an android I was out of luck. Instead I found an 8 week app that I have been using and I have successfully completed weeks 1-4**

I still have not experienced the "runners high" I've heard so much about but I am proud of myself for making it this far! :)

Here I am  .... no make-up, SwEaTy, red faced, crazy hair but all that matters is that I have found my reason to run, my reason to get over the fact that sweating sucks!

I am running for Dallas!

I am running so that one day I will be able to point back and say to my baby, "Look how hard we worked to bring you home, look at how much we wanted you to be in our family, look how much we loved you before we even met you!" 

 

Saturday, April 26th

Oak Point Park
2801 E. Spring Creek Pkwy
Plano, Tx 75074
Race begins at 8am

P.S.
Even a girlie-girl can give up her manis and pedis too if it means she's saving a little money that gets her one step closer to holding her baby. :)
Over the past few months I've gotten better at painting my own nails ...

A Letter of Love

Dear Birth Mom,

     I want to start out by letting you know that from the moment Chris and I made the decision to be adoptive parents you & your baby have been in my thoughts and prayers daily.
     I have had the desire to be a mom for as long as I can remember. I've thought about what it's going to be like to hold my baby for the first time and I have prayed, cried, hoped, and even begged God to let me experience that feeling but for reasons that I may never fully understand that day has not come, yet. You allowing us to adopt your baby is the amazing answer to years of prayers and you need to know that I will never take the decision you are making for granted. When your baby is placed in my arms for the first time and it becomes my baby, all the years of tears and asking why will all fade away and all the waiting will have been worth it.

     As much as I want to be a mother that is not our only reason for choosing to adopt. Adoption has always been on my heart. It is a desire to be there for a birth mom and dad to let them know that no matter the reasons that led them to adoption they are loved and have been prayed for and their baby will be loved so much more than they could possibly imagine. I believe that by choosing to give your baby up for adoption you are demonstrating one of the biggest acts of selflessness and love.

     My heart and prayer is that you will know God's direction for your life and that He will grant you the peace you need as you make this life changing decision.

Dallas' Mom