I RuN Because?????'

I aspire to be a runner.  I have for a few years now.  It began about 7 years ago when my mother asked me to run the Peachtree Road Race 10k with her in Atlanta Georgia.  With the help of a supportive friend we embarked on the training necessary to accomplish that what seemed like huge endeavor.  

July 4th rolled around and I ran that race.  It was this moment that I now would answer the questions "What do you like to do in your free time?, What are your hobbies/interests?  Who am I?"  Running captured me.This would now be a part of me.  

People would often respond with a "WOW!  You run marathons!"  NO NO I don't.

10K was far enough for me.  I could enjoy and hour of running but more than that did not excite me!

I vowed to never run beyond 10k....that would be more than crazy, boring, silly!

Years came and went and my running was often strong but sometimes at a lull.  In those time where I could not run regularly or when I was in between running partners (it is more fun to run with someone)  I longed to be a runner.  I longed to say to people "I run!".

For the past year my running has been non existent due to life circumstances.  But I longed for it. I longed for what is has become for me.  I longed for what it gave me.  I busted needed a nudge.

AND

The nudge came.

Her name is Parul.

As Our Own-Parul

SOOOO...

Saturday, Jan. 01 2012

I began again.  I began being a runner.  This time for more than me.  This time for someone else who needs  me to be a runner more than I need myself to be a runner.

I began training for a half marathon on her behalf.

I am stepping out of my 10 k comfort zone and pushing to something more.

Not for me.  For Parul.

Jan. 08  2012

After only 2 days of very very short runs with beautiful running partners (I found a few new ones here in my new location:)

I embarked on my first long run!  I have to build up to 13 somehow!

My second born has found a love for running through his new school here so I encouraged him, my third born and Max (our new dog) to sent out with me on this adventure!

And so off we went......

The three of them were champs and hung in there as long as they could and then headed for home while I continued.

I don't usually run with my i pod because usually I have someone held captive as a listener as we run and/or I love to run in silence and listen to the majestic sound of the Creators beauty.

But today.....

I took my i pod!

When my running partners left me I plugged in!

PROVIDENCE

At minute 25 I was done.

MY feet were slowing down.

My muscles were tightening.

I wanted to walk.

AND 

A sweet gentle whisper...a nudge....

JUSTICE!

Your not running for you!  Your running for Parul.  A beautiful girl held captive.

and the music in my ears began speaking to me....

My Heart is Open by Keith Urban

"My heart is open, I am letting you in.   Cause you give me a reason the faith I have been needing to start again!"

I was back at pace!

Runnin' Runnin'

My Maker started speaking very clearly to me!

And I ran and ran and ran!

And singing in my ears was My Wish by Rascal Flatt

I hope the days come easy!

Days don't come easy for these girls.

I can choose to run.  

They don't have that choice.

"My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to.  Your dreams stay big your worries stay small.   You never need to carry more than you can hold."

These girls carry a tremendous amount of pain and suffering.

And I ran and ran and ran.

It became very very clear to me at this moment.  I run for freedom.  I run to meet with my Maker.

Not only was He speaking to me about Parul.....

He was speaking to me about me!

My story!

Never Gonna Be Alone by Nickelback

Your never gonna be alone.  From this moment on.  If you ever feel like letting go, won't let you fall.  When all hope is gone, know that you can carry on....

My Maker never leave me nor forsakes me.  He is my HOPE!  He won't let me go!

Runin' Runnin'

After that heavy heavy conversation with God...

Never Wanted Nothing More by Kenney Chesney

"I am what I am I am what not..."

I am me...created for His good works!  Made new by HIM!

Minute 41

I am experiencing chills and that burn in my stomach.

And I again here the whisper....

Parul's stomach certainly must feel sick when she is being perpetrated and exploited....

It must be chilling not to have a choice to say "NO"

FREEDOM

Night Like This by Shawn Desmond

"I feel like nothing nothing can touch me know.  In this moment right here.  No one can bring me down.  I don't want this feeling to end.  It is like anything can happen!"

"Freedom you just can not deny"

Runnin' Runnin'

Burnin'

But I see the end.

PARUL PARUL PARUL

No Air by Jordin Sparks....

"Tell me how I am supposed to breathe with no air"

And I felt like I couldn't breathe.  Burn in my stomach, burn in my legs but mostly overwhelmed with this experience and thankful that He chose me.  He nudged me to run.  I listened and in obedience I am running for Parul.
He chose me to LOVE!

He too chose you!

All things are possible through Him who strengthens me.

I will train and run 13.1 on March 25th in Dallas Texas.


Runnin' for As Our Own.....

I will run for Parul.  

I will run for FREEDOM!

I will run with Bayou City Fellowship as a body of believers who LOVE JESUS and LOVE PEOPLE!

I am a runner!

I challenge you to find a race near you to run to help these girls in India.

Come run with us in Dallas, we would love to have you join our team!

Pray for us!

Support our team!

It is amazing when Mercy and Justice collide!

All Y'all Did It Again! Texas Style

Whew.....It has been an adventurous 6 months...

The summer flew by and from previous posts you would know I have been absent....absent minded for sure but absent from the blog and sharing what living in FREEDOM means to me, to us, to you!

We relocated in October.  It has been slow going organizing the house but the children have embraced the move and are handling it like champs.   My wonderful free spirited 3rd born who believes in living abundantly and sharing it with those around him longed for a Birthday Party and a Christmas tree amidst the disorganization.  

 I worked DILIGENTLY to organize the house enough i to honor his request for a Birthday Party.

It would have been easier to have the party at a "location" however the cost would take away the meaning and purpose of how we do Birthday parties.   We came to the consensus to have the party at our house!  

My post Happy Happy Birthday! shares our hearts in regards to how we approach birthdays!

This year right here in sunny Texas we experienced the same abundance.  With a house full of boys they set out on a wild scavenger hunt.  There has to be a bit of competitiveness with boys so we challenged them to collect items for the Fort Bend Women's Center.....And that they did!

We proudly dropped off our car full of Gifts and food to the Penny Wise Store to be sent to the shelter!

This is how we change lives together year by year!

NOT only the lives of the recipients but the lives of the children who join us each year!

Happy Birthday!
Y'All did it AGAIN!

Me and My MAC

I did it.....

Hold on and stay tuned because it is amazing and E Z!!!

My AdVeNtURouS Summer became ABUNDANTLY AdVeNtURouS

Friends,
WOW has it been a long time and I am missing sharing all of the excitement that I am blessed with.
This post will be short as I am in a hotel business center because I was missing this experience and just had to attempt fill my longing right here in Sugarland Texas....

The summer started out as....
3 Mommas
6 Children
and a brilliant idea to get in touch with nature...
And so we set off to Ingrid's Farm (the post right before this one:)
We continued fulfilling our brilliant ideas  by fishing at DeWitts pond near to where we live and then off to Wyoming on a 7 day adventure but not with out a little pneumonia saying hello the day we were to leave.
Thousands of miles later and many hours sitting in the vehicle we unloaded new bikes and children some of which experienced emergency rooms in another country some of which experienced tire shops in a small town in another country.
2 days later.....on an airplane headed to the East Coast of Canada.
1 week and 2 days later we broke the news to our children and family and friends we would be moving....
We finished our vacation (which was full of adventurous hikes, beaches, festivals and fun) and my second child and I  headed to Doane College to get my first born settled in his first year of University and then headed home to meet grandma (she was moving to our house here now she will move to our house there:) and the other 2 of our fabulously fantastic five. 
The work began....
Cleaning and de-cluttering so the house could go up for sale and we could fit our stuff into a moving van....
10 days later I was on a plane to our new location to find a new home.
AND
Here my man and I are 6 days later trying to make the right decision on a home for our family...
It has been that adventurous summer that I desired....
I love when I am given all that I ask for and MORE!
It has truly been an amazing trip and as SOON as I have more that 20 minutes I will let you know the beauty in each and every step of our summer journey.
Stay tuned and may your adventures be all they hope for.

PS  My apologies for no pics..I am either technologically illiterate :) or the mouse doesn't work properly!

Were on our way, on our way to Ingrids farm.....

When Mommas have nothing but time on their hands (and all you mommas know the surplus of time that we have) and they sit around eating Bon Bons and watching Oprah (remember....she retired her show:)  great ideas produce themselves!

3 Mommas...

6 Children....

A summer holiday (6 short weeks)

and the Brilliant idea to get in touch with nature....

A journey of connecting and discovering and the continuation of writing our life stories as we cultivate a relationship with Nature.

And the list was made and the miles planned...

First Stop

"Ingrid's Farm!"

We decided we would start with a short trip!  A 1 hour drive to be exact!  We were out of practice and thought that it would be best if we tested our packing skills before we embarked on the "Mother of a Journey".

It was the last day of school and the bags were packed....The Mommas were off to gather up their beautiful offspring and head north.....

The last door slammed, the horn honked, the Mommas cheered, the offspring jeered and

down the road we went....

Oh dear...I forgot the food....

Oh dear... I forgot the car seat....

Oh dear, Oh dear....

One hour late and some anxiously awaiting offspring on the other end...we made it to the farm.

From sun up to sun down the children played and connected, explored and discovered....

AND

There were no electronics!

NONE!

Pure Creativity and Adventure....

It was BEAUTIFUL....

A perfect beginning to What will be the best summer Adventures EVER!

A perfect beginning to embracing Nature and allowing it to fill our souls in the deepest parts, transforming us in ways yet to be known!

BaKiNg BrEaD

The first ahhhhhhhh! moment that I embraced as a celebration of  the completion of a long busy six months was....

 BaKiNg BrEaD! 

The dough groweth over!

Our dear friend (she is an amazing baker) posted a wonderful picture of her bread that she baked!

A few of us girls were inspired so we invited ourselves over to learn how to produce something so enticingly delicious!



THE INSPIRATION



It was a beautiful day!  The sun was shining and the birds were singing.

A day of connecting and spending time catching up! 

Making the perfect round shape!

A time of learning something new beyond a bread recipe! 

It was a time of children's laughter and the smell of Spring and freshness! 

 It was a day that represented "newness"! 

The end of one season and the beginning of another.

And what a better way to celebrate a new season of life than with wonderful women coming together to build relationships and enjoy each others company...

AND the bread was scrumpdeliciciosous! 

Fresh out of the oven with butter....who could ask for a better treat! 

Warm Buns...Melted Butter...YUM!

Hot, Fresh Homemade Buns

I am sure that other than our wonderful teacher....

Teaching the girls how to knead dough!

 none of us have baked bread since our bread baking lesson but the time we spent together was far more enriching than the flour we used!

History and Heritage Rekindled!

Roots of Change

Whew....
This journey is almost complete and what an adventure it has been.  It has changed me in the most amazing way.  Providence has prevailed and my roots have grown deeper into the soil that grounds me and feeds me.

My word DILIGENCE has served me well.
My support network has provided just that...SUPPORT!!

I miss writing.  Oh don't get me wrong I have been writing (typing) til my fingers tingle and loving what I have been learning but I miss writing and sharing on my blog and I can't wait to get back to this piece of me!

I have sooooo... many great adventures to share.