Oops I did it again...

Today was long run day.  It's Florida and it's hot - 75 at 5:30 am to be exact.  I've got my camelback filled with water, fuel, and my trusty head lamp.  16 miles to do and hopefully do them as quickly as possible to beat the heat.  Ha!!  No such thing.  It's hot.  I keep telling myself, "It's okay.  Train in the heat, race in the cold."   Remind me I said that in August.  In any event, my next two marathons will be cold - Montreal and then New York in November.

Speaking of New York.  I'm running the New York Marathon under the fundraising umbrella of Team World Vision.  I have a goal of $5000.00 to raise.  This money will be going towards child protection in Africa and thus far I have raised $810.00.  

Fundraising isn't my thing.  So, why did I sign up for it?

I signed up to fundraise for these beautiful faces.  Read their stories here.   See the woman in the bottom picture?  She's gathering drinking water for her children (photo credit Scott Stauffacher).  Where did you get your water today?

So the oops.  I ran pretty slow and was drenched with sweat, including my socks.  I swung up my left foot to the countertop to check my toenails when I felt a sharp pain in my left 2nd toe as it clenched.  You remember I broke that toe over a year ago. Orthopedist told me it could take a year or more to completely heal.  Great... That hurt so bad!!  Praying it doesn't hinder my running.  If I'm in pain next run, Monday, I will remember these faces and remind myself that I have such a blessed life.  A little broken toe is nothing compared to the living conditions and the dangers these precious children, God's children, face every day.

Next time you are hot, sweaty, in a little pain (or a lot), remember these children.  Make a difference in their life by donating.  As little as $50 can provide water for one child for their lifetime.

Thank you for your support.

http://goo.gl/oB6jyL

DO WHAT YOU CAN, NOT WHAT YOU CAN'T

None of you should be looking out for your own interests, but for the interests of others.
(1 Corinthians 10:24)

The Journey continues

Training for the New York Marathon is in full swing - did it ever end?  This week-end's cross training consisted of carrying 20+  40-pound bags of dirt up and down the hill in my back yard.  I built a vegetable garden to save money.  Will take a lot of veggies to break even, but hey, they will be extra healthy, right.

See, here's the thing, every Spring I get the urge to plant things, play in the dirt, see pretty flowers in my yard.  Then, every Summer I watch them die.  I'm great at planting, not so great at keeping them alive.  Every year I tell myself it will be different.  I WILL keep better care of my plants and they will thrive.  So, I keep telling myself.  Don't get me wrong, I do try.  I try a little harder every year and I'm getting better.  I think.  Plant, water, grow.  Sounds easy.  

I turned to cactus and succulents last year.  They are doing great!  This year, however, I wanted to grow veggies.  With my marathon training I eat a large container of spinach a week, plus a large head of broccoli, a couple of pounds of berries, four apples a week.  Wish I could grow an almond tree.  I eat a pound of those every two weeks.  

Today, I'm running on the treadmill.  Heavy rain last night and I'd rather not slip on wet leaves.  While I was running, I was trying to think of ways to encourage people to donate to my World Vision fundraising page.   Here's an idea I came up with that sounded fun:

For every $100.00 donated this week I will run for one hour up and down a busy street in my town in a costume of your choosing and since I don't own a ton of costumes, you would need to provide the costume.  I know that will be difficult for those not near me, but I'll figure something out if you cannot get me a costume.

I will, of course, post pictures.  

Donate here

To Give or Not to Give. Can you spare a dime?

Today's blog is an experiment.  I'm going to be very frank, honest, and to the point in this post.  My passion is serving my God by writing. If you have read any of my posts or pages that is pretty clear. If this is your first time to this blog, stop now and read all of my previous posts. I have been praying very hard and contemplating how I can write full time while also being able to pay the bills.  Thus, the idea for this experiment.  


I remembered watching a movie a few years ago about a woman who wrote a blog and had a passion for writing, similar to mine (Julie and Julia).  Someone suggested to her to put a "Donate" button on her blog.  She did and it enabled her to write.


After my recent doctor's visits and the pain I have been having with my shoulders I have been unable to do much writing after a long day of work, which by the way involves typing for 8 hours.  Therefore, I thought, 'what could I possibly do to help support my family while trying to write and promote my books so that my writing will be my sole means of an income?'   


Here is where the experiment comes in to play.  I am not going to share this post on Facebook or email it to friends.  I am simply going to sit back and see what happens.   I'm curious. Why do people give money on the internet?  Who do they give it to? How much are people willing to give?  What would happen if everyone who visited this site gave a dollar? Would they pass it on and share it with others?  Would people be interested in supporting a struggling writer? Would you be willing to donate a Dollar? Your support is greatly appreciated. I would love to be a "retired medical transcriptionist". 


Not comfortable "donating" but want to help?  Then please consider supporting me by purchasing my books at Smashwords or WordClay.




Let the experiment begin. Praise Be to God the Creator of all things whom I serve.