(only 3 miles, but felt like more!). And after we crossed that finish line, I wanted to cry. It wasn't because I was in pain, it wasn't because I was sad...I really honestly don't know why!! But then it seemed like things changed this morning after I got some sleep...
My heart aches sometimes and I don't really know why. Then my mind wanders to Mozambique and all the amazing memories both Phil and I had there. I believe when I visited Mozambique the very first time in November of 2005 that God placed a new sense of home and longing in my heart for Mozambique. Now that we haven't been back for 2 years, I feel like I'm going crazy. I find myself unable to focus at random times because I think of a fundraising idea. Or, as things have been lately, I am beginning to think about how many obstacles are in the way.
Financially speaking, we have debt that we must pay off before we can go to Mozambique. We have a car and student loans to pay off before our God - given dream can take flight. The planning stages have been amazing and frustrating and overwhelming - all at the same time! We are taking steps to make this happen by becoming more goal oriented and working backwards from our goals. Also, we certainly have also become more willing to accept God's timing in everything!
Now, I know that those nagging thoughts in the back of my head certainly don't come from the Creator because He placed this dream in our hearts. Satan sincerely can't stand what our dreams will mean for children in Mozambique and I do understand this. However, I am still human and I have MANY faults (just ask my husband:) and one of them is frustration. I easily get frustrated when I think about how far we have to go. I am discouraged!!
With that being said, I knew that I was getting my Eeyore face on when I realized how much God has done for me! I sat down for a few minutes when I got home tonight, and I wrote out all the ways God has cared for me and worked on my behalf over the last 5 years. And let me tell you all, my heart is different now. God has moved mountain after mountain in my life and in our married life. there is no reason that God would stop moving now!
So I come asking for prayers. We have to get Phil back to Mozambique as soon as possible!! We need to get his DIRE (the Mozambican Green Card) renewed, and apparently, the process has gotten quite expensive and lengthy. However, one of us must hold a DIRE before we can register our land. If we DON'T register our land and we build, the government can take it at any time. We HAVE to register our land in order to ensure Project Little Feet has a future!!
We have a little money from previous funds through many church members (such amazing people at the River Church!) and now we are hoping and praying that God will help us raise enough money to get Phil to Mozambique, renew his DIRE and register our land. Once we get these details out of the way, we can begin building!!
So I am offering up myself as a vessel to raise money. While the River Run was quite a challenge, as it always is, I was inspired by all the amazing runners. I have always enjoyed running, even now. (It's a great stress reliever!) I also have wanted to really push myself into getting more physically active. I have a wonderful friend who has encouraged me to do a half marathon! That's 4 - 5k runs, just in case you needed an idea of how HUGE this is going to be for me. I only have 12 weeks before I run, but I want to put myself out there for all to see. I am determined to succeed for myself AND for the orphanage.
Here's my proposal - I will go to Las Vegas, NV, on December 4th, and run my little heart out for Project Little Feet. I will mail out sponsor forms if you'd like to donate. For every mile I run, give me a pledge amount and I will GUARANTEE you a finishing time in return AND Phil & I will gladly give away a 3 night stay in our Timeshare - you pick the vacation - to the HIGHEST contributor! And, in the end, all the money raised will go towards Phil traveling back to Mozambique to sort out all our paperwork so we can start building.
This half marathon will be a great physical and mental challenge for me, but it will also be a great challenge to all of you, too. (Message us your email or mailing address and we'd be happy to send you a pledge form for the half marathon in December.)
I can't wait to see what God has in store for us in the next 3 years...I can only imagine!! But I DO know that God will move many mountains between now and January of 2014. This half marathon is a small obstacle for God, but it will be a great lesson of strength, courage, focus and spirit for me. And in the end, lives will be transformed, saved and moved in ways we can only imagine. What do you have to lose? (Possibly, a vacation!) For me, I have a few inches to lose, and a few miles to gain!
Blessings for now,
Laura
P.S. If anyone else would like to join me for the half marathon in Las Vegas and to help raise money for Project Little Feet, let me know! I'd love to have the company:)
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