A big "Thank You" to all those that showed their support last week. Yes, I survived the Marathon. The course was beautiful...a great way to see the higher points of San Diego. I highly recommend it. Beats those expensive bus tours!
I finished the race in my personal best time of 3:26:12. And in case you haven't seen on the meter on the side of the blog, we have raised over $3000 towards the adoption. What a tremendous blessing!
I know I've compared the adoption process to a marathon in the past, but I have to say that I believe it's harder than a marathon. At least with the marathon, you know where the finish line is. Regardless of how you get there (walk, run, crawl), once you have traveled 26.2 miles you are finished. This is definitely not the case with the adoption process this time around. We have a goal, but we don't know how far we are going to have to run to get there. In fact, we don't even know if there is going to be a finish line for us. At any point, God may just tell us that the race is closed and to get off the course. Not sure I would ever consider entering a running race like that (but could make an interesting reality TV show I guess). But here we are, and we have only run the first couple of miles.
I know the following verses is probably a little cliche at this point in time, but here goes:
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
It is verse 2 that strikes me as so important. If Jesus was willingness to endure such hardship and pain for "the joy set before him", I guess I should too. And though I can't see the end, I can see Him and that's where I need to fix my eyes. Lots of distractions coming from the sidelines, though. Please pray that we do not "grow weary and lose heart"...
JP
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Running for Alexander
What would an adoption be without fundraising??? Raising $50,000 in just a few months is no easy task. So to prove our dedication (and of course promote orphan awareness) Jeremy is running the Rock n' Roll Marathon this Sunday June 6 in San Diego in honor of Alexander. If you would like to pledge your support you can donate here online using PayPal or send your donation to us by mail. Thank you so much. Every little bit helps!
Elijah has a Brother!...Here we go again...
Where to begin, and still keep it short?
Here's the Reader's Digest version. We decided a couple of months ago to inquire as to the status of a potential sister of Elijah's that we were told might be available for adoption. In the process of that inquiry, we found out that in addition to a sister, Elijah also has a little brother. His name is Alexander, and he was born in July of 2009. We were approached by our adoption agency, America World Adoption Association, and asked if we were interested in pursuing adoption of Alexander as his sister is not available for adoption at this time. I have to say that it hasn't been an easy decision for either of us. It has been extremely difficult at times with Elijah's behavior, and that has certainly threatened to sour our willingness to adopt another child. This, coupled with our present financial and other uncertain life circumstances has made this a very difficult decision. But when we both stripped all of that stuff away, we were left with the feeling that it was only right to try to bring Alexander to the home he deserves, and the brother that he has never met.
So, amidst a sea of fears and doubts we have decided to step forward in faith with the knowledge that, just like in Elijah's adoption, he is going to light the way. And, like before, I'm certain He is only going to light a little bit at a time. How else would our faith grow? I am certain of one thing though, and it's that this time around is going to be more trying than the first (I can hardly imagine how). I know that it is going to test us to our personal limits and force us to rely solely on His strength. I can't honestly say that I am ready for the task at hand, but I am trusting that through prayer and the support that we have around us I will grow stronger and find the courage it's going to take to see this through. Please keep us in your prayers as we step out. Please pray for Alexander that he is kept strong through this time.
Here we go again...
JP
Here's the Reader's Digest version. We decided a couple of months ago to inquire as to the status of a potential sister of Elijah's that we were told might be available for adoption. In the process of that inquiry, we found out that in addition to a sister, Elijah also has a little brother. His name is Alexander, and he was born in July of 2009. We were approached by our adoption agency, America World Adoption Association, and asked if we were interested in pursuing adoption of Alexander as his sister is not available for adoption at this time. I have to say that it hasn't been an easy decision for either of us. It has been extremely difficult at times with Elijah's behavior, and that has certainly threatened to sour our willingness to adopt another child. This, coupled with our present financial and other uncertain life circumstances has made this a very difficult decision. But when we both stripped all of that stuff away, we were left with the feeling that it was only right to try to bring Alexander to the home he deserves, and the brother that he has never met.
So, amidst a sea of fears and doubts we have decided to step forward in faith with the knowledge that, just like in Elijah's adoption, he is going to light the way. And, like before, I'm certain He is only going to light a little bit at a time. How else would our faith grow? I am certain of one thing though, and it's that this time around is going to be more trying than the first (I can hardly imagine how). I know that it is going to test us to our personal limits and force us to rely solely on His strength. I can't honestly say that I am ready for the task at hand, but I am trusting that through prayer and the support that we have around us I will grow stronger and find the courage it's going to take to see this through. Please keep us in your prayers as we step out. Please pray for Alexander that he is kept strong through this time.
Here we go again...
JP
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