Race 2

We have now completed the 2nd of our 4 half marathons. I am so glad to be half way there! On this 2nd race, my body was a little less cooperative. I was in more pain, but I finished, with the exact same time as the first. Slow, but steady. :) My right I T band has begun grumbling to my hip that it is getting a little sick of all this running. This afternoon I am going to sit them both down and give them a little "Come to Jesus" talk. They have to hold it together, for the kids.
The morning of our second race, I was much more nervous than the race the week before. I looked at my friend Kathy at the starting line and said, "Are you as nervous as I am?" She smiled and said, "Well honey, it's a little like labor. Now we know what we have gotten ourselves into!" She was so right! And I don't think that I would have chosen to give birth twice in 7 days! But, we all finished. Praise the Lord! I cannot tell you friends what it meant to me to see all of your sweet faces there! It inspired me to keep going and to not give up. Jacob had asked if he could run the last mile and a half with me this time. I was so excited to have my little guy running along side of me during my 12th and most painful mile. Rounding the corner to the finish line, I saw a HUGE group of friends waving and cheering us on. I totally lost it. And then when I heard my dad's voice through the crowd calling my name, that was it. The ugly cry began. It was not a pretty finish, but I was done! Jacob on the other hand, saw that finish line and just started running! He took off, left his mother in the dust, crossed the finish line with his hands in the air and then ate my cliff bar because he was "so exhausted." Thank you son.
The sponsorships are coming along great! Collectively, we have raised almost $38,000 for the kids in India! I am just in awe of all that God is doing with these races. I run to worship music and two songs specifically really minister to me while I am running. "Amos' Story" by Aaron Ivey helps me tap into all the emotion and pain that I felt all those years Rob and I had to fight to get Myna home. It puts a determination and fight into my run, that helps me run through some very rough and painful steps. "Won't you be my love" by Mercy Me helps me to focus on the beautiful orphans that we are serving and how God has called us all to be His hands and feet for these precious children. It helps me to remember what this run is really all about.
Oh what a joy is it to serve Him, and to serve these kids!
I have attached a picture of our little Satish, our little boy that we sponsor at Heaven's Gate.
He is on my heart while I run and look forward to seeing how this money helps him and the other 185 children of Heaven's Gate!

Thank you for giving and for helping these precious children of God.

If you haven't yet donated, but want to, it is not too late!

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow as we tackle our third run!

Well, we did it! We completed our first half marathon together. It was an amazing and spiritual experience to say the least. Some precious woman, graced us with bible verses on HUGE signs encouraging us to keep on going. The stench of cows and Fruitland also kept me going, going and going to get back to the poop free air in Boise. :)

Words cannot describe the amazing feelings I have toward this group of people. Most of us are not even real runners, we just wanted to make a difference in the lives of these kids. We started out wanting to bless these kids, and in the end, I cannot even begin to explain how much we, in the process are being blessed. I am humbled and amazed by the group of people that God has set me on this journey with. One dear friend, has rheumatiod artritis, and felt pain each and every step, but she was not going to give up for the kids. Another friend, suffered an enormous loss and then the next day, laced up her running shoes and ran through her grief. She would not let her grief stand in the way. My dear friend Kathy, spent two weeks with the kiddos in India we are running for, flew for two days, stepped off the plane and less than 30 hours later, completed todays half marathon. Many miles today she spent in tears, just overwhelmed with the outpouring of love for these precious children.

I was overcome with emotion today, mostly with joy. Joy that I get to be apart of something so completely amazing. And that God could use a simple little mom like me to do something that will make a difference for the kids in India. I am so blessed to be able to serve and look forward to our race next weekend. Thank you so very much dear friends for the $1,800 I have been able to turn in so far. Each and every dollar will go to getting these kids the medication, food and care that they need to keep them strong. With your help, they do not have to die of AIDS, they can rather, LIVE with AIDS. You are making a difference.....and for that I truly thank you!


"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles: they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint." Isa 40:31

Running for His children

Dearest Friends and Family,
This upcoming October, I have pledged to run 4 half marathons in 4 weeks.
No, when I signed up I wasn't delirious with fever, on drugs or drinking.
Yes, I know that I run like Pheobe from Friends, ugly, failing and incredibly slow.
Yes, I have trouble running to the mailbox and Yes, I was chosen in Jr High to be Least Likely To Run Unless It Was Toward A Donut.
Despite all of that, I know that God has asked me to do this.
I am scared, but ready for the challenge.
The program I am running for is called Run 4 Heaven's Gate.
I am running with 52 AMAZING people who inspire me.
100% of the profits go directly to an orphanage we support in India called Heaven's Gate that cares for 186 children who are living with AIDS.
To see some of their precious faces: http://www.ccboise.org/tabid/2068/vId/5300/default.aspx
Last year, Run 4 Heaven's Gate generated $20,000.
ALL of that money went to help care for the children, purchase medicine, and provide a medical clinic for 600 families in the surrounding areas who are also living with AIDS.
The runners carry all of our own costs, entry fees, training programs, etc. so every dime will make it's way to India.
The Zahm family's personal goal is to raise $5,000.
I know that God will bless these children, they are His.
Would you consider sponsoring me?
I am blessed and excited to be a part of something so amazing.
What an awesome God we serve!
Please know that no amount is too little.
Each and every dollar will do amazing things for these precious children.
Please keep the children at Heaven's Gate in your prayers.
And I humbly ask that you pray for us runners to have strength to keep on running.
Thank you in advance for helping us help these children and for helping this frumpy housewife put down her latte, get her butt off her couch, lace up her running shoes and be His feet.
Elicia
PS. If you would like to help us get the word out about Run 4 Heaven's Gate feel free to post this blog to your family blog, email it to friends or share it on FaceBook. :)