My journey!

Last summer at the end of June I was getting wheeled around in a wheelchair at the zoo! Setting aside my pride, I went to the zoo and sported a wheelchair. I know some people looked at me thinking, "She looks healthy. Why is she in a wheelchair?" (As you can see, my crazy friends had a blast pushing me around!)

Well, I could not walk for long without shooting pain. My pain began in 08 and increased with time and activity. I had a labral tear in my hip joint and a bone spur. It was not determined until surgery, September 09.

In May 09 during my first of 3 MRI's, I heard a scripture on the radio during the few quiet moments in the machine. The scripture was a scripture I had looked at the night before(because my good friend reminded me that I needed to look to God first.). I remember flipping through a book that had a list of scriptures for healing. I read them and thought, "well that one kind of sticks out to me." I picked it to focus on and then the next day it was read on the radio during my MRI at the right time! Sounds crazy but it is true!

(I am so grateful for my friend speaking truth in love to me that night before the MRI!)

Here is the scripture I heard in the MRI. (remember the MRI is loud and has only a few moments of silence)

"My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:20

I held on to this scripture! I look back at my journal and remember those days! It was hard to stay hopeful when 1 month of PT, 2 MRI's, 2 GYN appointments, 3 reg. DR.'s visits and no answer. I remember feeling hopeless but I had to hold on to the Lord. What else is there when every human effort is exhausted.

Thanks to my PT pushing for a contrast MRI and a visit to the orthopedic surgeon in town. I would not have gotten an answer. He was God-sent! God used him to guide me with my MRI's and Dr.s visits to elliminate the possibilities. I am so grateful for him. My angel!

One more MRI and one visit to the local orthopedic surgeon to be told I had a labral tear and could only be seen by a surgeon in Ft. Worth. Finally, an answer and someone to help.

When I saw the Dr. in July 09 he said the surgery was up to me. Per my husbands suggestion I agreed to surgery. I had a 70% chance it would help. What could I lose. I was already unable to even clean my house and shop without using an electric buggy!

All these Dr. visits began in January 09 and by July 09, I was scheduled for Surgery for September. My husband deployed 2 days before surgery but it went well. And I was taken care of by my Mother in Law, my kids, friends and the track team!

Thank you everyone! You all were important through this journey!

PT started in October and continued till December of 09. I slowly built up strength to start training for my half in April. My training for my half has had its ups and downs. I have struggled with eating right. I also struggled with training through grieving the loss of a family member. If it was not for my commitment to Rescue Her, I would have quit. Training is not only physical and mental but has been spiritual also! Lots of prayers and praise have gone up during my training. Things came up but I kept going. My body and my spirit are grateful!

Here I am almost a year later and ready to walk/jog a half marathon. God is so good! He gave me encouragement the whole way and people to stand with me in prayer and guidance. Even when things seem hopeless there is still hope in Him. I am so grateful for my healing! And for everyone that was there for me!

My prayers go to those waiting for healing! Faith is not in the seen but in the unseen!


Blessings,
Julietta

PS thank you Ruthie for encouraging me to post my pic from the zoo! which got me to write this post!

I am back from vacation and back into my last week of training!

I went on a trip to see family and on the way there and back sported my "It's Not Ok!" t-shirt. I noticed lots of people reading my shirt on and off the plane. While visiting family, I passed out a few flyers and wore my shirt again. It was neat to be in The Body Shop and see that they are raising money to stop sex trafficking! I just get so excited to hear when others are doing something about modern day slavery.

This week is my last week of training for my half. I hope to get ready also for my table at Walmart. Some friends and I will be handing out flyers and selling Rescue Her products outside of Walmart. I am going to make a banner. I think if I put something on there about modern day slavery it will catch peoples attention. Slavery is what human trafficking , so hopefully, people will see that and stop.

I am well aware that some people will not be interested. But I hope those who did not know it existed will become aware. Awareness is the first step! And those that are aware and touched will help support.

It is all in God's hands and not mine! I will stand for 7 hours and remember that God is in control!

Blessings,

Julietta

An inspiring evening!

It was a crazy week gettting ready for my Rescue Her night! Cleaning, exercising when I could and on top of it all... art camp. Needless to say, it was tiring but all worth it. My house had a cleaning it really needed. I painted my first painting. And was blessed by those who came to the Rescue Her Night (this pic is me and Ruthie and the RHN).

I really hoped I would have pushed harder to get more people here to hear Josie speak. She spoke of the ministries Rescue Her is supporting. The background info was inspiring! When you hear about how the Lord is moving and using His people to save those enslaved, you can't help but be inspired to help.

We watched a video about a lady that was trafficked from Nepal to India. Her story was heartbreaking but with a happy ending. It was so hard to hear what she endured at the hands of her capturs. But that is not the end of her story! She is no longer in the brothel and she has helped free others. She shares her story to let others know that there is hope!

I found out that it costs the mission in India $128 to save one girl. I believe through my Rescue Her Half we are very close to saving one girl. The mission in India lacks funds to take these girls out of the brothels. I hope to raise enough for 2 girls and my next half for 2 or more girls. Yes, you heard right! I am going to do another half marathon to raise awareness and funds for Rescue Her.

I hope to do more! I am praying for guidance in where to go from here. Maybe I will just do another half and maybe more...we will see! I will post as soon as I know.

Rescue Her night!

It is not too late to join us!
E-mail me @ juliettalikes2cook@yahoo.com and I will give you directions to my house.
It is from 7-9PM.
Just remember that there will be adult topics and will not be suitable for children.
Look forward to seeing you here!

Tomorrow is Rescue Her night!

Please come on out and join us for food, coffee, and information. Get informed and find out what Rescue Her is doing and what you can do. Awareness is the beginning.
My good friend Ruthie has just shared a video on human trafficking.
Here is the Houston PBS show discussing human trafficking in the US. It is half an hour long but it answers alot of questions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsrOh54d12A

I did it nervously but I did it!

I am not a person of eloquence but I spoke to my bible study class yesterday. I was nervous and it was obvious! I was not up there to empress. I was there to talk about my journey and human trafficking.

The majority seemed to be familiar with human trafficking but they were not all aware of Houston being a major hub for human trafficking. There is always more of an impact when you can relate the issue to here at home. I also spoke about how I look at prostitution differently. Of course not for it but that not all prostitutes are there on their own accord. I also spoke about illegal immigrants and how they are tricked into coming to the US for a simple job and then arrive and are forced into slavery!

This is real! This is the world we live in! We can all make a difference no matter where we live. It is a big world but my God is bigger!!!
If each of us take a stand we can make a difference!
Awareness is the beginning!

I know that my lack of eloquence can still be used to help fight human trafficking. Little me can make a difference.
Julietta

11 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I did 11 miles today! I am worn out but feeling better than when I did 9.45. I ate healthy the day before and resisted the pizza that everyone else was eating! I think that made the difference plus I have been pushing the strength training.

Today was great! I jogged 7.25 of my 11. Did you hear that? 7.25!!! I have never did that much in my entire life! The neat thing is while listening to worship music and praising the Lord my legs began to feel lighter. I know that sounds weird but it is true. I believe He got me through today! Yes, training, commitment and dedication have a part in this but first came the healing!

While I am training, I listen to music that helps me focus on Him and praying for those enslaved. Focus is so important! Thank you Lord!

I am going to go and watch the World Cup now. I have our flags hanging up to celebrate but please remember to pray for those that have been trafficked into South Africa!

Blessings,

Julietta

PS this is me chilling with my puppy! Him and I rested together after my 11.

Rescue Her Night!!!!!

When: Thursday, June 17th
Where: My House
Time: 7PM
Why: To hear about Rescue Her and how we can help fight human trafficking!
Food: Starters from Cambodia and India plus some other finger foods
Drink: Zoe coffee, hot tea, etc.
Special Guest: Josie Carignan, founder of Rescue Her
RSVP and directions: email me at juliettalikes2cook@yahoo.com or let me know in person.

• We will show a short video, talk about the issue, and chill with some food and Zoe coffee.


• On the night, we will have T-shirts, Zoe Coffee, and bracelets for sale.


• Contact me if you can't make it but want to place an order. I will be keeping a clipboard with me for newsletter sign-ups and orders.
• **Adult topics will be discussed and is not recommended for children

Thank you for visiting my blog! I hope that it has brought awareness, and encouragement. Awareness about human trafficking and encouragement that YOU CAN DO SOMETHING TO FIGHT HUMAN TRAFFICKING. I am encouraged that little me can make a difference in such a big world!

Blessings,
Julietta

PS Great news! I was able to jog 2miles without stopping this past Saturday! This Friday I will do 11 miles. WOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9.45 Miles and it felt great!

This past Saturday I did 9.45 miles! I was so nervous I could not sleep. I did sleep but not much. I have made a commitment and I did not want to let anyone down. So, needless to say I was nervous. Could I make it? Yes, I can! I just have to remember that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I felt really good for the whole walk. The last lap I was tighter but I could have kept going had I not stopped to stretch! It was the stopping that did me in. 13.1 is doable! My body was so exhausted that I slept for 4 hours! My feet hurt but soaking them in the pool right after and resting made it all better!
Strength training has helped walking tremendously and the progression of the mileage is great! I highly recommend "Marathoning for mortals" for beginners.
I have been passing out fliers as I do my walking. I met a lovely lady and hope to see her again. She was interested in the training and in how Rescue Her works.
I found out this morning that I got my first order! Thank you to whomever that was! Thank you! You have encouraged me!
I will be hosting an info night at my house for Rescue Her on the 17th. It looks like Josie, the founder of Rescue Her, might be coming! If you are in my area please contact me if you want to come. We will watch a video and talk about Rescue Her plus we will have products on hand for purchase.
Blessings,
Julietta Herrera