It started out a little crazy! I woke up late! Imagine that...me late! It turned out to be a blessing. I had set up my Ipod to start out with beautiful hymns. Quiet and alone in the early early morning with my Lord! It was lovely. To have that time with him was perfect. I had been so busy getting ready that I had not had that time with Him in awhile. Which is sad to say but its the truth. I am so grateful that when I have not been faithful He still is!
I started out with the negative thought," Oh great now I am last." Thanks to a sweet friend whom I had the pleasure of jogging with a few times tell me, "At least you know that you are last." True. I could not get any further behind. I got over that and reminded myself what I was out there for. I was out there to show how great my Lord is in healing me and how I can use my body to help fight human trafficking. That is crazy! I just wrote that and that is great!
I used my body to help those whose bodies are in chains and being misused! Praise God!
My sweet friend and teacher to my girls was there around lap 3 to cheer me on. I almost started crying when I saw her. She made my day. She was supposed to be my walking partner along with another friend but she could not. :( But praise God because she just got the ok to start exercising again! (I love you my friend and Thank you!)
There were lots of prayers that went up on that day. Prayers about my personal walk with the Lord. I want to change the lives of those around the world but it starts here at home. What good am I if I am not affecting the lives of those that are around me daily! Needless to say my prayers were for forgiveness and praise for "He that begun a good work in me shall see it to the end."
There were prayers and tears for my family that is grieving.
Prayers for the girls that are physically, emotionally, and spiritually bound. Prayers for doors in cambodia to be opened. Prayers for the police and officials in South Africa to catch and arrest traffickers that are using the World Cup as an opportunity to make money. Prayed for the governments in these countries to begin to care. Prayers that our country will put pressure on them to stop the slavery.
I did have moments where my focus was just the run. And moments when I did not want to do it any more. I wanted to quit. I even told myself that I did not want to do this again! But I had already committed to another...oops!
Your mind messes with you. It reminded me of fasting. When you fast, there are times of intense prayer and times all you can think about is when its done and when can I eat. I was fasting physically! My body wanted to stop. I wanted to stop! But I did not!
My husband was there for my last 3 laps around campus. 2 of those he was there at the starting line to cheer me on in his quiet and funny way(I love him!). The last lap,1.89 miles, he went with me. There is nothing like the man of your life along side you as you endure the hardest miles of the half! I told him a couple of times that it was hard. He was quiet most of the time but there when I needed the I pod fixed! The Ipod was messing up for the last 2 laps. I finally gave it to him and gave up trying with the music. It was the best though because that time was me speaking to God out loud."This is for the girls. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Lord help me." And I am sure there were more.
The last quarter was the hardest. My legs were so heavy yet I could talk fine. I was yelling, "woohoooo!!!" But then I could see the finish and it was really hard! I just said to myself," This is not for me this is for the girls, women, men, boys, babies(said with heartbreak and anger!), and for anyone that is enslaved. (It breaks my heart that anyone is taken advantage of in such a way. But it breaks my heart more to think that little children are being used and abused.)
I made it! 3 Hours 15 minutes! The girls got me to the end. Everyone that has been apart of this journey got me there but the girls got me to the finish line! My training would have stopped if it wasn't for my commitment to Rescue Her. Those enslaved got me to the finish line! And finishing with my honey beside me was the best moment!
I highly recommend finding what you are passionate about and doing a half marathon or whatever distance you choose for it. I do have to say though that you should choose a distance that is not easy for you. It needs to push you and stretch you!
My training has been a great time of prayer and praise to the Lord. It is a great way to have time with the Lord and to pray for your cause. Doing it for a cause causes you to reconsider when you want skip a day of training. It tests your commitment!
It had not been easy. There were days I wanted to quit and had every right to. But I didn't. There were days when I thought I would not make it. And there were days that I felt how strong I was and knew I could do it(or at least Ruthie reminded me I could!) Praise God for commitment and a trainer that is so compassionate. She scolded me at times not because of my lack of training but because of my over training! On the days things came up and I could not train, she told me it was ok as long as I kept going. Everyone needs a Ruthie in their life! If you have Jesus, you do! If you don't then seek Him out! He is the best life coach!
I was blessed to have my Lord and Savior, and Ruthie as my coaches!
Don't get me wrong, everyone has been vital. My friends, family, physical therapist, surgeon and even strangers who were there before my surgery, after my surgery and then recently for my training and completion of my half, cheering me on!
And my husband and my girls for supporting me through everything. Cleaning, cooking, pushing me around(in a wheel chair!), getting me electric buggies, nursing me to health, and just dealing with me not feeling good for so long. (Let's not forget all the trips to Ft Worth for follow-ups!)
My hubby for never saying I could not go train. My kids on the sidelines yelling for me. I love you so much. I want to not only say it with words but with my life!
Thank you all!
I started out with the negative thought," Oh great now I am last." Thanks to a sweet friend whom I had the pleasure of jogging with a few times tell me, "At least you know that you are last." True. I could not get any further behind. I got over that and reminded myself what I was out there for. I was out there to show how great my Lord is in healing me and how I can use my body to help fight human trafficking. That is crazy! I just wrote that and that is great!
I used my body to help those whose bodies are in chains and being misused! Praise God!
My sweet friend and teacher to my girls was there around lap 3 to cheer me on. I almost started crying when I saw her. She made my day. She was supposed to be my walking partner along with another friend but she could not. :( But praise God because she just got the ok to start exercising again! (I love you my friend and Thank you!)
There were lots of prayers that went up on that day. Prayers about my personal walk with the Lord. I want to change the lives of those around the world but it starts here at home. What good am I if I am not affecting the lives of those that are around me daily! Needless to say my prayers were for forgiveness and praise for "He that begun a good work in me shall see it to the end."
There were prayers and tears for my family that is grieving.
Prayers for the girls that are physically, emotionally, and spiritually bound. Prayers for doors in cambodia to be opened. Prayers for the police and officials in South Africa to catch and arrest traffickers that are using the World Cup as an opportunity to make money. Prayed for the governments in these countries to begin to care. Prayers that our country will put pressure on them to stop the slavery.
I did have moments where my focus was just the run. And moments when I did not want to do it any more. I wanted to quit. I even told myself that I did not want to do this again! But I had already committed to another...oops!
Your mind messes with you. It reminded me of fasting. When you fast, there are times of intense prayer and times all you can think about is when its done and when can I eat. I was fasting physically! My body wanted to stop. I wanted to stop! But I did not!
My husband was there for my last 3 laps around campus. 2 of those he was there at the starting line to cheer me on in his quiet and funny way(I love him!). The last lap,1.89 miles, he went with me. There is nothing like the man of your life along side you as you endure the hardest miles of the half! I told him a couple of times that it was hard. He was quiet most of the time but there when I needed the I pod fixed! The Ipod was messing up for the last 2 laps. I finally gave it to him and gave up trying with the music. It was the best though because that time was me speaking to God out loud."This is for the girls. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Lord help me." And I am sure there were more.
I made it! 3 Hours 15 minutes! The girls got me to the end. Everyone that has been apart of this journey got me there but the girls got me to the finish line! My training would have stopped if it wasn't for my commitment to Rescue Her. Those enslaved got me to the finish line! And finishing with my honey beside me was the best moment!
I highly recommend finding what you are passionate about and doing a half marathon or whatever distance you choose for it. I do have to say though that you should choose a distance that is not easy for you. It needs to push you and stretch you!
My training has been a great time of prayer and praise to the Lord. It is a great way to have time with the Lord and to pray for your cause. Doing it for a cause causes you to reconsider when you want skip a day of training. It tests your commitment!
It had not been easy. There were days I wanted to quit and had every right to. But I didn't. There were days when I thought I would not make it. And there were days that I felt how strong I was and knew I could do it(or at least Ruthie reminded me I could!) Praise God for commitment and a trainer that is so compassionate. She scolded me at times not because of my lack of training but because of my over training! On the days things came up and I could not train, she told me it was ok as long as I kept going. Everyone needs a Ruthie in their life! If you have Jesus, you do! If you don't then seek Him out! He is the best life coach!
Don't get me wrong, everyone has been vital. My friends, family, physical therapist, surgeon and even strangers who were there before my surgery, after my surgery and then recently for my training and completion of my half, cheering me on!
And my husband and my girls for supporting me through everything. Cleaning, cooking, pushing me around(in a wheel chair!), getting me electric buggies, nursing me to health, and just dealing with me not feeling good for so long. (Let's not forget all the trips to Ft Worth for follow-ups!)
My hubby for never saying I could not go train. My kids on the sidelines yelling for me. I love you so much. I want to not only say it with words but with my life!
Thank you all!
Blessings,
Julietta
I'm so so so proud of you! I love you God Story and how you've chosen to show Jesus by helping such a wonderful cause as Rescue Her.
ReplyDeleteYou're ah-mazing!!!
Can't wait to train with you for the next one!
hugs, Jae
I love you. (tears over here in dis house)
ReplyDeleteYOU are WONDERFULLY INSPIRATIONAL!
I love how God can take us where we are and bring us to what we never dreamed possible. He is pretty cool that way!
This is really awesome Jules. You took us along with you for the journey. Through the ups and downs, highs and lows. Reminding us (and yourself) that God is with us at all times. He never leaves us no matter what we are going through. I'm glad I was able to virtually partake in this experience with you. You serve as an inspirational to a lot of people, but most importantly to your girls. Keep up the positive work! Love Ms Beberly
ReplyDelete