Catching You Up...

Wow!  Life has been so busy, but I am loving every minute of it!  Our God is so good and I have seen him workout so many situations lately.  My faith is in Him!  He is in full control.  My youngest son Graham's surgery went well.  He has had some pain off and on, but has managed so well.  He is a very brave boy and I am so proud of him.  Wesley and I had a wonderful time at our church Vacation Bible School and now, it's time to enjoy the rest of summer and start to focus more on the 3-Day!

I am so excited about walking in October.  I have been to several training events and held some of my own.  I am currently working on the 24 week training plan provided by SGK 3-Day staff.  As of today, I have walked 95 training miles!!  I have walked alone and with friends...at the gym, at my church, my subdivision, my treadmill in the garage, and at Stone Mountain Park.

I am also excited about my team, Angels of Hope.  I decided on this name due to my Mother's love for angels.  She collects all kinds of angel figurines.  I just felt that this name was perfect.  I actually decided on it back during last years walk.  =)  I had a lot of thinking and reflecting time during those 3 days.  My team has grown from 1 to 8 members as of today!  I think it's neat because my team is spread out...Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Indiana.  My team members include...Marie, Natalie, Emily, Krystle, Jillian, Kristie, and Brenda.  There's still time to join us!!  Let me know if you are interested.

I am stopping here to ask for prayers for Marie and her Mother.  Marie's mom is battling breast cancer again.  Emily and Krystle both work for Premier Designs Jewelry and they have a fellow jeweler than is fighting too.  Everyone knows someone that has been touched by breast cancer.  This is just two more reasons to keep on walking and fighting.  I am praying for God's peace and comfort for them.  I pray for strength to fight the cancer and for the doctors to make the best decisions for each woman.  God is in control and He is bigger than cancer!  I pray that in His time, He will lead us to the cure!

 
This post is about catching you up as to what I've been doing to prepare for the 3-Day.  My fundraising is going well.  I am at 51% of my goal, that's just a little over halfway there!  Thanks to all my early donors!!  I love an appreciate each and every one of you.  Some gave last year and some are new.  I'll be remembering you all as I walk.  You are the ones who make it all possible!  You funds are what saves lives.  I would love to get my fundraising done as soon as possible so that I can help my teammates reach their goal.  Remember, if you would like to donate to me or a teammate click the donation box at the top left of this blog or you can go to my fundraising web page here.  If you would like to go to my team's fundraising page you can click here.  On my team's page you will see a list of their names and can click a name to donate to one of them.  You can read their personal stories of why they walk too.  I am so excited about sharing this experience with my friends.

As for training, I attended the 24 Week Training Kick Off at New Balance in Alpharetta, GA.  On May 5, we walked 3 Miles.  I met a few ladies that I really enjoyed walking and talking with.  These ladies were first time walkers and had many questions.  I love being a veteran walker this year and sharing my experiences and helping to answer questions.

Newbie and I!  Just finished shopping and ready for 3 miles!

 

I love New Balance because they give back to SGK and off us walkers a discount too!

The following weekend (May 12), Scott and I ran the Race for the Cure at Atlantic Station.  It was a great morning to run and it was misting on us a little at the end.  I was so proud of myself.  Last year, I was not prepared for the run at all.  I didn't realize how many hills were in Atlanta either.  Last year, it took me a little over 47 minutes to run the 5k.  I was happy that I finished it but disappointed in my time, because I had ran faster than that in other 5ks.  This year, I finished in 37 minutes!!  I was so proud of myself.  Scott was great support and encouraged me the whole way, even when I wanted to give up.

Running for my Momma!

Ready to run!

 

Me and Scott

I briefly mentioned in another post that I was selected to be a Training Walk Leader this year!  I was so excited about this and also nervous.  I have been doing training walks mostly with my team members at church, Turner Lake, and Stone Mountain.  I know the closer that we get to October that more people will be joining us to train, especially at Stone Mountain.  I love helping people and encouraging them!  I want everyone to know that finishing the entire 60 miles is possible and that you are not alone, we walk together.  I believe that each step we take is one step closer to the cure!

Jillian and I

Me and Emily

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence."  Helen Keller