I'm Doing a Marathon!! Well, Sort of...

I learned early on how to participate in athletics
without actually participating in athletics. 

Ok, I'm not actually running in the marathon.

The last time I did any sort of running was for cheerleading practice back in high school. Our coach made us run one mile in 10 minutes or less after each practice. I usually ran it in 9:59, staggering across the finish line, gasping for breath, MERE SECONDS AWAY FROM DEATH. At least that's how I remember it.

No, I will not be running at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Raleigh Marathon & Half Marathon.  I will be stationed under a nice shady tent surrounded by delicious cupcakes. I mean, somebody has to man the tent! Those cupcakes aren't just going to hand out themselves!

Maybe I should back up a bit.

You might remember, about a year and a half ago, I joined up with some friends (and our kids!) to hold a cupcake bake sale to raise money for Sixty Feet.

Sixty Feet is a non-profit organization that is very dear to my heart and I am so excited that it has been selected as an official charity for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Raleigh Marathon!

What is Sixty Feet? It is an INCREDIBLE organization whose mission is to bring hope and restoration to imprisoned children in Uganda. Imprisoned children? YES. Their website can explain it a lot better than I can. Please take a minute to check it out. 

One of my favorite things about this ministry is that it was started by a few regular families; a few regular families that look a lot like my regular family. These regular families, living in the Atlanta area, learned of a need thousands of miles away in Uganda. They were deeply moved by the story of these suffering children. Rather than just shaking their heads, offering up a prayer and moving on with their day, they decided to DO SOMETHING.

They started Sixty Feet. I came to know about this organization early on and I have loved watching it grow, expand and spread across the country. I am blessed that my family and I have gotten to be a small part of it.

This spring my friend Kaylyn and I will be volunteering at the marathon on behalf of Team Sixty Feet. Today, I'm asking YOU to catch the vision and join the Sixty Feet family as well. Here are some ways you can help.

1. RUN!!

Sign up to run the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon as part of the Sixty Feet team! The race will be held in Raleigh, NC on Sunday, April 13, 2014.  Encourage your friends and family to participate, collect pledges and RUN! After the race, celebrate with a delectable cupcake party in the Sixty Feet tent! (That's where I come in, of course). For more information and to sign up, click here.

Not a runner? Don't worry, I totally get it. Keep reading to see how you can participate.

2. HELP

Do you live in Raleigh or the surrounding area? Would you like to join me under the shady, cupcake-laden Sixty Feet tent? Of course you would! We still need volunteers to donate sweet treats, cheer on the team and keep things running smoothly.

We are also in need of someone to host the team dinner at your home the night before the race! (Saturday, April 12th) Interested? Email me for more details!

Maybe you aren't local. No problem, I've got a couple more ways to help.

3. PLEDGE 

Each member of Team Sixty Feet has been challenged to raise $1,000 through fundraising. We may not be running, but Kaylyn & I have accepted the challenge as well! AND we have an anonymous donor who has pledged to match each donation we receive! Will you help us reach our goal by clicking here and donating on our fundraising page? (All donations are tax-deductible.)

4. SHARE

Has your heart been touched in someway by learning about this ministry today? If so, help us spread the word! Share this blog post! Recruit your running friends! Recruit your non-running, cupcake-eating, money-donating friends! Like the SixtyFeet Facebook page to stay informed of the amazing work the Lord is doing in Uganda through regular people like you and me!

5. PRAY
Finally, please pray that God will bless our efforts and touch lives through this ministry.

Thank you for letting me share this opportunity with you.

Update: 26.2 miles and a heck of a lot of cupcakes