Posted on December 22, 2010 - by Megan

Steps Closer to Our Baby

On Saturday, I got an important lesson in what I am not—a serious endurance athlete.

Along with my longsuffering parents, Mike and Gail, I completed the Rock Creek 10K up at Lookout Mountain, near Chattanooga, Tennessee to raise funds for our adoption. My husband Joel wrangled the kids and served as our official photographer. This was literally the only race we could find within driving distance in the month of December, so we took it.

I suppose the fact that one of the race options included a 10K AND and a 50-mile option should have been our first clue that these were not our people. The mere ability to include your name and the words fifty-mile in the same sentence is unthinkable to me. 50 miles?! Are you kidding?

Our second clue was the visual realization that no one looked like us. We outweighed all the other participants by a good 50 lbs a piece. These folks were lean and mean. They meant business. Us? Not so much.

And then there was the difference in our apparel. What they wore: technical “gear,” most notably shorts (it was 30 degrees), and/or supportive running tights, trail running shoes, and fuel belts. What we wore: Felt Fedora hats, blue jeans, polar fleece coordinated activewear, hiking boots, and walking poles.

Given our appearance, I kept waiting for someone to stop us at registration and ask if we were lost, but they didn’t. Thanks to the incredibly gracious folks at Rock Creek Events, we had an absolutely gorgeous 6.2 mile hike almost completely to ourselves (Do I have to tell you we were the only walkers?).

I’ve never experience such diverse terrain, or some many different kinds of woodland beauty. From mossy creek beds, to richly soiled inclines lined with boulders, to sweeping vistas seen from the crest of a ridge, we were in awe. Though challenging in places, it was the most enjoyable hike of my life. As we hiked, I talked with my parents about God’s faithful provision for our baby in Uganda.

While I may not be a serious endurance athlete, I am serious about adoption. By God’s grace, we have raised $16,000 toward our $20,000 goal! That puts us 80% of the way there. Just $4,000 stands between us and our baby. We are humbled and elated to witness God show up for us dollar after dollar.

To each of you who have made a contribution, no matter how large or small, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Every dollars counts. As I’ve said many times before, we are honored that you are part the story God is writing in our family and community through this baby.

To those of you who haven’t joined us yet, we would love to include you in this journey that promises to deepen your faith and understanding of our Heavenly Father in remarkable ways. Here is how you can partner with us.