This past weekend I participated in my first 5k walk/run.  The Dempsey Challenge: A Journey for Hope.  A wonderful cause raising funds for The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing. I turned 40 this summer and since January have been on a crusade to lose weight and get in shape.  Participating in this 5k was a milestone in this continuing endeavor.

What a great experience!  I had my new running shoes, 40ish lbs lighter, and well on my way to be “Foxy at 40″ (the theme for the year). I was so hyped up…. right up until I made that first turn and saw the first hill!  I had no idea there would be hills.  Needless to say, I did not run up ANY hills, I walked as fast as I could breathing so hard I thought my lungs were going to deflate permanently. It was definitely a challenge.  A challenge I am proud to say that was completed without needing any medical attention and left only temporary pain that has been a constant reminder that I need to cherish my health.

Hello Eric, Tina, and Zaq

I just wanted to again thank you for all that you did to make my trip to Romania with the laptops so successful. We had a few glitches, but we felt those prayers, as I shared with Tina yesterday, and the Lord blessed the laptop program immensely. It couldn’t have happened without all of your help, so please know that you helped  8 little Romanian girls and their teacher to become very excited about learning on their laptops. Ana and Peter, the REMM directors, are also thinking of the possibility of opening an after school daycare program and using the laptops for the children to do their homework on, so God may use them to reach even into the community of Beius. This is important as the gypsy children and their families are treated like the lowest in the Romanian society. Many do not make it through school. I know that God is going to do great things because of these laptops! May He also bless you for your willingness to serve Him in this way. In His Love, Pat