Running and Remembering for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness

Today was awesome!  I had the honor and the privilege of  running a 5K in remembrance of my Angel (lost at 8 weeks due to miscarriage) and of babies lost too soon.

About a week before the race, I asked family, friends, and Facebook mommas in a variety of baby loss groups if they would like me to add their babies' names to my race t-shirt.  The response was overwhelming, and my race t-shirt was filled with the names of those claimed by early pregnancy and infant loss.

The names of all the babies on my shirt are listed below under today's forget-me-not.
There are also close-ups of the shirt below if you are trying to find your baby's name.

It was humbling and exciting to run for these babies and their mommas!

This is the third year I have run this 5K, and I love that it is at the end of September right before October which is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

The logo for the race shirt this year. I love it!

This year, I brought a dear friend with me which made the day that much sweeter!

My friend Jaimee who came with me to remember Angel and babies lost too soon!

This event is very well run!  I never regret driving an hour to and then from Chatsworth, GA, for this.  I always enjoy the time spent remembering our babies, the moment the balloons are released, the great 5K course, and the awesome raffle (I win something each year!) that follows the 5K run and the two mile walk.  If you ever get a chance to be in this area at the end of September, I highly recommend this event!  Check out the Remembering our Babies "A Walk to Remember" on Facebook.

Getting ready for the balloon release!

Her name attached to the balloon. :-)

The balloon release - overcast but beautiful.

After the balloon release, it was time for the 5K.  I am never more motivated to run my best than when I run in remembrance of Angel and babies lost too soon.  I run thinking about Angel. I run thinking about the day I learned something was wrong with my pregnancy, and I run remembering the day I had the ultrasound that showed her still heart. I run thinking of my friends who have endured a similar loss, and I run with the names of all the babies whose names are on my racing shirt at the forefront of my mind.  And always, I am praying that my run honors those babies and their memories - especially the memory of my Angel.

And I really believe that is why my run times for this 5K have improved each time I've run this race.
In 2012, I ran this course in 35:15.  In 2013, I ran it in 32:15.  And this year, I ran it in 29:41 at a pace of 10:16.  This beats my best 5K at 29:58!

I couldn't be more please with my performance - for Angel and for all babies lost too soon!

As I already said, today was awesome, and I enjoyed spending it with some awesome people!

Runners and walkers at the 5K!

Today's forget-me-not:  Our babies...

Angel Wills          Angel Baby Reites       Angel Baby Rozan

Cavan                   Kennedy                       Meeghan Hodges

Riley Bines          Micah and Taylor         Riley, Peyton, Cameron

Baby Bines           Baby Everspaugh        Angel Baby Whitaker

Serena Lesley Cisneros                    Zoe Rose           Christian

Twins Brandon and Francesca         Baby Dickerson               Angel Baby Haire

Alexcia Myanna Mckamey              Malachi's Twin                Carson

Shridam Jasper                                 Hoag Angel Babies         Taylor and Tristan

Matthew Pierce Boothe                    Lilly and Luke                 Bethany Hope

Cameron LaPointe                            Hannah Elizabeth            Audrey Elise

Sophia Evonne Simonsen                 Samuel Brian                  River

Harper-Grace        Hannah         Cameron, Xavien, and Tristen

Sydney Alexis       Kristen          Brady             Karinne Claire

Julia Rose             Mikayla Grace             Audrey               Sarah Elizabeth

Mackenzie Lee-Ann Little         Piper Marie            Angel Babies Lehman

Jordan Laine                Ashton-lee                Baby Miller                  

Owynn Nathan            Michael Joseph Perkins                 Pemberton Babies

Riley Rylands             Heppy                Evie X             Annabelle Catalina

Seth                             Grant and Miracle                     Parker Cecil Lawson

Michael Phillard        Conor George Deslauriers

Angel Divine             Aniya Grace Mazzarelli-Coates

Alexander Lee           Jessica Lopez Lewis                 Mackenzie Mone't

JoLeNe Nichole Shepherd          Daniel the Lion       Elizabeth

Hollie Hope              Angel Amila                Bert Hergreaves

Racing for Children

This past Saturday, I ran a 5K for Harvesting Hope Ministries.  The following information is from their website:

"Harvesting Hope Ministries, Inc. is a 501c-3 non-profit whose mission is to bring hope to children and their families who have life threatening illnesses.  Currently, we give care packs to our local Ronald McDonald House at the Egleston/Emory Campus in Atlanta."

Race Shirt

I have said before that I love running for great causes, but I especially love running for causes that benefit children.  

I found out about this particular 5K after running The Chiefs 5K last month.  A lady approached me and handed me a flyer advertising the Harvesting Hope Ministries' race.  After she handed it to me, she explained that the money raised from the 5K would go towards helping kids that have to undergo organ transplants of some kind.  She finished by explaining that her son had to have two liver transplants (one recently), so this was a cause near and dear to her heart.

How do you respond to that?  Well, I said I would definitely be there!

It was a good 5K.  I wasn't too crazy about the course - it was a loop around a local church three times - and it didn't start on time, but I always leave a race pleased when I receive an age group award! ;-)

My time was 32:55.

AND I got this awesome shoelace clip!

I love that the clip has a heart on it! Why?  Because I heart (love) racing. And, as I said, I heart (love) running for great causes.  And when I look at it, I'm reminded of one particular race I'll actually be running next weekend; a race that I absolutely heart (love) - the Remembering our Babies "Walk to Remember."

This event is actually a two mile walk or a 5K run.  I've always run the 5K in honor of Angel and other babies lost too soon.  This will be my third time running this race.  When I run it, I wear the shirt I got running the race that first time in 2012. I have the names of all our angels on it.  Sadly, every year I add more names...

Do you see your angel's name?

If you don't see your angel's name on my shirt and you would like me to include his or her name, just leave me a message below or e-mail me the name (forgetmenotohlord2010@hotmail.com). I would be honored to run in remembrance your baby!

Today's forget-me-not: Children.  ALL children.

"Children are a heritage of the Lord." Psalm 127:3

I have indirectly supported Planned Parenthood and embryonic stem cell research. And, most likely, so have you.

Have you heard this saying?

People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

Basically, it means that people should not criticize others for faults they have in themselves.

That sums up my opinion of persons who pass judgement on others for donating time and money to charities that have ties to Planned Parenthood or embryonic stem cell research when similar ties can be made to just about everything someone may donate money to or use in daily life.

Let me explain why I'm writing this post.

You see, it has recently come to my attention that some fellow pro-lifers have been uniting against the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge because they see it as soliciting funds for research that has connections to embryonic stem cell research - which is somewhat accurate.

Now, how are they choosing to respond to this reality?  Well, in addition to pouring their criticisms and condemnations on those of us who have given our time and money to the ALS Foundation, some are deliberately filming themselves completing an ice bucket challenge in which they say why they are NOT giving money to ALS.  Furthermore, they then say which organizations WILL receive their money and so post their videos online challenging others to follow suit.

First, how loving is that?!  Why would you take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge which has lifted the spirits of and brings hope to those suffering from this horrific disease (see my previous post on this matter) and post videos that basically communicate to these people that they aren't worthy of your money?! If you don't want to donate money to ALS, don't do it!  But I would request, please, do not attempt to steal away what little joy they have gotten from the recognition received for this lonely disease by filming a mock challenge and posting it online.

Second, and here is my main point,  do you realize how hypocritical it is to criticize and to condemn someone for indirectly supporting Planned Parenthood and embryonic stem cell research when you - yes, you - most likely do the same thing on a daily basis? 

Consider this.  The following are things/companies to avoid if you want to ensure your money isn't going to Planned Parenthood or being used for embryonic stem cell research:  Clorox, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, AT&T, Adobe, eBay, Ford, Gap, General Electric, Kraft,  Xerox, and Yahoo.

Do you use any of those? I know I do!  And I would bet, you do too!

Furthermore, LifeNews.com, a pro-life website, states you are supporting abortion if you give your money to any of these companies or use of their services: AOL, Bank of America, Bayer, Chevron, Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, Red Lobster, etc.), eBay (PayPal, etc.), Laureate Education, Midas, Nationwide (insurance), Nike, Select Comfort (Sleep Number bed), Southwest Airlines (Jet Blue, etc.), Starwood Hotels (Aloft, Element, Four Points, Le Méridien, Sheraton, St. Regis, W, Westin, etc.), Symantec, Wells Fargo, and Whole Foods.

Honestly, if you do research on this topic, you will soon discover that most everything you own and most every business you patronize is somehow supporting Planned Parenthood and/or embryonic stem cell research. On top of that, the American Life League reports, "It is simply just a sad fact that most national medical research/advocacy groups support some form of unethical research. There is no listing, to our knowledge, of only pro-life research organizations."  Even the Susan G. Koman and March of Dimes organizations have been linked to "supporting abortion."

So, what can you do if you really want to avoid indirectly giving your time and money to anti pro-life endeavors?  Not much.  Unless you move to an Amish town.

My point is simple, and it's a point Jesus himself made in Matthew 7:3:  "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

My fellow pro-life friends.  I know. I agree!  We shouldn't support anything that does not treat God's gift of life in the womb with the utmost respect. Don't hear me saying otherwise in this post. However, we live in an imperfect world,  so we must accept that we are not going to be able to avoid things that are contrary to our values 100% of the time.

Life is messy. God knows that. All we can do is pray for direction, and whatever we end up doing, we should do it in the right spirit - the spirit of love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.

I cannot believe Jesus would ever fault us for acting out of love.

Romans 8: 1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

So, let's agree to set aside criticism and condemnation of each other.  And let's consider this, and all other such matters, a matter between each individual and Jesus.

When I accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, I did so to encourage those suffering from ALS.  I donated a small amount of money in the hopes that combined with all other donations perhaps some progress might be made in research combating this terrible disease. I did these things out of the goodness of my heart like those who feel lead to walk for Susan G. Koman and for the March of Dimes.  I did not know that the ALS Foundation had a connection - albeit, a very small connection - to embryonic stem cell research.

But knowing that now, in retrospect, would I do it all again? To that question, I answer yes.

Yes, I would do it again to encourage ALS patients, to inspire hope, and to, hopefully, help improve the quality of LIFE of those suffering with ALS.  Because, to me, ALL life is precious. Including the lives of ALS sufferers.  That is how I am convicted concerning this matter.

Today's forget-me-not:  So remember. Do not criticize.  Do not condemn.

Why aren't you running for the hills from ISIS?

Have you ever seen Hotel Rwanda?  It is a historical drama about the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The events in the movie are based on the true story of Paul Rusesabagina. If you've never seen it, watch the trailer before you continue reading my post...  Even if you have seen it, watch the trailer and refresh your memory...

It is tragic, isn't it? Over 800,000 were killed during the Rwandan genocide, and did anyone step in to stop the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Tutsis?  No. The world powers turned their backs on these people, and the United Nations was unwilling to get too involved. 

I'm currently conducting a film study of Hotel Rwanda with my sophomores. The movie connected with the book we just finished reading, Things Fall Apart, via the subject of colonialism and its effects.   

But more important than that exploration, the movie raises other moral and ethical questions that beg for answers:

Should a country ever get involved in another country's affairs?  And if so, when and why?

My students will have to formulate their own opinions on this matter; however, after watching Hotel Rwanda, I'm not sure that anyone - in good conscience - could say that a country should NEVER get involved in another country's affairs.  If that involvement will prevent the loss of innocent lives then I believe those in a position to help the helpless have a moral obligation to step in and proffer assistance.  If a country can help but chooses not to offer aid, that country is no different than rebels committing atrocities against their fellow human beings. 

Watch Hotel Rwanda, and then, come and tell me why you would think otherwise. 

This is a subject that is very heavy on my heart right now.  I am a Christian, and I've been hearing that my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ have been experiencing something akin to the Rwandan genocide in Northern Iraq.  Since the beginning of August, a group called ISIS has been sweeping through the northern cities of this country and wiping out Christians - targeting especially the Christian children.

And what has my country done in response to this? Not enough.  ISIS is still going strong. 

Here is an urgent prayer request received Wednesday:

Subject: Prayer Request from Iraq.

This message was sent from some friends at church who are former Baptist missionaries. They received this from their contacts in Iraq. They need our prayers now!!!

From: Jim & Linda Rice
Date: 09/03/14 20:46:40
Subject: Prayer Request from Iraq

Dear Friends,

Just a few minutes ago I received the following text message on my phone from Sean Malone who leads Crisis Relief International (CRI). We then spoke briefly on the phone and I assured him that we would share this urgent prayer need with all of our contacts.

"We lost the city of Queragosh (Qaraqosh). It fell to ISIS and they are beheading children systematically. This is the city we have been smuggling food to. ISIS has pushed back Peshmerga (Kurdish forces) and is within 10 minutes of where our CRI team is working. Thousands more fled into the city of Erbil last night. The UN evacuated its staff in Erbil. Our team is unmoved and will stay. Prayer cover needed!"

Please pray sincerely for the deliverance of the people of Northern Iraq from the terrible advancement of ISIS and its extreme Islamic goals for mass conversion or death for Christians across this region.

Please pray! If we ask, we shall receive.  Let's join in prayer that God uses His power to protect His people as a testimony to His sovereignty - like He did with His people when Moses parted the red Sea!

And then, take a minute to ask yourself these questions:

Why aren't I running to the hills from ISIS? Why was I born in a country where living as a Christian is living a life without fear of death because of my faith?  Why is it that I don't have to worry about watching my children be a part of a massacre?

What all would God have me do during this current crisis?

I don't have the answers to these questions, but lately, they run constantly through my head and my heart. 

Today's forget-me-not:  Our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ.

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.