It Has Begun!

Well, today marks week three of my training...I am training to run the Chicago Marathon! I am pumped! What makes it doubly excited is that I am running it for Team World Vision. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization that works with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. The focus of this year's Team World Vision fundraising is to provide clean water to the communities in Africa. I am so excited to be a part of this! My prayer is that I will raise so much more than my goal of $1,500.00. To see my fundraising webpage, go to www.firstgiving.com/mariagrogan or click on the feed to the right.

The morning of my first official day of training, I did my bible study before I did my scheduled run. The focus bible verse for that particular day was Isaiah 40:31: 'but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.' This verse was the exact verse my sweet mother in law gave me to pin onto my shorts when I ran the Derby City mini marathon two months ago. It is so like God to give you just the right verse exactly when you need it! So, this has officially become my 'marathon' verse. God has been such an encouragement to me during my training so far...I am going to attempt to write about all the lessons He has been teaching me as I train--that is, if I can find the time! So, be watching for more to come....