Transformation Run

On April 30th, I will be running The Music City Half Marathon to raise awareness about our counseling center’s mission. Now before you react to quickly - yes I have been training.  I started running in January, and “running” is a loose term, it is still more like walk a lot and run a little.  I have been working hard with diet and training.  I read online the other day that a 400lb man ran a marathon, so I think I can run a half marathon.  The effort and focus of preparing to run a half marathon has reminded me of the work that many of our clients do each day as they walk out change in their lives.  We have clients doing the hard work of changing addiction patterns.  Men and women who have committed domestic violence that are now creating meaningful relationships.   Children and adults that come in with fear and anxiety that are now experiencing joy and freedom.

I started thinking about this run over Christmas, and the image that kept coming to my mind was family meals.  I grew up in a time where eating out was a special treat we only did once a year or less.  Family meals are a special memory for me.  It was a time we came together and enjoyed each others company.  One of my greatest joys is imagining family meals for our clients that used to be painful, stressful, and chaotic that are now places of hope and connection because of the work that is done at the Transformation and Lighthouse Counseling Center.  

I have two goals with this event.  I want to change my lifestyle and weight.  I want to do more than train for an event I want to change a pattern in my life and become more healthy.  The second item is that I want to increase our counseling centers ability to help others to change their lives. I am writing each of you asking if you would please consider helping with a financial gift. Each year our counseling center donates over $50,000 worth of services to the hurting in our community.  Our ability to serve hurting people is because of help from generous donors like you.  Would you please consider giving to help us meet the needs of more people in our community.  Please consider helping with your prayers and financial support.  Every gift matters regardless of the financial amount.  Whether it is $10 of $10,000 your gift will make a difference in our ability to help others.  

Whether you can give or not please make us a focus of your prayers.  Every week over four hundred individuals and families come into our doors looking for answers and help, your prayers are a vital part of creating the path out of their pain.      

You can follow the progress of my run and the fundraiser at this blog - www.markcarpenter.org . If you would like to give please send the tax deductible donation to:

Transformation and Lighthouse Counseling Center

7209 Hamilton Acres Circle, Chattanooga, TN 37421.