2nd Annual Spring Fundraiser

On April 28, I will be running The Music City Half Marathon to raise awareness about our counseling center’s mission. Now before you react too quickly - yes I have been training.  I started running in January.  “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.  

As a child my family was involved in ministry.  I was fascinated with how lives were changed and influenced by things my family was involved with.  I have fond memories full of emotions about how each of my siblings, parents and grandparents made sacrifices and put forth effort to impact others.  I have the amazing opportunity to watch lives change today at the Transformation and Lighthouse Counseling Center.  Over 425 people a week come into our Center seeking help.  We have skilled compassionate counselors and teachers that make sacrifices to impact others daily.

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.  All of our clients are working hard changing behavioral patterns. Men and women who struggle with domestic violence are now creating meaningful relationships.   Children and adults with fear and anxiety are now experiencing joy. Each life that is affected by the work of our center represents families and communities that are finding greater health and resilience.   
The focus of our fundraiser is to increase our counseling center’s ability to help others in changing their lives. I am writing each of you asking if you would please consider helping with a financial gift. In 2011 our counseling center donated over $150,000 of services to the hurting in our community.  Our ability to serve hurting disadvantaged people comes from generous donors like you.  Please consider giving in order to help us meet the needs of more people in our community.  Every gift matters regardless of the financial amount.  Whether it is $10 or $10,000 your gift will make a difference in our ability to help others.  

Please consider helping with your prayers and financial support.  If you would like to give a tax deductible donation please send it to the address below or you can give online.

Whether you can give or not please make us a focus of your prayers.  Your prayers are a vital part of creating the path out of their pain.      

Check in often to follow and comment on my progress. 

Most Saturdays or Sundays you will find me at the Tennessee River Park training for the run.  The river park is a walking path that follows the river from the dam to downtown Chattanooga. Debbie and I walked / ran 6 miles yesterday.  We are both sore today, it was our longest run to date.  Debbie will be with me this year running the 1/2 marathon on April 28.  This is the part of the training that is hard, blisters, sore muscles and sweat hoping for visible change.

2012 Spring Fundraiser

April 28th I will run the half marathon in Nashville again.  Last year was a big success for me personally and the fundraiser for the center.  Please keep me in your prayers for strength and wisdom.

Resources for Parents

Josh McDowell Statistics - You can download a audio presentation or power point notes

Scriptures on Purity - Randy Alcorn

Feel free to email if you have more questions mcarpenter@thecitychurch.cc

What's Next?

It has been over a month since I completed the 1/2 marathon.  I have not gained any weight but I am having a hard time getting motived to keep my exercise up.  So I am trying to come up with some new goals.  I am going to register for a 1/2 marathon in the fall for a new goal.  I have found that I need goals for focus and motivation.  I have been looking at the 7 Bridges Marathon or the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon, both in the fall.  I will keep you posted, let me know if you have any other suggestions. 

More Pictures

On April 30th, I ran The Music City Half Marathon in 3 hours and 43 min, that is 17 min to spare before the time limit.  Their were many people younger and older that finished before me, but I am pleased with the results.  It was surpriseing how much I enjoyed the whole experience, I finished it with more energy and enjoyment than I thought it would.  My goal is to do it again next year also.  I find that I work better with goals.  Five months ago I was 45 lbs heavier and the only thing I ran to was a buffet.  I am so exicted at how God has used this catalyst to begin a journey of change with my health and life.  Thank you so much for your kind words, support and prayers.

I decided to do the run for two reasons. My 1st reason was to change my own lifestyle.  Just like the clients that come to us for help change is a difficult process of commitment and consistency.  The second reason was to raise awareness about our counseling center’s mission and to increase our counseling centers ability to help others change their lives.

I wanted ask you agian to 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. Many of you have given and thank you so much.  Your support means so much to me.   

Whether you can give or not please make us a focus of your prayers.  Every week over four hundred (400) 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.  If you would like to learn more about the center look at www.lighthouselifeskills.com/

Thanks so much for all of your help and encouragement. 

1/2 Marathon Completed

 Here are some pictures from the run Saturday.  I was able to complete the run in 3 hours and 43 min - I am happy with this time, many people were much faster than I but I was so glad to finish and begin a new journey changing my lifestyle.  I lost about 45 lbs during the training.  About 34,000 people were in the race.  I was  in the last group to leave the start line.  I felt good all through the run and enjoyed the experience.  I hope to do more in the future.