five weeks to go

I am a little more than a month away from my half marathon, and my training is going pretty well, if not quite to the distance I'd hoped to be. But I got in a nice 8 miles this morning.

I'm 66% of the way to my goal of raising $1,310 for the Women's Choice Network, a group of pregnancy centers in the Pittsburgh area whose goal is to help women choose life for their babies.

From the WCN's website, here are some of the ways donations can help:

• Families who are vulnerable to abortion can see their ultrasound and choose life
• Moms and Dads can make steps to become better parents
• STD tests can lead men and women to a God-pleasing lifestyle
• Students can learn about sexual integrity in High Schools and youth groups
• Young families can find refuge, practical help, and hope

If you haven't already, won't you please consider donating any amount to help moms, babies and families in need? You can do so through my fundraising page-- http://www.ministrysync.com/event/website/?m=802029

Another huge way you can offer your support is to pray for these centers-- and for the end to abortion. I was blessed to take part in Pittsburgh's Spring 40 Days for Life campaign, in which we spent time peacefully praying outside of Planned Parenthood for the mothers, abortion clinic employees and the babies in need of love. Several lives were likely saved-- praise God!

Thanks so much for your support.

the WCN, prayers, and marathoning

As many of you know, I am registered again to run the Pittsburgh half marathon on May 6 of this year (right now, my training is on target for the full 26.2 miles, and I may switch when the time gets closer, depending on the circumstances). Like last year, I am raising funds for The Women's Choice Network of Pittsburgh, a pro-life faith-based ministry whose mission is to empower abortion-vulnerable women to choose life. They do free pregnancy tests and sonograms, as well as provide material assistance and educational programs (Learn more about their ministry at http://www.mypregnancycenter.org/). Here is an excerpt from an email I just received from them requesting prayers:

"Our growing Centers need your prayers. Our Staff and faithful Volunteers are on the front lines everyday. Pray for wisdom, compassion, insight and boldness to share God's love. February is one of our busiest months for outreach. Our Education Outreach speakers will visit over a dozen schools, churches, and fairs with the message of abstinence reaching thousands of students this month. Thanks for your support and daily prayers!"

Please consider offering a prayer for the volunteers and the abortion-minded women who seek their help and counsel daily. Also, if you are able, please consider giving any amount toward helping them do the work of saving lives through my personal fundraising page below- even if just $1.31 or $13.10. I am 38% to my goal of $1,310 ($100 for each of my 13.1 miles)

Half marathon for WCN

Thank you so much for your support!

Is rape an exception?

The rape victim in this story claims that the "rush of love" for her unborn child moments before she had an abortion, saved her daughter's life.

"The so-called "rape exception" is commonly accepted, even by many who are inclined to the pro-life position, as a "compassionate" act for a rape victim. But pro-life apologists refute this, saying that it is neither just for the innocent child who is killed, nor beneficial for the mother.

Stephanie Gray, the head and founder of the Canadian Centre for Bioethical Reform, told LifeSiteNews.com that Miriam Virgo’s story should be one that inspires others to make the same choice in favor of life.

It illustrates, she said, the basic principle of the entire pro-life cause, that an unborn child has dignity and value, no matter what the circumstances of her conception. "If the unborn are valuable because they’re human," Gray said, "then how they come into existence does not change the fact that they are persons with inherent dignity."