7 Miles for Libby

A few days ago my friend Cassandra told me about her participation in Training for the Music City Half Marathon in April and the reasoning behind her training. She is running to support "Team Libby" which is a team organized to celebrate Libby Ryder's last chemo treatment. Libby is a 27 year old new mother who found out last year that she has lymphoma. In celebration of Libby's second chance at life and , God willing, her last and final chemo treatment, we are all coming together to run, to celebrate God's grace and to raise money for this sweet and very deserving family. Angie Poston at Thirsty Hearts  is coordinating the team. She wrote a very inspiring post that I have copied and pasted it here:

It's official.  Our sweet friend, Libby, has ONE more chemo treatment.

Lord willing, after her next Chemotherapy,  the cancer will be Gone.

And THAT my friends, is something to celebrate.

So here is what we are going to do.  

RUN.  Run as hard as we can.  

 ¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ²fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. {Hebrews 12:1-3}

My dear Libby, you have shown us what Paul writes about here.   You have run with reckless abandonment in the face of hardship, a new born baby, marriage,  ministry, cancer, life, and even death.  

You are only 27 years old. Yet your wisdom at the end of this hard road is far beyond your years.  Thank you for letting God use you.  Like really use you.

And thank you for following, with literally,

Reckless abandonment.

So friends, let us run.

Literally.

I have started my training to support sweet Libby. THANK YOU Cassandra for sharing this with me and encouraging me to do it! Thanks to Angie for setting it up! And thanks to all of you for your love, support and prayers. If you would like to support me and Team Libby, please email me at annaerowland@gmail.com. If you would like to run, link up with Angie.

Yesterday I ran 7 miles! I had side stitches about 70% of the time and I'm  a little sore this morning, but I did it for Libby and as I ran, I thanked God for my health and my precious family and friends.

Please join me and Team Libby in this journey. Either through running the race with us, financial support or prayers, all are so greatly appreciated!