A Life Interrupted

Last night after our women's bible study at church (Priscilla Shires "Jonah: Navigating Life's Interruptions") I was driving home blessed by what God had spoken to my heart, how I saw Him speaking to the hearts of those around me for the past two hours, and also was thinking about today. The anniversary of my Daddy's death after suffering with Alzheimer's for almost 10 years.
THAT was a whole series of interruptions to say the least... from the car wreck, to the diagnosis, to the assisted living centers, to our savings being depleted, to his death, to the aftermath of all that. Many many things that 'threw a wrench' as they say, into my existence. But as the statement resonates in my heart and mind that "Life's interruptions are God's invitation to participate in Divine Interventions that only He can create", I am grateful for them all. Wow, how I grew thru all that, how my faith grew, how my husbands did, how I got to see him in a while new light as he ministered both to me and my Daddy, how I got to see my Daddy bless the ladies taking care of him who either never had a dad or who had lost theirs and saw something in mine that was familiar and comforting, and how I have been able to be there for others who found themselves themselves facing that same dark and scary situation... so may things that became evident divine appointments :)
I do love that my daddy tried my whole life to teach me to love to dance with Jesus... as difficult as it is at times, as many steps as I dont yet know, my Lord is patient enough to both guide me and even let me freestyle sometimes!
Miss you Daddy - now you're dancing with Him face to face... thank you for teaching me to dance too :)

Chick Chat with Marisa

Is That You God?

Ever asked that question? For some time now as I prepared to be a part of a women’s retreat, I wondered in my spirit if I was hearing God right. He had been spurring something on in my mind, in my heart, in certain people He was placing in my path, that I was to do something very specific that would be extremely difficult at this retreat. And as is usual for me when this happens, I commit to pray about it and wonder later if I heard that right. Even questioning was that really you God?

As I prepared to leave for the Esther Experience 2011 Retreat this past Thursday morning, where I was to be 1 of 4 facilitators, I not only was still questioning whether I should do what I felt He may be asking, but was assaulting Him with all sorts of questions and reasons why this may be a bad idea!
As long as I have known Him and as long as I have loved Him, is exactly as long as I have doubted Him. My weakness, that I know gives Him a stage by which to display His glory and power, still pulls me back and I resist at times His promises to fill my mouth with His words, and to be my strength and shield.
Day one of our arrival at Ridgecrest Conference Center in NC was no different.
As my friends and I made our way there, as we ate lunch, as we drove chatting and sharing thoughts about life, family, the upcoming event and more, the swirling thoughts and feelings of what I thought He was asking me to do were never far at bay even though I kept trying to shelf them. You know, kind of like trying to nail pieces of Jell-o to a wall… they just wouldn't stay put.
We arrived to a peaceful serene setting. As we checked in my heart and mind were buzzing a bit even though I did feel something change. He was here - just like He said He would be - waiting on me, waiting on the women coming the next day. The excitement was growing but so was that tinge of doubt.
See, I had been feeling for a few days now that God may be asking me to share something deeply personal at a very specific time in a very specific session. He was asking of me what I felt like may be the impossible right now. If I did this, if I did what He was asking me to do, it would be one of the hardest things I had ever done. It would mean revealing ‘me’ in such a raw way and being as real as I had ever been with anyone – and myself.
Well, ‘a few days’ isn’t exactly true.
The first moment that Pat Wade had met with me months earlier to ask me to be a facilitator and explain the outline of the weekend and the breakout sessions as she was envisioning them, I felt the first pin prick in my heart and the first "Jesus Spirit Bumps" run up my arms and legs. My Granny Reva used to say when you got those that a rabbit had just run over your grave - never understood that, but I sure loved my crazy fun Granny Reva :) The first evening we and the rest of the volunteers arrived at Ridgecrest to begin to set things up, to pray, go over the schedule, address any changes or immediate questions, and otherwise get ready for the 80 women coming the next day night there was commissioning service planned. As we gathered in one of the rooms Pat welcomed us, went over some vital things we all needed to know, and preceded to share that the prayer team would be coming around to lay hands on us and pray for us each one in a few moments and asked us to move our chairs into a big circle.
I had been told about Brenda. I had never been prayed for by Brenda in person, or even really ever talked with her. But I knew that she was a woman who many had told me had a specific gift in her communion with the Holy Spirit when it came to prayer. As we began I was aware of movement of the prayer team around the big circle as they went from woman to woman interceding on their behalf asking God for our encouragement, strength in the physical and spiritual realm, peace, wisdom, knowledge, and in all areas we would need to serve over the next few days.
I was praying myself for what I would be doing as my way of serving as a facilitator of the breakout sessions, for my small group leaders on my team, for Pat, the worship team, the drama team, the polka dot team, and for those coming to meet God there in their need.
I must admit, and as you can by now suspect, my thoughts in the middle of all this did keep somehow returning to me, what I thought God was asking me to do. I mean, here I was and it was about to begin tomorrow. I remember thinking - it will be that session on Saturday before I know it. What would I do? Was He asking me to be open myself up in THAT way? Really God? You want me to speak "it" out loud? I’m to speak this thing in my life? Could I find the strength and confidence to share what may be the very thing that some of these women coming may wish they could say out loud too? Or could offer others desperate to release their own ‘thing’ the strength to do so? And was this one of those moments, those huge moments when we are being tested for obedience to just say yes? These were my exact thoughts on this night. These were my petitions of my Father.
As the other ladies on the prayer team sweetly put their hands on my shoulders and prayed for me I received it all and was so unbelievably thankful for the comfort they provided me, the intercession they offered was so precious. Have I mentioned that Brenda prays very differently in these situations too? Just in the movement of her spoken word it can be very unique. She sometimes just utters words in broken sentences. To anyone near she isn’t praying for it may not make much sense at all in fact. Often it does. It’s sometimes also accompanied by what I call sounds and words of the spirit.
She moved to the back of my chair as I sat with head bowed before her. She had actually moved swiftly through the couple of ladies to my right so I thought maybe she would not have a word for me. But as her hands lightly landed on my shoulders they immediately tightened as her throat uttered "Mmmm", "Glory Father". I breathed in deeply. She was lingering at my chair. "Oh Jesus, yes, yes Jesus" she said. Brenda repeated the sound and leaned in close and whispered "Say yes, do it".
Oh my sweet Jesus... In my heart and mind, as they raced faster and faster, I asked God - Are you using this woman to answer the very questions I was just praying??? Is that you God???
Brenda leaned in closer to my ear gripping my shoulders tighter, "Say yes daughter, tell Him you will, you will speak it... say yes daughter, tell Him yes!" Brenda kept repeating it – my mind was spinning. She repeated it again and again.
Oh my stars, oh my word, Oh My God my mind and heart now said – it’s you right here, right now!
With more urgency and a little louder, Brenda's spirit more in tune now and urged to press in, said "He wants you to say yes, be bold, say it out loud, with confidence, He wants you to say it, say yes I will speak it Father!!" I felt her shudder as she got ‘Jesus Bumps’. My heart beat so loudly but all I could muster was a nod of my bowed head... to be this close to Him in a given moment, and hear so intensely from my God was overwhelming! My sweet Jesus was speaking directly to my anxious and worried heart telling me what He desired of me!
Brenda pressed on. I became aware that Kristen, of one of the small group leaders on my right, had now placed her left hand on my right thigh. My friend Kendra on my left was touching me in the same way as they listened to the Holy Spirit speak to me. They were agreeing, supporting what God was asking me to do, with the laying on of their hands urging me to hear this clear and divine truth being spoken in such a reverent moment and urging me in this wordless way to respond in surrender.
The Holy Spirit pressed on as Brenda’s mouth was right next to my ear now. We slightly rocked back and forth as she said louder “say it, answer Him, say yes, say yes I will speak it out loud, say yes out loud, say yes Jesus I will, say I will, all Glory, all Glory, say yes to him, speak it out loud say yes!” I could not deny it, He was there! Right there with me in that room, in my ear, in my spirit, in my soul and heart, in every fiber of everything surrounding me, in the chair I was sitting on, in the air around me entering my lungs as I breathed in and out, in the voice in my ear, and in the hands on my shoulder and legs! He was bidding me to do His will in a way that would bring glory and honor, would allow others to see and hear His voice, His love, He wanted to grow my faith just as I had asked Him to do but it required something from me. It required me to say ‘Yes’ to something that in and of myself I would find impossible, but He was reminding me of just how close He truly is. That in the blood of Christ that I could literally feel flowing on me, His spirit in me, He would provide what I needed to do this thing!
He assured the disciples in John 14 He was leaving that comforter here so we would never be alone – and that same Holy Spirit was still here – all over me and in me! “Yes!” I cried, exhausted from questioning, worn out from resisting, “I will speak it” I said, receiving the peace that immediately rushed in as I cried, “Out loud I will speak it for His Glory!!!”
Did I mention our ordained team name for the Esther Experience (that is a story in itself) was “Jehovah Jireh – Our Great Provider”?! He is here, He is I AM, and His daughters are never alone!
And so The Esther Experience2011 began for me as a revealing of His majesty and power, the likes of which I had never dreamed possible.

Another conference coming up later this summer that you still have time to register for is She Speaks with Proverbs 31 Ministries - a weekend that can help find your passion, fuel your passion, and help you connect to other women who are as passionate about God and His calling on their lives as you are! They even have a contest to win a scholarship to attend!

WOW!

As I woke up (late!) this morning still basking in the glow of what Jesus did at The Esther Experience Weekend at Ridgecrest in NC, I am overwhelmed by what I have heard, seen, felt, and known. I am amazed at how God confirmed for me, in mind blowing ways, His plan even leading into that weekend. My mind and body are exhausted but my heart is overflowing, joyful and thankful that God allowed me to be there and to serve and to see Him work and move! I think today I will let it all sink in, just let the WOW GOD moments swirl around awhile, hold them close in my heart for a few more hours, but I am so excited to share my own thoughts and experience with you very very soon :)

Joyful on the Journey,
Marisa

"Chick Chat With Marisa"

Weekend Fun Ideas!

There's no shortage once again in Knoxille for some fun things to do this weekend...

Looking to score some deals for clothing those kids?
Growth Spurt Consignment Sale in Karns March 25th and 26th!
Friday 8-6:30 and Saturday 8-3 (1-3 is the 1/2 price sale)
http://www.growthspurtknox.blogspot.com/ and they have a Facebook page too
What: Consignment sale of high quality children’s
clothes, toys, equipment, accessories, and
miscellany
When: Friday March 25th from 8 am to 6:30 pm
and Saturday March 26th from 8 am to 3 pm
(half price sale is Saturday 1 to 3)
Where: 2717 Roland Lane, Knoxville, TN 37931
(Private home in Karns Community)
Contact: Tammy 865-368-8137 or Kathy 865-363-5924


Greater TN Sportsman Show
When:
Friday, March 25, 2011
2:00PM-8:00PM
Saturday, March 26, 2011
10:00AM-8:00PM
Sunday, March 27, 2011
11:00AM-5:00PM
Where:
Knoxville Expo Center
Ticket Information:
$7.00 Adults Children 11-17 $ 4.00 Children 10 and Under FREE $1.00 Senior Citizen Discount on Friday!
Knoxville Expo Center
5441 Clinton Highway
Knoxville, TN 37912


Daffodil Show,
Saturday March 26th & Sunday March 27th from 1-5 P.M. at the Plant Science Auditorium, Ag Campus, University of Tennessee, FREE


West Town Mall : Home Expo
Saturday March 26th 11am-5pm
Free to Attend!
Looking for an artist to paint murals on the wall?Need your home remodeled? Need some Kitchen tools from the Pampered Chef? Things you need for your home. Can be found here. Come and see what's new and get great ideas.
Venue: West Town Mall
Location: 7600 Kingston Pike, Knoxville 37919


2nd Time Around Consignment Sale - Maryville Spring 2011
Foothills Mall
Maryville TN
* Spring/Summer Children, Adult and Home Decor sale will be held on March 24th through March 27th 2011
The last two days of the sale is designated to be half off days having all items elected to sell at 50% off the sale price. If an item has not be selected to be sold half off by the consignor the item will still be available for purchase at regular price.
Venue: Foothills Mall
Location: 197 Foothills Mall, Maryville 37801


Tennessee Spring Fling
Attention Scrapbookers!
1st Annual Tennessee Spring Fling in Knoxville, TN, March 25-27.
Croptopia brings you top notch accommodations, lots of table space, fabulous exhibitors, workshops, pampering, tons of prizes and did we mention the goody bags? Plus so much more...you won't want to miss this event!
The marketplace will be open to the public Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. ($2 admission)
Knoxville Marriott
500 Hill Avenue SE
Knoxville, TN 37915
Venue: Knoxville Marriott
Location: 500 Hill Avenue SE, Knoxville 37915


Cat Fanciers Show
http://www.catshows.us/tennesseevalley/
March 26th at Jacob Building at the Tennessee Valley Fairgrounds, Chilhowee Park, 3301 Magnolia Ave. Knoxville TN 37914


Children's Theatre of Knoxville presents "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe"
Friday, Mar. 25 at 7 PM
Saturday, Mar. 26 at 1 PM and 5 PM
Sunday, Mar. 27 at 3 PM
865) 599-5284. Tickets are $12 per person. If an adult and a child enter together, these two may be admitted for $10 each.
Venue: Children's Theatre of Knoxville
Location: 800 Tyson Street, Knoxville 37917

Smart Toys and Books Knoxville Zoo Visits with Live Animals
Saturday March 26th
Knoxville Zoo presents interactive exhibit of live animals,
animal artifacts, and other information for young children. Three live animals
will be featured from a collection of small animals, amphibians, and insects.
Zoo staff will be available to present and answer questions. 11am – 12noon.
No charge. RSVP.
http://smarttoysandbooks.com/
Venue: Smart Toys and Books
Location: 9700 Kingston Pike, Knoxville 37922


Mothers of Multiples Spring 2011 Consignment Sale
March 25th -26th
Mothers of Multiples at Beaver Ridge UMC @ Karns traffic light; clothing size newborn to teen, maternity, toys, furniture, equipment, books, and more. Cash only, please.
1/2 price sale - noon - 2pm.
Date: 03/25/2011
Venue: Beaver Ridge United Methodist
Location: 7753 Oak Ridge Highway, Knoxville 37931


Knoxville Ice Bears Smokies Night
Fri, 03/25/11 @ 7:30 Fayetteville FireAntz Home
Smokies Night
The Ice Bears and the Smokies will team up to make this night entertaining and exciting for everyone in attendance. Intermissions will consist of baseball related fun on the ice. For tickets, call the box office at 865-656-4444 or visit the Box Office at the Civic Coliseum.
Venue: Knoxville Civic Coliseum
Location: 500 Howard Baker Ave, Knoxville 37915


Cokesbury Childrens Center Consignment Sale
The Cokesbury Children's Center
Saturday, March 26 from 8:00 a.m. - Noon, with a 1/2 price sale 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
March 26 2011 8-12 Full Price 1-3 Half Price
Venue: Cokesbury Center
Location: 9919 Kingston Pike, Knoxville 37922


UT Gardens Adult Workshop, Make a Rain Barrel
Saturday, March 26
9-11 a.m.
Do you know there is more nitrogen in rainfall than in one application of fertilizer? Drought or no drought, we should all conserve water. Beth Willis, UT Gardens volunteer coordinator, will show you how to capture this precious resource in your own 55-gallon catch barrel. Each participant will make and design a rain barrel to take home. Please bring an appropriate vehicle to transport it home. All materials included. To register, please contact Emily Smith, at 974-7151.
$40/member, $45/nonmember
Venue: University of Tennessee
Location: University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996


Concord United Methodist Church Children's Consignment Sale
Saturday, March 26, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (sale closed 12-12:30 and 1/2 price from 12:30-2) 11020 Roane Dr. (behind Sam & Andy's) in Farragut Featuring quality, gently-used clothing, toys, furniture, and other items for ages birth-teens
Venue: Concord United Methodist
Location: 11020 Roane Drive, Farragut 37934

more posts at Chick Chat With Marisa

Ever Want a "Do-Over"?

Remember when we were kids in elementary and middleschool, and we loved a good game of recess kickball? It was a battle really, it was war. In the heat of late spring before summer vacation we really got down and dirty. Time was running short then. I can almost smell the dirt, the grass, and I can almost hear the cicadas in the trees as we played - remember? And we had a very limited time to get a game in. Sometimes we would get so hard core, so entrenched in a close heated game that we'd continue the next day where we left off.
The game was important. Braggin' rites were huge.
At some point, maybe even more than once, we'd see the ball go fouling off way right, then we would hear it. Someone would yell "DO OVER!"? I yelled it too from time to time. And we all understood. We all wanted to be looked at with respect, wanted to make a better impression, to hold our own, to be picked again the next day to play too.
So we were happy to oblige the occasional 'Do Over'.
Unless that is, that it was the one kid we all knew who with every kick, with every throw, with every move in every game, ALWAYS wanted a do over. They would just never ever own up to the mistake and move on at all. That kid, no one wanted to give THEM a do over.
But to the ones who really tried, we happily dealt out the 'Do Overs'.
I still have things in my daily life that end up like a big old foul ball kicked over the right side fence. I try to do better. I mean, I can see growth. It's longer between times that I find myself tripped up by the same action, or reaction, or choice.
The game is still important. The prize is even bigger today.
But the voice of the enemy sometimes beats me up to a bloody pulp and tells me I am the kid who never changes. That I'll never get a kick off good enough to round first let alone even attempt to reach second. That I will never do any better at making the right choice, that I will never stop reacting too quickly in frustration, or whatever my weakness is on any given day.
But Christ tells me some things very differently.
That "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
And that 'Neither do I condemn you, Go now and leave your life of sin.' John 8:11 (NIV)
As long as I am trying, and growing, and seeking forgiveness, then I AM leaving that life, that sin behind. And I get picked to play every day, I'm still in the game. And I get dealt a 'Do Over' from the only one whose voice really matters anyway.

Extraordinary Womens Conference 2011

Join a lot of us ladies from East TN April 29th & 30th in Johnson City TN for a wonderful weekend at Freedom Hall! Great speakers, artists, resources, and time away will do us all good - make your plans to go now for only $59

click here for info and to register

Pray for Japan

Please continue to pray for Japan... so much absolute devastation and loss that is simply unimaginable. While our minds and hearts break and can't comprehend, just think of those who have survived it physically but whose eyes see nothing but what is no longer there

To help text the word redcross to 90999 and give $10 directly on your next cell phone bill

We Even Ignore Rising Water

The water rushing by my kitchen door picked up depth and speed with each half hour that passed.
It's only happened a couple times in the 10 years we've lived in this particluar house. That's why it's so unsettling. Behind us is just a gently sloped back yard that leads up to a ridge line between us and property belonging to Ijams Nature Center. Not anywhere you would expect to see water rising.
But it had been raining steady and hard for several hours and when I saw my local news begin breaking in with pictures and videos of what their reporters were witnessing I decided that it was probably a good idea for me to check my own yard.
After all they said they hadn't seen this much rain at one time in years.
First I saw our garbage can lid. But it wasn't on the garbage can as it whipped past down the driveway. And then our outdoor broom floated by.
My miniature dachshund Mr Pickles wouldn't even venture out onto the porch to look, let alone attempt to get to the usual places he goes when he has to 'take a break'.
As I settled back in front of the TV to watch the constant coverage now, I was dumbfounded. As more areas were flooding, our local reporters and meteorologists were warning people that it was an extremely dangerous situation. As we were told to stay put whether at work or home, to avoid even puddles, and as they gave the not very commonly used "turn around - don't drown" warning I noticed something.
Our 'eye-in-the-sky traffic' guys, and other media folk who listen to emergency scanners began letting us know people were having to be rescued from cars, trucks, and suv's. I was amazed at the rescue efforts and miracles taking place - but I begin noticing vast amount of people were still determined to continue driving through the ever growing bodies of water. People were insisting on still moving their cars through water that was picking up speed, rushing faster and faster! Some crossroads and low lying areas had already seen water rescues this very day and yet here these people were, still driving on purpose straight into the water threatening their very lives.
What were they thinking?! As I sat there wondering aloud at the very levels of stupidity they were exhibiting, willing to put their very lives at risk just to get somewhere on time, I couldn't believe it.
Parents with children in the car were pulled to safety - some from the rushing waters as they overtook their car. I saw two separate videos of teen and a man each standing on the roof of their vehicles as they were physically saved by municipal workers with ropes tied to them. These brave men had jumped to action because every firetruck, anbulance, and rescue squad vehicle in our county were attending to other rescues all over town.
After several hours the rain slowed, some of water began to recede. The threat was over. But so many had made bad choices. So many made decisions that not only put others they loved at risk, but in some cases those they didnt even know - some rescuers almost lost their own lives trying to be a needed miracle.
As I sat contemplating those who had made such obvious bad choices that familiar tickle at the edge of my mind began. Ah yes. Memories began "flooding' back, as they always do when I get up on my high horse. I began to think about myself. How many times did I do the same thing?

Romans 7:14-15
So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.

Maybe I didn't drive into actual swollen creeks in a literal rain storm, but for sure many times in my life I have entered dangerous waters. I've rushed into a relationship, then let it deepen when red flags were clearly visible. I certainly remember deciding that chancing another night of reckless behavior wasn't one too many. I recall diving straight into crashing waves taking others with me. I have taken stupid risks when I knew better. Even when others tried warning me. When people who genuinely cared tried to tell me to 'turn around - don't drown'.

As we travel this earth in our risky and futile attempts to be so independent, thinking we dont sometimes know whats best, we not only are at risk but we often put others in danger to. We can be so selfish.

God always provides red flags though. Here's praying next time that we will heed His warning signs. And here's to hoping we'll immediately thank God for providing both the gentle stirrings of the Holy Spirit, the floating garbage can lids, and the shouts from friends on the banks of rising waters yelling for us to stop!
And let's pray that we dont too harshly judge others each day for their mistakes. We only need remember how easily and foolishly we have made our own.

Phil 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of God.


Marisa Lykins

Prayer for Peace...

Websters definitions of Peace:
1 - freedom from disagreement or quarrels. an undisturbed state of mind, absence of mental conflict, serenity.
2 - freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

God I do so praise you for who you are, for the mighty hand that spins this universe. I am coming now in prayer for that same hand in my life to deliver peace to me.

Peace from the disagreement and quarrels between my heart and head now. Those that tell me I've missed the mark. That I'm used up. That somehow things are my fault, so that I have no business wanting to be used more now. That I don't have more to offer than what I already have, and that there is limit and an expiration date.
Oh God - one does knows better, one doubts in the quiet.

Peace from the heavy blanket that tries to wrap around me when it's quiet. That tries to settle in as soon as the enemy sees an open door day & night. Help me not to snuggle into something that is not for my benefit and can damage my life and my walk with you.

The results of a life interrupted. I know I must lean in, in every moment. To rest in you God, to seek out your better plan. Its so hard right now to accept what I now understand I havent yet, to deal with what I know I am still holding on to.

Father pour out onto this daughter of yours confidence and patience as you make your new plan known to me, and whatever it is I pray I am quick to see it. Jesus wrap your ever open arms around me and intercede as my Warrior in those battles that are ever waiting to erupt. Holy Spirit, please guide me, whisper to me 'right or left' and show me steps to discover that plan.

God please keep me close to those you use so powerfully in my life, and continue to work all things together for my good.

Amen

Emilda's Run For Gold

Imagine having the chance to compete in the 2011 Special Olympics in Athens Greece this summer. Imagine having to raise the money yourself to get there when you live in poverty. Now imagine that you have the mental capacity of a three year old and you live in a packed squatters community, next to a cemetery, in the poorest area in the Philippines where people struggle just to eat one meal a day.
Emilda's story could have been a disaster awaiting its end early in her life, but she was blessed to live where Compassion International came to the rescue. Emilda and her family not only have to battle her mental situation, but the dire and extreme poverty. But as a Compassion International child thing's have changed. She is sponsored by a family to attend a Compassion Child Developement Project in the Philippines where she receives therapy, food, acceptance, love, and even the expenses to compete in local and church competitions.

18 year old Emilda overcame her situation once through competing in those local games to make it to the 12th Annual Philippine Special Olympics in 2009 winning several gold, silver, and bronze medals in Track and Field competitions that qualify her for the games in Greece.

Emilda is not only running for medals, she is running for hope. And not just her own. When someone in that poor squatters community see her succeed they find their own hope. Hope for more than what they witness around them each day in surviving on eating from what they can find in the town dump or occasional days work that will earn them less than a dollar.

But Emilda is witnessing another miracle coming true. She needs almost $20,000 for travel to get her to Athens, hotel stays, food, equipment/uniforms, passport/visa and care while there. That will also cover her mother and her Compassion Project Director to travel with her to both keep her safe and to cheer her on. There is only a little over $7,000 still needed for Emilda to be able to make the games to compete for ultimate gold again. If you would like to be a part of helping her chance of a lifetime dream come true, and provide hope to all who will witness what sacrificial love can do, then give to Emilda's Run for Gold now at http://donate.compassion.com/special-olympics-athens/