Monday, January 14, 2008

WOW!

I've gotten several emails like the one below, but this one really amazed me, and with the sender's permission, I'm posting part of it here as an encouragement for all of us.

To make a long story short, I’m a marathon/ultra marathon runner. People always ask me…how can you run 26 miles? My response….I’ve run 50…that’s nothing. What keep me going is knowing that there are people out there who would love the opportunity to run a marathon but can’t. I’ve run next to people in wheelchairs and people with artificial legs. It’s very inspiring. It makes you think…if they can go the distance, I need to stop complaining and thank God! Whenever I run a race I like to run in honor of someone bcs it reminds me of how blessed I am.

I was set to run the Mardi Gras Marathon on 2/24. Then I heard about Tricia! Your strength, her strength and the strength of that beautiful baby girl has inspired me. With your permission I’d like to run for Tricia and donate the funds raised to your trust fund. You can tell her that I’m taking her on a 26.2 mile journey and I’ll do all the work! She just has to focus on getting better and hang on. I pray for your family every day.

If it’s ok with you, I’d like to move forward and start raising funds at our next service. I’ll be wearing her picture on my back during the run. I’ll make sure to send you photos when we (Tricia & I) cross the finish! When she wakes up you can tell her she has to better so she can run a marathon. Hopefully you’ll get a smile.

God Bless You,
K. Byrd

Thanks to everyone who has felt the need to do something for us. Whether "large" or "small", we appreciate it all. I strongly believe in the "pay it forward" principle...God blesses us, not so that we can become selfish and enjoy life on our own, but so that we can turn around and be a blessing to those around us. Please, know that we have already begun doing what we can in our small ways to bless those I've seen in need around us here at the hospital.

Nate

32 comments:

Coach Prentice said...

WOW is right. That's the coolest thing ever. Thanks K. Byrd!

Tricia's sister

Brooks Family said...

Just found this blog and have nearly read everything. Please know that I am praying for all of you; for God's love to surround you and bring you peace on your journey as not just a husband, but a father as well...

Love from your sister in Christ!
Emily

Anonymous said...

What a great idea ...K. Byrd is such a thoughtful person...
Still showering you all lovingly with prayers
Long Island New York
I have added K. Byrd to my prayers !!!!! Can't wait to see his pics from the race....

Anonymous said...

I just found your blog last week and have been praying for you. I am so thrilled to hear about the marathon!

-Jackie in MN

Julie said...

I found your blog through another blog I read regularly, and have been blessed by your attitude of thankfulness and praise even during such a trying time. Our God IS a great and wonderful God, and He is working miracles through the lives of your beautiful wife and precious daughter. You and your family may never know the full extent of the impact your story will have. I've added your and your wife's blogs to my list of favorites, and will also add a link on my blog as well.

I'm so looking forward to reading/seeing/hearing how God's name will be glorified through this blog!!

LuLaRoeMeg said...

How amazing is the body of Christ. I will be praying for the funds to come in for the runner. Also, I marked my prayer calendar for race day.

Anonymous said...

Thanking Jesus for Tricia's and Gwyneth's improvements and
still praying for both sleeping beauties, their family, their doctors, and you, Nathan.
Lots of Love ~ Wil and Dana Haupfear
PS - Love the Meka video...puppy love is such a blessing!

Anonymous said...

K. Byrd is the bomb!!!!!!!

Patience Leino said...

Awesome! Isn't the body of Christ so beautiful when it works in unity - with one heart & focus, all to the glory of God?!

NCBeachMom said...

Love the idea of the marathon...a man in church did this for a gal who was fighting Lukemia...wonderful....

Thankful that your girls continue to improve...continueing to pray here in Raleigh

Jenn said...

That is amazing. I know you are touching many lives. God is continually showing you his hand at work. You are a very blessed man. I will definitely pray specifically for your requests today.

Love in Christ,
Jenn

Jenn said...

That is amazing. I know you are touching many lives. God is continually showing you his hand at work. You are a very blessed man. I will definitely pray specifically for your requests today.

Love in Christ,
Jenn

Andy Lawrenson said...

Super coolio!

Anonymous said...

Hi Nate, Tricia and Gwyneth. Oaks Bible of Santa Barbara prayed for you last night. We also prayed for members of our Oaks family in Utah. Mark and Tammy (brother and sister-in-law to some friends of mine) had a baby born a few weeks earlier. Abigail and Gwyneth are just a couple weeks apart. Abigail, however, has had a few complications and it has been touch and go. She has good days and bad days with her oxygen needs going up and down. Both are little miracles. Thank you for the blog which helps us to know how to specifically pray as well as the encouragement it provides others who are going through something similar.--Vicki from WT

Anonymous said...

Your video tour of your walk from Trisha to Gwen is great...Someday they can watch it together:)

That is sooo great that K. Byrd is interested in running for Trisha!

We continue to pray...

** In Michigan **

Anonymous said...

That is amazing about K. Byrd. I found your blog a few days ago and want you to know that my husband and I pray for the three of you every day.

♥Lisa and The Pug Posse ♥ said...

That is wonderful! High Five to you and K.Byrd! what a wonderful thing to do!

Anonymous said...

Been praying for you guys ever since your story first touched me. Then I found out how many of my friends are also following along.

It almost seems like God is doing something bigger than all of us -- this is "church" today.

Laura Lee said...

How awesome is that? I'll be interested in following that story.

It's wonderful to check in each day and see good news.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Like the poster Julie I found your blog through another blog I read and have been really moved by your approach and feelings. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Many many more blessings.
Debra

Risha said...

What a blessing! You, Tricia and Gwyneth continue to be in my prayers. Specifically, I'm praying that Tricia will be strong enough to wake up soon, so that the two of you can share in the wonder of your baby girl!

So Blessed said...

The love of God is such a beautiful thing...it's contagious!
Praying that everything continues to go well for Tricia and Gwyneth and that they improve each and every day. Stand firm, and continue to watch the mighty hand of God at work in your own lives and the lives of those around you...

Anonymous said...

Is God at Work? Would you believe that is my birthday? What an honour to have my dauther place in a marothon on my birthday! Thanks so much, K. Byrd for your investment in our lives.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Your journey is an inspiration to all. Thank you so much for sharing. Your story has made it to a local chat site in Kingwood, Texas (Northeast of Houston). Prayers for you and the beautiful ladies in your life!

http://www.kingwoodunderground.com/topic.jsp?s=0&topicId=11110333#END

Anonymous said...

I just took a look at the map cluster and the number of hits ....well as you know
your story is touching the world and that "IS TOTALLY AMAZING"
I am praying and cking for updates daily..."I am so hooked" by Tricia Gwyneth and Nathan, your abundent faith and your story...
How could I possible think of anything else "WHEN IT IS WITH YOU, I SEE PRAYERS BEING ANSWERED AND MIRACLES HAPPENING"
Still Praying and Showering
You All Lovingly with Prayers
Long Island, New York

Jenn said...

I heard about your blog from a friend of Erin's here in NJ. I am praying for you and your girls! The most AMAZING part to me is that your counter is climbing daily and I cant help but think about how many, many people your story is reaching. God is using you mightily! Isnt it great when we are able to see first hand, how He is working?! Love, Jenn

Anonymous said...

...ON A DAY DEDICATED TO TRICIA,
IT JUST SO HAPPENS TO BE HER FATHER'S BIRTHDAY ,WHAT BETTER GIFT COULD A PARENT ASK FOR...
I AM PRAYING THAT ON THE DAY OF K.BYRD (AND TRICIA'S) RACE
THERE WILL BE GREAT NEWS FOR
YOU ALL...
CONTINUING TO BE AMAZED AND SHOWERING YOU ALL LOVINGLY
WITH PRAYERS(& YOUR FAMILIES)
Long Island New York

Anonymous said...

Thank you K. Byrd. How inspiational. I believe we can all do our part to help Tricia. I am praying that the trust fund will meet every need!

Anonymous said...

Your brothers & sisters @ Kitty Hawk Baptist are praying for each of you.

Anonymous said...

Your lives and testimony have created quite a buzz and prayer synergy in the Philadelphia area. We are humbled and priviledged to stand with you in prayer and love at this time.
Gwyneth is getting pretty as her Mom. She is dear.
Thanks K. Byrd...praying for ya!

Anonymous said...

just wanted to say i think it amazing that this lady is going run in honor of Tricia. I was awed by the response she gave as to why she runs...for those who cant. that meant a lot to me. I hope she is able to raise a lot of funds to help you guys... but every little bit helps.

L.Bo Marie said...

oh man.. I've been lurking here the past two days trying to catch up on all the reading before I commented... but this last post has me in tears...

Praying in Ontario
Lesley