Thank you so much for an awesome day!

Hi everyone!!!! We heard from Mustard Seed and we're so excited to share that as a gross total the Race for Eniko raised $6,196 !! We are truly amazed and overwhelmed by everyone's generosity. Mustard Seed will be using the funds for their most pressing medical and nutritional needs, we will be receiving more details soon. We can't thank you all enough for making this dream a reality and for reaching out to help some pretty amazing kids even though you've never even met them!

 "What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal" ~ Albert Pine

Here are just a few photos from the day! 

Less then a week to go!

We’re so excited to share that as of now because of all of you, we’ve raised a total of $4,050!!! Once we subtract out the cost of the race (permits, tee shirts, and course services) we will be able to donate around $2,800 directly to Mustard Seed ! The best news is that we’re NOT done yet! We understand it’s a busy time of year and many of you have asked if you can’t attend on Sunday what can you do to help – the biggest thing is we want to continue to raise money for MSC – our donation site is located here.

 Who thinks we can reach a total of $4,500 raised by Sunday??? I’m sure we can ! Of course we still would love to see you Sunday and online registration is open until Saturday :).  If you decide last minute that you want to join us on Sunday morning you can register at the race up until 8:45 with cash or a check.

These smiling faces remind of the reason we are raising funds!  Thank you all again from the bottom of our hearts!

Race Updates

We wanted to thank you all again for all of the support we've received...at our last Chipotle fundraiser we raised nearly $350 in 3 hours, we can't thank you all enough!!!  We're hoping to have one more fundraiser prior to our race, I'll let you know.  We've now raised enough to cover the costs of the race so all proceeds collected from now on will be going directly to Mustard Seed Communities' homes in Jamaica (http://www.mustardseed.com)!  Once we've determined how much we've raised in total, my sister in conjunction with Mustard Seed Communities will decide how all of the funds will be used. They will work together to honor Eniko's memory and best utilize the funds for Mustard Seed Communities.

We also wanted to let you all know that the price to register for the race slightly increases this Sunday 6/1 and to be guaranteed a race shirt you have to register by then!  

If you want to go straight to the registration page the site is: http://www.active.com/frederick-md/running/distance-running-races/race-for-eniko-2014.

We're hoping to see a good turnout on the day of the race and hope to see some of you all there!  Thanks again for your continued support and happy Thank you Thursday, we are so thankful for all of you :)!!

We hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Easter! We are exactly 9 weeks away from our race and we are so excited! Here are some things to remember:

1. Our t-shirt design is due by May 15th so we would like all corporate sponsors to send us their logos by May 14th. 
2. In order to be guaranteed a shirt you must register by June 1st. (The price of the race also increases on this date!)
3. All prayers are greatly appreciated!

Here is a 9 week training program for beginning runners to check out: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Thanks for all your support and prayers!

Blessings

            My sisters and I have been finalizing plans for Race for Eniko.  As the race is getting closer we could not be more excited to remember Eniko while raising funds for Mustard Seed Communities.  We can not thank everyone enough that have supported and helped us in so many ways. 

            Lately as life has gotten hectic starting a new job, starting back up with school, and just life in general, I find myself reflecting back on my time in Jamaica with MSC.  The first night of our mission trip I wrote in my journal:

“As I lay here about to fall asleep my sound track is a busy street full of honking and church music from the service.  I cant help but think sometimes this is all we need.  To slow down and live life in the present.  To appreciate all that we have because there are so many that have nothing and yet don’t waste any time and thank God for everything they have.  And that is truly amazing.  Jamaica and MSC is truly amazing.”

When I read this and reflect back on my time at MSC I can’t help but feel so blessed to have been a part of something so great.

            I traveled to Mustard Seed Communities to serve others and to give back to people in need.  However, as I have stated so many times before, I got more in return than I could have ever guessed.  My trip, the organization, Eniko taught me so many life lessons that I carry with me everyday. I know that God has a purpose and a plan for everything.  When I was in Jamaica it was easy to see that God had led me there.  However it truly amazes me how that trip taught me so many things that I carry with me and use in my everyday life, still almost two years later.  

            I started working as a nurse at a busy ER in Baltimore City.  At times it can be so overwhelming and seem so chaotic.  However it is then that I am able to think back on my time in Jamaica, slow down, and find the blessing and purpose in everything.  I cant help but think, if I hadn’t have spent time in Jamaica, learned how to slow down and count my blessings, I would never have been able to survive or thrive as a nurse in the ER.

            I am in awe of the many ways that Mustard Seed and Eniko changed my life.  It made me a better person, and continues to challenge me everyday to find the beauty and blessing in each and everyday. 

            So as I end this post I would like to challenge all of you reading this to stop, take time to reflect, count your blessings, find the beauty in the day, and who knows you too might just get more than you have ever imagined.  

Love to all,

Kathryn

Thank You Thursday! 

         When my sisters returned from their trip to Jamaica I couldn't help but be a little jealous of all the stories they had to tell and the people they had met. I had never seen them so excited and passionate about anything before and I realized that the children they had cared for had become family during their five week stay.  Kathryn told us about how she had become a Godmother to a unique little boy who had changed her life for the better. It wasn't long before Kathryn was sending care packages to Eniko and making plans to visit him again. She was determined to finish nursing school and obtain a degree so she could help children like her Godson.

        

         In September, when we heard of Eniko’s passing, Kathryn was devastated. It was evident that although Eniko was not blood related, he had become a part of our family. We immediately started thinking of ways to honor Eniko  and share with others how significant his short life truly was. ‘Race for Eniko’ is our way of honoring Eniko for teaching us so much and for becoming a member of our family.

         This week we are reminded of the importance of family and what the word family means to us. Pope John Paul II said. “The sickness of a family member is a call to Christians to demonstrate true compassion, that gentle and persevering sharing in another’s pain”.  Although I was originally envious of Kathryn’s trip to Jamaica, I soon realized that I had a lot to learn from my big sister. It was clear that she was following her call as a Christian and her compassion for her Godson was undeniable. On this Thank you Thursday I would like to thank a very important member of my own family, my big sisters, Kathryn. Thank you for sharing Eniko’s story with us and for being an example of compassion and perseverance. Happy Birthday, Kathryn! We Love You! 

Thank You Thursday!

In Jamaica - the home of Mustard Seed Communities they celebrate "Thank You Thursday" every week!  Each apostolate (orphanage) celebrates in their own unique way and the children are always involved.  You quickly gain a new understanding of true gratitude when you see children that appear to have so little in life thanking God for allowing them to wake up each day!  Even though the majority of their residents are unable to speak these children say "thank you"  every day to the caregivers and volunteers at Mustard Seed with their huge smiles and hugs.  The caregivers at MSC work tirelessly every day to give these children the best quality of life.  

On this "Thank You Thursday" we remember Eniko and thank him for changing our lives for the better after our five brief weeks together.  Eniko was a shining example of strength and grace.  Although each day was  physically draining and exhausting for him he never lost the light in his eye.  Eniko in his fragile state clearly had a pure, strong, and loving soul who touched everyone who worked with him.  He embodies Dostoyevsky's idea that "The soul is healed by being with children". 
 
"Race for Eniko" is our way of saying "thank you" to Eniko and all of his fellow residents at MSC for teaching us what it means to live every moment gracefully and to the fullest even in the face of suffering.  Through this race we are thanking Mustard Seed Communities for providing unconditional love and care for these vulnerable children and adults with special needs!  

 

We also want to say a big thank you to all of our supporters!  This race wouldn't be possible without the love and support of our family and friends, so THANK YOU!  Please continue to spread the word about the race and share with everyone :)! 

We hope to see you this Monday 3/24 at the UNOs in Frederick for our next Fundraiser.  The UNOs fundraiser is ALL day and includes dine-in, carry out, AND happy hour!  So come on by and bring friends and family, we'd love to see you there :).  

Be sure to check back soon as we'll be updating regularly!  
Coming Soon - Our "Sponsorship" page where we will list and thank our sponsors.