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#lovebeyondwalls

Terence Lester
In 50 Day Count Down, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, DRIVES, Homelessness, Journey, Life-dares, Movement of Doers, Raising Awareness, Resources, , Vision

The Countdown Begins (DAY 17 Weight Loss Progress)

Yesterday, I posted a picture of the progress that I have been able to make with my weight! Looking at the before and after picture has given me encouragement to keep going! I started out in an earlier [BLOG] explaining my unhealthy eating, weight gain, and need to transform myself to walk thirty miles on behalf of homelessness.

People asked, “What have you done to lose the weight?” and my response was simple, “Eat better, training, and walking…I have found out that 80% of weight loss is changing your eating patterns”

Well, it has been an amazing/hard journey so far, but I can see progress! It is my hope that #lovebeyondwalls is able to shed light on a sensitive issue that is near and dear to my heart.

Below is the picture

Terence

2014-02-11 13.40.57

Terence Lester
In 50 Day Count Down, Interview, Journey, Purpose, Story, Videography, Vision

The Countdown Begins (DAY 18 God uses failure!)

Have you ever failed at something?

I mean really failed to the point where you become paralyzed, numb, question your dreams, God’s purpose for your life, and if you’ll ever gain traction again?

I have.

In fact, this happened at the beginning of last year! 2013 was a really hard year for me and a lot of other people (not dwelling in the past at all)…It was so rough, I thought I was a failure. One of my dreams collapsed right in front of my eyes! It was tough, and horrible at the same time. But what I was counting as a failure, God was using as the moment to prepare us for #lovebeyondwalls!

That’s why I love the passage written in Romans where the writer professes that, “All things work together for good to those who love God…” Wait, when you fail, you fail right? Wrong. When I reflect on where we are today (one year later), I can’t help but say “failure is a liar… failure can be used… God has the last say!” 

Failure will make you think you should quit, throw in the towel, bury your dream(s), and grab your bat and ball and go home! In fact, if you feel like you are failing, it is the perfect place for you… Why? Because when all is stripped away, there is an opportunity for something new to be born in and through you!

The three top things I have learned from failing forward are:

1) Failure is not fatal — Just because you failed at something does not mean it is over… It means that you have gained more experience and insight for your next assignment. Once you think failure is fatal, you’ll give up completely. That’s not an option because “life goes on…”

2) Failure should not be worshipped — There is always a temptation to hang your head for a long period of time, have a “woe is me attitude,” and become a victim. When we assume this posture, we worship what has happened to us, and forfeit the opportunity to see what is happening in us. No bad event deserves that much attention.

3) Failure has oppotunities inside of them — If we are wise, we can glean insights into what we should be doing, how we should grow, or who we are to become through our failures. Every failure or experience can lead you to a clue of what’s next in your life. Although tough, failure has tremendous opportunities imbedded in it.

Watch the video below! It is another piece to the LBW story and how failure was used to help start this organization!

[embedplusvideo height=”500″ width=”500″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/1eOyLAw” standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/2IWdYY4rxVs?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=2IWdYY4rxVs&width=380&height=380&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=” id=”ep2941″ /]

Terence

Terence Lester
In 50 Day Count Down, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, Diversity, Great Commission, Homelessness, Interview, Journey, Life-dares, Love Kits, Movement of Doers, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, , Uncategorized, Vision

The Countdown Begins (DAYS 20 & 19 No Looking Back)

This morning is bittersweet (4AM)! I am rejoicing, but am still very much reflective about the realities of how much work building an organization takes. LOL. It takes work people…

Why bittersweet? Because I am on day 4 of my juicing, 19 days away from walking #30miles, and it is extremely hard. I have put in almost 31 DAYS so far to transform my health in order to walk to raise awareness for those who are forgotten.

In fact, I am reflecting on a well-known passage in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) “My Grace is sufficient for you, for My Strength is made perfect in weakness.”  It has taken focus, accountability, and being honest (God’s strength).

I have tons of days to go on my juicing, a little more “mile prep” to endure, and am praying almost every second. Additionally, I had a few challenges last week that were real, eye opening, and made me rethink some things!

You know… the type of challenge that makes you think about entering back into your comfort zone? Or, the type of challenge that is both unexpected, and catches you totally off guard and whispers “LOOK BACK!”

If you are alive, you can relate. In fact, it seems like challenges (or bumps in the road) come when you are moving forward, and have a desire to overcome. Have you been there? Have you tried to move forward, and something unexpected tried to knock you back? If so, I can relate and want to encourage you to count your wins, not your losses.

Now the sweet part…

Yesterday, my team and I got  a chance to interview at West Ridge Church and share the story of #lovebeyondwalls!

2014-02-09 11.21.12

The cool thing that really inspired me NOT TO LOOK BACK (even when faced with unexpected challenges) was Robert. Who is Robert? You may remember my homeless friend from a previous blog. I met him under the bridge when I was homeless for three days… Robert attended worship with us, and looks lot better. Is he fully changed? No. But, we are taking small steps forward with him (and, most importantly building a relationship (not giving hand outs).

I have kept in touch with him for almost three months, and we are working hard to give him responsibilities to restore dignity back to him. Below is the before and after picture:

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Also, later that evening we visited Relevant Church and found out that this church (pastored by Carl Nichols) had a “LOVEKIT” party and raised 289 “LOVEKITS” for us to distribute this coming Saturday (15th).

Here is that picture:

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Here’s the bottom line, when challenges come they will try to break your focus, but you must have a resolve in your heart not to look back.

Terence

 

Terence Lester
In 50 Day Count Down, Campaigns, Collaboration, DRIVES, Great Commission, Homelessness, Journey, Life-dares, Love Kits, Movement of Doers, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, , The Local Church, Transform, Vision

The Countdown Begins (21 DAYS Weight Loss)

Today marks a historic day (I’m on ALL juice)! Why? Because today I am officially 21 DAYS away from walking thirty miles to raise awareness on behalf of homeless people around the country who have to walk long distances to survive.

Paralleling my preparation to walking this many miles, I have been on a weight loss journey. I have been overweight for a few years, and thought it would be awesome to transform my eating habits and lifestyle while aiming to serve and help others. I started my journey 29 DAYS ago eating salads, fruits, veggies, and drinking nothing but water (I haven’t had a juice or soda in 29 DAYS). This has helped me to drop 15 of 35 pounds that I wanted to lose to accomplish this task! Since eating healthy, I have had more energy, been really focused, and am confident to continue the journey.

Now, I am on a juicing regimen along with walking many miles each day for preparation. In order for me to accomplish this task, I desire to be in top notch health and shape. It is my hope to drop these pounds, and cross the finish line at Paschal’s Restaurant on North side Dr on March 1, 2014.

In fact, I am inviting people to meet us on North side Dr to meet me and walk the last mile with me…More info will comes in days to come.

Below is a picture of my route

30mile

I ask that you continue to pray for #lovebeyondwalls and this journey!

Terence

Terence Lester
In 50 Day Count Down, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, Education, Great Commission, Homelessness, Journey, Life-dares, Purpose, Raising Awareness, Serve,

The Countdown Begins (DAY 23 LEARNING)

Over the last 27 days, I have learned a lot about commitment, devotion, leadership, and discipline! Currently, I am 23 DAYS away from doing one of the most life daring things I have ever done in my life (walking 30 miles), and I still have more weight to lose (23lbs).

It has been hard, but I have stayed the course… It is my hope that I can achieve the goal of 30-35lbs as I continue to change my eating patterns, and excersie every single day. However, along the way I have learned five important lessons about leadership…Here goes:

1) Leadership takes effort — If you want to lead, it will require effort on your end. Leadership is never given, it is earned.

2) Leadership requires discomfort — If you are out in front, there will be times you will be uncomfortable so you may serve others. However, the discomfort will grow you as a leader, not damage you.

3) Leadership is always seen — Even in the gym, random people would ask my trainer and myself what we were doing, and when we told them (people would watch harder). Not because we are great, but because leadership will always become a model for others.

4) Leadership takes sacrifice — At various points and times, a leader must sacrifice his/her time, energy, and talents for the well-being of others.

5) Leadership is intentional — All leaders must have strategies, plans, and accountability systems in place to accomplish the goals they set. If not, it is easy to become distracted and lose focus.

Hope these help!

Terence

Terence Lester
In 50 Day Count Down, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, DRIVES, Great Commission, Homelessness, Journey, Life-dares, Movement of Doers, Raising Awareness, Resources, Serve, , Vision

KIDS GO TO LEGOLAND FREE WITH DONATIONS

Recently, LEGOLAND reached out to us to do a drive for our “LOVEKIT…” campaign.  In fact, they are doing a DRIVE for #lovebeyondwalls to help us reach our goal of 300 hygiene kits for the homeless in ATL. Read an earlier blog [HERE] about why we are doing this drive.

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Below is the verbiage they have placed on their site,

“We’re having a hygiene drive for Love Beyond Walls throughout the month of February! Donate 10 items to receive a special offer!

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Atlanta will be having a hygiene drive for Love Beyond Walls Organization throughout the month of February! Bring 10 hygiene items for a special discount offer!

We are so happy to be working with Love Beyond Walls Organization this February”

Click the image below and it will take you directly to the offer! Thanks for your support.

legoland

Terence

 

Terence Lester
In 50 Day Count Down, Blankets & Socks, Blogging Journey, Campaigns, Collaboration, DRIVES, Education, Engagements, Great Commission, Homelessness, Journey, Life-dares, Movement of Doers, Raising Awareness, Serve,

The Countdown Begins (DAYS 28-26 STORIES ARE AMAZING)

I really can’t believe I only have 26 more days until I walk 30+ miles on behalf of ALL who are homeless in this country! This is totally something I have never done before in my life, but I feel like I should. I may be as focused as ever at this point! Why? Because I truly have a heart for those without a voice!

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Here’s why:

This past saturday, we mobilized 40+ volunteers to hit the streets with us to engage those who are homeless in ATL! I truly encourage those who serve with us not to give ONLY a hand-out, but connect with them as people and HEAR their stories.

I encourage people to build relationships in hopes to create trust between the served and those that serve. NOT TO SAVE, BUT TO RESTORE DIGNITY! Well, something special happened this past Saturday…

A young lady (Flowers) who has been serving with us connected with a gentlemen, heard his story, talked to him for hours, and wrote down tons of free resources for him to use to get himself together (and off the streets).

Well, when we went out there again… this same guy walked up to her, and shared with the entire group all the steps he had taken. He was clean shaven, showed the group many of the things he had collected, was looking for work, and mentioned he was checking himself into a facility this week (WED). Even better, he prayed with us at the close…

People who served (young and old) got a chance to see what God can do through relational power!

This story is powerful because he remembered not the handouts, but Flowers taking time to hear his story.

We are checking up with him this week for encouragement and to make sure he follows through. With stories like these, I can’t help but to see this 30 mile walk through, continue to build #lovebeyondwalls, and continue to love on those that are forgotten… Continue to pray for my strength as I prepare mentally to take this huge step of faith.

Below is a picture of our new friend Tony! Pray for him, and his new steps toward freedom!

2014-02-03 06.06.37 Terence