Monday, December 31, 2012

2013: Our Eyes Are On God


On Friday morning, we read in the news what we had been fearing for days: Vladimir Putin signed the Russian Adoption Ban into law.

So what does this mean to Ana, to Tim, and to the rest of our family? The short answer is, we simply do not know. We are staying in close contact with our adoption agency and relying on their expertise to work through these issues and guide us as to our next steps. What a caring and professional team they are. 

Already, there's a glimmer of hope for children with special physical needs. One Russian lawmaker has proposed an amendment to the bill that would allow these adoptions to move forward. Our hope, of course, is that the way would be open for any child in a Russian orphanage to find a home, wherever that home may be. 

As we wait for the politicians to work through these issues, I'm comforted by the words that our dear friend Jane Stuart Smith sent to us in a Christmas card:
Things are not as they appear to be, as we see them from our limited point of view. It is easy in our troubled world to lose track of the truth that God is in control. 
Yesterday, we sat in a little country church as the pastor opened these words:
But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless! (Psalm 141:8). 
The outcome is in God's hands. In the end, it will not be determined by the politician's pen. We don't claim to know what He is doing or why. But we are trusting in Him. History is filled with stories of miraculous intervention - causes that seemed doomed until God rolled in with a sudden, unexpected deliverance. Please do not give up hope. Continue to pray for the defenseless in Russia.

Savior, He can move the mountains. 
Our God is mighty to save,
He is might to save.

Don't Slow Down Yet

In the meantime, I'm still running and praying. I've got no intention of slowing down. My sights are set on a trail marathon in March. My first race as a member of the RODS Racing Team. If you're able to help donate towards that race, please visit my team page. All of the money raised at this race will go to help orphans through Reece's Rainbow. You can't imagine how kicking in even a few cents per mile will encourage everyone working to help these kids. It's not time to slow down yet.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Putin: Banning Adoptions Is "Not So Simple"


According to today's Moscow Times, Vladimir Putin suggested that - even if the Russian adoption ban becomes law - it may take at least a year for the ban to take force.

Referring to the Russia-US Adoption Agreement that went into effect in November, Putin stated, "The agreement says that if one country decides to quit, it must notify the other side a year in advance. [Undoing that agreement ] is not so simple."

The bill is expected to be approved on Friday, and will then go to Putin for his signature.

Based on what we are hearing, the Russian Minister of Education - among others - has taken a stand against the bill. An online petition opposing the bill garnered over 100,000 signatures from Russian citizens.

Here is the entire text from the Moscow Times article: Putin Hints He Can't Ban U.S. Adoptions

Proposed Russian Adoption Ban


As many of you know, my wife and I are in the process of adopting two orphans from Russia. You may also have heard that the Russian Parliament voted - for a second time - to ban adoptions for American families. This ban is not yet law, but the vote does not bode well for Russian orphans.

What does this vote mean for us, for Ana and Tim, and for the many families now in the process of adoption? We simply don't know yet. It is certainly a call to prayer. This vote is the result of long-standing tensions between  Russia and the United States. Sadly, it is the orphans who will pay the heaviest price if the ban ever becomes law.

We know that our God holds the hearts of all men in His hands. He sits enthroned over every man and government. Please begin to pray that He will intervene on behalf of these children and remove this latest obstacle. Please pray also that God will grant peace and patience to every family affected by this vote.

Here is a helpful summary of the situation, as provided by our adoption agency:

This is a political move in direct retaliation to President Obama’s signing of the the Magnitsky Act on December 14.  The Magnitsky Act imposes U.S. travel and financial restrictions on human rights abusers in Russia ... a third reading of the ban is expected to occur on Friday.  After that, the Council of Federation plans to review it on December 26.  Finally, it goes to President Putin for signature.  He can approve it as written (which we don’t have a copy of).  He can refuse it outright.  He can send it back for revisions. 
This brings to the forefront the complaints from Russia that a total of 19 Russian children have died in the hands of adoptive American parents.  Russian has accused the US courts of imposing light sentences in these cases.  If this ban is signed in its current form, it will invalidate the bilateral treaty which the US and Russia have recently signed and implemented. 
Not all Russian officials agree with this.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken a stand against the ban citing the welfare of the orphans who will be denied families.  We have no indication whether special needs adoptions will be considered different from regular adoptions. This is occurring within a week of the shut down for Russia’s holidays.  Government offices won’t start reopening until January 9, 2013 after the celebration of Orthodox Christmas.  Consequently, we don’t expect to have specific answers for some time.   
Once again, we want to stress that this is not law, and many within Russia are opposed to the ban. But we do ask that you would join us in prayer that this obstacle would be removed, and that God would take up the cause of these orphans.

If you would like more information on this issue, here is a helpful article:

Adequate or faulty? Russian lawmakers vote for US adoption ban amid criticism


Monday, December 3, 2012

Team Ilene. These People Don't Know When to Quit.

Back in September, I wrote about Noah Galloway and his friend Ilene. Noah is the Iraq vet who lost an arm and a leg to an IED. In spite of his injuries, Noah trains like a machine.

This is what determination looks like.
Noah and his friend Ilene (who has brittle bone disease) trained for the Tough Mudder competition in September, but that event was cancelled before they could hit the course. 

Well, these two don't know when to quit. So this past weekend, they conquered the Tough Mudder course in Sarasota, Florida. 

Give my previous post on this event a read, and then take a fresh look at your own obstacles.


Saturday, December 1, 2012

RODS Racing


It's official: I'm the newest member of the RODS Racing Team.

Ironman Brady Murray founded RODS to help orphans with Down Syndrome find a home. The athletes of RODS run everything from 5Ks to full Ironman races in order to help fund these adoptions.


In most cases all of the RODS athletes race for a single orphan. When that adoption is fully funded, they move on to the next. They've had life changing success; I'm honored to be a part of this organization and ready to run my heart out. My first scheduled race for 2013 is the Instant Classic Trail Marathon. 

Through a special arrangement with the RODS Team, I'll be running to support Ana and Tim until their adoption is fully funded.Older orphans like Ana and Tim are in a  particularly dangerous situation. At sixteen years old, they will have to leave their orphanage. With no family, no social safety net, and the stigma of having been raised in an orphanage, a tragically high percentage of these young people turn to crime or suicide. In some cases, the only thing standing between them and a family is money: it typically costs $35,000 for a family to adopt a child internationally.

RODS works hand in hand with Reece's Rainbow to provide adoption grants. I first learned about RODS through my association with Reece's, so this just seemed a natural fit. Once Ana and Tim are home, I'll keep running until my legs crumble. There are just so many beautiful, needy kids waiting to bless a family. And if pounding the pavement will help to get them there, then let's keep moving!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Almost Home

Russian law requires three visits to the country before we can bring our new children home. The first visit will be to meet Ana and Tim. After that meeting if everyone - Val and I, the children, the adoption agency, the Russian officials - are in agreement, we will make a second trip to finalize the adoption in court.

Lord willing, the gavel will come down and the Judge will say, "We hereby grant you permission to adopt the two children Tatyana Deutsch and Artem Deutsch." 

And then we will wait. 

Because, you see, even though they will be our children in the eyes of the law and in our hearts, we will have to wait thirty days before we can bring them home. Within those thirty days, yet more papers will be filed, and any long-missing family members who want to contest the adoption will have their chance to come forward. 

At the end of our day in court, we will celebrate. We will cry. We will share a family meal. And at the end of that life shifting day, Tim and Ana will go back to sleep in the orphanage. Just like they have every other day of their lives. This time, though, it will be different. Because they will know that they have a home and brothers and sisters in another land. 

Just a little wait, and they will be home. 

Isn't that the reality of the Christian life? Every believer is an adopted child in God's family. We have a home and brothers and sisters in another land.

But still we have to wait.

Hope sustains us, though. Because we know in our hearts that our Heavenly Father has already made the arrangements. Our adoption has been finalized.

Just as I long to bring two more children into my home. Just as my sons and daughters anticipate welcoming their new brother and sister, my Heavenly Father longs to see me. My elder brother Jesus anticipates welcoming me into his home.

Saints who've gone before me will stand with open arms when I cross that final threshold. But for now, I wait.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Richmond Half Marathon: An Unexpected Race


“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.” ― J.R.R. TolkienThe Lord of the Rings

The Unexpected Races

About this time last year, as we sat around eating holiday food, my buddy Michael said, Why don't we find a 5K to train for? It"ll help us get back into shape. So...one 10K and two half marathons later, and here I am writing this post

Two Half Marathons in 2012. Whoda thunk it?
And that's the least of the surprises: Going into last year's holiday season, adoption had never crossed my mind. But here I am, working and planning with my wife Val to bring two young people out of a Russian orphanage and into our home.

Funny. I had this feeling that God was telling me to prepare for something big. I just had no idea...

Adoption and racing converged at the Richmond Half Marathon. I thought I'd try using this race as a fund-raiser, and some incredible friends stepped up to the plate to support us. Friend Jeff upped the ante by challenging me to shave 10 minutes off of my previous race time. And he promised a bigger donation if I did.Yikes. No pressure there.

A Strategy Emerges

If you want to cut 10 minutes from your PR, here are my suggestions:

  • Run the mile you're in. In Ashland, I kept thinking about the miles in front of me. In Richmond, I just concentrated on staying strong at the moment. It makes a big difference
  • Lolly-gag in your first race. Seriously. I didn't know what to expect at the Patrick Henry Half, so my only goal was to avoid the ignominy of being picked off the course by a shuttle. Maybe could have pushed that one a little harder? 
  • Concentrate on speed work. Between August and November, I spent more time on speed work. Part of the reason for this - honestly - was because my knees just weren't holding up so well on the long runs. . 
  • Have a cause. Brady Murray, Iron Man and founder of RODS Racing told me, "You'd be amazed what you can do when racing for a cause." He was right. 
  • Finish on a down hill. The Richmond race closed with a nice decline heading into Browns Island. I try to finish most of my training runs on an incline, so this made for a swift kick at the end. 
  • Pray. Can't stress this enough. Things happen when you pray.

Thank You, Pace Team

Just before the start, I noticed a 2:15 pace team in the corral in front of me. Perfect. If I could catch them and then stay ahead, that would get me in the neighborhood of 2:10. So that was the first order of business. By the time I reached Bryan Park, around mile 7, they were long gone. I had a burst of energy inside the park - fueled by the clock that told me I was under an hour for the first 10K.

Expect Great Things from God, Attempt Great Things for God

The Richmond race is behind me. But there's still a lot of ground to cover before we can bring Ana and Tim home. One thing I am trying to learn, though:, is to run the mile I'm in. It's too easy to be overcome by the distance that stretches out before me. But God's grace, like Manna, is enough for the day.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Rainy Day Workout

Here in my neck of Central Virginia, Hurricane Sandy went easy on us. Still, I decided not to run Monday night in the cold rain and high winds. (I know. That's just weak.)

Falling back on some of the body weight moves I learned from Adam Steer and the guys at ShapeShifter, I still put in a decent workout with 30 seconds each of: 

  • Bucket Drops
  • Burpees with Push Up
  • Mountain Climbers
  • Jumping Jacks

Followed by a short rest.

I wasn't feeling terribly scientific, so I just cycled through this routine until I had worked up a good sweat and felt about the same as I normally do at the end of a hard run.

The Mountain Climbers, in particular, imitate the burn you get from that final kick. When I perform my Mountain Climbers, I only let my extended foot rest on the ground. I find that keeping the opposite leg slightly elevated puts some extra pressure on the core.

Give this a try next time you get rained in. As a bonus, here's a video of Adam Steer with one of his body weight cycles. This video demonstrates (among other things) the bucket drop. Of all the moves listed above, it may be the most unfamiliar. But it's a great way to get the whole body moving and the major muscles groups working together.


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Expect Great Things from God, Attempt Great Things for God

This morning, old-buddy-old-pal Jeff calls me over to his desk. What was your last half marathon time? he asks. 2:20, I reply. Tell you what, says he, I'll pledge $1 per mile for your next race. But if you can hit 2:10, I'll up it to $5 per mile. Gulp, says I. That's a 9:55 pace. Yes, there are runners who could crab-walk that fast. But for me - well - let's just say that the finish line picture won't be too flattering.

Later that day, Brady Murray - Iron Man and founder of RODS Racing - sends me this email:
I'll match that pledge.  $1 for every mile, if you go break 2:10, I'll make it $5 / mile.  You'd be amazed at what you can do when racing for a cause!  Start easy, work into it and then finish strong!  You got this! 
Racing for a cause. I thought about that tonight as I ran 4 miles on a hilly course at a 9:30 pace. God didn't adopt me into His family so that I could curl up on the couch. He's given me the privilege and responsibility to get up and attempt great things. Great things for His glory. Great things like bringing two young people out of an orphanage and into a home. And if that means I've got to break out of my comfortable pace, that's OK  I'm expecting great things from God.

And by the way, if you'd like to join in on this challenge you can sign up here. You can also learn more about  Ana and Tim and help them out directly by visiting the our adoption blog.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Richmond Half Marathon: A Race to Bring Two Orphans Home

A Russian orphanage is the only home that Ana (10 years old) and Tim (12 years old) have ever known. For children in their situation, aging out of institutional life can be disastrous. Many end up ill and on the street. 

Our family has just embarked on the exciting, frightening and faith building path of bringing Ana and Tim out of the orphanage and into our home. If we're successful, Ana and Tim will have a family, access to quality medical care, and the chance for a healthy, productive life. It's a massive undertaking, and I'm writing to ask for your help. 

Here's a little background: 

Our journey started with Reece’s Rainbow. This ministry helps to fund the very costly process of international adoptions. My wife and youngest daughter were introduced to the RR website by a friend and they quickly sensed that God was calling our family to the ministry of adoption. For me, that conviction was longer in taking root. But the Lord soon put Ana and Tim on his heart as well. 

As we began to explore the Reece’s Rainbow site, our eyes were opened to the plight of older children in foreign orphanages. For many, aging out of an orphanage is a disaster. With no family or social services to fall back on, many of these children will find themselves on the street, involved in drugs and prostitution. A tragic number resort to suicide. 

 How you can help Ana and Tim: 

On November 10, I'l be running in the Richmond Half Marathon. I'm asking for you to help by becoming a sponsor. It's a 13.1 mile run. If folks like you could contribute $1.00 per mile - $13.10 - it would go a long way towards bringing Ana and Tim home. Of course, anything you can contribute will help and will be greatly appreciated by these young people. 

 All donations can be made through Reece's Rainbow. Reece's is a registered 501(c)3 corporation that provides grants for those seeking to adopt children with special medical needs. To date, they have disbursed over $4,000,000 in adoption grants. To sign up as a sponsor, just follow this link: Ana and Tim - Richmond Half Marathon. Once you've committed, you'll receive a post-race email letting you know how many miles I've completed (13.1 at the most) and reminding you to go online and make a donation to Reece's Rainbow towards Ana and Tim's adoption. 

Of course, you can donate through the Reece's' Rainbow site, and learn more about Ana and Tim here. I also invite you to keep up with our journey - and the half marathon results - through our blog, www.DeutschFamilyAdoption.com. Most of all, we'd ask you to pray.When all is said and done, we're trusting God to move mountains for Ana and Tim and bring them home.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Iron Angels

Back in 1977, a guy named John Collins had the idea to combine three of Hawaii's most brutal endurance races into one event. He took the 2.4 mile Waikiki Roughwater Swim, 112 miles of the Around O'ahu Bike Race and the full Honolulu Marathon and created the "Hawaiian Iron Man Triathalon." The original 15 competitors were handed an instruction sheet that ended, "Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag for the rest of your life!"

Today, that race is held on the blistering lava fields of Kona on the Big Island of Hawai'i.

Last Saturday, Brady Murray of RODS Racing conquered Kona's heat, distance and cross-winds in 10 hours, 51 minutes and 32 seconds. And he was racing for a lot more than just bragging rights. Brady is the founder of RODS Racing, which stands for Racing for Orphans with Down Syndrome.

Each year RODS athletes focus on one Down Syndrome child and raise money towards his or her adoption.

Here is the RODS Racing Story, as told on their web site:
With the motivation of knowing that hundreds of orphans with Down syndrome were waiting for a family to find them, Racing for Orphans with Down Syndrome was launched. Our purpose is to create awareness for these special children and raise funding that will go towards making what seemed like a distant dream of having a family of their own become a reality, one child at a time. 
 The seed for RODS Racing was planted in 2007 when founder Brady Murray had his newborn son placed in his arms. The doctors told him that his son has Down syndrome. What seemed like an overwhelming challenge has evolved into one of Brady’s biggest blessings. Brady’s son Nash has been the inspiration behind the creation of RODS Racing. The unconditional love that Nash shows to all and the desire to help these precious children is truly the driving force behind RODS Racing.
At the end of  the Iron Man, Rob Wright of myList handed Brady a check for $10,000. The funds will go to the Reeces Rainbow Adoption Ministry as a grant towards the adoption a Down Syndrome girl named Maggie.

An international adoption can cost upwards of $30,000. For families who long to open their hearts to a girl like Maggie, that burden can be as formidable than any triathlon. So thank you, Brady, Rob, and Reece's Rainbow for stepping up to the challenge!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

A Grand Entrance

Somewhere around mile nine or ten of this morning's run, the old knee started to yell at me. I made it twelve miles. But coming up that last small hill, and hitting the final stretch that leads to my house, I hobbled like a character from an old Tim Conway skit.

And it got me thinking about how I want to cross the finish line of my life. Yes, as Christian I hope to enter heaven. And if all I can do is limp over the finish line, I'm good with that. But I want more. I want to cross the celestial timing mats with a kick.

Peter said it like this:
God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 2:11, NLT).
He is, perhaps, making an allusion to the kind of reception a returning Roman conqueror would enjoy. I can imagine Peter received such a welcome when he entered into glory. Yes, he died in apparent defeat - crucified upside down. But he was a conqueror.

I'm a mediocre runner at best. But I know enough to realize that those finishing kicks are the result of decisions I make in training: Do I sleep in, or log that long run? Do I lollygag, or accelerate up the next hill?
Those choices bear fruit at the finish line. 

There are other decisions I make today that I'll feel at the ultimate finish line. Do I sleep in, or spend time in the scriptures? Do I claim my "me time," or serve my brothers and sisters?  Those choices will bear fruit at the end. They will determine whether or not I finish strong.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Determination at It's Best

Sergeant Noah Galloway, U.S. Army (retired), trains like a machine. Despite losing his left arm and left leg to an IED in Iraq, he's one of the gutsiest endurance athletes you'd be privileged to meet.

Last weekend, he was ready to compete in the Tough Mudder; a hardcore 12 miler stacked with 20 military type obstacles. And he wasn't planning to run alone. Noah and his sponsors had arranged for his friend Ilene to compete as well.

Ilene has brittle bone disease.

Read that last sentence again: A woman whose bones fracture under pressure and a soldier with only half his limbs intact trained to conquer the Tough Mudder. Unfortunately, the event was cancelled. But I'll say this; the fact that they even dared to prepare shows more grit than most folks ever muster.

Last week, Noah wrote:
Every single one of us has challenges in life. We all have excuses why we CAN’T do something. Knowing a one-armed, one-legged man and a woman with brittle bone disease are going to take on a 12 mile obstacle course this Sunday, will those excuses be relevant? Get out and do something.
That's what I mean when I say, Don't Slow Down.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

You Ran a Marathon? That's Cute.

I saw that smarmy little bumper sticker on the back of a Jeep today.

The same vehicle had a "100" oval, so I'll assume the driver was an ultra runner. Which is great.

Anyone who can run 100 miles has my admiration. But so does the guy or gal who gets up off the couch and walks a 5K for the first time; and every hardy soul who limps over the timing mats after 13.1 or 26.2. 

Booker T. Washington said it best: 
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.

So conquer the obstacles that are in front of you right now. Run the race to which God has called you. In the end, His is the only approval that matters.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

My Creaky Old Knees

Seems that my ancient knees go before anything else on a long run. I'm told that knee pain can be caused by weak hip muscles. If the hips and core are weak, good form goes out the window and stresses the knees. Makes sense. So, along with some knee strengthening exercises, I'm going to start cranking out Steve Pfiester's "Power Plank" routine a couple times each week. This is a killer core strengthening routine. Let's see if it helps.

Check out Steve's video. Try this one out for yourself and let me know what you think.


Tuesday, September 4, 2012

I Can Do All Things

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I started running this year, and I meditate on that verse often; usually when I feel like stopping. But, seriously, can I really do "all things?" 

After a long, sedentary time in my life, I trained for and finished my first 10K in 64:51. Nothing spectacular. It took the guy who won the race less than half that time to fly up and down Monument Avenue. So, if my faith was stronger, could I have passed him? After all, I can do "all things."

Not a chance. When Paul wrote the words, "all things," he wasn't referring to just any crazy idea that dashed into his mind. He meant that he could rise to any challenge to which God had called him. In his case, he was trying to live and minister while under house arrest.

So God had not called me to win that 10K. But I believe He had called me to get my butt out of my big red recliner, prepare for the race, and complete it. Through Christ, I was able to do that. 

I don't know what He'll call me to next. But I know this. He'll give me strength. And if I throw in the towel, it's not His fault.