Karla P

2026 March On Challenge

Duckies

Today I did a few walks around town and a 2.4km swim. I finally tipped the 2km! I was having such a good time swimming today. It's such a great activity for the body. I love the buoyancy. I love the full body movement. It's great breathing exercise and reflecting time. Win win win!!! And what's with the duckies?? They are my counters. Everytime I swim 100m I put one out. They've been great markers for me to keep record of how far I've gone.

Date night

Last night hubby and I finally re-established our date night for the year. We walked the oval together, had a picnic dinner, chatted and did some watercolour painting together. A great night of connecting and adding kms to my goal!

Revelation

Today on my walk I noticed this feather. I felt God asked me to pick it up, so I did. As I walked the feather reminded me of a painting my late father in law painted. It was a painting with one eagle sitting on a fence and another flying high in the sky. He called the painting 'I will rise again'. It was a picture of him in his illness and the hope he had that he would rise again because of his faith in Jesus. Jesus himself said "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the father except through me." Jesus was saying we get to know God and spend eternity with him because of His sacrifice. This is our HOPE. Fighting wars can bring hopelessness. Jesus is the hope and the light in the darkness. Look to him!

Catching the sunrise

Went for an early walk this morning. Got to see the sunrise. The sky was so pretty and I watched a flock of birds flying high up there. I needed that. Feeling the weight of the world today.

Postie

Today I received my March On shirt! I felt a bit emotional putting it on and going for a walk around the oval. I'm trying to figure out where that reaction came from. I think it comes from a love of God's image bearers - that's you and me and all of humanity. I feel deep sadness that our world is so full of evil that we need defence systems to defend the innocent and stop evil from prospering. I feel sad that our Veterans take their lives when they come home. I know that this is a spiritual war. Humanities greatest enemy (the Devil) desire is to kill, steal and destroy all of God's image bearers. He doesn't care who he targets. My greatest desire for humanity and our defence personnel is that they will know that there is forgiveness in Jesus. There is life in Jesus. There is healing in Jesus. Everything our veterans need after coming back from war can be found in Jesus and resourced by him. This is part of why I joined this challenge. I want to help source mental health services to our veterans, and I just pray that Jesus will be part of those discussions. I wonder, how well equipped is the army, airforce and navy with chaplains? Knowing that God is for you, not against you, is the most comforting thing in the world.

Rest

Yesterday I had a rest day and did no activity for March On. It was good. Today I'm back at it. Went for a walk in my area. I guess I'm not good at judging distances because I thought I'd done more than 3kms. Oh well. Every bit counts. Even though I'm feeling a bit weary, I'll keep marching on for our Veterans. I thank them for their service and pray they can find peace and rest.

Hospital visit

Went for a walk this morning with my hubby and the dogs. Then did some more walking when I took my son to the hospital. Nothing serious. But I was surprised by the amount of kms I did just walking around the hospital. I took this photo inside the hospital courtyard. There are some interesting plants in there. Notice the beauty the Lord has put around us. It's truly magnificent!

The oval

Today I did a walk around an oval in my town. It's a beautiful spot. I also swam 2kms in our local swim centre's outdoor pool. So nice! Got to chat to one older gentleman about the March On cause, my first interaction outside of those who know me. Just being able to share the cause with others is a step towards preventing veteran suicide.

Reminder to self 'don't wear black!'

So today I did a walk and foolishly wore all black: black shirt and black jeans! What was I thinking? It was hot! I cannot imagine the heat a soilder must feel in all their gear, and I'm assuming...so much sweat. So thanks for your many sacrifices for our country. We have no idea what you endure for the peace of our country.

Walking

I walked down the road to an oval today. The local dogs came out to bark at me. I always send up some protection prayers when loose dogs are out. Once again He protected me. On my way back I saw some new flowers on a few plants and was reminded of new life. Jesus gives us new life and my prayer for our veterans is that they too will know new life through Christ.

Support my challenge to prevent veteran suicide and save lives

Right now in Australia, at 42%, suicide is the leading cause of death for ex-serving males aged under 30 years old.

So, this March, I am walking to support Soldier On's mental health services and programs to help prevent veteran suicide and save lives.

It would mean so much to me if you donated to support my challenge so that we can show veterans and their families that they are not alone... we stand strong with them.

Together, let's help our heroes march on.

Thanks so much for your support.

So far, I have helped provide:

39

peer support
sessions

37

employment
support

2

psychology
sessions

...to support the mental health of our brave veterans to help them march on.

My Kokoda Track Journey

So far, I have marched:

63km

9kms until I reach Eora Creek

My goal to Kokoda:

63km

My Achievements

Thank you to my sponsors

Legend Rank

Champion Rank

Defender Rank

Ally Rank

$106.12

Ruth Headon

Thanks for your sacrifice Karla, in supporting our soldiers. Cheering you on! ❤ Ruth xx

$67.82

Colette

Nice work!

$54.12

Hayden

$54.12

Anne

$54.12

Anonymous

💐🙏🏼

$54.12

Anne Gorrie

Good going Kala keep up the good work.

$54.12

John Curran

Congratulations Karla on the tremendous effort that you have put in for such a great cause 🙏

$50

K P

$43.60

Carolyn Sanders

Keep up your amazing effort and work xx

$43.60

Hawes Family

Onya Karla!

$40.37

Catherine Sharpe

Xx

$33.15

Steven Rand

Bless you Karla. What a great idea

$27.21

E P

$22.58

Paul

$20

Jamie & Hannah King

Godspeed Karla ! Yew !

$11.65

Anonymous

Well done Karla

$11.65

Anonymous

$10

Karla P

$106.12

Ruth Headon

Thanks for your sacrifice Karla, in supporting our soldiers. Cheering you on! ❤ Ruth xx

$67.82

Colette

Nice work!

$54.12

Hayden

$54.12

Anne

$54.12

Anonymous

💐🙏🏼

$54.12

Anne Gorrie

Good going Kala keep up the good work.

$54.12

John Curran

Congratulations Karla on the tremendous effort that you have put in for such a great cause 🙏

$50

K P

$43.60

Carolyn Sanders

Keep up your amazing effort and work xx

$43.60

Hawes Family

Onya Karla!

$40.37

Catherine Sharpe

Xx

$33.15

Steven Rand

Bless you Karla. What a great idea

$27.21

E P

$22.58

Paul

$20

Jamie & Hannah King

Godspeed Karla ! Yew !

$11.65

Anonymous

Well done Karla

$11.65

Anonymous

$10

Karla P

Thank you to my Sponsors

$54.12

Anne

$54.12

Anonymous

💐🙏🏼

$54.12

Anne Gorrie

Good going Kala keep up the good work.

$54.12

John Curran

Congratulations Karla on the tremendous effort that you have put in for such a great cause 🙏

$50

K P

$43.60

Carolyn Sanders

Keep up your amazing effort and work xx

$43.60

Hawes Family

Onya Karla!

$40.37

Catherine Sharpe

Xx

$33.15

Steven Rand

Bless you Karla. What a great idea

$27.21

E P

$22.58

Paul

$20

Jamie & Hannah King

Godspeed Karla ! Yew !

$11.65

Anonymous

Well done Karla

$11.65

Anonymous

$10

Karla P