This time of year I am reminded of a journey I set out on 3 years ago. In a giant step of faith, I left my job in the hands of people who cared, left my family, left my home, and went to Uganda to follow God's call. So many incredible things happened on that trip and around that trip, but one little conversation has rung in my ears forever.
To help send me, my good friends and "hot mamas" put on a fundraiser to support the trip. At the end of the night we had raised $1233.51. You can read about that night here. As I stood in shock, one of my friends said "we can't go. You can go. This is our way of being a part of something bigger." That phrase stuck with me. "We can't go, but you can go."
Not everyone can run a marathon. Not everyone can even train for a marathon. So with them in my heart I will run for all of us. The marathon is such a small piece. The something bigger is why I run.
I went for a run Monday night through my favorite park. As I ran, lightning bugs lit up the path. I realized that the last walk my dad took was in that park. My parents had just flown in to town and I convinced them to go for a walk with me so that I could try out my new shoes. As we walked we talked about the work we were going to do on the cabin, and about the vacation planned around it. That was a Tuesday. On Thursday we were up at the lake when my dad fell off a ladder. He broke his leg in 4 places and hasn't been able to walk since. Our story is a story of hope, he hopefully has one more surgery and will be walking again in a few months, but our reality is also that he has been in a chair now for 2 months this week. As I run, I run for him. I think about the time we ran our first 10k together and I couldn't keep up with "the old man in front of me." But I was out there.
I may be slower than a herd of turtles trampling through peanut butter, but I'm out there. I'm running for my dad who can't run, but I'm sure will beat me when he can again. I'm running for the kids who don't get to run because they are sick from drinking bad water. I'm running because I have the ability, and God has called me to use it for something greater.
It's a journey of faith. I've made the goal to raise $3,000 for Team world vision. That will bring a lifetime of water to 60 children. Imagine how the generations behind them will be changed by this clean water. It's not just for a day, it's clean water for life, for them, their families, and their future families.
I have raised $1012 so far. Will you give up a cup of coffee today and use that $5 to bring someone clean water?
Thank you for joining me on this journey and being a part of something bigger!
