Dream List #10

Dream List number ten. Host a race to Star Mound.

This race happened back in August, but I never got around to posting about it. I had scheduled the race for the end of July, but unfortunately, it was rainy, cold, and windy that day.

The new date, August 3rd, was windless, sunny, and just perfect.

The idea/dream to host this race began several years back. We can see Star Mound (a historic mound rising in the middle of the flat prairie land) from our house, the distance... about nine miles. I could see it each time I went out for a run, and hoped to run to it some day.

I also loved being on top of that hill. Up there is a school house, brought there and placed as a museum for anyone to come and visit. Picnics always taste the best when eaten at one of the picnic tables overlooking the fields and yards of the Manitoba prairies. 

Then the idea. Why not host a race and raise money for Lighthouse Church?

Two years later, the idea became a reality.

I learned a LOT hosting this race. There are many things that could have been done better. But, overall... it was a blast, and we are hoping to make it an annual event.

The morning of a race, I was SO nervous.

I have run in a race before, and felt those pre-race jitters, but now I was feeling extra nervous because of the fact that I was also hosting this time!

We had two distances. The full distance, which was just over nine miles, and a five mile distance.

Ker got everyone set up at the five miles, while us nine milers went to our starting point. The "High Five Race" began at 9:00 sharp.

Why did we name it the "High Five Race"? It was my Dad's idea. :)

It's kind of my church's 'thing' to give high fives. Often during service our Pastor will ask us to give out high fives in the middle of a sermon. Since we were giving the money raised to missions, we were also kind of giving a 'high five' to the people that would benefit from it.

This picture was taken one mile down the road. Obviously I was still happy and not hurting. :)

As a matter of fact, I didn't have any pains (other than blisters and the usual leg fatigue) the whole race. Which was basically a miracle, since I had been experiencing a lot of what I think was nerve pain in my leg during training. It felt great, and my pace ended up being 9:04 m/m, which I was very happy with, especially since I was going so slow up that hill that I was almost walking. If it weren't for the hill, I would have managed to stay under 9 m/m.

My dad, brothers Josh, and Caleb, as well as Zach (on the unicycle) were the only ones going the full distance. There had been few others signed up that had to drop out due to injury and sickness.

I am thankful for my family. None of them enjoy running, but they ran (NINE MILES) just for me. I love them for it.

This guy. He did not train a single day, but he got a quarter of a mile ahead of me at the beginning and I could never catch up. He won by running/walking the whole way. He pushed me to go faster than I ever would have if I was in front... we have always been competitive like that. :)

Then there were the bikers. They had a whopping 18 miles to ride, and I was impressed at their time! It was more or less a last minute addition to do the bike race, and even though we only had two people racing, I was glad we added it. (and I hope they had fun ;)

Introducing... the winner of the five mile!

The final stretch was a HUGE hill. It was brutal, but it helped that we had a cheering squad to give us the mental boost we needed right before the hill.

Zach. Nine miles on a unicycle. I couldn't believe it when I saw him riding up that hill ahead of some of the runners. He did amazing.

We were so blessed to have the most amazing volunteers. This crew cruised around handing out waters, and high fives. A bit of encouragement goes a long way during a race!

At the end of the race, we had a picnic lunch.



Group picture! I was so proud of everyone who pushed themselves past their limits to finish this race. It was so much fun, and truly... a dream come true.

Thanks to Meg @phrazephotography for taking these pictures for me!!

Dreams Change

The other day I looked at the Dream List that I created when I first started this blog. Wow, have I ever changed since that day.
Close to half of the items on that list, I had no desire to accomplish anymore. So I did an upgrade.

I think it is important to have an idea, a dream of what I want to do with my life; what I hope to accomplish, even if it may seem unreachable. To me, my dream list is 'goals'. I don't want to just write this list, and then wait to see if it will happen. I want to take action and do what I can to make these dreams come true. Sometimes that action will simply be a prayer heavenward. I believe that God cares about even our littlest desires, and He listens when we tell Him what we want out of life. It may not turn out exactly the way I "dream" it will, and the things that I hope for may change as I grow closer to God's heart, and change as a person. But I know that God will, in His own way, cause my dreams to come true. Key phrase "In His own way", which is always way better than what I could ever have imagined.

Delight yourself also in the Lord,

and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Psalms 37:4

"Delight yourself also in the Lord". Once I have found full 'delight' in the Lord, the things that I desire, will be the things that He desires for me.

So here it is.  My dreams.

*WARNING* Selfies Ahead. (a random-catch-up post)

I left ya hanging at summertime and camping. That wasn't very nice of me was it!

Now that life has settled down into a routine, I *hope* to blog twice a week. No, let me rephrase that... I *need* to blog twice a week. I need to be "motivated" to take more pictures. And write more. And ya. Here is to being better at this blogging thing.

I have been writing more over at my other blog "Awakening My Heart". Well, more as in... I have been consistent for about a week. :) Check it out if you so desire. 

Ok. Let the random-selfie-ness begin.

So, first of all. How's about some more happy summer memories?

We hung out with this sweet gal and her family A. lot. this summer. Which was great, because they are great. 

We also got some good, quality sister time in. You know, the shopping, the eating, the chilling. Girl stuff. :)

Closer towards harvest time, the busy began. I didn't do a whole lot of canning this year, because most of it happened when I was in the field. But when I did... I took a selfie. ;)

Speaking of the approaching harvest. While Dad was resting up from pulling an all-nighter swathing fields, Ker and I took some of the kids to the "Harvest Festival". We split up to go on rides, and this fiery girl wanted to go on all the scary rides.
I obliged.
We took a selfie on the one that I could open my eyes on. ;)

For the first time, we experienced the traditional festival fireworks from inside the "Taco in a Bag" booth. Our church sets up this booth every year, and this was the first time that Ker and I were able to help out. It was much fun!

Of course, we had to look cute while doing it! ;)

Speaking of church, Ker and I have just become more involved in helping lead worship on Sundays. My bros are also involved in setting up the sound equipment eeeearly Sunday mornings, so I get to put my feet up before practice starts. And take a selfie. Of my feet. Because, like... what else would I do???

Speaking of Sundays, I don't think I have enjoyed these days of rest as much as I have this harvest season. I even took a nap once. If you know me well, you know what a miracle that is. ;)

Speaking of resting. Rainy days are taken very seriously during harvest. We are very serious about doing absolutely nothing.

Aaaand harvest.
Hardly a day went by that I didn't have a sibling, or neice/nephew along for a ride on the grain cart. They kept me happy, and kept me taking selfies.

I have nooooo idea what this picture is about...

You haven't experienced a sunset until you have experienced a harvest sunset...

A boy after my own heart....

I made the mistake of letting Jaden play with my ipod. I only have about a million of these types of pictures to sort through...

He did manage to get a picture of your's truly climbing a bin though...

This. Girl. I missed her so much during harvest! We basically didn't see each other, because I was hardly home. She worked every bit as hard as the "field folk", making meals, chasing children, and keeping the house from falling apart.

Of course when we were together, we had to grab a quick selfie...

There was this one time, that our combine broke down, so I had time to braid her hair...

At 1:00 in the morning, saving grace comes in the form of a doughnut. 

Nearing the end, rain was in the forecast. So we worked extra long hours in attempt to get er' done.

Then... just like that, we were done.

We were finally able to get caught up on cuddles and stuff.

After about a week of just breathing, it was time to break out the school books. We spent a couple of days making school schedules, and re-organizing our life. I was SO glad to be getting back into a routine. I can only take summer spontaneity for so long. 

Oh, look! We are all caught up to today.

Today was a good day. Beginning bright and early, I wore boots with heels for the first time, got to worship my heart out with the church family, absorbed an amazing sermon, hugged the people I love dearly, ate pizza and icecream, and relaxed the afternoon away.

Wow. That, was probably the longest, and most random blog post I have ever done. If you have made it this far, I like you. ;) Have an amazing Sunday evening everyone!!