A year ago I had planned to run the Palo Duro Trail Run 50K Race but my mom had some serious complications from heart surgery. I skipped the race and flew to PA to be with her and my dad. She had a tough road ahead of her but she is much tougher than she thinks. I’d like to think that I get my strength and toughness from her, but we both really know that we are just plain stubborn. One thing about my mom, she is who she is. There is no pretending, no sugar coating, no beating around the bush. I used to be a little embarrassed sometimes, but now I embrace it and am glad when people say I take after her. When you are confident in who you are, your values and world view, you can truly be just you. I love that mom has shown me how to just be me without excuses or apologies. I am not intimidated by people or challenges, I just take a deep breath and press on.
The best thing I got from my mom is her example of her faith in Jesus Christ. She lived out Deuteronomy 6:4-9 for me as a child and continues to do so.
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
No parent is perfect, but seeing my parents now, how far they have come, how God has changed them and transformed their marriage is a miracle. All glory to God!
All Glory to God for giving me my parents and family, our struggles, our growth, our character, talents and gifts. Depression and autoimmune diseases do not define me. All of these things are known by God and He is not surprised by anything. I can have confidence in Him!
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6
In my last blog post I shared how scared I was and really unsure if I could complete the 50 mile distance in the time allowed. There was a point at mile 42 where I wasn’t sure if I could, but my family came aside me and ran with me for a few of the last miles to keep me moving. My son and my husband were a tremendous help in keeping my mind off how much I hurt. Aaron made me laugh and Derreck told me he loved me but I had to keep moving. I was tired, but I never even thought about quitting.
At the last aid station I had 3.5 miles left to go. The volunteers at all of the aid stations were so encouraging and helpful. The best part of running a local race is knowing so many of the volunteers! They greet you by name and give you a hug and save you potatoes with salt because they know that’s what you like! Thank you to every single person who spent their day in the Canyon to help runners meet their crazy goals. And a huge thank you to my boss who is so inspiring and gave me wonderful yet simple advice, “Just don’t stop.”
Palo Duro Trail Run does not disappoint. It is a challenging, yet runnable course in a beautiful setting. The race directors work tirelessly to ensure a great race for every runner and make each person feel like a winner.
A Runner After God's Own Heart 
What a wonderful testimony! And congratulations AGAIN!
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Thank you!
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