encouragement

Laurie Wheeler preached on encouragement this past weekend and she said, "It's great to have someone cheer for you. It's even better to have someone run WITH you." 

not hard to have some images flash across my mind with that one... 

When I thought of starting this blog for you all, I thought I might write once a week on it.  I had no intention of writing (or spamming!) you everyday on it, but it evolved and has become the most natural thing in the world as you all are continually on my heart.  

It feels like I am just keeping up a constant dialogue with your family.... 

(and there's always so much I want to share with you!! I currently have 18 posts I've written that I am just trying to space out so as not to overwhelm your inbox!) 

Just know that each little post is my meager attempt to be running 

with you all in Malawi across the miles.... 

On another note, I wanted to share some pictures I took last week on my bike commute of the new statue in town called "the Medalist" that is so cool at the Brooks headquarters on Stone Way and 35th.  I did not know this was in the works, but it was such fun to spot this new landmark in town last week. 

  It was made of 1100 medals that folks donated for the cause. 

Here's what I found on the web about it before they unveiled it: 

"A race medal is more than just a souvenir from an early morning run. It’s the embodiment of countless training miles, the choices to get up for a long run each Sunday, the days spent counting down to the race. A race medal is a symbol of personal achievement. Whether that means a huge PR or running a race from start to finish for the first time, celebrating your own accomplishments is part of running, and we want to celebrate that with you.

Next month, we’re unveiling The Medalist: A statue of a runner made from race medals sent to us from around the world to celebrate the spirit of the run and the accomplishments of all runners; it will welcome runners at our new global headquarters and remind us all of why we continue to lace up day in and day out. Made of more than 1,100 medals from 12 countries across six continents, The Medalist represents more than just the races run, it represents the stories and accomplishments that made those races possible."

When I stopped to take a picture, there was a girl there who had donated her medal and was trying to find it. SO COOL! There is a notebook in the store that has a description of all the stories behind each of the medals that were donated. 

can't wait for you to see this in person this summer!