Ready for Round Two

After the race in August, I almost immediately received questions as to whether or not I would do this again. And it took a lot of thought to come up with the answer. After such incredible success the first go-round, it’s extremely intimidating and nerve-wracking to think about doing this again. People were just SO overwhelmingly supportive and generous last year, I’m fearful that a second race just couldn’t compare. What can compare to raising over $10,000?! I can’t expect all the businesses and community members to empty their pockets like it seems they did last year. And after such success, I don’t want to feel disappointed and discouraged by raising a significantly lower sum of money. Not that I think a second race will completely flop, but no one likes feeling like they failed, and it could feel like somewhat of a failure not to raise another $10,000. So, for a while I was thinking, “This was an all around amazing experience, that I wouldn’t trade for anything. And I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity to make a mark on the world…but it’s a chapter of my life that is over. Let’s leave on the extreme high we’re on!”

And I thought I would be content with that….

But I never stopped thinking about the run or charity: water. It wasn’t a “chapter” of a book that I could just fold up and close. My passion for this cause it continually burning, and I have kept up to date with charity: water’s blog and email updates. As I’ve done so, I came to the realization that the Running Water 5K is something way bigger than myself. Though people sometimes make it seem like it is, this event is not in any way about me. This is about spreading God’s love to other parts of the world through the irreplaceable gift of clean water.

So, I can continue my life as usual, look back on this and smile, and run from the fear of not succeeding…or I can do what God is clearly pushing and calling me to do–what he calls all of us to do.

I think you know where this is going…I’m choosing to go out on this limb once again & help try to make the world a better place, even if only for a few. I once heard, from a very wise man might I add, that God calls us to go out into the world–not sit in our comfort…just as planes aren’t supposed to sit on aircraft carriers..they’re meant to launch

So, I’m taking off–wish me luck! I hope you feel inspired to be a part of this journey as well : )

Mark your calendars:::

More Excitement :)

Upon emailing a charity: water representative, I was informed that the Running Water 5K and myself were featured on charity: water’s official blog!!! Extremely exciting—especially as I keep feeling more and more inclined to work for charity: water or a similar non-profit when I am older

Check it out: spotted: grinning in an Ohio newspaper

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!

Even though most people have heard or seen it by now through facebook, I have to thank everyone again for making my dream come to reality.

Over 8 months ago, I came up with this idea of having a 5K race to raise money for charity: water. I expanded the idea to include a walk and a breakfast, in hopes of making it easier to raise the $5,000 it would take to build a clean water well for a community in a developing nation. I’ve never felt so passionate and excited about anything, and as more details came together, I only became more eager for August 13th to arrive. I had big dreams and high hopes for this event, but I never expected this amazing outcome.

About 200 participants, 50 volunteers, many community members sending donations, and 28 awesome sponsors all led to this incredible and unbelievable result of raising over $10,000. $10,000. Double the goal. I still can’t get over it. It’s beyond amazing.

Two communities of people, who have been hoping and praying for clean water for years, will soon have their dream come true, as they are given the precious gift of clean water. The lives of people in 2 communities will be dramatically changed, and saved, by this clean water. And that’s because of all of you.

I hope that you can all feel excited and proud to have been a part of this, knowing you helped provide someone with new life. Because, water changes everything for these people—

So thank you, for all the support you have given to me. None of this would be possible if all of you hadn’t reached out and got involved. There have just been so many people involved in one way or another, it’s really astounding. I have loved seeing this community come together to take part in this…and look what awesome thing we have accomplished because we came together as we did

From the bottom of heart, and on behalf of all the people we are affecting through these 2 clean water wells:
Thank You!!!

One Month!

We have exactly one month until race day! I can’t believe how quickly it’s approaching.

Today I’ve tried to reflect on this whole process, the progress we’ve made, and what’s next to come. And I have to simply say:

thank you.

Thank you all of the people who have helped me so far–the support has been truly amazing. To my family, to my church, to the police chief, to local running “gurus” like Rob Maurer & Het Sabo, to ALL of my INCREDIBLE SPONSORS, to community members who have already signed up, and to people I don’t even know who have made donations already–I sincerely thank you. I’m awestruck by how caring, supportive, and generous people have been.

After a great article in the Bargain Hunter & The Times Reporter, I feel that this is event is really taking off. Every single day something awesome has happened that makes me ecstatic for this race. I can’t wait to see how this all pans out!

Also, as we’ve gotten closer to this “one month” mark I’ve become increasingly stressed, as you could presume. I’ve been very busy trying to get things under control. And in the mix of all the busy work of our lives, sometimes we forget what our purpose is. I certainly haven’t forgotten what my purpose is, but it has fallen towards the back of my mind. So let me remind you, to further remind myself:

By raising $5000 and donating it to charity: water, we are saving lives. We are giving people the chance to live, to be healthy, to go to school, to enjoy life, to feel the love of God, and to receive opportunities for a better life. We are saving and changing the lives of an entire community of people. I’d say that is pretty darn amazing. So, more importantly than on behalf of myself–on behalf of the people who’s lives you are already beginning to affect…thank you.

Excitement :)

Well we have about 5 weeks until race day! Eeekk! I’m so excited–but so nervous! I’ve got to kick it into high gear to make sure that this day ends up being as incredible as I’ve dreamed it to be. One thing that has made me stupendously excited is getting our glass cups in. In the 5k event, the top three runners in each age category will receive one of these awesome glasses!

I have to throw in a HUGE thank you to Mrs. Sabo, who picked up the glasses while passing through New York so that I wouldn’t have to pay a shipping fee!!

In other news: I turned 18, and my wonderful sister decorated a Running Water themed cookie cake for me!!

Water Walk

Last week I took an adventure that resulted in sore shoulders for days…click on the link to find out more!

http://www.facebook.com/v/2186641589760

Dream, Act, & Rest

This morning I finally got home from a wonderful vacation in Paris : ) It was such an awesome experience and I’m so thankful that I got the chance to see another part of our wonderful world. While traveling for many hours, I had plenty of time to think. So, here’s a few thoughts:

During my interview at church I was asked, “Why did you decide to do this?”
For years & years now I have been dreaming of donating to charities and volunteering with different organizations. When I was in elementary school I dreamed of growing up and opening a homeless shelter. It would be a safe place for people to find shelter, but most importantly, themselves. I hoped that I would be able to help these people get their lives on track, so they could eventually find their own homes and families. And as I started considering what I might want to do with my life, I thought maybe I might want to be an oral surgeon so that I could work with Operation Smile to improve the lives of people suffering with cleft palates…(still pondering that one). Regardless, the thing I love the most is helping other people. This is what I’ve always dreamed of.

So, what have I been waiting for? One thing I’ve noticed is that what we want to do after we graduate high school becomes what we want to do after we graduate from college which becomes what we want to do after we establish a career which becomes what we want to do after we retire…you get the idea. We continually plan to fulfill our desires after this and that. Maybe I’m just young and narrow-minded, but I have to question why we push aside the things we dream of doing. I wish there was a less cliché way to say it, but there really is no time like the present. Do all the things you’ve always dreamed of doing, whether it’s visiting Paris, learning to play an instrument, going on a mission trip, scuba diving, riding a motorcycle, or getting a pet parrott…the list goes on forever. I’ve learned by planning this race that no dream is too big, so I think we should all live out our dreams and fulfill our desires. And why not start now?

Also during my flight, I finally had time to read a wonderful book called “Messy Spirituality”. This paragraph really caught my attention, so I wanted to share it.

“The ugly truth, however, is that many of us do not know how to rest. Actually, we do know how to rest; we simply refuse to rest. Rest is a decision we make. Rest is choosing to do nothing when we have too much to do, slowing down when we feel pressure to go faster, stopping instead of starting. Rest is listening to our weariness and responding to our tiredness, not to what is making us tired. Rest is what happens when we say one simple word: “No!” Rest is the ultimate humiliation because in order to rest, we must admit we are not necessary, that the world can get along without us, that God’s work does not depend on us. Once we understand how unnecessary we are, only then might we find the right reasons to say yes. Only then might we find the right reasons to decide to be with Jesus instead of working for him. Only then might we have the courage to take a nap with Jesus.”

Not that my 17 year old self is in a position to give anyone advice on how to live, but if I were I might say:
Dream big, act now, and don’t forget to rest.

Stress

The best way to describe the month of May…stressful. Between school, prom, QTs, unnamed problems, and this race, I have been more stressed than ever before. I began feeling very overwhelmed as though I’d never accomplish what I needed to & within the time frame it needed to be completed in. In one day, I’ll be leaving the country for a vacation (Yay!)…but that also means very limited amounts of communication. And when I’ll finally get back, the following 2 weeks I will also be out of town at two great church camps. So, while I’m super excited to be able to do all these things, I also have simply been wondering…how am I going to do this? If something needs done, how will I do it? If there’s a deadline I need to meet, how will I meet it? Honestly, I still have no answer to any of these questions. I thought it might help if I formed a “To-Do List”, so I did and it ended up being 2 pages long. & with one day before I leave, I still have very few things crossed off. So, what am I going to do? I have no clue.

But, I finally feel alright saying that.

This past Sunday I was interviewed during our church services about the race, the cause, and why it’s so important. After the service, I got to personally share my excitement with many people as they came up to me and said they would love to volunteer their time and help however they can. I have never felt so supported in my life. So many people saying things like “I think this is great what you’re doing” or “Whatever you need me to do, just let me know” or “I’d like to talk to my boss or other businesses to see if we can get you some more sponsors” or “Hey I won’t be able to make it on that day, but you can count on me for whatever other kind of support you need.” . . . . And that was really all I could ever ask for & all I needed to finally relax and know that everything will turn out okay.

So I want to say thank you to everyone who has already been so supportive of my adventure. There are times where I have felt like this was out of my reach, or I couldn’t handle all of this work. And one of the greatest comforts is feeling the support of people around me. Even though I haven’t really delegated much work to other people, it’s a great relief to know that people are willing to help me if I ask them to. So…what will happen this month? & will I get done what needs done? I can’t say for sure. But I have the faith that even if everything doesn’t play out exactly as I may hope it might, in the end, everything will be just fine.

I also realized that I wouldn’t trade all of this stress for anything. This is something that means the world to me, something I strongly desire & feel the need to do. I’ve never felt so extremely passionate and excited about something. August 13th will be one of the best days of my life, and I thank all of you for being a part in that.

Rejection & Acceptance

The last couple of days have been filled with phone calls and meetings, in an effort to get some more sponsors for the race. Let me tell you, it’s rather exhausting…but so worth it : )

So yesterday I went out with a list of businesses that my dad thought I would be able to stop by without setting up a formal meeting. So I went to the first place on the list. Luckily the owner was available, so I got to have a quick word with him. Unfortunately, right after I handed him the letter, he said he was unable to donate any money. Boom. First encounter with rejection. When I left I was pretty upset. It’s a little bit disheartening to be told no. I mean, we all know that being told “no” is normally not fun. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that it wasn’t the end of the world, or of anything for that matter, to be told no. So I continued on and called or showed up at multiple other businesses….

I’m now up to 8 sponsors, waiting to hear back from another 8 businesses, and still contacting about 21 more : ) I find that tremendously exciting.

So, now I truly realize that not everyone is going to say yes and donate money…but some people will. And more than that, all of the people who had to decline did so because they were unable to donate. It had nothing to do with them thinking it wasn’t a good cause, or that I’m just 17 so it’s too risky. All of those people said things like, “I think it’s amazing what you’re doing, but unfortunately we have already maxed out on our donations.”

And that makes me happy. Everyone has still been overwhelmingly supportive, and to hear people say “We’ve already given too much” is a great thing. Even if it’s not going towards my cause, I love knowing that businesses are donating to all these great charities & events, and actually maxing out their budgets. Because it’s really all going towards one united goal of improving our world.

I really couldn’t ask for more than that: People giving to improve other people’s lives. It’s a beautiful world : )

Legitimized : )

Today I went and deposited the first check into the Running Water 5K account…and I just couldn’t stop smiling : ) It made it feel just that more real. This is a dream come true.