Race Day Shout-outs

These are the transcripts of the video posts made during the run. If you missed them, head over to Facebook. At some point in time this week they will be posted to the CareRunners page. 

**update** - Because of poor internet service in the area, only a couple of videos posted. 

Starting Line

I cannot believe it’s race day! The butterflies are HUGE – but I’m really excited to see what the next 13.1 miles bring. Before I start, I wanted to share a few things.

First, I wouldn’t be here without Shane, Jared, DJ, and the rest of the CareRunners team who believed in me far more than I believed in myself, and pushed me beyond every imaginable excuse I could come up with. You guys are the best team ever and I am SO thankful for each and every one of you. Thank you for never letting me stay down for long, for encouraging me every step of the way, and for being the most amazing friends I could ever ask for.

Second, I would never have begun this journey without the inspiration I found in Jason and Natalie over the past 13 months. I talked with Jason a couple of weeks ago, and shared my thoughts about it with him – so I won’t go into detail here. None of you need to see me crying before the race ever starts anyways! But, really, I just want to say thank you Jason and Natalie – for coming alongside me this past month and supporting what I’m attempting to do. Jason – thank you for taking the time to encourage me. Your words meant the world to me and I won’t ever forget them. Next time I try this crazy feat, I hope you are ready to run with me. 

Third, everyone, please don’t forget that while I’m running in honor of Jason today – and for so many special friends – I’m also running for two amazing charities. Wears Valley Ranch in Sevierville, Tennessee and the Family Crisis Center of Great Bend, Kansas are out there making a huge difference in the lives of many hurting people. If you can help – please visit our CareRunners fundraising page at youcaring.com/carerunners. You can also visit our website at CareRunners.com for links and more information. A huge shout out to those who’ve already stepped up with sponsorships and donations. Thank you! We appreciate your continued support!

Finally – for every single one of you who prayed me to this start line – thank you. I love my prayer warriors and appreciate every single one of you so much. With God’s grace and all of you lifting my feet – we’re going to cross that finish line today and prove that nothing is impossible. Let’s do this!!

Mile 1 – 

Morgan Eckles. I love you, dear friend and I have been praying for you nonstop. This first mile was for you – because I know you are still in that first mile of your journey through lymphoma and the thought of those many miles ahead is often daunting. We’ve been there, and we know how terrifying and exhausting it can be. Just keep your eyes focused on Him and take it one step at a time. You have an amazing cloud of witnesses around you, ready to help bear the burden and lighten the load. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for anything you might need. We are here for you, we love you, and we are ready to fight this battle with you. You are not alone and God is going to use this chapter of your life in big and mighty ways. Can’t wait to see you and give you a big hug and catch up on things. Until then – I’ll keep praying with ever step I take. I promised you I was going to run for you – and I will keep that promise until the day you can run with me. Jay, Army, Aggie, Lulu and Abe – our door is open anytime and if you need anything – all you have to do is ask. Love you all bunches!

Mile 2 – 

Emma Deets – my heart aches for you but I also rejoice in knowing that God has a plan for you and for your family. Things are hard right now and I know it has to be frustrating to just want your normalcy back. I know it’s difficult dealing with the TBI, but if anyone can push through and come out stronger, it’ll be you. You are an amazing young lady and you have a very bright future ahead of you. Keep your eyes on Him and let His peace that passes understanding surround you and carry you through these months of recovery. Priscilla, Bobby, Nathan and Anders – you are also in our prayers and we are here to help you through this journey.

Olivia Newsome - Wow - you have inspired the entire Concord Christian School community. You have battled bravely and we are so happy that the port is out and you are doing better. We will continue praying for clear scans and healing. God’s going to use your story in mighty ways. Keep shining brightly.

Mile 3 – Hey Monkey Gang! I miss you all SO MUCH! I could not let this opportunity pass to let you know how much I appreciate you, how thankful I am for the blessing of your friendship, and how much each of you mean to me. Shelley – you are AMAZING. You are the perfect mother for Madison. Your strength and resilience are just phenomenal. I don’t know how you do it and how you make it look so easy. You are just a rock and I know it’s not as easy as you make it appear – I know you struggle and have days when you just want to give in. I admire your tenacity and am in constant prayer for you and your family. Barbara, I know you live every single day fighting the same battle continuously with your MS. Yet you are always the first one offering any assistance you can give. You have the biggest heart and the quickest wit – and I am SO thankful for the many years of friendship and laughter we’ve shared – even when you beat me at WordFeud. J Nancy – I will never, ever forget that first email from you, thanking me for what I shared with RC and thanking him for reading it on air despite my objections. Our friendship began in such a crazy, unique way – but there isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not thankful for it. You have pushed on through some really hard times and continue to reach for the stars. You are such an inspiration to me and I’m so thankful God put you in the right place at the right time to hear the right words you needed at that moment. You have a purpose here and I’m so glad you’re still here to fulfill whatever that special purpose is. You’re amazing. Don’t ever forget that. All the rest of you crazy monkeys – keep the corny jokes and pumpkin everything coming this way and never forget the fun times we had on Thursday nights!  Love you!

Mile 4 - 

Kristan May (& Jey) – Kristan – it’s been years since you were just a young, vibrant 7^th grade girl in my Sunday School class and way too long since we’ve spent some time  hanging out. I have absolutely loved watching you grow up and am so very proud of you and how you have stood strong through this cancer battle with Jey. Hang in there sweetheart. You have an army of people praying for you and Jey. I love you bunches and am here if you need anything at all. This 4^th mile was for you. It’s not over yet. Keep trusting. Keep seeking Him. Keep believing. God’s got this. He’s got YOU and Jey held securely in His arms. Rest there in Him.

Mile 5 – 

Diane, Crystal, Karen and others – and those others living with “unseen” medical conditions – I know a lot of people don’t “get” what we face on a daily basis. Please know that you are NOT alone. This 5^th mile was for you to let you know that you are seen, you are heard, you are prayed for and you are loved. Keep fighting and keep holding your chin up facing our Father. One day He’ll take all of this hurt and pain away and we’ll be celebrating that freedom together. Until then, we’ll keep walking this path together and praying each other through.  Diane – you are the most amazing best friend anyone could wish for. I have been so incredibly blessed these past 23 years. You get knocked down and you just come up swinging and ready to fight back. You know how to make the sweetest lemonade out of all the lemons thrown your way and you have taught me so much over the years. Your humor has gotten us both through some really bad times and your hugs and impromptu visits and care packages always bring a smile and sunshine no matter how dark the day. Thank you for all you do to make this world a brighter place for everyone – including me. Amanda – you are just as awesome of a best friend & I don’t know what I’d have done these past 30 years without you by my side. Thanks for always being there no matter what. You are the sister I always wished for & I’m so grateful for you.

Mile 6 - 

Heidi Temple, Kendall Cannon, Candy Beck – ladies – you have fought some major monsters and won. You absolutely floor me with your strength, your bravery, your peace and calm in the storms and your unfailing faith. I can’t even put into words how much your lives and your stories have impacted me. Thank you – for everything. This 7^th golden mile was for you. I only hope and pray to be as bright a light for others as you have been for me and others along the way. Keep shining brightly. You’re beautiful!

Mile 7 - 

Jared & Megan Anderson, Amanda Coffey, Landon & Amy Shewmake, Laura Rose, President Barry, and all the other foster & adoptive families out there – There are some special parents in this world. And then there are all of you. You are just amazing – with so much love abounding - not just for your own children – but for every child who crosses your path. You take in the ones the world has given up on and turn them into these amazing little people with hearts on fire for God. You help them repair those broken hearts and give them a hope beyond hope. You take the abandoned or forgotten and give them a loving family. That is one of the most noble and wonderful gifts you could ever give a lost child. I am so  thankful for people like you who are out there making an eternity of difference in the life of a child. This 8^th mile was in honor of all of you.

Mile 8 – 

TJ, Ben, Terry, Rudy – guys – THANK YOU. Each of you have served this country in various capacities, and though you may have moved on from  your military service, you still find ways to serve. I am so grateful for your service and am honored to have run mile 8 for you. I wish I was able to run hundreds of miles in your honor – because you certainly deserve it. Thank you – from all of us at CareRunners. We appreciate you and your service to this great nation.

Mile 9 – 

Mile 9 was for the widows and children from FDNY Ladder 9, and for all the surviving members of Ladder 9 who served at Ground Zero in the aftermath of September 11th. And really – not just my Ladder 9 friends – but also those from Engine 33, Ladder 3, Engine 14, Rescue 1, Ladder 6, Ladder 8, the 10/10 house, FDNY EMS – the list goes on and on. So many of you continue to struggle with illnesses, cancers and more from your time on the pile. You are not forgotten. A special shout out and thank you to John Feal for going out there and helping us battle this on the legal front and with the World Trade Center medical monitoring program. We appreciate your efforts on our behalf. Jack, Carlos, Diane, Janet, Lisa, and all of the rest of my St Paul’s family - this mile was for you too. I miss you, thank you and am praying for each of you. No matter how many years go by, I’ll always remember my NY family who stood by me during that year and continued to walk with me as we all moved on, forever united by our time together in the middle of a disaster, and bonded forever by a loving friendship that blossomed in the midst of tragedy. We’ve seen some of the worst of times together, but I’m so thankful that we’re able to share in the best of times together now. Thanks for getting me through the rough patches and getting me back on course towards healing.

Mile 10 – 

Deon and Katie – and the rest of the Slow Bear family on Pine Ridge – this mile was for you. It breaks my heart that I’m not able to do more for you or nearly as much as I’d like to. I know life is an everyday struggle for survival and it seems each month there’s a new tragedy or major setback. It’s not an easy life for you – but I love that you just push on with your head held high and a determination to never give up. Deon – I just love you buddy and have loved watching you grow up over the past several years. I know you miss your grandmother so much. I do too. I long to talk to her again and hear her words of wisdom and encouragement. She loved you so much and I know she would be so proud of you and the young man you’ve become. Keep striving to be even better and to rise above the circumstances you face. You have so much to give this world, especially your Lakota people on Pine Ridge, and I know you can do whatever you set out to do. I’ll be here cheering you on and praying you through. Never, ever give up. 

Mile 11 – 

Let’s see if I can get through this one without crying. Dad – mile 11 was for you. I know raising your grandchildren as your own was never in your plans. I know you sacrificed so much for us. You worked hard to give us everything you could, even if it meant you had to go without. I know life wasn’t easy and there was a lot of negativity for many years. I will never forget how you balanced taking Mom to her chemo and treatments at the same time you were taking Roger to his, and all this just after losing Grandaddy Moon. You were my hero taking on all of that. You’re still my hero and I wanted to let you know how much I love you and how much I appreciate you and all that you did for me growing up. I’m sorry I haven’t said thank you enough in the past. I’ll try to do better. This 11^th mile was yours. Thank you. I love you. Hopefully I will see you soon.

Mile 12 – 

Noreen – Oh wow! God knew what He was doing when He made us teammates and friends!! Who knew a few years ago at Tink that we’d end up still running together and just doing life together? You have faced so many things in the past few years and still come out here with a huge smile and full of excitement, ready to totally rock the race weekend. You add such joy to this team and are such a valuable part of what makes this team so awesome. I’m so happy we are here again this year running this race together – fighting through to the finish as teammates and friends. Thanks for being here today and this weekend! Michelle, Omar, Cheryl, DJ, Rudy, Jared, Shane and the rest of the team - we missed you but hope you will be able to join us next time.

Mile 13 – 

For my SPED Students – NEVER let someone tell you that you can’t do something – as someone once told me – you can do anything you want to do as long as you want it bad enough and are willing to work for it. You are capable of far more than you ever imagined – don’t limit yourself by society’s norms. Things may take you longer or be more difficult for you, but that’s no excuse to not try and give it all you have to give. I promised you that I was going to finish this race and show you that you CAN do those things people tell you are impossible. Go run your race and cross your finish line! You CAN and you WILL!! Believe!

Finish Line –

No way. We did it! Thank you for being a part of this journey and for following along at home today. Thanks for all of the texts, messages and emails. I will get back to you soon – hopefully on my flight home if not before. I appreciate all of you so much.

Please don’t forget that today was about so much more than me running & walking 13.1 miles. There are people out there walking much more difficult journeys every day. There are organizations out there helping these people along the way. Do your part to help. Reach out to neighbors and friends and see what you can do to make the journey a bit easier. If you can support Wears Valley Ranch, the Family Crisis Center of Great Bend, or any of the other amazing service organizations our CareRunners team races for, please visit our website at CareRunners.com or visit our fundraising page at youcaring.com/carerunners. Thank you for those who have already given, and those heading there now to donate. You are helping these organizations continue serving people in your community who are just like the ones I shared with you here today. Every bit helps and your contribution is greatly appreciated.

CareRunners friends and teammates – thank you for making this journey possible. Shane – I’m sorry for ever telling you I can’t and for doubting you so many times, and for fussing so much about the training plan. You were right. Yes, I just admitted that. Thank you for pushing me to try and to go beyond my comfort zone. DJ- looking forward to doing this again in Roanoke in April with you and Stacey there! Thank you so much for being such a huge encouragement and source of peace. You were such a big part of this weekend, even if you couldn’t be here with us. 

Jason – there are no words. I think if I even tried to say anything to you right now I’d just end up crying. So - just – thank you. So much. What I wanted to say but couldn’t at the moment -  You and Natalie went out of your way to spend time with us and be a part of this weekend. We appreciate it so much.  I am forever grateful for having the opportunity to hang out, catch up, share some laughs,  and say thank you in person for inspiring me and encouraging me this weekend. You guys are the best.  I know I haven’t given you an answer yet about June - but I promise I’m thinking about it. There’s so much more I want to say, but words are escaping me.

Finally – and most importantly - there was not a single step taken today that wasn’t by the grace of God. I didn’t do the impossible. I couldn’t have done this on my own power. He gave me the strength, the desire, the determination, the supporters, the ability, and the help that I needed to do what I could do to bring Him glory and reflect His light to those around me. I hope and pray that you have seen Him today far more than you’ve seen me, and that if you don’t know Him, that you’ll seek Him out. I’d love to talk with you about Him and share with you just how great His love for you is. Kari – thanks for being in Knoxville at the perfect time to remind me that I am never alone and that He came before me here and was with me every step of the way. Teammates and friends – thank you for helping me be a light and glow in the dark! Now let’s go celebrate!!