almost there.

i can't believe it. as i talked to my parents on the phone while icing both of my knees with frozen vegetables i realized from the excitement in their voices that this was a huge thing. we ran close to, if not, TEN miles today. as we were running, i couldn't help but think of the first day- the two miles that made this whole journey seem impossible. with less than two weeks 'till nashville, there is no doubt in my mind that we will finish the race in one piece with a smile on our faces. on the run we talked a little about it. about how we get to road trip to TN and share this experience together. to meet libby together. to finally run 13.1. it all seems so surreal...but i'm getting used to it.

this morning i read some of romans chapter 1. i was so encouraged by paul's words. he talks about wanting to see his fellow believers. he writes, "When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours." i can't help but think about team libby. in less than two weeks, a team of us in neon colored shirts with run for libby and for jesus and for freedom. i remember writing those words (basically) when we started the blog. but forreal: it's almost here. i can't be more encouraged by the picture that this team is of the body of Christ. we are from all over but we are coming together for the same purpose: to celebrate lib and to glorify Jesus.

i don't remember who it was but the other day we were running and someone (we knew them) said "yeahhhh team libby!!". no joke. not lying. it happened. but how huge is that? even though we knew them, i still think it's a big deal that they knew why we were running. and hasn't that been the hope from the beginning? that Jesus would become more and we would become less. through libby's story, he changed us. the Holy Spirit compelled us to run. and now? the Spirit is at work through our running. for His glory. that's beautiful.

happy birthday to a beautiful best friend and irreplaceable running partner. han, i am so thankful that 20 years ago today barb brought you into this world. you. are. a. blessing. i am humbled by the story Jesus has written for your life up until this point and thankful that i get to witness and experience a whole lot more life with you.

"and then the beat comes

and then she's moving on the dance floor

and I wonder what she's running from

if it'll catch her..."

-The Beat, Ben Rector

you're beat has been the call to persevere and be faithful. you ran straight into the arms of the Father and he won't let go.

i am so excited to go home. to spend time with my family and eat good food from our fridge. i got to pick my oldest brother up from the airport the other night and we went out for a late dinner date. we got to talking about Jesus and other really great things, and something that i've been thinking about ever since is how, because of Jesus, we get to openly come to the Father-sinful and confused and guilty-but he loves us. oh how He loves us! i am in awe. i get to approach the creator of the universe and call him Father because of Jesus. because of his sacrifice. and, because he rose from the grave, i get to worship the living Christ. amen. amen. amen. halleluyer.

i can't figure out how to put pictures in a post. it changed. so hopefully there will be pictures to go with this post soon (of han's bday and post 10ish mile run today).

i am humbled. and honored. to be a part of something like this is something i would never have imagined. it's so much bigger than us. thank the Lord for that. because, like we've said before, if it was about us we wouldn't have made it those first two miles.

this was a really long post. i guess this is a sign that i need to post more often. which i already knew. but i'm surprised at how much i had to say.

overwhelmed by his provision. gosh this is incredible.

Julia