Day 23

Before and After

My time: 35:20

Yes, I ran about 6 minutes faster than I have been all week. I feel like every time I really start to lose motivation on this running thing, God gives me something good to pick me back up, whether through the total, or good news about people finding out about the project, etc. Or like today, when my wonderful dad gave me a new pair of running shoes for my birthday! (It's not my birthday yet for a little longer though)

I'm so thankful, it feels so much better to run now. For the past several weeks the balls of my feet have really been hurting and they didn't at all today. I actually enjoyed my run. Part of that is due to the fact that it is a lot cooler in the evening, also.

I am so blessed, and many of us are, so can we please give back? How much is it going to hurt us to give $20, or even $50, or even $100? Will you donate today?

~Haley

p.s. I just realized I have run nearly 85 miles already since the summer started! I absolutely can't believe that! I have also run a total of almost 16 hours (approximately 15 hr 40 min).

Day 22

         

         

My time: 41:50

I don't know why I drew a sombrero and maracas on today's sign..I've been listening to Latin music all day too! Haha. I just like the way it looks, I guess.

I was reading the end of Job last night-the part where God pretty much says "who are you to question me?"- and something hit me. I guess I've always known it, but it really stuck out to me last night. That's the same God that we have a relationship with today. He hasn't ever changed a bit and never will. Job wasn't just a story, all that really happened. And the only thing that separates us from him is time. Think about it. God spoke to all these Bible characters-David, Paul, the disciples, Job, Mary, Joseph, Jesus, all the kings, etc. and He speaks to us. This is kind of funny but it makes me feel a little famous by association. I know Him and He knows all of them, and others. And He can just as easily allow something to happen to me like it did to Job. Or allow me to be persecuted like Paul.

 I don't know, I just really appreciated the fact that He has been here through all of that and He is the one constant thing. He has seen everything. So why should we question Him?

Is He calling you to donate today?

~Haley

Day 21

Before and After

My time: 41:02

It took some serious motivation to go run today. I meant to get up early to run, but I was too tired, so then I decided to wait until afternoon. But I knew it was going to be SO hot, so I kept putting it off. I finally ran at about 4. 

I don't know how people over there travel that far every single day in hotter temperatures than this. It amazes me. But they won't have to go nearly as far if you donate today.

~Haley

Day 20

                            

           

           

           

My time: 41:58

I'm pretty sure I looked really awkward running today because I had my sleeves rolled up, I was wearing sunglasses with pink and zebra stripes and a purple zebra striped bandanna. Notice how I left those out of the picture. But, in my defense, it was really bright outside and that bandanna was keeping me cool. 

I just realized I only have 55 days left to run. That still seems like a lot, but it's better than 75. Haha. To be honest, sometimes I wonder why I got myself into this. But then I think of these people, and how much worse it is for them and I have to be thankful I have cold, endless, pure water pouring from the faucet. And I only have to walk across a house to get it.

I hope you are thankful too. Will you donate today?

~Haley

Day 19

        

          

My time: 40:55

I got up really early today and was able to see a sunrise. I've been a little bit sore so I slowed down some for today. 

Running daily is both as hard as I expected, but at the same time it's not. I knew running itself was going to be tiring and difficult, but when you think about it, it's only about 35 minutes a day. Out of 1,440 minutes in a day, think of what we could do if everyone took 35 minutes a day to help someone, or maybe even not that long! Just something. 

And donating doesn't even take 35 minutes...(:

~Haley

Day 18

My time: 39:59

Wow, even at 8:00 A.M. it's still ridiculously hot outside. It's nice to be done for the day though.

My iPod picks up the local radio stations, so I cycle through the 5 I listen to until I find a song I like while I'm running. And then I let it play until commercials or a song I dislike and then switch. Today I heard a song on...I think it was K-Love...and I'd heard it before but when you're running you pay a lot more attention to lyrics. Because there's nothing better to do unless you want to think about how exhausted and hot you are. So I thought I'd post the first verse. It's Before the Morning by Josh Wilson.

"Do you wonder why you have to feel the things that hurt you?

If there's a God who loves you where is He now?

Or maybe there are things you can't see

And all those things are happening to bring a better ending

Someday, somehow you'll see, you'll see"

Everyone always asks why God lets bad things happen. God is all-powerful and there are so many components to His plan. You are only seeing the surface, and that's only in your life. There are going to be a ton of things behind the scenes that might not be revealed until much later, and maybe even some things that you won't realize until we get to heaven. And remember that we as Christians are to set an example. Maybe someone looks at the way you way you deal with pain or suffering and says "wow, I want that kind of strength." And maybe someday God will allow some terrible tragedy to happen in their life. And maybe they'll remember how God gave you strength and turn to Him. But you'll never know that it was you that God used to work that out. 

Just remember that God has a plan and he wants YOU to be a part of it. Isn't that amazing? He sees you and needs you. 

Donate? (:

~Haley

Day 17

Before and After

                            

My time: 37:38

Well hopefully this is the last late night-ish post for awhile! I plan to run early in the morning the rest of this week because it is so HOT here. Even in the evenings. 

I can't believe I'm over 1/5 of the way done. It feels like its going by so quickly and then I realize its only the second week of June. I'm just taking it a day at a time. 

If you haven't donated yet, will you please consider it? Even just $10 or $20 will help. Think about all we have and how blessed we are, can't we help a fellow human?

~Haley