Reflections

It's almost here.  I can't believe how fast the last 4 months have flown by.  There was a lot that has happened- crazy to look back & think of the craziness that has ensued.

I'm so happy that I was able to reach my fundraising goals & change the lives of so many people.  I'm grateful to give opportunities to those who never would have the chance - & I am most blessed by the over 40 people that chose to help me on this journey.  Thank you will never be enough to all of you.  When times were tough - you all keep me going!  Thank you for believing in me & this charity.  Thank you for helping me remember someone who was so dear to me & spread Justin's Love.

I'm also blessed to be able to share these next few days with my mom & take her somewhere she would have never had the opportunity to go otherwise.  It's been hard juggling jobs to pay for it, but it will worth it just to give her this.

Thank you for sharing in my journey so far.  It's definitely not over yet, but I'm writing the last few pages in this chapter. I'm anxious to see all it has to say!

Slowing Life Down

The last couple weeks have literally been crazyyyyyyy.  I literally haven't had a minute to breathe or do anything but eat, sleep, & work..... Repeat.

Glad those days are over & life has slowed down as of last night.  Today I completed my first full shift at my new job.  The last night shift was completed last night & Im looking forward to being normal again!  I'll miss all my coworkers but I'm so glad to be spending tonight with my husband.

The next 3 weeks will be exciting & I'm looking forward to getting back to training.  Working 12's had left me no time to time to head to the gym.  It felt good to get back there & get moving.  I'm not sure what I going be able to do at the challenge but I'm going to give it my best.

Thank you so much to Bill & Mary Basset, Al & Maggie Kuchenbaker, & Kraig & Judy Anthony for your donations.  I promise to give it everything I have in the next 3 weeks to make you proud!

One Month Left

It's officially crunch time!  One month left today.  I'm excited & scared at the same time.  The next 30 days will be full of sheer chaos.  I have no idea what's in store - but I know who is leading my path.  That's all I need!

Fundraising closes May 20th.  I still need a little over $300 in donations to make my goal.  Thank you to Carolyn Geisel, Steve & LaNell LeClair, & Pete & Patty Semler for their donations.  It's such a blessing to me.  If you would like to donate, no matter how small, please visit https://www.bestbuddieschallenge.org/hp/rider-donation/#donate/3815&form/08f54bb5-18eb-41ce-8990-e2b70fb8aa5c//

One month!  I better get running!

New Beginnings

Whew.  I'm glad April is almost over.  It's been quite a month.  It's been a season of storms & changes in our lives.   But where there is change - there is always a loving God walking ahead of you clearing your path.

May will bring new jobs for both Jason & me.  It will bring some long hours for me as I'll be juggling 3 jobs for 2 weeks & adjustments to my training plan.  My final preparations for our trip to Boston & 5k.

It will be busy!  But finally - I see sweet light & I am forever thankful.

You know what they say - April Showers bring May Flowers!

Thank you for all your love, prayers, & support!  Special Thanks to Greg & Marge Danger for their donations.  I have a little over $400 left to go.  May 20th is the due date for donations.  

God is good.

I will Praise You in This Storm.

It's not a news flash to anyone I've been struggling lately.  Things have been hard.  10 days ago, I busted out in a raging river of tears on my way home from work.  I felt like I've failed every thing & every one around me.  I was exhausted.  I prayed out to the lord & told him I couldn't possibly fall much further.

His response?  That's cute.  Now I'm going to really turn your life upside down.

I don't know his plan for our lives at this moment.  Never in my life could I have ever foreseen the blow coming from pretty much the last place I could ever expected.

But I trust in the plan God has for our lives.  I have to - because that's all I have at this moment.  

I have nothing left to give.  I'm physically & emotionally exhausted.  I don't think I have anymore tears possibly left to cry.  I've never hurt as much in my life as I've hurt in the past few days.

But I got hope.  I have hope in things to come.  Once I get over the hurt & anger, there is something better coming.  I have the hand of my best friend & a vow we made to better & for worse.

So I'm going to keep fighting.  I'm going to keep running.  I'm going to keep praising my God.  & im going to keep giving myself to serve others even when they are the same ones that have hurt me.  Because that's who I am.  & that's why I'm here.

Thank you to Tom & Carol Peterson & Greg & Lisa Fletcher for your donations this week.  You'll never ever know how much it meant to me in this dark week.

"I was sure by now God you would have reached down & wiped our tears away.  Stepped in & saved the day.  But once again, I say Amen & it's still raining.

As the thunder rolls, I barely hear you whisper through the rain, "I'm with you."  As your mercy falls, I raise my hands & praise the God who gives & takes away.

I will praise you in this storm.  I will lift my hands.  For you are who you are no matter where I am.  Every tear I cry, you hold in your hand.  You never left my side, though my heart is torn.  I will praise you in this storm." - Casting Crowns

Happy Birthday Justin & Jeff!

I can't believe we did it.

We made the goal on Justin's Birthday. (& Jeff's too!)

There are no words that can fully describe the emotion of what this has meant to me.  I still can't grasp it.

Best Buddies now raises my goal to $2,500.00.  There are several people that have let me know they wanted to donate but haven't had a chance to.  Donations are accepted until May 20th.  Let's spread more of Justin's Love & help more people.

Thank you to those who made the last few dollars possible:

-Dennis & Kathy Lodin

-Ted Grob & Ted Grob Sales

-Lee & Inna Aldrich

I sincerely appreciate all the donations, love, & support.

Love,

Laura

PS: I logged my best mile & 2 miles today as well :)

Testing My Faith

This week has literally sucked the life out of me.  I've been more time crying then not.  I have a lot of demons that I'm battling, & I have no more to give.  I've depleted every ounce of what I had trying to make everything work.

& everything isn't working.

Changes needed to be made as soon as possible.  I need lots of prayers & prayers for my heart to remain strong.  

Even while my tears have been falling, God & my angels have kept reminding me they are here.  One door closed as another promising one opened - as Justin showed me he was watching over me.  I was crying & reaching out for prayers as I received an email I needed to keep fighting.

I'm so grateful for the very kind & generous donation from my Uncle & Aunt's family this week that came at a perfect time.  Thank you so much to the Schuman Family & yes... Go Patriots!

One more thank you...  Thank you to my husband who has remained my source of strength & held my hand through every up & down I've had in the past almost 10 years.  & he tries so hard to dry my tears with laughter.  Sometimes it works.  Sometimes it's an epic fail.  But his heart always has me in the center & I can't thank him enough for loving me unconditionally.

This week is Justin & Jeff's birthday on April 6th.  My goal is to have the last remaining $175.00 raised by then in honor of Justin.  

I hope I don't let him down.