Story Time!

alright friends, gather round, it's story time.

this story is called "Journey to Joy: Hannah Runs"

I may be biased but it's a great one.

this past May an all-staff email was sent out to Franklin Smith Elementary, where I work. 

the email was asking for anyone who would like to volunteer to be a Running Buddy

 for Girls on the Run.

Girls on the Run is a program designed for 3rd-8th grade girls that teaches them just how valuable they are as human beings/girls, and how important it is to practice healthy habits in their every day lives.

I had asked around about this program was already semi-interested and after reading this email, something in my brain twitched and I knew I would regret not seizing this opportunity.

I volunteered.

I was set up to run with a 4th grade girl and my journey of running and inspiration began.

my duty as a Running Buddy was to run a 5K with my girl and I was terrified.

running is not my first choice for exercise - ever.

but this program focuses on more than just running and that is what I love most.

these girls are learning how to be okay with themselves and how to create stable and lasting relationships. I would have LOVED this sort of thing when I was their age! (omg, I'm old.)

we did the 5K and it was awesome. so many girls cheering each other on and being supported by their school's staff and family members. it was exciting and loud and FUN.

a week before we ran, my pastor at church randomly came up to me and said,

"you look like a runner!" 

I laughed in his face.

he then introduced me to a guy about to do a talk on World Vision and the running team our church was going to put together. 

they showed this incredible video of people in Africa receiving clean water for the first time because a person in American ran 13 or 26 miles. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UUoLG8uYgrMtbiZdJTKHf9xw&v=6dimArp2TxI

how great is that. talk about a win/win situation. 

soooo after trying to ignore Jesus tapping on my heart and then giving up with that,

I signed up for the half-marathon.

that's 13.1 miles.

insane, but God's plans for us were never meant to be boring friends. 

He plans a life for us that is abounding in adventure and joy. 

I've been training since mid-June and tonight I ran the most I've ever ran - 6 miles.

my dad has been running with me and it has been so good.

he knows me well and knows how to push me and has been such a great piece in my journey!

I still need to raise money. the goal is $1,310 and I've got $100.

fundraising is scary but doable and I'm praying daily that I find the courage to ask my loved ones to contribute - it's going straight to someone in need!

THIS is my fundraising page.

if you would like to donate I will love you forever and you are helping change lives!

(if you decide not to - I still love you.)

race day is October 17th - the day before my 24th birthday. 

I can't wait to say goodbye to 23 - a year of crazy growth and experience by doing something I never thought I could do and by helping people across the world.

also this fall I am an assistant coach for Girls on the Run.
I get to spend 2 days a week with these girls, learning and growing right beside them.

it is going to be a fantastic adventure. 

please keep me in your thoughts and prayers these next 2 months!

training continues up until the day of the race and you can donate anytime before then. 

as always, thank you for reading my words.

it's so fun to share with you and I'm excited to do so more often.

xoxo,

H

Another Year Older

I turned 22 on the 18th of October and let me tell you - it was a day to remember. The entire weekend was one to remember, actually. What happened you ask? Well by golly let me tell you.

Before I tell you what I did for my birthday weekend I have to introduce you to my boyfriend - yes you read that correctly - BOYFRIEND. I am still very excited to be able to call him that again (again? yes...I'll explain later). His name is Korey and I am quite fond of him. I am also very fond of this picture of us. It is my favorite so far.

Korey, the boyfriend.

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND 2013

(I love my birthday. A lot. Probably too much if you ask my mother and father.)

Thursday 10/17

Korey arrives at our house after driving from Indianapolis 8 hours away. We had not seen each other in over a year. It was a JOYOUS reunion. After catching up and such I took him to Gymboree to show him where I hang out with the kiddos. Then we went to Olive Garden and stuffed our faces. After dinner we drove to Blue Springs and spent the evening with my small group getting ready for a church event. It was a small group so it was a good time for Matt and Holly (the leaders) to get to know him - Matt asked lots of questions. (He approves of him, and I trust his opinion!) After life group we went home and hung out with my parents. 

Friday 10/18 - DAY OF MY BIRTH

Sonic photoshoot

After sleeping in (a birthday treat for sure!) Korey and I got ready and went to Cracker Barrel in Independence. I was so excited about this meal. I love that place. Then we went to the Nelson Atkins Museum in Kansas City! We both will happily say that we have our nerdy sides (one of us more than the other...aka Korey). We had a blast walking through the exhibits and discussing the pieces of art. We eventually got kind of tuckered out and decided we should get home to let Monster out - after getting drinks at Sonic of course. Happy Hour and my birthday? It HAD to happen. We got home, played with Monster, and waited for dad to get home from work. When he got home we drove to the Carrabba's in Independence to meet mom. Then our good friends the Prewitt's showed up to surprise me! I was very excited to see them and was so glad they were able to be there. We ate our (delicious) food, they sang to Happy Birthday to me, and then headed home! Bradee was waiting at the house - we were going to play games! My good friend Jessica and her boyfriend Logan were driving up from Springfield, too. While we waited for them to arrive we watch the Cardinals play on tv. At this point I was a very very happy 22 year old. I had my very favorite people around me. After Jess and Logan got there we played Taboo and a couple of other games. It was so fun. I'm so glad they could be here! 

the girls! friends since high school :)

the boys! friends since...that night :)

Logan, Jessica, Bradee, Monster, me and Korey :)

happy happy happy!

Saturday 10/19

Korey and I went to Fort Osage to explore the national landmark! It was really neat to be able to see a piece of history that is pretty close to Lee's Summit! We spent a good amount of time exploring the soldier's barracks and then learned a lot at the fur trading post. 

history

he knew LOTS

opossum for dinner, anyone?

we walked down to the river!

our new friend, Wooly. 

3-D ready to go! 

After exploring the 1800's we traveled back to 2013 and found a Sonic just in time for Happy Hour! Then we drove to Barnes & Noble and walked around the store. For dinner mom made a delicious meal of chicken and stuffing. It was so good. Then the 4 of us went to the IMAX to see the movie Gravity starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. It was fun! 

Sunday 10/20

Sunday morning was the first time that I got to sing in the praise team - it was Team 3's time to shine! I had to be at the church at 8 AM which was...okay - it was not fun. Early morning Hannah is not a delight. But I was excited that Korey would get to be there the first time I was singing up front. Our team and worship choir did really well  - it was fun! After I sang in the second service Korey and I went downstairs to my Sunday School room with Joyce. We helped with the kiddos - they were definitely curious about Korey. After church we went to eat at Porky's, a great BBQ place in near Grain Valley. Then we drove to my cousin Harper's house to celebrate her 3rd birthday! Korey had to leave around 3 to get back to Indiana. It was a tough goodbye - I felt like he had just gotten there! We said goodbye and I went back in and played with Harper - that helped cheer me up a little :) 

I loved every moment of this weekend. So many memories were made. I'm very excited to see how my 22nd year of life pans out!

my sweet grandma Carol sent me these beautiful lilies - my favorite!

this was my birthday cake! mom and dad are the best!

xoxo,

H