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race day {run for hope}

We made it.
We all finished the race.
The day of the run was a busy, crazy day…but so good.
I spent the morning at the craft fair with my sister and some friends,
came home for a quick nap for Levi,
and then barely made it in time for the race.
It was SO hot.
But we finished…and even ran the whole way.
I was so proud of Joel.
He HATES running and really didn’t have time to do much training.
I was a little worried about him.
I figured I was going to have to drag him along.
But, I couldn’t keep up with him.
He even beat me by three minutes.
(Why can guys always do that without even trying too hard??)
I’m trying to convince him to keep running now!
The day was so crazy that I totally forgot to take any pictures until we were leaving.
There were almost 200 participants in the race.
Many were running in honor or memory of a loved one affected by cancer.
We of course were running for Cora
along with many of our friends and family.
Even my sweet friend Laura came all the way from Colorado 
with her two boys to run for Cora.
(I didn’t get any pictures of her either…bummer.)

After the race we all ate together and then it was time for the concert.
Andrew Peterson was fantastic.
If you haven’t heard his music, you need to check him out.
As we sat and listened {completely exhausted},
these words really spoke to my heart:
More

This is not the end here at this grave
This is just a hole that someone made
Every hole was made to fill
And every heart can feel it still–
Our nature hates a vacuum

This is not the hardest part of all
This is just the seed that has to fall
All our lives we till the ground
Until we lay our sorrows down
And watch the sky for rain

There is more
More than all this pain
More than all the falling down
And the getting up again
There is more
More than we can see
From our tiny vantage point
In this vast eternity
There is more

A thing resounds when it rings true
Ringing all the bells inside of you
Like a golden sky on a summer eve
Your heart is tugging at your sleeve
And you cannot say why
There must be more

There is more
More than we can stand
Standing in the glory
Of a love that never ends
There is more
More than we can guess
More and more, forever more
And not a second less

There is more than what the naked eye can see
Clothing all our days with mystery
Watching over everything
Wilder than our wildest dreams
Could ever dream to be
There is more  


Today as I continue to miss my sweet little girl and 
try to recover from the busyness of the weekend,
I am so thankful there is MORE.
Be strong and let your heart take courage, 
all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 31:24
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
In case you are wondering, I did survive without drinking pop.
August 23 until race day = no pop for me.
My friend Lindsay was my “no pop” accountability partner.
She helped me stay strong.
After the race Joel took me to Sonic for a Dr. Pepper.
I was hoping I wouldn’t like it as much anymore.
Nope.
Still good. 
Soooooo good.
I am going to try to practice more self control from now on though.
Water is just as good, right!??
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  • Debbie S. - I’m so with you on the *soda* thing. I wish I could stop, but it’s just too good 🙂 Great job on the race!ReplyCancel

  • Kristi REDISKE - So glad you were able to finish the race and glad for joel too. I was in town and wanted to do the race but couldn’t because I was sick-bummer! I do relate with you about the pop thing-I am a dr pepper addict and i love it even more if it is from Sonic. The girls at Sonic in our town know me and when I order a small they want to know why-pretty sad huh? Well when I leave they say see ya later today because they know the small is not enough-well anyway-I am trying to drink water too-getting use to it some but still have to have some of that sonic dp! Wish I could have seen Andrew Peterson-I have all his cd’s!ReplyCancel

  • Rob and Corrie - “…if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins…If we have hope in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. BUT NOW CHRIST HAS BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD, THE FIRST FRUITS OF THOSE WHO ARE ASLEEP!” (I Cor. 15:17-20)
    Hope indeed!
    _A.P. is great…he came and sang at my Bible college several (!) years ago.
    _Great job finishing the race, y’all!
    _Levi is ADORABLE.ReplyCancel

  • **** - Congrats, and thanks for being such an inspiration…again!

    RachelReplyCancel

  • Jenae {I Can Teach My Child} - Sonic Dr. Pepper’s are the best!!! Good for you for giving it up. I need to do that.

    I still think of Cora (and you guys) often! Thank you for being such an inspiration. And I LOVE that song!ReplyCancel

  • Stef - yay! I’m glad you finished! The bag with Cora’s name on it made me cry. I think actually seeing my girl’s name there would just cement the reality even more 🙁
    So proud of you guys!ReplyCancel

  • purejoy - good for you… you did great!! and no coke for over a month?? i’d be in trouble!
    what a sweet way to remember cora… and so thankful there is MORE>ReplyCancel

  • Kendall Smith - I was shocked that you didn’t cry during that song…at least not that I could see. 🙂 I was crying for you! But yeah, what an amazing concert.ReplyCancel

  • Trish - So proud of you. That looked tough and to give up dr pepper on top of that! Bravo 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Shana - I never even saw you cross! How is that possible?
    Maybe because I was staring at everyone’s feet – but still!
    (I did see Joel – he did great – not fair!)
    Way to go.
    Water is the best. Hands down.ReplyCancel

  • meg duerksen - way to go jess!!!
    i wish i could’ve been there.
    i really do.ReplyCancel

  • Julie - I’m so proud of you! For so very many reasons. Keep doing what you do and blogging about it for the rest of us.ReplyCancel

  • Tricia - Jess, I’m so glad that the day was such a success! What a blessing to have so many people that love and support your family and celebrate your sweet baby girl!

    xo*tricia

    p.s. good for you with the soda thing. i am afraid that i have a teenytiny, minor coke zero addiction brewing. just maybe. 😉ReplyCancel