Service

Just like always, busy busy busy.
Our 5K was very successful, despite the relentless morning rain.  Funny how the sun came out and glistened off the beaded raindrops making for a BEAUTIFUL day - perfect for a nice run - just as soon as the last of the items were unloaded from our vehicles after the event was over.

Despite the rain, we had over 60 people show up to volunteer.  There were 265 people registered for the 5K, and all but 16 of them picked up their packet (or at least a timing chip), so we can only assume that the turnout was equally as impressive.

Almost a month later, our little foundation has given away over $11,000.  Holy cow.  We did it - we really did make a positive financial impact for a few great families in our community. :)  I'm proud!

The whole "fighting cancer" theme in my life is only getting stronger. I'm excited  to be a part of the committee for our local Relay for Life, and there's only 30-something days left until the event.  I'm all about loving on the people of our community who have suffered....  for this chapter of my life, it happens to be suffering because of cancer.  I love serving other people, though - no matter the "cause."

When I was 15, I went with a friend of mine to help clean up after the Great Flood of 1993 in Des Moines, IA.  It wasn't part of a mission trip or anything like that...  My mom worked for the city government, and they were sending some people. When she came home from work and told me about it, without hesitation - I said, "I want to be a part of that, can I go?"   Being a minor, I really wasn't supposed to go - many feared that I would just be in the way. But, mom worked it out through people she knew, and before I had a chance to fully pack my bag, the plane took off and I was on it.  It was fun - seeing people (us) working together, helping strangers. I loved meeting the people we helped. We gutted countless houses - tearing down drywall and filling dumpster after dumpster with their ruined belongings.  During the last 3 days of our stay there, we gutted a bar, and I remember everyone just chilling out on the last evening drinking alcohol and talking about the trip. I, of course, was enjoying a bottled water, but I LOVED feeling included and appreciated for all the work I put forward.  Of course, the whole thing wasn't all fun and warm-fuzzy-hearts...  there was real, true saddness invloved - I'll never forget the teddy bear that floated atop some muck in one house, where the little girl had passed away during the downpour.  I wanted to bring that teddy bear home - but my cohorts advised against it, reminding me of the smell and filth that it had become.  I guess I still had some "kid" left in me, even while I was among others serving out of my home state and away from family... away from anybody that I knew, really.

Anyway!

My life of service continues. I hope that this BBF we have created turns into something great. Something monumental and important. I hope to be a part of it's growth for as long as the Lord deems it necessary for me to be a part of it - and then, I hope to move onto the next great thing.  My only goal in this life is make a TON of money so that I can give it ALL away.   Seriously.  No matter where I'm at in life, I know that someone, somewhere will ALWAYS have it worse than I do.

So there's me tootin' my own horn again. I guess just trying to explain where my love and desire for local service projects comes from.  A bit of history in there too - in case you cared.

Thanks for reading! Maybe I'll get back with the blogging world again before long.