26.2 Miles

As you can see, I am missing from the photos below but the reason is simple. By the time the camera got to me, I had whizzed by and was leading the race--to the next viewing zone! If you're new around here, the first picture is of my brother Matthew and the second is his wife Christy.

I had such inspiration this past weekend watching both of my brothers & sister-in-law glide through the 2009 White Rock

Marathon here in Dallas!

The determination of everyone was something that you really want to latch on to.

We saw smiles, cries, senior citizens, young kids & even missing limbs!

It was inspiring to watch all the thousands of people--many of them first timers--take a shot at such an intense undertaking. My youngest brother Ryan finished a beautiful half-marathon (13.1 miles) then another 5 with a blown out knee, just to give the others a fierce competitive edge. :) Everyone exceeded their own expectations and that is all that really matters.

In the event something is not your thing--like running a marathon--take note: say you have a "butt thing". I was at the gym walking up stairs when I noticed a youth challenged lady behind me.

Rather than having her wait on me, I told her to go ahead.

She passed without hesitancy (as if to say I should have offered sooner) then with a loving tone said "I'm going slow because I have a butt thing, what's your thing?" I couldn't even get my "thing" out as I was laughing so hard!

Here's to setting goals and making new ones!

Love,

Jen

Life Without Limbs

All I can say is, wow! Yesterday I was able to attend Nick Vujicic's event mentioned in the blog post below not once, but twice! My plan was to go once with family & friends but then thought that a special young friend of mine & P.L.A.Y. Foundation family member, Ryanne (missing both legs & parts of her hands), was attending with Scottish Rite & they had scheduled an amazing private meeting with Nick.

So, as I wasn't going to miss that opportunity, I came back and was able to listen for an hour of questions with him privately. Kids have the best way of just "getting it out there" and Nick answered every question with such wisdom and grace. They were so intrigued by how he was able to swim.

Since Nick was born without arms or legs (with no medical explanation) he was able to really enlighten the kids in the audience about self-esteem and self-empowerment. My husband and I got so much out of this experience. And Matthew H. couldn't have been more intrigued. He was smiling, laughing and was engaged with such heartfelt sincerity. It was a beautiful opportunity!

He has been all over the world speaking and touching lives of over 3 million people. What a powerful display of human courage! Apparently, Oprah is going to have him on one of her last shows in October. Saving the best for last, it couldn't be any more appropriate!

As an adult with some of his same obstacles he truly projects the concept of acceptance, of world community, of human potential. The crowd was cheering & clapping the entire time. Moments like these truly remind us how bright the human spirit is.

Icing on the cake: I was looking on his website and right on the front he has linked my website to his. I was so shocked and felt really touched as we had never met before yesterday!

Please visit Life Without Limbs and surf around. Be prepared to be inspired! Know yourself, accept yourself and let everything else be secondary. As Nick said, "You may have a mansion, money or fame, but if it's built on sand, who cares? It won't last anyway."

Love,
Jen

Aussie Inspiration

The holidays and memorable moments to create are upon us. Especially during this time of the year, anything we can do to expose ourselves to a new perspective or experience should always be considered.

If you are in the Dallas area this Sunday, December 6th, think about attending a speaking event featuring Nick Vujicic.

Nick, an Australian native, was born without arms or legs and given no medical reason for this condition. Faced with countless challenges and obstacles, a spirit bigger than himself has given him the strength to surmount what others might call impossible.

Nick has an unquenchable passion to share this same hope with others. He will be at Watermark Church at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to share his amazing story of faith and hope. I'm sure you won't regret it!

Love,
Jen