Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me since the beginning of time. You loved me before I took my first breath. You loved me before I ever loved you. You love me when I am unlovable. You love me when I don’t love others. You love me when I feel unloved. Your love keeps no wrongs. Your love is full of grace. I want to live my life has a testimony of your amazing love. Dear Jesus, show me where I fall short in loving you and others. Thank you dear Lord, that your love is everlasting. ~OC
Two Photos. Two Stories. One Miracle
Two Photos. Two Stories. One Miracle.
The picture of Laura West Shoemaker and I is from last year. We were spending the year making memories. Most of my medical team thought I would not make it through the year. I was down to 112 pounds, was on a feeding tube and could not speak without the assistance of a voice amplifier. Laura and I never gave up. We continued to pray for and believe in a miracle. That was the only way I would make it through 2019. But we never gave up hope.
The second photo is from this morning. I ran my 1.000th mile of 2020. I was surrounded by family and friends. As I completed the final steps of this incredible journey, I thought about the guy in that first photo. I thought about my amazing bride who has walked this crazy beautiful journey with me. I thought about everyone who has prayed for me the past 18 years. I thought about my amazing medical team. Shout out to 4South at Good Samaritan Medical Center. I thought about all the incredible people I have been blessed to meet over the years. I thought about those who have experienced the ultimate healing over the last 18 years. I thought back to 11/3/19, when I experienced my beautiful miracle. When I started running last December after my miracle, 1,000 miles in 2020 was not even on my radar. What a journey it has been.
What’s the future hold? Well, I will take the rest of 2020 off from running. In the past week, I found out I have a stress fracture in my lower left leg and a strained calf muscle on my right leg. With that said, I would do it all over again. So, I will spend the rest of the year resting and allowing my body to heal. Watch out 2021! ~OC
Two Photos. Two Stories. Two Miracles.
The first photo is me reaching 900 miles run in 2020. This time last year, we were just hoping I would live through 2019. Then in November 2019, I would experience a beautiful creative miracle.
The second photo, is of my dear friend Jean Brown. Most people think she is my sister. That is how I feel about her. I have been blessed to call Jean and her husband Chris family for well over 20 years. Jean has faced her own health challenges over the years, but when I got sick again in 2009 Jean stepped up and added the title of Traveling Companion to her busy schedule. On more than one occasion, Jean has dropped everything to help Laura and I with our traveling needs. Besides being a wife, Jean is also a mother of three amazing children. That never stopped her from dropping everything and joining Laura and I on one of our crazy beautiful adventures. ~OC
Two Photos. Two Memories. Two Healings.
Two Photos. Two Memories. Two Healings. This morning I ran my 800 mile of 2020. My Laura and I have experienced many ups and downs along our crazy beautiful journey. One of those ups is Laura Geddes Paez, pictured with Laura and I at one of our book signings last year. Laura P. was more like a little sister to Laura and I. Laura P. and her wonderful husband René walked through many ups and downs with us. In turn, we walked through some major storms with them. I remember when Laura P. got sick, we declared that one day when our bodies recovered from the battles we were facing, we would run a marathon together. We were both looking forward to that day. Last November, I received my healing. Earlier this year, my dear friend received her healing. Not in the way we had hoped. No, my dear sister received the ultimate healing. No more pain or suffering. So when I run, I am not running alone. No, my dear friend Laura P. is running with me. ~OC
Saddened
I continue to be saddened that our unity in Christ is less valued than political positions. How have political convictions come to matter more than whole hearted devotion to Jesus? So many identify as a devotee of a political party or leader rather than a follower of Jesus. ~OC
Drop The Stones
I pray I will always be safe person when someone makes a mistake and needs a friend. Drop the stones. ~OC
With Love
Today’s a new day! Let’s choose to fight racism with love. ~OC
Running Out My Miracle
A year ago, I weighed 112, pounds and the doctors gave me a few months to live. Then God did a miracle. Today, I completed my 500th mile this year. Next up, 1,000 miles. We serve an amazing Savior. ~OC
A Letter
Today’s a new day! Is your life a love letter or a rejection letter? ~OC
Make Peace
Today’s a new day! Make peace with your past; so you can make friends with your amazing future. ~OC
