Welcome....Here's a glimpse of our happenings!

The verses that have REALLY spoken to me (Sarah) lately....



"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25



Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. I Peter 5:8-9



From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' Acts 17:26-28



May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14



So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Deuteronomy 5:32-33



God, our God, will take care of the hidden things but the revealed things are our business. It's up to us and our children to attend to all the terms in this Revelation. Deuteronomy 29:29 (The Message)

About the Friesen's....

We are Marc, Sarah, Luke, and Kate Friesen. We were married June 5, 2004. We have one son, born July 21, 2008, named Luke Andrew -- now 4 years old. We also have a daughter named Kate Christine -- born June 6, 2012. Marc is working at Cessna as a Senior Accountant, and Sarah stays home full-time with Luke. Sarah also gets to work very part-time at home for Graber Backhoe -- an excavation company AND VERY part-time at our church. We LOVE being a part of Grace Community Church here in Newton, KS. We lead a Community Life Group of other wonderful couples. Marc thoroughly enjoys long-distance running and Taekwondo. Sarah thoroughly enjoys walking -- especially when the weather is nice to take Luke and/or out in the stroller. Thanks for reading our blog!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

This time, it was my turn....

Back toward the end of the year 1999 or the beginning of the year 2000, I took on running. I was NEVER in any sort of athletics in high school (I was the music and academic geek). So, to take on running at that point (I was 23 years old at the time) was HUGE for me.

At the time, I did it to lose some weight. Soon after, when the weight had come off, I realized it was something I enjoyed.

Over the next several years, I probably participated in roughly 50-75 races.

In February, 2003, Marc and I met. You all know that Marc runs A LOT. It was something we had in common.

After meeting Marc, I kept running, but I will admit I didn't run as much (funny how that works out). And, of course, I put on a few pounds that I had previously lost.

At the beginning of 2006, we started trying to have a baby. It took us a while, but it didn't take forever.

In 2007, I got pregnant and later miscarried.

It seriously broke my heart.

Fortunately, soon after, God blessed us with another pregnancy (this would be Luke).

Through all of that, running took to the backburner in my life.

During my pregnancy, I said, "I can't wait to start running again."

When Luke came, my heart toward running changed. For some reason, and I honestly can't fully explain this, my heart was no longer into running. (And I have struggled with this issue for over a year now).

However, as MANY of you in this town know, I walk A LOT -- with Luke in the stroller.

My many walks up and down Main St. in this town have allowed me to "meet" a few people.

Several weeks ago, two women runners approached me on the street. They told me they were organizing this run/walk to fundraise for the Harvey County Relay for Life.

Seeing how cancer has hit a couple of our friends' lives over the last 1 1/2 years, I decided to walk it. So, I signed up.

We decided that Marc would not run this event. But, he would show up with Luke to support me.

I headed out this morning....A little over 100 people ended up participating in this event (which I assume will become an annual event).

It was very LOW KEY -- which is what I needed :)

I decided to start off running (keep in mind I HAVE NOT been running at all in almost 2 years).

It was nice and hot and nice and windy (Kansas wind, if you know what I mean).

You know what? I actually ended up running the whole thing. I guess the walking "trains" me more than I realize because I haven't run an entire race since a week before I found out I was pregnant with Luke.

And, guess what? I actually enjoyed it once again -- kind of like I did 4-5 years ago.

I'm actually not sure what my finishing time was....This race was a bit different in how times are kept. As I am typing this, I just checked to see if the results were posted, and they weren't yet.

Marc took a couple of photos....So, here they are :)

I'm on the left in this photo -- in the yellow shirt and black "skort" type thing.





Here I am -- approaching the finish line....



And, if you look REALLY closely in this photo, you'll see my yellow shirt underneath the balloons...That was the finish line.



And, why exactly did I choose to go on ahead and do this race -- even though racing hasn't exactly been top of mind lately?

I did this in honor of my friend, Lisa Siebert, who is now 6 MONTHS out of a stem cell transplant (November 11 is her official immune system birthday).

Go Lisa!!!!!

And, I did this in memory of Cora Paige McClenahan, the daughter of friends Joel and Jess, who lost her brief battle with cancer last year.



These same women who originally invited me to this race asked me I knew other people who might be interested.

I did....But, I was slightly late in getting information to other people about this race. Therefore, nobody took me up on the offer to join me in this event. I also realize this is a busy time of the year.

Next year, perhaps I'll do a better job, and perhaps more of you out there will join us.

5 comments:

The Rakows said...

:) awesome job, Sarah :) and what a wonderful honor to your friend and to sweet Cora... :)
way to go and keep up the great work! :)

Candice said...

Way to go Sarah!! I love the last pic!

Momma H said...

WTG Sarah! That is just great. I never have been, and probably never will be a runner, and I really admire you gals that go out and DO IT. (With feet like mine, I need to "run" in a swimming pool).

Diana said...

Good for you! GOOD FOR YOU!!

I have never been a runner... my migraines won't let me. Ugh. But if I'd known, I'd have walked over to the park or the path and cheered you on! I'm so close... shoot me an email next time, I will come watch even if I can't participate. Love the last photo, too... you holding Luke and your signs on your back. GREAT JOB, Sarah! :D

I saw you and Marc walking on Main Street the other evening (also Saturday?). My son was driving the car for me since I was hurting so bad from a migraine. I said to him, "Honk!" And he said "Huh? Why?" LOL! Don't ask, just do! Ah well. One of these days!

The Sieberts said...

yay Sarah! way to go! I do notice that walking gets me in way more shape then i realize! i don't think i'll take up running anytime soon though...but i guess you never know...!

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