Hey friends! I have so much to update you on!
First off, I‘m a college graduate!! I graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a bachelors of science degree in both Dietetics and Sports and Exercise Science. I’m not yet sure how I will use those degrees post race…we will see what the Lord has in store when that time comes.
After graduation, I got to go home for the first time since December! It was a strange feeling to be back in the place where I grew up, but now feeling that I didn’t really have a role there. Family, friends, and memories tie me to this place, but where I feel at home now is in Colorado. I got to visit my former high school, and meet with my favorite teachers and coaches who made my high school experience great and I am so thankful for that. As I was back in Iowa I got to spend lots of time with my mom and dad, but what I really missed was seeing my whole big extended family, but it’s not the same anymore, ever since my maternal grandmother was removed from my life. Not passed away, but changed in a way that she doesn’t want to speak with me, maybe ever again. I only wish I could see through her eyes and fix everything so that I could see, or even just talk to her again. All I can do is hold onto many memories of her and pray for relationships to be mended and forgiven. I was able to see my maternal grandfather, who has always been so strong willed and brave…and now lives in a nursing home and can’t remember a lot of things anymore. It was difficult to see him in this delicate state but I’m thankful for the nursing staff for the patience to care for him. My paternal grandparents were able to come to my graduation, and I haven’t seen them in years so it was great tosee them and catch up.
Now after this week at home, I got to go to the FIRST EVER WORK WEEK AT YOUNGLIFE’S ROCKY CREEK RANCH! What an honor this was!! This camp is in Bayfield, Colorado (near Durango) and it is a camp specifically for kids in middle school. My crew’s job was to clean the cabins. I’ll spare you the details of what we exactly cleaned in there, but let me tell you it is ready for kids and leaders to sleep in, have cabin time, and have literally the best week of the life!! When we weren’t cleaning we got to swim in the river, play volleyball, play spicy uno, go to club, worship and learn more about who our God is! I’m super excited to see what the Lord does in middle schoolers there this summer!
For the rest of my summer will be the first time in a long time that I am not training in the pool…but I just love swimming so much I couldn’t stay away! Which is why over the summer I am coaching at our local country club (Go Gators) and teaching swimming lessons there as well. When I‘m not coaching…I’ll be lifeguarding!
**This summer is going to be so packed, so lots of prayers needed for how to find rest daily both physically and spiritually.
FUNDRAISING IS STILL NEEDED! Thanks to all of you I am over 33% fundraised!! If you feel led to donate you can do so by clicking on donate on my profile! So many people have been asking about buying a shirt that I am doing a second order!! You can order one here: http://goo.gl/fAfv79
I am also collecting shoes for a fundraiser!! As long as they are gently used, soles still attached they will be accepted! If you would like to donate shoes, either in the Des Moines (Iowa) or in the Northern Colorado area shoot me a text at 515-326-5716!
Thanks for reading! Catch you on the flippity flop!
-Jenny
