Ben Skaar is next up on my “who is it” appreciation posts. Ben and I were two male team leaders for the first four months of the race. It was through our weekly calls and check-ins we began our friendship. He was the only one on our squad that could relate to what I was going through. In moments when I felt alone, there was Ben to talk to and point me back to the Lord. In month five, God brought us closer together. This is when things took off! We were placed on the same team and from then on we became closer. There is a lot to Ben that some of you may and may not know.
BEN SKAAR 
One thing for sure is that he is a man of his word. He is a strong man of discipline. He is a man who will fight for you. He is a man who walks in wisdom and who loves the word of God. He is a man who loves/values his family. He loves and has pride for his state Minnesota! Golf is his life and he has a desire to be the best whatever he puts his mind to. I love that about him. I have learned so much and I have been challenged by Ben. I have learned more about what it looks like to be disciplined. I have learned a lot about taking my studies of the word to the next level. It’s been an honor to have walked alongside him in what God is doing in his life and seeing how much he has grown. He has grown so much in vulnerability, boldness, and leadership. I am thankful for the listening ear he has been to me. He has been an encourager, prayer warrior, and a brother. I am thankful for him being a person I could really open up to and grow in vulnerability with. I have had moments where I have shown the ugliest parts of myself when it comes to repenting/sharing with him and the good parts as well. I don’t know where I would be or know how my year would have went if Ben wasn’t in my life. I am excited to spur him on for life and to see how the Lord uses him back home. My prayer is that Ben doesn’t forget what the Lord brought him through. That he wouldn’t forget the growth and that he will take all he has learned. For him to use the gifts, talents, and abilities to further the kingdom wherever his feet touch. That he would continue to walk in humility and love others outside of his comfort zone. Ben has been more than a best friend and I am thankful I can call him family. Ben is my brother for life.
