Lately we've been spending a lot less time working on our condo and a lot more time running. The Half Marathon is drawing closer and we're gaining in mileage every week! Tonight we enjoyed this amazing view on our 5 mile run along the lakefront. But it hasn't all been easy, did I mention the 95 degree sweaty heat? Oh, and the clouds of knats at dusk!? Well, you get the picture... it's not always pretty. But as we approached the skyline tonight I couldn't help but think back to this time last year and thank God once again for all the blessings he has given us! Every single one of our prayers from this time last year has been answered. We're very fortunate to have jobs in this city, near my family AND own our very own home. Inspiration is merely at our doorstep and the beautiful chaos of the city continually fuels our passions for urban living, planning and design.
Running along the lakefront this summer has been a dream! Not only are we blessed to live here but we are simply blessed to have such freedoms and luxuries to live in such an amazing country and pursue our dreams. I am constantly reminded that not everyone in this world is so fortunate to have such opportunities and resources at their feet. That's why I'm so excited to be running for the children of Angola this year. I know there are people far away from Chicago that walk a mile everyday over rocky ground, without shoes on their feet or sometimes clothes on their back, just to get water. And they have to carry that water (usually on their head) back to their children. Their children attend school beneath trees and sit on rocks and small stumps. If they are lucky they might have a tattered schoolbook. Many of them don't complete 5th grade and many of them don't get an education at all. Education is the key for Angola, a country that was plagued with civil war for years and years. They are on the long road to recovery and patching a country back together after such devestation is not an easy task.
RISE seeks to build up the children of Angola by bringing them education. If there's anything Justin and I have learned through planning & design is that EVERYTHING comes back to education. And I think education will mean a world of difference in the lives of these children and Africa as a whole. If you haven't already, please consider supporting me as I run 13.1 miles on September 12th for Team RISE. I'm hoping that I can make a small difference this summer by contributing my time, training, dedication and and even summer sweat to the children all the way in Angola.
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