My heart is so full!

What a day yesterday was! I wanted to post this last night but I was exhausted and emotionally full and drained. The only thing I can say is that my heart is so full. Full of sadness & full of much happiness. What a day of tremendous up & downs. 

Yesterday was a teacher work day and for those of you who don't know I am a PMD teacher (Profound Mentally Disabled). I have some of the best students who have taught me so much about unconditional love & servant-hood thus far this year. At school, I received the terrible & unexpected news that one of my students had passed away yesterday morning. I could not believe my ears- one of MY precious students passed away today to be with God. I sobbed forever.  Bailey was so beautiful and perfect in her own way and had such an amazing smile and giggle that could melt all worries away. It breaks my heart but so glad beautiful Bailey gets to be whole in Christ's perfection. So bitter sweet. I miss you boopsie! Please pray for her family and Reeves Elementary.. and me; mainly that I can be strong for them.

 

That news of course is enough to shatter anyones day. I got up early yesterday to work out at the gym with Julie (for those who don't know her- she is basically like my best friend, mom, mentor, encourager and strong hold). We had planned on going together to Try Sports to pick out my shoes and everything. After this day I could really care less about shoes but we figured if nothing else it would get my mind away from sadness even it was just for a little bit. 

As many of you know- I have written about my huge need for new shoes since I have been having some knee & foot discomfort and also upon the discovery of having such a weird walking pattern on my right foot. I did not have the money to buy these or really anything else at the time but I had faith that the Lord was going to provide for me needs just like he will for the ones that remain. The LORD IS SO GOOD!!!! This is the neatest story. I almost feel bad being so joyful about shoes on this day of grief but it just proved that God provides and I know if he can provide my stupid shoes, He will take care of Bailey and her family during this time and for anyone else forever more.

So I told Julie that I would meet her at her house after school at 4:30. We hop in her car and are headed on our way to Mount Pleasant to Try Sports to get fitted for my shoes. What a different experience this was compared to what I used to do to buy tennis shoes; I said "THOSE ARE CUTE!" and I bought them.  That is not how it worked out this time. It's really a neat process. They take time to sit with you and talk with you about what you're doing, any pain or difficulties you may be having. Then you stand on this thing that takes an imprint of your arch so that they know what kind of support you need. Then you put on a pair of tennis shoes and you get on a tread mill where they analyze your running and take video of it. You watch your video and they analyze different angles in your feet and how your feet strike the ground and your natural gate. It was sweet! Try Sports really cares about their customers so PLEASE go there if you are looking for anything sports related but especially for shoes. They have Try Sports located in Mt. Pleasant, Charlotte, Wilmington and Raleigh! Seriously- Go! You will be glad you did! Ask for David Cross at Mount Pleasant! He is AMAZING! :) (They are all wonderful by the way- but that is who helped me.) 

So I want to give you pretty much a run down synopsis of my trip to Try Sports- with some pictures included! 

So like I said I got to Julie's and we are on our way and we get to Try Sports. Julie has been there before and purchased shoes so she goes in and asks for Dave. I just figured that she had worked with him previously and really liked him. So I introduce myself and we go through the arch analysis. I am telling him all about what I am doing with the healthy charleston challenge and my goals. Just normal conversation. I get up to run on the tread mill (haha and Julie is taking pictures of me on her i-phone the whole time and I had no idea she was photographing me during this whole experience. I'll try to get some with me on the tread mill soon.)

With the run on the treadmill, we figure out what type of shoe I need and Dave presented me with three choices. From here on out, it was my trying them on and my personal preference and comfort. I am trying on the first pair and I see Julie whispering to dave. Who knows? I thought it was kind of weird but did not really strike any suspicion or anything. So I came back and tried on the second pair and Julie says "Ummm.. I am going to go look at Sports Bras." I did not think anything of it because we had both talked about desperately needing new ones. So I just said "Ok" and sat down to try on a new pair of shoes. I put the second pair on and started walking around the store. 

By this point, I am standing my Julie and a girl comes up to me and says "BLAIR!" and I have no flipping idea who she is! I said in a really unsure tone "Yes?" and she put out her hand and said "I'm Angie!" and also introduced herself to Julie. We had a little chit-chat and then she said something that truly rocked my world. She said "I have been reading your blog!" ...

"WHAT?!" That is what I said. Just like that. "WHAT?!-- Are you serious?" and she replies with "YES! I love it and I am so proud of you."  So of course my first reaction is to start questioning her..."but how? who told you?" and I quickly looked at Julie and she looked shocked to exclaiming "I did not tell her." And Angie says... "A little birdie told me."  So now... I am starting to wonder but still was pretty much clueless to the blessings that were in store for me today at Try Sports. 

So I shrug it off really and continued to try out the 2nd pair then went back to meet dave for the final pair. I put them on. And it was between the 2nd and 3rd pair. Once I decided on the shoe. Dave said "What kind of socks do you wear?" and I so brilliantly responded with... " I don't know...socks..." :) haha. Who knew that there were really different kind of socks! So he grabbed me a set of socks and said these are really great and is what you really need when working out. I said "oh ok, great" nonchalantly but inside I am screaming "HOLY CRAP!!! I CANNOT AFFORD THIS!!!! I BARELY HAVE THE MONEY FOR THE SHOES!!!!" So I hesitantly follow him to the counter to pay and there Julie hands him a shirt... he puts it in the bag. He goes and grabs another shirt... puts it in the bag. He grabs a water bottle... he puts it in the bag. Grabs my shoes and socks... he puts it in the bag. Hands me his card with the sweetest smile and said "ok! There you go! You are good to go." And I with a confused voice said... "Well, how much do I owe?"  Then my world got rocked & it became so real to me how much support I have and how much people believe in me and HOW MUCH I KNOW I can do this.

He said..."Nothing!"  "WHAT?!" I said. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! HOW?! WHY?!?" then after all those questions I was speechless. He said "it's taken care of!" I quickly look at Julie! She said "I DID NOT DO IT!"  HOLY CRAP! I again said "WHY?!" and Dave said something so real and so meaningful to me coming from a complete stranger. He said "We are just so proud of you! Keep doing great! It's taken care of."  What a great picture of Christ... "It's taken care of." He takes such good care of us. Their moto at Try Sports is Believe. Achieve.  How true for any situation- if you BELIEVE you can... then you can! If you BELIEVE in Christ then he will show you his profound greatness. 

So Julie was taking pictures this whole time because she knew this was happening and I was CLUELESS!!!! She took a picture of me and dave with my bag full of new gear! 

So I walk out speechless with my mouth hanging open to the car and Julie was hysterical saying "YOU WERE SO CLUELESS!" I was. NO IDEA. It is crazy because maybe about 3 or 4 weeks ago I opened my heart with Julie. I am never afraid to tell her my dreams  and wishes that most people might deem as stupid because she always embraces me. I told her then how I wished that I could get Try Sports to sponsor me through my goal so that I could one day be a part of their team that does races and triathlons. One of my dreams is to compete in triathlons. I don't know if I will be on the Try Sports team one day but they sponsored me! I could not believe it. I got in the car and it was all I could do not to sob. I was astounded and my heart was so full.

I don't know how it happened... who worked it out. All I know is someone worked it out with Try Sports and made a bit of a donation and knew I was good friends with Julie so they had her go with me. But- I have a feeling whoever you are ... I have a feeling you read this... so deeply, with tears filling my eyes now as I type, I want to thank you so so so very much. You have no clue. I know Try Sports donated a lot to me too. Thank you so very much Try Sports and Dave, from the bottom of my heart! Your support seriously means the world to me and just as I was hitting this halfway slump- you have encouraged me all the more. 

Please please please go to Try Sports if you need anything sports related- they are amazing people WITH HEARTS for their customers- they are not in it for the sale but in it to help. Thank you Dave!! 

God's provision has left me speechless. Since I have started the challenge budget has become really hard b/c healthy food is a lot more pricey than the family pack of hot pockets and the lunch meat and bread I was eating before. Yes- seriously...that is about ALL I ate. I have been left wondering how to buy the things I need to be successful in this goal like groceries and these shoes. The Lord has provided and I know he will provide for the rest of my needs as I continue on this journey. I am just... so humbled by his goodness and the hearts of his people. Thank you! SO MUCH! 

So back to Bailey- the sweet little student of mine who passed away. She never could walk. She never could run. She was tube fed. She never could help whether she gained or lost weight. I am doing this for her from now on. I have been blessed with a body that works and I take it for granted and have abused it for years. No more. When I run- you're in my mind Bailey and I will miss you forever!

Here is a picture of me and Dave at Try Sports...

Here are the new shoes and bottle from TRY SPORTS!!

SO EXCITED!!! (Ps: I could not get my leg up this high before the challenge...)

Shoes again!

Julie and I walked around in my new shoes! I was itching to go work out in them!!

 

THANK YOU TRY SPORTS!!!