Beauty Will Rise

Today was the big race - the 1/2 marathon we've trained for all winter - the metaphor of our journey. When signing up for this feat, I didn't realize right away that this very day was the day we said our final good-byes to Braden - the day we placed him at his final resting spot. I thought of him and this journey the entire way. Each mile we ran, I tried hard to put myself back into that particular month after B's passing, remembering where we were and how we were "surviving." I couldn't help but tear up when passing the 12 mile mark and trying so hard to embrace that last mile as the "future" of "us" now. I won't lie, the run was tough especially the last two miles. My feet were on fire, my buns were badly aching, and my legs felt like 100 lb weights....all I kept thinking was darnit Steph, your heart has survived more pain than this - keep going, keep moving, keep putting one foot in front of the other. Thank you to those who ran with me today, literally and in spirit. There were many kids with signs cheering for their moms. The highlight of my run was when we saw a hawk circling above us. I prayed for B to show himself in spirit...I knew he would show me his own special sign, cheering on his mama and auntie.


I cannot begin to express our appreciation and gratitude for all of the support you gave us this week and along this entire journey. We are/were overwhelmed with generous amounts of support. We received so many cards, phone calls, e-mails, and messages. We were also sent so many special gifts during the week to let us know how much we are cared for and how often B is thought of and loved. Below is a pic of B's heart friend Super Sam releasing a balloon to B....so, so special. My school did some amazing things as well. They collected money for Heart of Gold, and I was given a flower every class period on the 16th to help distract me as the hours passed by. We are truly blessed with amazing people in our lives.


This particular picture represents mile 13 and the future of our family....one with Hope as we embrace life and each day with Owen...for understanding and acceptance....for calm and peace....for that key to be able to move forward yet another day. Keep cheering us on as we will face many more hills and challenges ahead....keep praying that we feel the wind behind our backs....keep praying that when we feel defeated, we look to the heavens and ask God and B for their guidance. I will leave with you a song I feel fitting for this day. Again, another song by Steven Curtis Chapman, Beauty Will Rise. I will try to copy the link, but you may have to search it. I will leave the words.

Here's the link to B's videos - I will try and upload more as we go: http://s867.photobucket.com/home/tchrsteph

Beauty Will Rise
Copy and Paste Link: http://popup.lala.com/popup/576742236130311821

It was the day the world went wrong
I screamed til my voice was gone
And watched through the tears as everything
Came crashing down

Slowy panic turns to pain
As we awake to what remains
And sift through the ashes
That are left behind

But buried deep beneath
All our broken dreams we have this hope

Out of these ashes beauty will rise
And we will dance among the ruins
We will see it with our own eyes
Out of these ashes beauty will rise
For we know joy is coming in the morning
In the morning, beauty will rise

So take another breath for now
And let the tears come washing down
And if you can't believe, I will believe for you

Cause I have seen the signs of spring
Just watch and see

Out of these ashes beauty will rise
And we will dance among the ruins
We will see it with our own eyes
Out of these ashes beauty will rise
For we know joy is coming in the morning
In the morning

I can hear it in the distance
And it's not too far away
It's the music and the laughter
Of a wedding and a feast
I can almost feel the hand of God
Reaching for my face to wipe the tears away
You say it's time to make everything new
Make it all new

This is our hope
This is a promise
This is our hope
This is a promise

It will take our breath away
To see the beauty that's been made
Out of the ashes, out of the ashes

It will take our breath away
To see the beauty that He's made
Out of the ashes, out of the ashes

Out of these ashes
Beauty will rise
And we will dance among the ruins
We will see it with our own eyes
Out of this darkness
New light will shine
And we'll know the joy that's coming in the morning
In the morning
Beauty will rise

Oh, beauty will rise
Oh, oh, oh, beauty will rise
Oh, oh, oh, beauty will rise
Oh, oh, oh, beauty will rise