Half Marathon

So about a month ago- whoops.  My brother and I ran in a half marathon.  In January I decided that I need a work out goal.  I saw my dear from Ashley run in a race and was inspired!  So I started training.

I am not a runner.  Seriously, not at all.

But I wanted to accomplish this.

Then I got my brother to do it with me.  It was touch and go for a while there.
We had some injuries and sickness.  But the day came and we went to run a half.

It was cold.  And in Boone.  Oh the hills.  I don't like hills.  But we did it!  

There were a lot of people running.  It was cool to have the support of other people around you.  That helped me.  And I really feel like the Lord gave us the strength to finish.  Because my legs felt like jello at the end.  We decided to pray for people at every mile.  I don't know that it actually changed every mile but that helped move my mind to something else.  That was the advise my cousin Earlie gave to us.  

I also feel like it was fun to get to do that half before everything that has been going on.  As you might have read in an earlier post, TJ (my brother) and Olivia (sister-in- law) had their twin boys handsome Tyson Luke and Hunter Wells about two weeks after the race.  During the race it felt like my legs weren't going to make it at times.  There were some hills that seemed like they were literally never going to end.  But we made it!  I think that is so much like the battle TJ and Olivia and their family of four are going through right now.  There will be hills, there will be valley's but there will be and end to these battles.  There will also be great views and great mountaintops.  There will be the top of the mountain that feels so good!   The Lord will help Tyson and Hunter.  The Lord will give them strength to finish.  Our Lord gives us strength to go through things in life.  We grow and we change from these.  And we have a different eternal relationship with Jesus because of them.  I felt different when I finished the race.  Tj, Olivia, Tyson and Hunter will be in a different place with Jesus for eternity because of what they are going through now. They will know Jesus in a way I do not, or others do not.  I love that.  Challenges are like a half marathon.  Not forever.  Yes a challenge but it will pass!

Daddy B!!

Happy Father's Day to my Daddy B!  I don't exactly know where calling you Daddy B came from but it just kind of stuck one day- which I love because now as a Grandpa you are called Papa B- your welcome for adding the creative B part ;)!
I love that there is a day that is all about YOU! And I get to tell the world how absolutely wonderful you are!
Things you should know about Daddy B- that you may not know:
- You are literally the most giving person that I know.  I am always challenged by your heart because you want to be there and help anyone that is in need.  You have a deep care for people.
- You have a servants heart!  I have learned so much about how to live life but also how to do my job.  My job is so often about serving others around me and I have learned how to do that by watching you throughout the years!
- You have a tender sweet heart (but your a strong man;) I love the times when we are praying before meals and you share a story- because your heart is so touching!  It brings me to tears getting to hear your heart for the Lord and our family!
- You are such a leader in our family.  We follow your lead and I love how you have led our family.
- You love your wife.  I love seeing the way you look at Mama B!  I can tell your heart for her in that look!  I love the way you get excited when she comes along on hunting trips, beach trips or random adventures.  Ya'll are such a precious couple to me!
- You have such a great laugh!  And you Love to laugh!
- You also love dogs.  I think most people probably know that about you, but you just do.  All dogs names shorty right?
- You love to crack jokes- just might need some help on the punch lines at times :)  It brings great entertainment though!
- You love your family!  You are so good about visiting family members and making time for them!  You carry on the Beroth name and care for family members.  Your care for family extends beyond our immediate family!  It extends to the store and to extended family!  You are great about devoting time and energy to our family!
- You wear your tennis shoes and socks on the beach- had to say it!  Maybe you don't anymore but no worries we have pictures documenting it!
- You have LOTS of stories
- You are a deep thinker.  You ride around in your truck and mull over everything you have heard that day.  If someone mentions an idea or a thought to you, you take that thought and you stew on it for a day or two and then I get a phone call with the Daddy B solution.  Its awesome!  I always know you are listening.
- You love to read.  Every night- sitting in your chair.
- You go to bed real early
- You don't watch movies more than once- but you'll watch any movie once
- You love to wear shirts with dogs on them.  You also love camo.
- You love to hunt.  You even love to drive a bazillion miles to just hunt for a few days- even if you may not get anything- but its the experience I think you love.
- You love singing shows.  American Idol.  The Voice.  They are so good.
- You have an incredible work ethic.  You are a great business man and work hard.  I admire that so much!
- You love a good nap- I feel ya!
- You love tractors, tires and all things cars!
- You love to work out
- You have a great singing voice!  Most people probably don't know that- right Ashley Gilley :) But you really do!  I loved getting to sing together in church while I was growing up- a cherished memory! I love even now standing beside you in church as you hum during the tune and sing during the lyrics!!
- Most importantly you love Jesus a LOT!!

I love you Daddy B and I love that every year I realize more and more how similar we are!  And that makes me happy!  I am definitely your daughter and whenever anyone says that to me it is the biggest compliment they could pay me!

Happy Fathers Day- So thankful to have a Daddy like you!  #1000gifts

classic picture.  Daddy B with his little girl!

Sweet trip to Superbowl with my Daddy B!

I love the Hokies

For the second year in a row I have gotten to take some of my high school friends to visit Virginia Tech.  It makes me so happy to get to share this wonderful place with some of my Young Life friends.  The fact that they can see the place where I developed these amazing friendships and learned how to walk with Jesus is such a gift!  Andddd not to mention they are considering going to tech so I get to talk about its amazingness all weekend long!!!
We went in the fall but it was an absolutely beautiful day and the pictures were so sweet I had to share them!

Just an adventure....

Ever have those really great days with friends where you laugh a lot, take a ton of pictures and end the day thanking Jesus for such great friends?

Well, this was one of those days!  It had been rainy and gross for most of my weekend up in DC, but we planned an outing anyway!  I mean I didn't get to see these friends that often and by golly we were going to have an adventure.  

We headed out on our adventure and began by driving through an area in search of a cute winery.  Literally just started driving, didn't know where we were going.  Those are the best adventures anyways, the ones you just happen to fall upon. 

We ended up in super cute Leesberg for some yummy food :) and went antiquing.  

Then went on our way to find a winery.  Saw a sign for one and it ended up being an old barn that they had turned into a winery!  Adorable and GORGEOUS!  Suddenly the day was beautiful!

Thank you JESUS!!

Then we left the winery and found a...

........

wait for it...

.......

FLOWER FARM!  

Who even knew those existed?  But seriously amazing!  It was an old barn and FIELDS full of flowers!  You literally walk in, grab a bucket, fill up the bucket and drop your cash into a jar before you leave!  It was amazing!  We had the best time and made for some beautiful pictures of my model friends :)!!  

 

 I loved this picture so much I put the color version and the black and white! ahhh just so fun!!

The model Leanne!

 

Beautiful Booe!!

They had sunflowers as big has my head!!

 I know you are still in shock by the flower farm right?  I know, I am too.  It was just so much fun!  
I want to know where there are these flower farms in NC?  

Such an amazing day with some of the sweetest friends I have ever had.  I literally met these two girls the FIRST week of college and we were inseparable after that!  The Lord has blessed me so much to know them and have them in my life!  I do not know where my life would have headed in college had I not met them!  They teach me a LOT about Jesus, how to love others and find such JOY in life!  They are beautiful inside and out!