January 2020 – As many of you know, last October, Travis and I participated in our first 50K trail ultra-marathon, which we did as a fundraiser for HSHC. So, naturally, some of you might be wondering, what’s next? Are y’all going to train for another 50k, or perhaps a longer distance? What do you have your sights set on for 2020? Our answer – rest!

Yes, despite our stubborn persistence of “keeping on, keeping on,” after training for the 50k and finishing up 2019, we both found ourselves depleted – tired, not sleeping well, and with more aches and pains than usual. As a result, we have spent the opening weeks of 2020 being intentionally slower – walking instead of running, both literally and metaphorically. For example:

We enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation near Mt. Tallac, in Lake Tahoe, CA. Instead of keeping our eyes glued to the ground to avoid trail obstacles, we were able to look around, taking moments to pause and not hurry. The picture below is of Karen hugging a magnificent old redwood tree near Los Gatos, CA, at Bearcreek Redwoods Open Space Reserve (can’t do that while running!).

We have found ourselves better able to walk with God as opposed to running ahead of God with our own ideas and plans for our lives and the organization.

Through resting, we can breathe more fully, creating the space to be reminded of what fills our lives with joy, peace, and contentment amidst the various challenges of life – namely, our relationships!

It is easy to forget and/or mentally push aside the fact that, when we take time to slow down and be more intentional about tending to our relationships with others, the impact on our overall health can be truly remarkable.

Yes, Travis and I plan to get back to running, but for now, we are grateful for the new path that God is showing us as we follow God’s lead.

Peace,
Karen and Travis Webster
HSHC Co-Founders

“You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you…”

Deuteronomy 5:33 (ESV)