the starting line

Jackson de Ville
the finish line inside Jags stadium
Kel and Lauren headed toward the Finish!!!!

The Big Race!

Well we did! 13 weeks of training put to good use. What an accomplishment- I never in a million years thought I'd ever run 9.3 miles in my life!!! It was very intimidating going into it all the way up til race day. The most we had run was 7 miles- so I was a bit nervous. I went in with the attitude that "it's just another LONG run day". I was in a bit of a panic right before the race because I got separated from my running partners- boy, did I pray that God would help me find them and He did! The race began at 8:30. We got downtown around an hour before. There were so many people- people everywhere, like 15,000-no lie! It really was the coolest thing I have ever done, not because I ran the whole thing- that is cool, but just to be involved in something so big. The community really comes together. Runners, walkers, neighbors. There were people lining the streets the entire time. There were local bands every mile or so, there were people who had water, smoothies, Gatorade, strawberries- you name it they had it, there was even a house that made homemade waffles- A Waffle Station. I didn't have one but wanted one when we were done. Little kids stood in their yards and you could high five them as you passed- it was so cool- did I tell you how cool it was yet?? It was a great way to see the beautiful city of Jacksonville.
The hardest part of the race are the two bridges we had to cross. The first one not so bad- that was at the beginning, the second, that is a different story. They call it the "Green Monster". It is at the point of the race when you have about a mile and a half left and the bridge itself is about a mile long---at a 6% grade!!!!! See what I am saying, well to top that the weather man predicted 20 to 50 miles per hour wind gusts- I would say they were more like 60+. It was crazy!!! I thought I was going to blow right off. I kept kicking my right ankle with my left foot in my stride. You couldn't run straight if you tried. I am pretty sure that the snot that was in my nose was leaving it horizontally. I kid not. I had to hold my hat and my number- that was a difficult thing to do as I ran- but was it worth it??? Yes it was. Am I going to do it again next year? You bet!

Life in the Abel house after the race changed quite a bit. Dan had to have surgery the Wednesday after the race. He was suffering from a double hernia. It is believed that it was caused by the surgery had done in July. I am proud to say that things went really well- the patient is fine. He actually is doing much better than the last surgery. He is on his way to a speedy recovery. Please Pray that Dan's incision heals quickly and there won't be any complications with it. God has truly answered our prayers through this all. Friends have been great help with the kids and with food- really with anything that I or Dan have needed. Thank you so much! The kids have been great. My mom and niece just arrived today to hangout, help, and celebrate Easter with us. The girls are on spring break so- the timing of everything has been wonderful. I also got to quit my job, so I can be more available for the Fam. It has been so nice. I was able to spend time with Dan when he was in the hospital, and be involved in some school activities. Again God has been blessing us.


We just finished another round of Upward. Ashley played Basketball for the first time and impressed us with her moves. Sydney made the perfect cheerleader! It is so fun watching them try new things and of course see them succeed. Upward is a great thing!

I wish everyone a wonderful Easter! Miss and love all those who we can't be with.

Philippians 3:10

"that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, "