From our family to yours!

So Zac and I finally made it back to the cusp of civilization. After having the last three of our run days out in the middle of some of the most hilly, forested and beautiful bit of terrain we could have ever asked for, Zac and I found ourselves in Monterey California. When we arrived at one of the first beaches on the southern part of the town, we were picked up by the jr. high/ college pastor named Andrew in his bright yellow Volkswagen beetle. He looked a bit concerned at the size of our baby jogger, but once we explained that it folded down thinner than a Jack in the Box taco, he concerns were laid to rest. After Zac and I got all cleaned up and looking presentable (as presentable as we can look at this stage), Andrew took us out for dinner and then over the his church. Andrew gave the lesson Sunday night at Shoreline community church, and Zac and I were thrilled to meet all the awesome young men and women who call Shoreline home.

The next day, Zac and I were thrilled when we realized that the catching up that we had done over the last few days across the wilderness had not only put us back on schedule, it had put us a little ahead of schedule. So, after Andrew dropped us off back at the beach where we had been picked up the day before, we set out for an easy 15 mile run to bring us to Marina. The run started out with a pretty fierce 3 mile uphill climb before descending toward the beach. Zac and I figured we would run toward the shoreline, then run the coast all the way over to Marina. We even found a nice bike path which was a most welcomed surprise. After running on a shoulder that all but disappeared next to cars traveling 45+ over the last three days, it was quite refreshing to have a day of running without being fearful for our lives.

Zac and I made good time and soon rendezvoused with our host for Monday night, the connections pastor at Shoreline community church, Dave. Dave had several previously arranged meetings so although he wasn’t able to hang out with us till later that night, he had his assistant Megan take us over to the aquarium! It was absolutely amazing! I even had a bit of an epiphany, we had been running next to all this beauty below the shimmering surface of the ocean, and I hadn’t even given it a thought, all the life that exists just below the water. It was truly incredible to have seen such magnificent beauty in the places we had run over the last month, then get to experience it on what seemed to be a separate plane of existence.

We have seen some pretty incredible things along this trip, and some even more incredible things in our own lives. We thank God that He has brought us so far, as we are about 1/3 done with the trip! Zac and I pray each day for you all, and have seen both through the testimonies that we have heard by email and letters of encouragement that Jesus is still using this run to bless so many! We love you guys!

P