Exposed Roots...

 If you were expecting a hair care lesson for this blog, this one is about some different roots.
Typically I am chomping at the bit to write another blog, I love to write and share a story of others journeys or a peek into the journey you have joined me on.

Last week was different. My mind was drawing a blank on what to write. How is this possible I thought?! We were in Honduras, had already visited many villages and children, but writers block  swallowed me like a wave in the ocean that surrounded us.

 That was until we went to one of our last village's. After traveling to TeleProgreso, we went to the seaside village of Barravieja, in northern Honduras.

Most might call it primitive in a comparable sense to "our" culture, but I prefer simple. They were genuinely some of the happiest people I have ever seen. Their homes were small straw shacks, one community vehicle to take children to school and of course, one soccer field (soccer fields are everywhere in Honduras!)

 

The village soccer field. It was amazing to play soccer with these kids next to the ocean!

As we prepared to hand out shoes, our guide Raul pulled me aside and signaled for me to follow him. As we tromped through what was undoubtedly someone's yard, as the slope of the hill came to it's peak, just yards away waves were crashing at our feet. What Beauty!

Their daily diet? Fish, rice and fruit or vegetables they harvest. Their focus? Community togetherness

Everyone was accepted and treated equally in their community. They spoke 3 languages, Spanish, Garifuna and some English. This little piece of Heaven was so tucked away and defenitely off of a beaten path, so how did they get there?

We met the community "mama" and she shared their story with us.....

Originally slaves brought over by the British in the 1800's, they were traded to the French upon nearing the Carribean. The french decided to keep the ones with light skin and light eyes and exhile the others. This is where they landed and have been since.  A simple story, but they all knew their roots.

As we distributed shoes, the children, even ones who could barely walk were patient and ready to let the youngest goes first.

Our guide Raul and the Village Leader explaining the plan of action

Children lined up anxiously awaiting new shoes

This little cutie just captured my heart, so sweet!

Some young ladies patiently awaiting their turn to get fitted for shoes

Here it comes...the village leader as a thank you took us out on a boat on a beautiful lake. The lake where they fish or just have fun. As other villagers prepared the boat adding seats, wiping it down. some pretty royal treatment, we squeezed in to child size life vests one by one slipping in to the boat (some of us literally).

As the boat treaded water and the Honduran sun kissed my skin, my attention drew to the roots of the surrounding trees. All of the trees roots were exposed. It was beautiful, peaceful and they were flourishing!

That moment I realized why I had writers block...this minute had been waiting to happen!
  Isn't  that like us, the moment we realize who we really are and expose our roots so to speak, we flourish.

 The village we visited, all of those people, they know their roots, who they are....and they are happy!

 How wonderful is it to live a life being your genuine self? Are yours roots exposed? Are you flourishing?

Flourish on friends!


Warm Regards,
 Maggi
Your Mrs. Great Plains International 2014

Hello from Honduras

Hola!
  As I am processing this week in Honduras with Soles4Souls on a couch that is practically stuck to my legs because of the heat, my mind is whirling as much as the fan above me. SO much to absorb. So many lives touched, changed, and hope is flourishing as much as the jungles around us.
   I look forward to writing a more detailed blog of our experience in Honduras in the days to come!
Warm Regards,
Maggi
Your Mrs. Great Plains International 2014

Circa 1986

March is a special month because we get to celebrate women's history. This week in particular here in Nebraska is "Women's Week".
    As another cold Nebraska day, I wrapped up in my parka to see all of the ladies featured in the Rotunda Gallery.  It is always kind of exciting to see your photo on the wall somewhere and even though it will not be on the wall forever, it encapsulates a moment in time when you had a positive impact on someone, and can live in their heart forever if they choose so.
   The room was simply laid out, portraits on women throughout time gracing the walls. Yes, yes, I darted over to find mine first, did a few dance steps in place and then stepped back to look at everyone.

Usually a visual person, this time I went to every single photo in the room and read each woman's story. What an exciting group of women! From TV Producer's and Presidents, to Dean's and Assistant Attorney General's.

There was one in particular that really caught my eye. Major Georgia Kroese. She was the FIRST female in the history of the Nebraska National Guard to lead a unit during war time deployment. WOW.

  Every woman deserves to be celebrated and I hope this month and beyond you take a moment to share some love to those around you that inspire, motivate and just plain make you feel great.

  A special thank you to Jenni Puchalla who nominated me as one of the Women of Character, Courage and Commitment.


 Celebrating these other women today, I need to make sure and celebrate the number one woman in my life, my mom. She has shown so much courage in her life and always committed to our family and those around her. Love you Mom!

                                                         My Mom and I, circa 1986 :)

 Thank you to all the women out there for being YOU!
  Warm Regards,
 Maggi
Your Mrs. Great Plains International 2014

                                                                       Here it is :)

Soles4Souls: What We Do

  First of all, I want to thank all of you who have joined me on the journey with Soles4Souls. They are not just my platform partner, they have become another family.

  Each day is a treasure to support their organization and have people like you, and your family take the time to read about them, share their information and even donate your shoes.

 It is amazing how such a simple act can change someones life. So how does it work?
Below is a short video about Soles4Souls. Enjoy!

Thank you friends, have a great week!
 Warm Regards,
 Maggi
Your Mrs. Great Plains International 2014

A mile in her shoes...

Coral shoes on top of a table with a framed photo next to a tall cylinder. These were the last moments her friends and family thought they had a chance to celebrate her life before the urn was buried in to the ground.

February 28th, 2013 the day she passed away. March 1st, 2014...the day she lived through others as they celebrated her life once again to help others.

   Meighan Johansen was from a small town in Iowa called Avoca. A special education teacher with a little man of her own in her life and according to her blog "one amazing husband". Petite frame, infectious smile and one of the most HOPE filled human beings many have ever known. July of 2011 was a month of milestones, marriage at the beginning of the month and cervical cancer diagnosis at the end of the month. So began a new walk in their life, and despite the odds, she stayed positive every step of the way.

She loved many things in life and often it was the small things that tugged her heart the most. A woman who made every moment matter and every person matter her friends noted as we chatted about her last saturday. One of the other "love's" in her life was shoes. Her friend shared with me a new pair of shoes would be purchased every time they shopped, without fail. Meighan also donated what she was no longer using...one in the door, one out the door. A group of close friends, some from college, some from work, banded together and wanted to celebrate her and bring HOPE to others like she had in their lives so often. The HOPE blood and shoe drive came to fruition.

The team that put together the 1st annual HOPE blood and shoe drive

Last Saturday dozens of people braved the bone chilling Nebraska winter weather to either donate blood or donate shoes in Meighans honor. I sat at the top of the bleachers and just observed the room as people either waited to donate blood, were snacking after donating, or just hanging out like family at a weekend gathering. All one thing in common: Meighan brought them HOPE and it was time to give to others what she so freely gave to them.

As people entered the door, they were greeted by Meighan's photos of her and her son along with an anchor that represents the anchor of HOPE she was to everyone. You will notice a lot of teal and that is the color for cervical cancer.

Above is a picture of nearly every shoe of the 500 that were donated and the signature anchor in the middle. Walking the rows of bleachers they were lined up on to organize them, I realized each of these shoes had a story. We all have a story to tell, but what will be your legacy? Meighan's was HOPE. As I tied laces together and banded shoes, her presence was in each pair. New, old, small, big, fancy, simple...isn't that us? The world around us? All different, all walks of life, but sometimes there is that person that somehow unifies everybody. Because she invited others to walk in a mile in her shoes...now people around the world will be able to walk a mile in the shoes that were donated....and hopefully many, many miles.

 One of Meighans close friends shared the blog that documented Meighans story of her "walk" with cancer. What was it like to walk a mile in her shoes? Take a few minutes and walk alongside her through her last months of life. As I scrolled through the posts, there were two that struck my attention more than the others:
- Sunday October 7th, 2012 "Real Problems"
- Sunday January 22nd, 2012 "I've Learned"

http://followmeighan.blogspot.com

My favorite quote from her blog:
..."anyone can give up; it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength."

A tremendous thank you to Meighan's loving friends who put their time and energy in to celebrating her and helping others...bringing HOPE.


Here is to a HOPE filled week, and future,
  Maggi :)
Your Mrs. Great Plains International 2014

My helper for the day, our sweet daughter Fiona. This little lady was born with a servants heart!

Her love of life and shoes is living on to help others...

Why Obstacle Racing?

As I stumbled across the mountains of Temecula, CA the question popped in to my mind "Why am I racing?". It was a moment of doubt when the hills felt their steepest, the pain at its highest and as the lead pack pulled away from me, I could not help but feel out of my prime...a far cry from my collegiate days of national prominence.
   The thoughts crept their way into my mind of all the other places I could be at that moment. Surely there had to be something less painful, easier, a sand strewn beach perhaps. Maybe I can just collect shoes only and not race anymore as a part of my mission for Soles4Souls?
   Steadily step after step and obstacle after obstacle the finish line grew closer. A large mountain lied ahead and what was thought to be just a hill climb, turned out to be a hill climb AND sand bag carry. I asked the officials monitoring sandbags being picked up "Are all sandbags the same?" and he promptly responded "Yes, pick any one". As I lumped one over my shoulder and made headway up the hill, it felt like lugging all three of our children on my back. The competitors were on their knees stopped all over the mountain like some battle was being fought and the mountain was winning. Groans of pain, words of frustration as people tried to motivate themselves and as others tried to motivate each other. The first part of the hill, I was actually able to make up alot of ground and pass 4 competitors. What I thought was the top of the hill was actually just the halfway point. I fell to my back in exhaustion. Legs on fire, sun shining on my face, sandbag on the ground and competitors making headway.
   This moment felt familiar. That point in time when something seems too hard and like you will never be able to overcome it. It would just be easier to give up right? Maybe there is a shortcut, a path less painful? Why did I choose this path? Doubt. Regret. Pain.
   Then it popped in to my mind. "You can't give up. Never Give Up"....Ohhhh, why does that have to be "my" tagline I thought back, as a battle of the mind ensued. If only someone could have peeked in to my mind at that moment laughter would have surely followed.
  The dirt of the mountain once again moving beneath my feet, sandbag on my shoulder and bursting forward with more power than ever. Passing competitors with each step and winning the battle vs the mountain. The doubt, regret, pain...washing away. More strength with each step, more confidence with each breath.
  As the finish line approached I was now in full stride and although not a podium finisher in the women's elite, the victory in the will to persevere...to finish strong as my niece and family cheered me on filled my heart with joy.

Right after crossing the finish line, my niece ran to me arms wide open for a congratulatory hug. This was one of my favorite moments of the day.

As continued opportunity's to run as an elite OCR racer have come to fruition, the visibility for Soles4Souls has risen on the running circuit and through many running communities. THIS is why I race. Awareness.

     After many obstacle races, many runners donate their shoes...more than any other race you will ever go to. Traveling the country running for Souls4Souls has continued to open up doors for them to bridge partnerships and I certainly hope this can continue. If you are a racer or a racing series looking for a shoe partner, first of all, thank you for the read! Second, you can contact Kelly Modena the Soles4Souls active division director at kellym@soles4souls.org

  One of the other opportunities I look forward to is being able to share about Soles4Souls with anyone wondering why their is a sashed competitor with Soles4Souls all over her gear. This weekend before the race started, one of the Atlas race directors Lance Landers told the crowd about Soles4Souls as I was warming up for the race and told everyone to look for "Maggi in the pink shorts".  Post race I was able to up on stage and the MC even asked to sport my sash for the crowd.

Scott Keneally of Rise of the Sufferfests did a one on one interview talking about Soles4Souls, the International Pageant and a re-cap of the Atlas Race. The full interview is below:

To wrap this up, my favorite moment of the day was watching my niece face a fear. She climbed a rope in front of a crowd and made it to the top! She was a little scared at first, but looked at me and said I inspired her then went for it. If there is any moment someones heart can melt, that was it. Everyone cheered her on and she also inspired other kids to try! Pay it forward friends :)

Warm Regards,
  Maggi
Your Mrs. Great Plains International 2014