This post is coming to you about a month late, but at the end of June I celebrated Run the Race's 3 YEAR blogiversary, and I'm so excited to celebrate that with you!

I share this story every year, but this blog has been a dream come true and answered prayer. When I was little, I would lay in bed and imagine writing for a blog, where I had a place to share all of the words bouncing around in my head and everything that God had been teaching me. Writing has always been my passion, and until the Lord opened the door for the blog, I used other outlets to share my words. In 6th grade, I began a Google slides devotional, where I wrote for my friends. I started an email list, another way to share Scripture and encouragement to my friends,

And then, sophomore year, Run the Race began.

I don't know the full extent of how God has used the blog, but I know how He has used it to impact my life.

I feel that it is a gift to be able to write and express everything God has put on my heart and been teaching me, to have this platform to encourage others and speak truth into the Internet. Writing for the blog challenges me to stay in tune with God, carefully listening to His inspiration and what He wants me to write about. There have been nights when the Holy Spirit moves so strongly and writes so clearly, and my fingers just fly across the keyboard and I don't realize the power of the words I'm writing until I read through it again. Those experiences are so encouraging to me, and evidence that God speaks in so many ways.

I had such dreams when the blog began, that it would grow and that thousands of people would read it. While God hasn't yet made that happen, I'm so proud of what He's done and made happen. All of the little wins, little gifts, I'm incredibly thankful for.

In the past three years, I've published 262 posts.

I've collaborated with other bloggers, hosting author Grace McCready and writing for her, as well as Salt and Sparrow.

I've written 12 different series, with my first series about practical ways to love, and the most recent covering the 4 Greek words for love.

Throughout these hundreds of posts, I've shared some of my low lows, from heartbreak to sidelining injuries, and some of the highest of highs, spiritually and relationally. I've recapped school years and seasons and exciting events, and it's been such a blessing to document all of that here on Run the Race.

Thank you for reading and supporting the blog. Thank you for taking the time and being part of my little community on the Internet, as we grow in our faith and chase Jesus together. Every reader means the world to me, and I'm so thankful for each and every person who has spoken words of life and encouragement over Run the Race.

I'm also excited to announce that I'm planning on continuing with the blog in college! God has been so kind and provided financially for me to continue writing, and I'm so grateful for that. I'm not sure what all this will entail, but I would appreciate all of your prayers and continued support!