Day 16, 17, and 18! Yes, I apologize for the late posts. I have been trying to catch up on some sleep by going to bed early. The past few days have been amazing, just like the rest of the trip.
Day 16 was a ride to Terre Haute. I later found out after talking to my parents that is where my Mom was born at. I had no idea. Great daughter award goes to this girl right here! We were the first group to roll into the church. We were Team Luigi. The church was a huge place. It had a basketball court at one end and a stage set up at the other end. Of course I had to pick up a basketball and play a little bit. Made me really miss basketball again. I played a friend Zach in horse and unfortunately lost! However, it was still great to shoot around. We went to a local fitness place for some swimming/hot tub and showers. The pool felt great after a long hot day in the sun. I sadly lost my contact in the pool. I was able to put my glasses on later that night, however the next day was a bit of a struggle considering I was irresponsible before the trip and didn't get any back ups. Silly Halle! haha ...
Day 17 was a bit of a struggle considering I only had one contact in. Trust me I could still see. I told my Mom that I only had one contact in and she nearly freaked! I did survive so all is good. Another hot and humid day. It was Day 17 that we crossed over the Indiana border into Illinois. We entered a different time zone as well. YAH to another hour of sleep! We ended up in a city called Champaign, Illinois. This is the place where the Illinois State College is located at. We actually got to stay in the dorms. It was great sleeping in a bed again. We have a teammate who grew up in a small town near by and he had his family help us out for dinner. We ate at a pizza place. Since I'm lactose, they made me a plate of pasta instead. It was wonderful. We ended up getting our second mail drop. It literally feels like Christmas getting all of our gifts. I received two cards. One card from my Aunt Katie and her family. It was so comforting to get something from them. I also received a card from my old boss back home at the vineyard I used to work at. He is a huge supporter in the 4K and has helped push me to continue to reaching for what I want to do in life. Thank you both for making me feel so at home with those cards.
Day 18 was a van day. I actually spent the morning going to Walmart and getting another box of contacts. So no worries, I'm able to see now! Then of course we had to go get some coffee at Starbucks. It was a must do! haha I also stayed with a friend at the doctors while she waited to get in and also afterwards. She took a hard fall a few days ago. She slipped on some gravel and got a horrible road rash. Prayers and thoughts go out to her and I hope she is able to recover fast. I really have enjoyed getting to know Sam. She is a beautiful person inside and out.
Just like the rest of my teammates. Somebody just asked me what my favorite part of my trip has been so far and I would say by far is getting to know my teammates. They are all truely amazing people with great stories and backgrounds. We have become so close in just 18 days. We just had a mini jam session. We talked to the Youth Group here about our stories of why we are doing the 4K and then they asked if I could play my guitar for them. I performed a few original songs and then some great sing a long tunes. The next thing I knew, a teammate, Sean picked up the guitar and started singing and it was heavenly. FOR REAL! It was so great. I had NO idea that he could sing let along play. It was a great moment. We have quite a few teammates that are musically talented. It is great! :) Tomorrow we are going to Chicago. We will have a rest day after that. It will be fun exploring Chicago. I can't wait. We are getting closer to Nebraska and even that, Portland. Next thing I know I'll be in Portland and this crazy cool experience will be over.
Day 16 went out to Deb Helms. She is a member of the Arapahoe community back home and she is a fighter of cancer. Congrats Deb and I was honored to ride for you. Day 17 went out to Nancy Glass. She is a friend from college Grandma. Tiara is an amazing singer and friend. She messaged me on Facebook a few days ago telling me that her Grandma had recently gotten diagnosed with cancer. I was honored to ride in honor of her. Prayers go out to Nancy. Keep fighting. God has his hand over you. Day 18 was to my teammates since I didn't ride. They are all amazing.
Peace out from Bradley, Illinois.
Night.
~Halle Stephens
Day 16 was a ride to Terre Haute. I later found out after talking to my parents that is where my Mom was born at. I had no idea. Great daughter award goes to this girl right here! We were the first group to roll into the church. We were Team Luigi. The church was a huge place. It had a basketball court at one end and a stage set up at the other end. Of course I had to pick up a basketball and play a little bit. Made me really miss basketball again. I played a friend Zach in horse and unfortunately lost! However, it was still great to shoot around. We went to a local fitness place for some swimming/hot tub and showers. The pool felt great after a long hot day in the sun. I sadly lost my contact in the pool. I was able to put my glasses on later that night, however the next day was a bit of a struggle considering I was irresponsible before the trip and didn't get any back ups. Silly Halle! haha ...
Day 17 was a bit of a struggle considering I only had one contact in. Trust me I could still see. I told my Mom that I only had one contact in and she nearly freaked! I did survive so all is good. Another hot and humid day. It was Day 17 that we crossed over the Indiana border into Illinois. We entered a different time zone as well. YAH to another hour of sleep! We ended up in a city called Champaign, Illinois. This is the place where the Illinois State College is located at. We actually got to stay in the dorms. It was great sleeping in a bed again. We have a teammate who grew up in a small town near by and he had his family help us out for dinner. We ate at a pizza place. Since I'm lactose, they made me a plate of pasta instead. It was wonderful. We ended up getting our second mail drop. It literally feels like Christmas getting all of our gifts. I received two cards. One card from my Aunt Katie and her family. It was so comforting to get something from them. I also received a card from my old boss back home at the vineyard I used to work at. He is a huge supporter in the 4K and has helped push me to continue to reaching for what I want to do in life. Thank you both for making me feel so at home with those cards.
Day 18 was a van day. I actually spent the morning going to Walmart and getting another box of contacts. So no worries, I'm able to see now! Then of course we had to go get some coffee at Starbucks. It was a must do! haha I also stayed with a friend at the doctors while she waited to get in and also afterwards. She took a hard fall a few days ago. She slipped on some gravel and got a horrible road rash. Prayers and thoughts go out to her and I hope she is able to recover fast. I really have enjoyed getting to know Sam. She is a beautiful person inside and out.
Just like the rest of my teammates. Somebody just asked me what my favorite part of my trip has been so far and I would say by far is getting to know my teammates. They are all truely amazing people with great stories and backgrounds. We have become so close in just 18 days. We just had a mini jam session. We talked to the Youth Group here about our stories of why we are doing the 4K and then they asked if I could play my guitar for them. I performed a few original songs and then some great sing a long tunes. The next thing I knew, a teammate, Sean picked up the guitar and started singing and it was heavenly. FOR REAL! It was so great. I had NO idea that he could sing let along play. It was a great moment. We have quite a few teammates that are musically talented. It is great! :) Tomorrow we are going to Chicago. We will have a rest day after that. It will be fun exploring Chicago. I can't wait. We are getting closer to Nebraska and even that, Portland. Next thing I know I'll be in Portland and this crazy cool experience will be over.
Day 16 went out to Deb Helms. She is a member of the Arapahoe community back home and she is a fighter of cancer. Congrats Deb and I was honored to ride for you. Day 17 went out to Nancy Glass. She is a friend from college Grandma. Tiara is an amazing singer and friend. She messaged me on Facebook a few days ago telling me that her Grandma had recently gotten diagnosed with cancer. I was honored to ride in honor of her. Prayers go out to Nancy. Keep fighting. God has his hand over you. Day 18 was to my teammates since I didn't ride. They are all amazing.
Peace out from Bradley, Illinois.
Night.
~Halle Stephens