Long time....

It's been a while since I last wrote and I feel I have a lot to "talk" about.

As most of you know, I am involved with a great organization called Hike for Our Heroes. I had the chance to meet Troy, Mareike and Terry this week and spend some time with them. These are 3 of the most amazing people you will ever meet, and if you have the chance you definitely need to meet them. Their cause is one close to my heart. Struggling military families is something you should never ever have to hear or read about. Thousands of people are putting their lives on the line so that we can sleep in peace at night. Those same Heroes sometimes come home to no jobs, a very real possiblity of losing their homes, and wondering on a daily basis how to feed their families. We as a nation cannot allow that to continue. Troy has stepped up to the plate and is bringing this issue to the attention of thousands. I feel very honored to have been a part of their journey so far and very much look forward to what comes in the future for them and their entire team, myself included. This cause is something that deserves the backing of a nation. Troy deserves to reach his goal and the military families he will help along the way deserve to what comes to them. I wish I could quit my jobs and travel with them. If I had the means to do so I would in a heart beat. I wouldn't think twice. I'd be the first person out there trying to get support and donations for them. They deserve it! Troy has asked me to stay on permanently through the end of the Hike and I agreed. It's the opportunity of a lifetime and I can't pass that up. I'll do what I can from Topeka to support him and his team through their cross country journey.

I have always been a very caring person, as my mom told me the other day. But lately I feel myself drawn to help people in need more than ever before. Perhaps this is the doing of the Hike for Our Heroes. Seeing them so willing to put their lives on hold to help people they dont even know, has inspired me to be a better person. Every day I try to do 1 good thing for someone I don't know. It makes me feel good inside to know that I can make a positive impact in someone's life. Do you ever feel like you haven't done enough in the world to make a difference? Look around. It's the smallest things that can make a difference. See someone struggling to carry their groceries, offer to help like I did the other day for the lady walking down the street. She declined my offer, but she said she was thankful there are people like me in the world still. People that care. I can't even tell you how that made me feel. I was just trying to help and she made my day, my whole week. It brought tears to my eyes to think that she saw me like that. I don't see myself like others do I guess. I'm just trying to be the person I know I can be.

I feel strongly that God is leading me to where I need to be. I haven't always trusted him, but I know now that he will always take care of me. I've handed myself over to living for Him and doing as he asks me to. As is evidence in my recent baptism. That day started the first day of the rest of my life. Coming up out of that water I felt like a new person. It's hard to describe truly. I felt like God was saying, "You've accepted me into your life, now let me help you. Trust me and I will lead you to where you are meant to be"

Shortly after my baptism my uncle emailed me with words of encouragement and support that I still refer to when I'm having a rough time. He reminded me that I have always wanted nothing more in the world to be a mom. To have children and a husband to take care of. I know in due time, that will happen. But for now God has other plans for me and I can't help but feel like I am going to be a part of something HUGE in the end.

With the Topeka leg of the Hike for Our Heroes complete I can finally get back into the swing of things. Eating better, sleeping better and exercising regularly. I felt so much better when I was doing these things.

That's about it tonight. I just thought I'd update you all on me. Thank you all for supporting me as I transition into the new and improved Tiffany. Your support means the world to me and I couldn't do it without you all!