Intern Field Notes: Prepare & Share

By: SuzanneYoder

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January 2020 – by Anna Grace Clauch

In fall 2019, HSHC launched a new program called “Prepare & Share.” The purpose of this meal program is to give students and the greater CTS community the opportunity to try out a variety of new and healthy recipes, share meals with friends, and cook less often while still enjoying home-cooked meals.

Lucas Jones, a CTS student, shared this with me when I asked him to reflect on his experience so far…

“HSHC’s food sharing program was certainly a highlight of my fall semester. Our weekly meals gave me the opportunity to enjoy table fellowship with a group of students and professors, and also try new and healthy recipes in a fun a supportive setting. I look forward to continuing in the spring.”

Community is Life-Changing

By: SuzanneYoder

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January 2020 – Sarah Smith, CTS Alum 2017

While pastoring in Northern Ireland, I joined a typical gym where you walked in, did your workout, and really didn’t speak with anyone. I worked out there for about a month, and then there was snow. . . I didn’t go back.

I started attending a different gym where class instructors and the owner learned my name. Soon, working out was no longer something I had to do, but something I looked forward to each day. I was living in a new country, and had no friends, and this community changed all of that for me.

Through my journey with this community, my fitness level, attitude toward fitness, and approach to food and fitness totally changed. I love working out, and my day doesn’t feel complete without a workout. I also enjoy eating healthy, and taking care of myself, both mentally and physically. With the support of my fitness community, I was able to hike the highest peak in Northern Ireland. The owner still checks in on me and makes sure that I am keeping up with my fitness and healthy lifestyle.

Community is huge. Find a community where you feel encouraged, supported, nourished. Find people who will walk alongside you and fill you up instead of depleting you. Who fill your life with joy, happiness, love, support, and encouragement. We were created to be in community with each other. Take time to build relationships. It may change your life.

Peace,
Sarah

Trail Notes: January 2020

By: SuzanneYoder

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January 2020 – As many of you know, last October, Travis and I participated in our first 50K trail ultra-marathon, which we did as a fundraiser for HSHC. So, naturally, some of you might be wondering, what’s next? Are y’all going to train for another 50k, or perhaps a longer distance? What do you have your sights set on for 2020? Our answer – rest!

Yes, despite our stubborn persistence of “keeping on, keeping on,” after training for the 50k and finishing up 2019, we both found ourselves depleted – tired, not sleeping well, and with more aches and pains than usual. As a result, we have spent the opening weeks of 2020 being intentionally slower – walking instead of running, both literally and metaphorically. For example:

We enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation near Mt. Tallac, in Lake Tahoe, CA. Instead of keeping our eyes glued to the ground to avoid trail obstacles, we were able to look around, taking moments to pause and not hurry. The picture below is of Karen hugging a magnificent old redwood tree near Los Gatos, CA, at Bearcreek Redwoods Open Space Reserve (can’t do that while running!).



We have found ourselves better able to walk with God as opposed to running ahead of God with our own ideas and plans for our lives and the organization.

Through resting, we can breathe more fully, creating the space to be reminded of what fills our lives with joy, peace, and contentment amidst the various challenges of life – namely, our relationships!

It is easy to forget and/or mentally push aside the fact that, when we take time to slow down and be more intentional about tending to our relationships with others, the impact on our overall health can be truly remarkable.

Yes, Travis and I plan to get back to running, but for now, we are grateful for the new path that God is showing us as we follow God’s lead.

Peace,
Karen and Travis Webster
HSHC Co-Founders

“You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you…”

Deuteronomy 5:33 (ESV)
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