Good stuff

This past week has been a pretty cool one.  Not only because Hunter walked into church on Sunday beside me, but also because I got a little glimpse of a piece of the story God has put together in the life of our family.  Last Friday, I got a phone call from one of the planners of the Kirk Goodwin Run asking if we could meet.  I wish I could tell this story to everyone in person, because sometimes I just don't have the right words.  It still gives me chills every time I stop and think about it.  

I first have to back up a little bit.  In writing this post, I searched back on my blog for the post I had written about the KGR.  I had saved it as a draft, but never did publish.  The story just wasn't over yet. 

 It began almost this time last year, when I participated in the Be The Match "100 miles in 100 days" fund raiser in Hunter's name.  Many of you sponsored me as I rode to raise money for Be the Match in  "Hundred for Hunter" but I had to cancel the bike rally because Hunter was in the hospital.  A few months later, I got a phone call from one of my sweetest friends, Lenda Jensen.  We worked together teaching first grade, and this past year she had my niece Clara in her class.  She wanted to do something to help our family and remembered the ride I had planned.  At the time Hunter was fresh off the three months on the ventilator, had just moved over to Clements Hospital from the rehab floor with the bleed, and had very little movement at all.  We didn't know what the future looked like, but we knew WHO held our future.  

Lenda told me that she had planned a 5K for a Wylie family the year before to help with medical needs, and that she felt called to do the same for us.  I assured her that we had good insurance, and that I thought we would be ok.  Hunter required around the clock care, and was still dependent on getting oxygen through his trach, but I still felt there were more deserving families of a financial benefit.  She wouldn't take no for an answer, and told me that what we didn't need, we could give away.  Everyone just wanted to do something, anything, to help us and be a part of Team Hanner.  She formed a committee, teamed up with the Kirk Goodwin Run held annually on the campus of ACU, talked to many sponsors, and they put in an amazing amount of work into such a great 5K and half marathon.  We felt so loved by all of those who were in a part of the day.  More like blown away and humbled by those who supported us.

Part of our committee

There've been some tough times in the past two years, but God has been gracious to us.  When Hunter was "locked in" and on the ventilator, I spent a lot of time wondering if he would ever transition out of a hospital or assisted care facility.  I imagined what it would be like to bring the boys there to visit their daddy or to have him at home hooked up to a ventilator.  All these possibilities were gently broken to me by very caring staff at Zale Lipshy.  As I sit typing today Hunter got himself ready for work, showered himself, drove to rehab, then to work.  All this week as I've been at VBS in the evenings he's fed himself dinner and gotten out of his truck independently.  Our medical needs have not been what they could have been, all Praises to God.  When I consider what my life could look like.....a home without Hunter in it, or full of devices supporting his every breath unable to move....I look around and feel incredibly thankful and blessed.  Blessed by a recovering husband, a family all together at home, and friends that have helped make sure we are ok.

finish line

Men of Galaxy

And the truth is we are more than ok.  In every sense of the word.  As you would expect from a 6 month hospital stay, we met our max out of pocket deductable.  But apart from that, we haven't had the expenses we could have.  And as bills have rolled in over the last few months, we've got them set up on payment plans and moved on with life.  Hunter returned to his job after many months missing, and it was still there.  Hunter has a brother and dad that put in countless extra hours, along with an incredible group of men and women at the dealership that ensured that our needs were met.  Despite all that was going on with the family, the business thrived.  We have more than we deserve.  For many with life altering diagnoses and medical struggles, there is no job waiting for them.  We are thankful for insurance, family and friends, and that overwhelming financial stress has not been a huge part of our coming home reality.

So back to the run.

When I arrived to meet with the Kirk Goodwin Run treasurer, he handed me a check and apologized that it took a few months to get it to us.  Money that came from friends and strangers alike, all wanting to make sure that we would be ok.  And that our needs are taken care of.  So we've been looking at how we can accept the love offered to us by those who organized the run, and let the money flow on to those more in need.  We are mindful that money can be a tricky subject.  We love and appreciate the members of our committee, community, and church, and friends that wanted to make sure finances were not a stress.  We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  But at the same time, it doesn't feel right to "profit" or accept funds when our bills are paid.  So, we pray that God will use these funds to further his kingdom as we help the work in Rwanda in the Hunter Hanner Community of Hope.  It is our belief that generations of Rwandan children will be changed from the work there.

As I mentioned this to the young man who gave me the check, he immediately called his roommate over to meet me.  His roommate who shared with us that he will be traveling to Africa next month to begin working with Rwanda Children.  I've regretted a hundred times since that I didn't take a picture with him, but they were in a hurry to lead a campus tour.  Of all the people at ACU, and places that he could be entering in the mission field, he was going to work with the very kids that we have been praying Hunter's story will give hope of a future where they are loved.  If I didn't know better, I'd call it a coincidence.  But I do know better.  God is moving in powerful ways in the life of our family, and it's so humbling to see it revealed.  I walked out the the room in awe that a group of college guys, the Goodwin family who lost a son, and friends of our family all collided together to help not only us, but kids across the world.  Thanks again to all of those who were a part of the KGR!