This year’s theme: Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed

Over the past three years, two of my family members have experienced serious health challenges. These experiences inspired me to start running as a way to stay grounded, build resilience, and remind myself to keep going. They have also strengthened my commitment to encouraging my students to persevere through their own challenges.

This semester, I have been reminded of the importance of holding on to faith, even when life feels uncertain or overwhelming. This message has resonated with me through music, particularly Nipsey Hussle's Perfect 10. One message from Nipsey has always stuck with me:

"That's why I called my thing The Marathon… 'Cause I'm not gon' lie and portray this ultimate poise like I been had it figured out. Nah, I just didn't quit."

These words reflect my running journey and remind me that life is a marathon, not a race. Progress isn't about having everything figured out. It's about consistency, resilience, and choosing to keep going, even when things get difficult.

This same theme of faith and perseverance became even more meaningful when I agreed to serve as an advisor for our CSM student club, REVIVE, which helps college students anchor their lives in faith while navigating the challenges of university life.

At the beginning of the semester, the students gifted me a small jar containing a mustard seed. It was a simple but powerful reminder that sometimes a little faith is all we need to keep going. It brought me back to one of my favorite Bible verses, Matthew 17:20 (NLT):

"If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

As I continue supporting my family, pursuing my running goals, and growing as a counselor and educator, I trust that faith will continue to ground me, guide me, and remind me to keep becoming the best version of myself for my family, my community, and the students I serve.