Day 8 - Coming Home!

    BEFORE - September 20,2014 

    Ready to ride 700 miles for life.

    AFTER - SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

    Arriving home after riding 700.5 miles for life.

Why we ride, why you prayed, why you gave financially and why Lakeshore Pregnancy Center exists! So that generations yet unborn shall hear of ALL the miracles HE did for us.

We began today with breakfast and a prayer in Ludington. The sun was just up and the day promised to be beautiful AGAIN!

Along the route we experienced many great moments and a few surprises. Fresh-from-the-oven cinnamon rolls were delivered to us at our break in Pentwater (thanks Tebos family), friends cheered us on with signs and cheers in Shelby and then came and
sent us on our way with a prayerful blessing. (Thank you all for tracking us down!)

The colors we amazing but we were all ready to get home.  A final break at Duck Lake State Park, a final ride along the shores of Lake Michigan and two stops in the last 10 miles to change flat tires. 


















We then got close to the thing we have all been riding toward the past 8 days...the finish line. 

As we were round the bend to the cheers of our families and friends we knew it had all been worth every mile. 

With banners waving, horns blowing, and tears flowing we rode into Maranatha having completed our goal. 

You have ALL been an integral part of our success! We have all raised over $102,000 for life! We do not believe God is done blessing us for we know that "He can do more than we can think or imagine." 

Just before arriving today we made a quick stop for a final picture and to say goodbye to one another knowing that once we saw all of you we would not want to be drawn away again. 
Here is a glimpse into that moment.

As we took a final group photo we gathered to pray one last time, thanking God for the way He has protected us, provided for us and promoted life through this ride this ride.

 We count it ALL joy to Ride4Life and thank you all for joining us in so many ways!

Your 2014 R4L team 

Riders -  Don, Sherry, Bonnie, Garry, Jonna, Jennifer, Bobby, 

Kelly, Patty, Ivory, Val, & Amy. 

SAG (Support & Gear) team -  Terry, Mary Ann, Nancy, Diane & Carolyn

Day 7     Part Two 

He leadeth me!

1. He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
   O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
   Whate’er I do, where’er I be
   Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
   • Refrain:
     He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
     By His own hand He leadeth me;
     His faithful foll’wer I would be,
     For by His hand He leadeth me.
2. As we stood praying over lunch in the park in Manistee today, the bells of a nearby church began to play this song - He Leadeth Me. It gave all of us chills and a greater awareness of His presence among us. 

Leaving Interlochen early

This has been a day of great joy and renewed energy. The early mornings, long rides, and late nights have not dampened the spirits of this team. 

A cool morning greeted us but as the day went on the sun warmed up everyone. We have experienced minor glitches but it has made us pray even harder and become even more dependent on God.

Riding in traffic

 


We once again experienced the
beauty of God's creation as we road by sparkling lakes, colorful trees, farmland, dunes and the Big Lake.

Terry and Mary Ann flag in the team for break.

As we mentioned in part one of today's blog, we made great time today and decided to ride up the lake to take in more of the scenery. (Yes, we love our bikes!)

Riding the lakeshore

We saw it fitting to celebrate the end of the day with a plunge into Lake Michigan

hand in hand. What a great time we had!

Celebration in the crystal clear waters of Lake Michigan

Dinner was planned for 7:30 pm in the community room at Nader's Motel - Thank you Nader's for your hospitality! The night ended with a meaningful prayer over each of us as well as an award ceremony during which Don and Sherry presented certificates to each individual accentuating our God-given gifts. 

We look forward to tomorrow as we ride the final leg of this mission, journey and adventure. We also look forward to seeing you at the end.

We have been blessed by the amount of funds and awareness this trip has raised. We  know that this trip is not really about us, it is about the ministry of Lakeshore Pregnancy Center and TOTALLY about God and His love for Life!

The funds raised to date (and it's not too late to contribute more) equate to one life saved every 8.28 miles we ride! 

We ride for life! To God be the Glory. He has led us all week and He will lead us home! 

Our verse for today reflects His Outrageous Grace!

Ride4Life Day 7    Part One

For those of you who check in with us daily and wait with baited breath for an update we are posting a brief report prior to the "real thing".
We had another amazing day with beautiful weather and anticipation of getting closer to home! At the end of the day the bike odometers are reading 620 miles! 


We began in Interlochen...

















...and arrived in Ludington on time with a beautiful ride along Lake Michigan. 

After a hot day (we never thought we would say that on September 26th) the riders decided to end the day with a "cool celebration" and ran into the lake for a swim.  

 More to come. Thanks for praying we are feeling them all!


Your R4L team.

Day 7

Today we asked that the R4L team would each give a on-line quote, thought or scripture that was descriptive of the day. 

Before you read them let me tell you a bit about the day. 
1. HILLS! Lots of them and they were not your little wimpy ones, they were seriously large, steep ones...one after the other. (see pics)
2. CHALLENGES! - Mostly due to hills.
3. BEAUTY! God's creation is absolutely breathtaking. 
4. FUN - We ended with a night of food, fellowship, lazer tag and cosmic bowling.
5. DEVOTION - Every night we gather to reflect on what God has done in us, shown to us or helped us through.


As you read each persons entry, please continue to pray for them and cheer them on. We have two more days to ride and hope to see you ALL at the finish line. 

We are immensely grateful to all who are texting, praying and sending words of encouragement. Keep it coming. We would all like to say a special thank you to our personal prayer partners! You are like our guardian angels! 

Thank you all - read, enjoy, be blessed!

Some of life’s toughest climbs are also divine appointments.    - Amy

Even though heads as the sunflower are drooping there is much beauty in striving toward the goal. PERSEVERE.  - Diane

Big God, Big Plan, Big World, Big Hills  - Kelly

Psalm 121:1-2  "I life my eyes unto the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth." Some versions say mountains...that is what some felt like today.   - Val

Killer hill at the end of the day.

When Garry said, "Come on Patty, let's walk it together." That meant the world to me that Amy, Ivory and Garry walked the hill with me.  - Patty

The whole time up and down the hills I followed this beautiful and strong woman. She kept me going the whole time. I had the song "Beautiful Things" in my head. We are beautiful. We are strong. Because God has made us all into beautiful and strong people. And, of course, we have Val in the background keeping smiles on our faces!  - Ivory

“Today you have 100 percent of your life left.” – Tom Landry

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.  Deuteronomy 31:6  - Bobby

God is bigger than all of us and He maintains the tranquility in my life.  - Garry

Remember, you did not choose me, I have chosen you. #feelingblessed    -Sherry

P.S.  I didn't know that I could bowl and always go to the bathroom BEFORE you play lazer tag!  - Sherry  (Sorry Sherry but the late night blogger has certain rights. :) )

My strength comes from God, who made Heaven and earth. Psalms 121:2      - Bonnie

I can grasp how wide, long, high and deep Christ's love is. Eph. 3:18  - Jonna

I am always in awe of the variety of colors God created. I feel so blessed that He shared the beautiful fall trees, clear blue skies with sweeping clouds, a beautiful sunrise and incredible azure waters with me today.  - Nancy

Many have shown interest in the motor home. It has given us an opportunity to share the ministry of LPC and the blog site with them.  - Mary Ann

Kelly telling about R4L and LPC

Praise God for beautiful weather and for the strong team that perseveres through the most difficult climbs imaginable!  Matthew 5:11  - Don

Finding purpose…today's was a reflection of the hills and valleys in life. Pure joy was my day as I rode it to the top.   - Jennifer

I am forever standing in amazement of our God and this team of riders and support people. He is making Himself LARGE in them! All of you back home should be proud. - Carolyn

Terry has been an amazing asset to this team. Once he got us home from a crazy night tonight he faded away. We will get his entry in the morning and add it to tomorrow's blog! Sleep well our faithful driver, loader of luggage, manager of the bag chairs, toter of stuff and the only man who could handle two women giving him directions at once. 

And from our devotions yesterday...

God will meet you wherever, whenever. - Christine Caine. 

“Come near to God and He will come near to you.”  – James 4:8

We will end with our verse for today. 

Day 5 - God's protection

The morning began at 4:45 for the SAG team.  Terry left to wash the motorhome windshield. The rest of us all got up to prepare a hot breakfast in our rooms.  We kept the food hot in a couple coolers.

Shortly after dusk we all took off in an easterly direction staring directly in the sun.

This made seeing the side of the road (where our bikers ride) very difficult and dangerous.  Only a couple miles down the road we ran into a low area and heavy fog.  Now you might think this sound like a bad thing but we see it as God providing protection.  The fog forced vehicles to slow down which in turn gave them more time to see our team.  Unfortunately there was more construction today but only for 10 miles.  Again, everyone came through safely.

Breakfast was served at "Top of the Lake" in Naubinway.  After going though blinding sun, fog, and construction the team still came in smiling.  The setting was at the base of 3 crosses.  What better place to come?  We had a visitor, Tim Miller, come to see up and encourage us.  Tim is Kelly's Pastor at his UP church.

The ride along Hwy 2 was the most beautiful stretch of road.  The ride along the northern shore of Lake Michigan is spectacular and peaceful at the same time.

Then there is the Big Mac.  For some it was the first time seeing and crossing it.  It was fun to see it through their fresh eyes.  Many commented in devotions tonight how big and calm the lake was and how the great God we serve can calm not only such a huge body of water but He can calm us also.

After returning to the Mitten we still had 40 miles to go.  The pops of color are so beautiful and were enjoyed by each of us. The hills really gave a work out.  The total elevation of all hills put together today measured 1/2 mile vertical.  Some got up to speeds of 40mph on the downhill sides.  Yet in the SAG we still see smiles every time we pass and blow our horn and when they pull in to break stops.

Although we have not biked even 1 mile we SAG members feel as much a part of the team as the riders.  We suffer fatigued muscles and tiredness.  Terry tirelessly loads and unloads luggage and does the outside set up while we prep the food.

We are so grateful for all your prayers for each of us.  We love you all.

Day 4 - Bright Shiny Day in da UP eh?

6:45 am—BEEEP BEEP BEEP

6:46 am—Val, you need to wake up….

6:48 am—I don’t want to get up though…. I look like death. 

6:52 am - Well ok if we can wear our socks today!

7:00 am - Ready to roll.

Loving the socks Val and Ivory!

Day four started in Escanaba with beautiful weather in the forecast. It started off a bit slow in room 129 as Val and I woke up. After slowly waking up, we started off to go the 75 miles for the day in order to reach our destination in Gulliver.

Along the road, we encountered a few bumps. We went through some road construction that made us ride on gravel for a bit. A few miles down, we were able to ride on a very smooth shoulder of the road with the beautiful Lake Michigan to our right. The sun was shining down on us and we were having a beautiful day.

 

Stopped for lunch and a pose in Manistique.

We had a very encouraging quote on our first break, something that we had to hear.  “It’s not your legs giving out, it’s your mind is giving up. Keep pedaling!” We all had to get our minds into it and that encouragement was what we needed!

Traffic backed up at construction zone. 

A few other things we encountered today were snakes, lots of sunshine, ice cream, and two flat tires. We are so thankful for safety on the road (especially through the ten miles of construction), discernment, equipment to change a tire on the road, and strong legs to make it through the day. 

We are also thankful for the person that pointed us to the park when we were lost!

Coming in for a break!

A very encouraging thing I encountered personally, were all of the smiling faces on mile one. Everyone is so encouraging and pulls everyone along, not only on their bikes, but in the Christian life. There are so many prayers, so many encouraging words, and of course some amazing food—all things that are pulling us through this week.

MaryAnn and Nancy sharing a seat and charting the course. 

We ended the day site seeing at a lighthouse near our hotel. We are so thankful for all your support, prayers, and encouragement as we prepare for a big day tomorrow as go over the Mackinac Bridge and ride around 100 miles on our bikes.

Until then, you would be hearing constant laughter between the camaraderie of this group. We are having a wonderful time getting to know each other and enjoying the blessings that God has given us.

The R4L team