Day 2

Morning Prayer and Devotions - Stay focused and be all in.

Rising sun breaking through the fog. 

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Day 2 of R4L started out at a chilly 46 degrees.  

We gathered in the hotel parking lot at 7:30am and began with an inspirational chat from Jonna and Carolyn about being “all in,” no matter our job in life. 

Today…our job was to peddle and we committed to being “all in” no matter what lay ahead!

We jumped on a bike path along a river, which ran through and out of Big Rapids. We were immediately humbled by the gifts of beauty God had laid in front of us. Peddling along the water, we rode in and out of banks of thick fog. We passed deer and and other wildlife as the sun continued to rise in the sky.

BLAKE adds to the trip!

 Breakfast was in Reed City and prepared by the Alma Pregnancy Services staff. Oh my, do they know how to spoil us! (Thank you once again ladies)!

Happy SAG Team

Little gems along the way.

Yummmmm

After breakfast, we jumped back on the bike path where we spent most of the morning. Our afternoon (and early evening) was spent on much busier roads. This required much more focused riding to ensure everyone’s safety. There were many times we were averaging about 17mph while traffic went flying by.  We were only met with polite drivers but this was a great test since we haven’t ridden many times as a full group.  We learned that we are a strong, tight group of riders who work well together…what an added blessing!

Team 2015 coming in for a break!

Lunch was in Lake City and was prepared on the RV by our own sag team lunch ladies…and boy do they know how to keep us fueled! Thank you MaryAnn and Diane! We sure appreciate you! Just when we thought it was time to jump back on our seats up walks the “man of the hour”! Mike, our driver showed up with ice cream for everyone!

Garry enjoying standing for a moment. 

Jim is loving this break

Next we were on to Houghton Lake where we had a gorgeous view of water once again as we wound around the lakeshore.

We took a quick pit stop before our last leg of today’s journey at a fire station near Higgins Lake.  One of the firemen showed up because he had gotten a report that people were camping in their parking lot!  

 A few highlights of our day were:

Several kids waving  to us along the roadside.

People telling us their stories of pregnancy decisions they’ve made.

Surviving 2 dogs running after us!

People thanking us for what Positive Options does!

We ended the day eating together and thanking God for each of you. YOU are making all of this possible! YOU have invested in us and we are honored to represent each of you with each mile we ride. 

Thank you for your prayers today...they were felt!

Day 1

A windy morning greeted us as we gathered to load up, eat breakfast and rally the team for a group photo. We want to give a BIG THANK YOU to all who worked hard this morning to provide an amazing breakfast! Great fuel for the day in so many ways.

After tearful goodbyes and lots of hugs, prayers and amazing support the team of nine riders and 5 SAG (Support And Gear) crew headed out for the first 100 mile day. Destination…Big Rapids.

Early on, it was our wish to make it through the day using good bike etiquette and avoid any angry drivers. Well…that lasted for three miles…our bike etiquette was spot on but the angry driver could not resist a special hand gesture and a few angry words as he passed by. Please keep praying for driver patience, our protection and more encouraging drivers like the one who cheered us one with a more positive thumbs up hand gesture!

 

 Our first break was in Conklin, where we were joined by a group from Our Church of the Saviour who were hosting a bike-run & ride for a man who had suffered a stroke from within their congregation. We gave a tour of the Mobil Center, shared stories and encouraged one another. What a great way to start the day! Pray for their success as they raise funds for a great man and his family.

The rain threatened and often met the SAG vehicles but was avoided throughout the day by the cyclist!  Yay God!! The clouds played all day with the sun. They were dark gray one minute and beautifully fluffy with sun shining through the next.

 In Sand Lake, Laura Thompson and her four beautiful children, signs and all provided lunch! Laura rode with us two years ago and couldn’t resist coming to cheer us on, feed us well and give more encouragement. Thank you Laura and kids!!

 On we pedaled toward Big Rapids finally making it to our destination around 5:30 PM with just over 100 miles registered on the bicycles! Way to go team. Tonights meal was provided by the ladies from Alma Pregnancy Services (riders Bob and Tom are from Alma and riding to raise funds for their center). What a tasty meal and great fellowship we had! THANKS Desiree, Catherine, Diana, and Diana!
 The SAG team met up to review tomorrow’s route and break stops and off to bed we go.

Keep praying. 

Keep in touch.

Keep reading!

Kickoff for 2015!

The Ride4Life 2015 is on! Our riders are training hard, our SAG drivers are planning our meals and break stops, and everyone is working hard on fundraising. The ride departs in one month on September 19 for a week. 
Our team will cover 700 miles in one week around Michigan. We would like to introduce you to our team and ask for your prayers and support as we get ready to RIDE4LIFE!!!

RIDERS

Sherry Hoppen

Sherry is a longtime employee and volunteer for LPC. This is her 6th Ride4Life.

Don Wickstra

Don is a former LPC Board Member and volunteers for many events at LPC. Don is riding for the 5th time in the Ride4Life.

Jonna Lubbers

Jonna is an avid rider with a passion for life. This is her 4th Ride4Life.

Garry Markvluwer

Garry is joining us for the 2nd year in a row. Garry and his wife are very active at LPC. Garry raises funds for both the LPC Golf fundraiser and the Ride4Life.  Garry is a strong leader on The Ride and his leadership on the road is so valuable!

Shelley Hollar

Shelley is the Holland Center Director and is participating in the Ride for the 2nd time as well. We missed her last year, due to surgery, but she is back and we are so thankful she has healed and is able to ride!

Joe Aernouts

Joe is a first time rider for LPC. His wife is a director at LPC and has done the ride twice and now it’s Joe’s turn! We look forward to having Joe join us this year.

Joe Albers

Joe is also a first time rider and new cyclist as well. His involvement at LPC started with his mother-in-law Sherry and he has always stepped up where needed. Thankful that Joe is riding with us!

Bob Parsons

Bob is riding for the Pregnancy Services of Gratiot County in Alma, MI. He has been training hard and we are happy to have him be part of the group! Bob’s wife Desiree is the Assistant Director of that center and it is so great to see how he shares the passion for what his wife does every day. Thank you to the Alma Center for hosting us for dinner on the first day!

Jim Luehm

Jim is also riding for Pregnancy Services of Gratiot County and is their Board President. He is very passionate for the pro-life cause and cycling. He is honored to support the Center in Alma and we are thankful he is joining us this year!

We are so excited to host this collaborative effort as our two centers come together and Ride4Life!

SAG DRIVERS

Carolyn Doyle

Carolyn is the Executive Director for LPC and has been involved in the Ride4Life for the past 6 years. She routes the trip and leads our SAG Team and Riders safely on the route every year. She is an excellent team leader and her leadership plays a vital part in the Ride4Life.

MaryAnn VanKampen

MaryAnn is joining us for the second year in a row. MaryAnn is a whirlwind at break time with snacks and whatever else we need to have ready to go. She gave lots of hugs to sweaty riders whenever needed as well. So glad she is back for another Ride!

Diane Meyerholtz

Diane is also back for a second year. She is Carolyn’s sister and together they make sure we know where to go and make many of the decisions on the road for the team. She pitches in wherever needed and we so appreciate her!

Terry & Kay Agal

Terry drove our Mobile Center last year and is back for another Ride and bringing his wife Kay along to assist this year (or to keep him in line!) Driving that big RV is not an easy task, but when the riders come around the corner and see the bus and SAG team waiting, it is indescribable! They know that means a break from the bike, a bathroom, and some good nourishment. We are so glad that the Agal’s are both going this year!

So that’s the team 2015. Who is not mentioned? YOU! Your support in prayer and giving means so much to LPC and this team. Commit to send a word of encouragement via email or text to someone throughout the ride. This can make all the difference in a day and getting through those last few miles or a tough day in general. Please pray for us as the final preparations are made as the Ride4Life approaches. We ask that you pray for good weather, safety, and funds to come in, as well as for the family members we leave behind, so many things to be in prayer for! 

Follow us on the blog - we try to post every day throughout the ride!

Ride4Life 2014 Wrap Up

What a great wrap up to our week, we've raised over $106,000 dollars! Money continues to come in to help us reach our $115,000 goal.

And do you want to feel like you were on the Ride with us? Watch these awesome videos created by our riders, Val and Ivory. Thanks, ladies! These are great!

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!