Day 10
Psalm 96
“Sing to the Lord, a new song. Sing to the Lord, all the earth…
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord…”
We have seen this first hand throughout this ride! The heavens, water, fields, and the cows, horses, goats, (and dogs) in them. The trees, forests, swamps and cypress trees. They have all been singing for joy before the Lord. If they are singing we must join in! Let us rejoice and sing to the Lord!
Today was a long hot, windy, hill climbing, dog chasing kind of day.
We got up early for breakfast and to pack up so we could be on the road by 7 am. We were right on schedule until we discovered that Barb had blown another tire before we had even left. The guys gave it a temporary fix that lasted about 30 miles before it blew again. She actually was in need of a new tire. The chances of finding a bike shop open on Labor Day was slim not to mention the remote possibility of finding one in any of the tiny towns in Arkansas or Oklahoma through which we traveled. The guys literally repaired it temporarily with a new tube and a band aid and it held the rest of the day. Tonight Betty’s daughter and husband joined us and brought Barb her new tire should she need it. The heat was extreme today, in the mid 90’s and of course the breeze was against us. Again we did the best we could and made it to our destination of Hugo OK. Tomorrow Texas! Our final destination and we are ready! We hope to ride in at about 4:00 and are very excited. We hope to get some pictures and maybe even a video clip up tomorrow night.
Memorable Moments:
1. Beautiful sunrise this morning to greet us.
2. Carolyn trying to run interference with the van to ward off the dogs and dumping the water cooler out of the van in the process. (It did remain in one piece and we lost only a bit of water after Karen distracted the dogs away from it.)
3. The cyclist Jason met on the road today that had been on his bike since April picking up any job he could along the way. He is somewhere in a tent tonight. We are NOT complaining about our hotel tonight.
4. Taco Salad for lunch not sandwiches! What a treat!
5. Sherry bought Cliff ice cream tonight, sorry Don!
6. The arrival of Betty’s husband Glenn and daughter Sue. They were really happy to see each other!
7. Dinner at Bruams, great hamburgers and ice cream.
8.. More laughter.
Truly Thankful
1. We are thankful for the coolness and beauty of our first 30 miles. God’s artwork was on display.
2. We are thankful for our SAG wagon drivers. We are so grateful to see them when we need our break, especially when they have popsicles!
3. We are thankful for this opportunity to ride, for leadership who has confidence in us and for people willing to give sacrificially in so many ways.
4. We again, thank you all for keeping tabs on us, praying for us and sending notes, emails and blog comments. Keep them coming.
5. We are thankful we will be going home soon to be with our loved ones and enjoy getting back into our regular routines.
Interesting Facts:
1. Dogs are faster in Arkansas than in Oklahoma.
2. Semis own the road no matter what the state we seem to find ourselves in.
3. If a town has a Walmart that means “it has arrived”
4. Even though it was Labor Day we did not pass one family having a cookout like we would in our area.
5. We laugh no matter how tired we are. Sometimes the more tired we are the more we laugh. Betty calls it “fatigue drunk”.
Things to Pray about:
1. Pray as we get started again tomorrow. That we will have a smooth day of riding so that we may arrive when expected.
2. We pray for safety, wisdom, concentration and good fellowship as we ride.
3. We pray for tail winds, a break from the heat and dry roads and lazy dogs.
4. For the finish line to be all we have hoped it would be.
ONE more day of riding until our final destination! We have grown in so many ways. Beware family and friends…you may have a very different loved one upon their return…watch for how they have grown!
Thought from one of our riders journals; “Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in Gods world by mistake”
Cycling to raise awareness and funding for Lakeshore Pregnancy Center. Visit lpcenters.com for more information.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Report From The Riders - Day 9
Day 9
Sunday was day of rest. We figure if God can rest so can we. He knew exactly what we would need! He is a good God.
We had a big breakfast together followed by a time of singing and devotions. We shared together what this trip has taught us so far. It was a great time of insight, introspection and encouragement.
What this trip has taught us so far…
1. Perseverance, just keep going even when you think you can go no more.
2. Proverbs 2:1-9 - When we take action as God commands us, he then takes action in response. It is a great metaphor for us on this ride. We have taken action by listening to what God has asked each of us to do and in return God has responded. Read it when you get the opportunity. Make note of how many action verb are contained within this passage. Our action promises God’s action.
3. The importance of having men involved in pregnancy center ministry and how much impact that has had on people we meet along the way. Crisis pregnancy is not just a woman’s issue but one that includes men as well.
4. We have been encourages and inspired by people across this beautiful country. They have had a tremendous impact on us and we pray we had an impact on them too.
5. Simple gestures mean so much. If we leave a bit larger tip at a restaurant, share our extra protein bars with a homeless man, pray for a woman sitting at a grave we pass, or simply waving as we pass a child in his yard.
6. Flexibility…we have all learned that our expectations have had to be adjusted and when dong so, know that it is okay. What is God’s plan for us? Not so much, what we have planned for us.
7. How quickly friendships can be formed when God is involved.
Memorable Moments:
1. Beautiful sunrise this morning to greet us.
2. Random naps throughout the day.
3. A drive to Hot Springs for a bit off shopping. (That would be the ladies). They did plan to bike a bit but could find no trails in the midst of a busy town. (Sure they did!)
4. Chicken on the grill, baked potatoes, corn and salad. We ate dinner on the deck overlooking the lake. It was peaceful, relaxing, nourishing, and great fellowship.
5. More laughter.
6. Cliff discovering how to get ice to come out of the refrigerator dispenser.
Truly Thankful
1. We are thankful for the day off.
2. We are thankful for Don’s presence on this team. He has been our comic relief, our story teller, our resident game player and encourager on the road. He flew home today to get back to work. He will be missed as our team member and friend! Thanks Don.
3. We are thankful for this opportunity to ride, for leadership who has confidence in us and for people willing to give sacrificially in so many ways.
4. We again, thank you all for keeping tabs on us, praying for us and sending notes, emails and blog comments. Keep them coming.
Interesting Facts:
1. We have discovered in conversations that as a group we have spent close to $200 on Chammy Butter (similar to Desitin for babies!)
2. A day off is invigorating! We are ready for a new day tomorrow.
3. Hot Springs has multiple water fill stations throughout town where people stand in line to fill there gallon jugs. We decided to fill some of our empties. Fun!
4. The armadillo in the photo is still in that position as we passed him again today.
5. We calculated today that we have consumed over 60 gallons of water, used approximately 220 lbs. of ice, eaten 5 watermelons, about 20 lbs. of grapes and probably 6 or 7 cantaloupes.
Things to Pray about:
1. Pray as we get started again tomorrow. That the rest will have been exactly what we needed to finish well.
2. We pray for safety, wisdom, concentration and good fellowship as we ride.
3. We pray for tail winds, a break from the heat and dry roads.
Two more days of riding until our final destination! We have grown in so many ways. Beware family and friends…you may have a very different loved one upon their return!
Sunday was day of rest. We figure if God can rest so can we. He knew exactly what we would need! He is a good God.
We had a big breakfast together followed by a time of singing and devotions. We shared together what this trip has taught us so far. It was a great time of insight, introspection and encouragement.
What this trip has taught us so far…
1. Perseverance, just keep going even when you think you can go no more.
2. Proverbs 2:1-9 - When we take action as God commands us, he then takes action in response. It is a great metaphor for us on this ride. We have taken action by listening to what God has asked each of us to do and in return God has responded. Read it when you get the opportunity. Make note of how many action verb are contained within this passage. Our action promises God’s action.
3. The importance of having men involved in pregnancy center ministry and how much impact that has had on people we meet along the way. Crisis pregnancy is not just a woman’s issue but one that includes men as well.
4. We have been encourages and inspired by people across this beautiful country. They have had a tremendous impact on us and we pray we had an impact on them too.
5. Simple gestures mean so much. If we leave a bit larger tip at a restaurant, share our extra protein bars with a homeless man, pray for a woman sitting at a grave we pass, or simply waving as we pass a child in his yard.
6. Flexibility…we have all learned that our expectations have had to be adjusted and when dong so, know that it is okay. What is God’s plan for us? Not so much, what we have planned for us.
7. How quickly friendships can be formed when God is involved.
Memorable Moments:
1. Beautiful sunrise this morning to greet us.
2. Random naps throughout the day.
3. A drive to Hot Springs for a bit off shopping. (That would be the ladies). They did plan to bike a bit but could find no trails in the midst of a busy town. (Sure they did!)
4. Chicken on the grill, baked potatoes, corn and salad. We ate dinner on the deck overlooking the lake. It was peaceful, relaxing, nourishing, and great fellowship.
5. More laughter.
6. Cliff discovering how to get ice to come out of the refrigerator dispenser.
Truly Thankful
1. We are thankful for the day off.
2. We are thankful for Don’s presence on this team. He has been our comic relief, our story teller, our resident game player and encourager on the road. He flew home today to get back to work. He will be missed as our team member and friend! Thanks Don.
3. We are thankful for this opportunity to ride, for leadership who has confidence in us and for people willing to give sacrificially in so many ways.
4. We again, thank you all for keeping tabs on us, praying for us and sending notes, emails and blog comments. Keep them coming.
Interesting Facts:
1. We have discovered in conversations that as a group we have spent close to $200 on Chammy Butter (similar to Desitin for babies!)
2. A day off is invigorating! We are ready for a new day tomorrow.
3. Hot Springs has multiple water fill stations throughout town where people stand in line to fill there gallon jugs. We decided to fill some of our empties. Fun!
4. The armadillo in the photo is still in that position as we passed him again today.
5. We calculated today that we have consumed over 60 gallons of water, used approximately 220 lbs. of ice, eaten 5 watermelons, about 20 lbs. of grapes and probably 6 or 7 cantaloupes.
Things to Pray about:
1. Pray as we get started again tomorrow. That the rest will have been exactly what we needed to finish well.
2. We pray for safety, wisdom, concentration and good fellowship as we ride.
3. We pray for tail winds, a break from the heat and dry roads.
Two more days of riding until our final destination! We have grown in so many ways. Beware family and friends…you may have a very different loved one upon their return!
Day 8 Rider Report - Self Creek Lodge
Report from The Riders
Day 8
We are staying at a wonderfully peaceful lodge for the weekend. We began the day with a sit down breakfast in the lodge. Very refreshing!
It felt almost like family. Nice. We realized upon waking this morning that exactly one week ago today we were standing in the LPC parking lot saying goodbye to family and friends.
Due to the fact that the scenery in this area is so beautiful we decided to route ourselves to take it in. Every one got on their bikes around 10 am and began our day of riding.
Memorable Moments:
1. The beauty of this area. Mountains, lakes, animals and good friends.
2. Again with the dogs!!!!! We encountered an entire roadway of loose dogs on the chase. Once again the sag wagon had to run interference and get between the dogs and riders. Don’t people believe in underground fencing or leashes? We are considering tasers!
3. Don treated everyone to ice cream bars on a break. We really are riding hard but Klondike bars have become a favorite break food.
4. We celebrated a birthday today with Sherry. Happy birthday to Sherry (a week early).
5. We watched ourselves on some of the video shot throughout our trip to this point.
6. Don taught us a late night card game.
7. Taking a picture of yet another dead armadillo. (we’ll see if we post that photo)
8. Riding bicycles and having deer cross the road in front of us.
9. Riding behind the motor home through Little Rock and being reminded of Clark and Ellen on a mission to get to Wally World.
10. Cliff prayed before our dinner and prayed for each of us with a specific blessing. Thanks Cliff.
Truly Thankful
1. We are thankful for a day off tomorrow.
2. We are thankful that we have made it this far and ready to take a break so we can finish strong.
3. We are blessed by having beautiful accommodations. Starlight Motel…eat your heart out.
4. A great team of people with great families and friends who pray for them. We all benefit greatly from your prayers!
5. Laughter. Where would we be without it and boy have we done a lot of it.
Interesting Facts:
1. The “hills” on route 70 are vicious.
2. The scenery makes the hills worthwhile.
3. Road kill really stinks when you are this close to it.
4. We still need Derek to help us upload photos. Thanks Derek!
5. Don seems to win at his own games. hummm
Things to Pray about:
1. Pray for rest as we spend our Sabbath off the road.
2. Pray for all who are feeling homesick. It is a long time away from loved ones.
3. Pray for our loved ones as well. They are single parents right now, teens on their own, concerned parents, husbands without wives, wives without husbands, kids without parents. We are praying for you too! You are all loved and appreciated. LPC thanks you for loaning them to us for this endeavor!
Day 8
We are staying at a wonderfully peaceful lodge for the weekend. We began the day with a sit down breakfast in the lodge. Very refreshing!
It felt almost like family. Nice. We realized upon waking this morning that exactly one week ago today we were standing in the LPC parking lot saying goodbye to family and friends.
Due to the fact that the scenery in this area is so beautiful we decided to route ourselves to take it in. Every one got on their bikes around 10 am and began our day of riding.
Memorable Moments:
1. The beauty of this area. Mountains, lakes, animals and good friends.
2. Again with the dogs!!!!! We encountered an entire roadway of loose dogs on the chase. Once again the sag wagon had to run interference and get between the dogs and riders. Don’t people believe in underground fencing or leashes? We are considering tasers!
3. Don treated everyone to ice cream bars on a break. We really are riding hard but Klondike bars have become a favorite break food.
4. We celebrated a birthday today with Sherry. Happy birthday to Sherry (a week early).
5. We watched ourselves on some of the video shot throughout our trip to this point.
6. Don taught us a late night card game.
7. Taking a picture of yet another dead armadillo. (we’ll see if we post that photo)
8. Riding bicycles and having deer cross the road in front of us.
9. Riding behind the motor home through Little Rock and being reminded of Clark and Ellen on a mission to get to Wally World.
10. Cliff prayed before our dinner and prayed for each of us with a specific blessing. Thanks Cliff.
Truly Thankful
1. We are thankful for a day off tomorrow.
2. We are thankful that we have made it this far and ready to take a break so we can finish strong.
3. We are blessed by having beautiful accommodations. Starlight Motel…eat your heart out.
4. A great team of people with great families and friends who pray for them. We all benefit greatly from your prayers!
5. Laughter. Where would we be without it and boy have we done a lot of it.
Interesting Facts:
1. The “hills” on route 70 are vicious.
2. The scenery makes the hills worthwhile.
3. Road kill really stinks when you are this close to it.
4. We still need Derek to help us upload photos. Thanks Derek!
5. Don seems to win at his own games. hummm
Things to Pray about:
1. Pray for rest as we spend our Sabbath off the road.
2. Pray for all who are feeling homesick. It is a long time away from loved ones.
3. Pray for our loved ones as well. They are single parents right now, teens on their own, concerned parents, husbands without wives, wives without husbands, kids without parents. We are praying for you too! You are all loved and appreciated. LPC thanks you for loaning them to us for this endeavor!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Day 7 post
Report from The Riders
Day 7
We left Wynne, Arkansas with Little Rock our destination. Ten hours later, after biking a total of 102 miles, we reached Little Rock. We got a great start this morning and were on the road by 7:00 am.
Devotions this morning revolved around the Starlight Motel. It became a metaphor for the way life can be at times. While it did have beds and running water it was a bit rough around the edges. We learned lessons of living with less, of enduring less than ideal conditions, and coming out better people in the end. God uses many circumstances in our lives to shape us and the Starlight Motel was one we hope he does not make us repeat. Lessons learned!
Memorable Moments:
1. We are having wonderful conversations that only good friends can have. This must be we are becoming good friends.
2. Today was a day of no dog chasing. Sherry could rest easy.
3. Waking up this morning with the realization that we are indeed starting with a tailwind! Thanks for your prayers. God is the God of the wind.
4. Chivalry is not dead! The men came to the rescue during one of three flat tires yesterday. Sherry was very appreciative.
5. Many on this trip DO NOT start their day without coffee. The motel had none. A group crossed the road to the gas station to bring the team its much needed “fuel”.
6. We ended the day in North Little Rock. The final 10 miles ran along side a Cedar Swamp. It was intriguingly beautiful.
7. Biking for 10 hours followed by a three hour shuttle to our home away from home for the weekend. We thought we would NEVER get there. We traveled through winding roads, up and down, through little towns until FINALLY reaching our destination at 10 pm. Long day!
8. We stopped for lunch at a little roadside fruit stand with fresh peaches, tomatoes, okra and pickled beets. Yum! Neat ladies too.
They gave us a shade tree and the run of their property. They are hoping to see their photo on the blog. Hi ladies!
Truly Thankful
1. Gas stations with running toilets! STILL! They seem to be few and far between. Oh, the toilets my run but you can concentrate on what you are doing due to all the dead cock roaches on the floor!
2. For the smooth roads after a bunch of really rough ones.
3. For tail winds for a good part of the day.
4. Safety again today. No incidents of harm. God is good.
Interesting Facts:
1. Rough roads pop bike tires. Three flat tires today!
2. We discovered yesterday that Cliff needs a wife.
3. The reptiles win the road kill contest. Frogs, lizards and snakes!
4. Don is really good at the game Two Truths and a Lie. Funny the games you play while pedaling your brains out.
5. These roads are very difficult to find “pull offs” big enough for a motor home! Scary!
Things to Pray about:
1. Keep praying for Sherry’s hands. She is experiencing a lot of numbness.
2. Bottoms are getting really sore. Funny thing to pray about but necessary!
3. We will be spending the weekend here at Self Creek Lodge. It looks beautiful! Pray for rest.
We may be back later today to post some more but the team is rushing me a bit to get on the road this morning. We will do a route around Pike County today! Should be fun, hilly (is that a word?) and scenic.
Day 7
We left Wynne, Arkansas with Little Rock our destination. Ten hours later, after biking a total of 102 miles, we reached Little Rock. We got a great start this morning and were on the road by 7:00 am.
Devotions this morning revolved around the Starlight Motel. It became a metaphor for the way life can be at times. While it did have beds and running water it was a bit rough around the edges. We learned lessons of living with less, of enduring less than ideal conditions, and coming out better people in the end. God uses many circumstances in our lives to shape us and the Starlight Motel was one we hope he does not make us repeat. Lessons learned!
Memorable Moments:
1. We are having wonderful conversations that only good friends can have. This must be we are becoming good friends.
2. Today was a day of no dog chasing. Sherry could rest easy.
3. Waking up this morning with the realization that we are indeed starting with a tailwind! Thanks for your prayers. God is the God of the wind.
4. Chivalry is not dead! The men came to the rescue during one of three flat tires yesterday. Sherry was very appreciative.
5. Many on this trip DO NOT start their day without coffee. The motel had none. A group crossed the road to the gas station to bring the team its much needed “fuel”.
6. We ended the day in North Little Rock. The final 10 miles ran along side a Cedar Swamp. It was intriguingly beautiful.
7. Biking for 10 hours followed by a three hour shuttle to our home away from home for the weekend. We thought we would NEVER get there. We traveled through winding roads, up and down, through little towns until FINALLY reaching our destination at 10 pm. Long day!
8. We stopped for lunch at a little roadside fruit stand with fresh peaches, tomatoes, okra and pickled beets. Yum! Neat ladies too.
They gave us a shade tree and the run of their property. They are hoping to see their photo on the blog. Hi ladies!
Truly Thankful
1. Gas stations with running toilets! STILL! They seem to be few and far between. Oh, the toilets my run but you can concentrate on what you are doing due to all the dead cock roaches on the floor!
2. For the smooth roads after a bunch of really rough ones.
3. For tail winds for a good part of the day.
4. Safety again today. No incidents of harm. God is good.
Interesting Facts:
1. Rough roads pop bike tires. Three flat tires today!
2. We discovered yesterday that Cliff needs a wife.
3. The reptiles win the road kill contest. Frogs, lizards and snakes!
4. Don is really good at the game Two Truths and a Lie. Funny the games you play while pedaling your brains out.
5. These roads are very difficult to find “pull offs” big enough for a motor home! Scary!
Things to Pray about:
1. Keep praying for Sherry’s hands. She is experiencing a lot of numbness.
2. Bottoms are getting really sore. Funny thing to pray about but necessary!
3. We will be spending the weekend here at Self Creek Lodge. It looks beautiful! Pray for rest.
We may be back later today to post some more but the team is rushing me a bit to get on the road this morning. We will do a route around Pike County today! Should be fun, hilly (is that a word?) and scenic.
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