a new chapter in the journey is about to begin...

it's such a weird feeling knowing what ride:well is like and getting to do it again. granted, this tour is much different than the 08 cross country tour, mostly because it's not cross country, it's less mileage, more headwind (or so i am told), we are carrying our stuff on our bikes, and im one of the leaders. and, of course, there are different people on it. but, ride:well is such a beautiful thing, and i LOVE seeing new people become a part of this family.

i have been training. that's right. me. training. it's a big deal. haha. i was doing so well in march and most of april, then i went on vacation. nashville was amazing, and motivating, and lovely, and i got to see a lot of the 09 ride:well team (which is always such a blessing!), and a few of my amazing 08 teammates (which of course i love), and we got to see some of the blood:water mission staff (which is really motivating!) and, my old house, my old roommates, my church, and all my friends! i love nashville, and i am sad for the people who lost everything in the may day flood of 2010!! it is insanity! oh my. then, after nashville, i was back in phoenix for 2 DAYS, then i went to california (which was awesome as always). needless to say, i got a little off track with training. 2 weeks of traveling will do that to you. BUT, i am determined to get it back. because i was working so hard!

so, yesterday i rode 20 miles on the stationary bike, and im about to go do the same thing today. then, tomorrow demetrius and i are going to tough through the hot hot heat of arizona and ride hopefully a little more than 20 miles. and i have plans to ride friday, and saturday. but not sunday. hey, it's mother's day and my mom doens't have a bike.

it has been a great lesson for me. discipline. as much as i dont want to get on the bike everyday, when i do, it feels right, and my day is always better. PLUS, i have a lot of motivation from my awesome, incredible team. stephanie, shannon, lexi, and jenn (plus crystal from the southern tour, and some others) rode 100 MILES the other day in texas. they are rockstars.

the facts are, i am learning a whole lot from this tour, and it hasn't even begun yet. the things i am not so good at are being brought to my attention; my fears and failures; the mind games that go on in my head. they are being brought to the surface, and God is beginning to work. when i am weak, He is strong. when i let go, He meets me. and when i walk with Him there is freedom.

micah 6:8 keeps coming up in my life. almost everyday someone mentions it in all sorts of ways. i think that means something. so, i'll write it here. "what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God".

do:justice

love:mercy

walk:humbly with God

ride:well.

i cant wait for the ride to start. for this part of the journey to begin. see y'all soon!

love easymac