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So long Texas, It's the climb and Texarkana!?
We are now over half way done with the tour. I can't believe it. It seems like time has flown by. We've ridden over 1600 miles already (not really sure how many, but a lot =0)
It's been amazing to ride from town to town, church to church and meet so many people. It's humbling and amazing to see the generosity and hearts of so many. As they join with us in raising support for Blood:Water Mission by hosting events, services, taking offerings or opening their homes. Some days I feel like I'm seeing some of what Paul must have seen as he went from church to church in the New Testament. Generosity and heart, people giving and serving, and seeing churches finding their unique purpose in their community. From a the many small towns like Carrizozo, New Mexico, where churches open their buildings and hearts to feed us amazing meals and welcome us, to larger cities like Chandler, Arizona, where my home church, Desert Springs, took great care us, it has been an incredible journey. More than being taken care of as a team, it's been great to see so many stand with us in the purpose of changing lives on the other side of the world in Marsabit, Kenya. I posted a short video on youtube that Isaac Taleno helped me make about the need for clean water and medical clinics in Africa (a shout out to Aaron Smith and Matt Ward for helping on the text):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szVyPzFN-74
When we visited The Oaks Church in Red Oak, Texas, they held an Art Auction to help raise money for Blood:Water. A number of local artists donated their art to be sold to help raise money, there was incredible live music and artists who were painting art during the auction. My heart beats with the creativity of that night. What a great way to raise support! They also had us play a role in the auction by having each Ride:Well Team member paint a square on a mural of the Ride:Well Logo that would be sold either as a whole or as individual pieces (I'm not much of a painter, I missed using photoshop on mine, but it was a blast!). The event was a great success in raising money for the cause.
We also had a little fourth of July Celebration... Someone trusted me with a sparkler!? Thanks Ty for being ready to blow it out if things got out of hand.
And at the risk of sounding like a Miley Cyrus song... here are some quick thoughts: It's the Climb.
On the way out of Quemado, New Mexico, it was freezing cold in the morning and within the first 4 miles, we had one of our hardest climbs of the trip... at least it seemed like it. During that climb, my knees started to hurt because of the cold. While we were making that climb, I started to think about how much more of the nation we had to ride across. I'll be honest, the thought of over 2000 more miles at that moment didn't appeal to me. In fact, I thought about asking the next car I saw if I could get a ride home.
A few days ago a some of us were talking about our trip so far. When I mentioned the ride that day, Anne Jackson told me it was good to hear that someone else had been at the point of giving up. It reminded me how challenged we all are at times. No matter how strong we might seem on the outside, all of us face battles that we have to choose to 'ride through' or run away from. And now, mile by mile, pedal stroke by pedal stroke, the team is more than halfway across the country. We've done it together, for a great cause. When you're vulnerable enough to talk about your own struggles, failures and success in life, you just might help someone overcome their challenges.
I have 2 heroes from the team that I want to mention for making hard choices to press on when things have been tough.
Firsty: Melissa Foss, who broke her shoulder in 2 places and rode over 1500 miles until she found out it was broken! Ouch!
Secondy: The one, the only Crystal White, collided with a team mate and got a concussion on Saturday. She's back with us and cheering on the team with her great heart!
At this point, neither of them are able to keep riding, but chose to stick out the tour with great attitudes and find new purpose with vision for the cause of Ride:Well. Now that's real heart. They're heroes in my book.
Tuesday, we entered Texarkana, where I stood in two states at once! Welcome to TexArkana in Texas & Arkansas. The little fountain under me marks the state line.
It's been amazing to ride from town to town, church to church and meet so many people. It's humbling and amazing to see the generosity and hearts of so many. As they join with us in raising support for Blood:Water Mission by hosting events, services, taking offerings or opening their homes. Some days I feel like I'm seeing some of what Paul must have seen as he went from church to church in the New Testament. Generosity and heart, people giving and serving, and seeing churches finding their unique purpose in their community. From a the many small towns like Carrizozo, New Mexico, where churches open their buildings and hearts to feed us amazing meals and welcome us, to larger cities like Chandler, Arizona, where my home church, Desert Springs, took great care us, it has been an incredible journey. More than being taken care of as a team, it's been great to see so many stand with us in the purpose of changing lives on the other side of the world in Marsabit, Kenya. I posted a short video on youtube that Isaac Taleno helped me make about the need for clean water and medical clinics in Africa (a shout out to Aaron Smith and Matt Ward for helping on the text):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szVyPzFN-74
When we visited The Oaks Church in Red Oak, Texas, they held an Art Auction to help raise money for Blood:Water. A number of local artists donated their art to be sold to help raise money, there was incredible live music and artists who were painting art during the auction. My heart beats with the creativity of that night. What a great way to raise support! They also had us play a role in the auction by having each Ride:Well Team member paint a square on a mural of the Ride:Well Logo that would be sold either as a whole or as individual pieces (I'm not much of a painter, I missed using photoshop on mine, but it was a blast!). The event was a great success in raising money for the cause.
We also had a little fourth of July Celebration... Someone trusted me with a sparkler!? Thanks Ty for being ready to blow it out if things got out of hand.
And at the risk of sounding like a Miley Cyrus song... here are some quick thoughts: It's the Climb.
On the way out of Quemado, New Mexico, it was freezing cold in the morning and within the first 4 miles, we had one of our hardest climbs of the trip... at least it seemed like it. During that climb, my knees started to hurt because of the cold. While we were making that climb, I started to think about how much more of the nation we had to ride across. I'll be honest, the thought of over 2000 more miles at that moment didn't appeal to me. In fact, I thought about asking the next car I saw if I could get a ride home.
A few days ago a some of us were talking about our trip so far. When I mentioned the ride that day, Anne Jackson told me it was good to hear that someone else had been at the point of giving up. It reminded me how challenged we all are at times. No matter how strong we might seem on the outside, all of us face battles that we have to choose to 'ride through' or run away from. And now, mile by mile, pedal stroke by pedal stroke, the team is more than halfway across the country. We've done it together, for a great cause. When you're vulnerable enough to talk about your own struggles, failures and success in life, you just might help someone overcome their challenges.
I have 2 heroes from the team that I want to mention for making hard choices to press on when things have been tough.
Firsty: Melissa Foss, who broke her shoulder in 2 places and rode over 1500 miles until she found out it was broken! Ouch!
Secondy: The one, the only Crystal White, collided with a team mate and got a concussion on Saturday. She's back with us and cheering on the team with her great heart!
At this point, neither of them are able to keep riding, but chose to stick out the tour with great attitudes and find new purpose with vision for the cause of Ride:Well. Now that's real heart. They're heroes in my book.
Tuesday, we entered Texarkana, where I stood in two states at once! Welcome to TexArkana in Texas & Arkansas. The little fountain under me marks the state line.
Comment
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Comment by Nancy L White on July 8, 2010 at 10:44am -
Reminds me of Phil 3:14 I press on towards the goal to win the prize.....
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