Last Rides...

It's hard to believe that we are down to the last 7 days before the ride...

I have a full day tomorrow. Part of it will be a 'last ride' on my bike before I box it up and ship it out Monday morning to JAARS. I've never done that before but think I have everything that I need. Another task for tomorrow is to finish my presentation for Sunday morning at church. I'm able to have a small table up in the 'missions hallway'. It will be up for a few weeks starting this week and go for several weeks into May. I'll also get a chance to share about the ride on Sunday and after I return; and hope to be a part of raising $6,000 (only $10 / mile - and my middle daughter is going to be the first on my pledge sheet at $.01 / mile! :-)

I rode with the jersey today! It worked Great. The shot below is one that I'm going to use in my PR for this as it includes my bike and Bible (and me - but it won't be cropped due to the limits of the Blog as the one below is).


The physical phase of preparation for this ride has come to an end for me. I've had lots of encouragement, but am still a little nervous about the great physical task that it will be.

I fly out to JAARS on Thursday ... it's going to be here before I know it! Please keep praying for all who are involved in this event - I'm calling it a missions trip. It's going to be 10 days of serving God in ways that are going to challenge and stretch us. I'm certain that we will see God's hand: I'm very excited...

On today's ride, at several places, I noticed that the weeds on the side of the road were very pretty! Like I wanted to stop and take photos, but the conquer mentality wouldn't allow me to during the first notice of these 'weeds'. More beautiful weeds followed and I eventually had to stop - my conscious wouldn't let me continue. I took just one shot of a weed and it's shown here. It made me think of the scripture that talks of Solomon in all his splendor not being dressed like the grass of the field. They were just weeds, but they were striking and worth stopping to enjoy for a brief time. It was a good reminder to make time for the things going on on the sidelines.

Tomorrow should be a full day - but I'm expecting it to be nice too! Especially if I take the time to appreciate the weeds on the side of the road. Or to say the it more clearly: especially if I take the time to appreciate and notice all that God is doing around and despite my schedule. My life is more than what I do!