Saturday, June 6, 2015

God's PlanTrumps Even My Dreams



Today is the start of the Fuller Center Bike Ride. Five days ago I was to pack up a bag, join some from the team and carpool out to California. I did pack a bag but instead of driving due West, I drove due South.  I was looking forward to this summer. Biking and hiking for 2 months was what my soul needed. I felt like it was definitely in God’s plan for me to bike and serve like I did last summer, then hike a trail that was on my bucket list. I in a way thought it was fate because of how smoothly I was able to raise above and beyond the funds I needed to support the bike ride and how we got a permit to hike the JMT on our first try – with 5 other friends! This adventure in my heart is such an amazing way to serve others in a unique way!

So instead of dipping my back tire into the Pacific Ocean and joining friends I am home in Alabama. Over the last month I have learned a lot. Obviously I am not able to complete the section of the ride I was supposed to do. I was upset in the beginning. This adventure, getting out and riding through neat cities and towns, reuniting with old friends, meeting new people, and the freedom biking brings is something that helped motivate me to make it through working several jobs. I know there are other rides.  I learned that I serve and love a God whose authority trumps my dreams and passions. He is ultimately my passion. He had other plans for me his summer. For those that don’t know I have been having some medical issues the last month and a half.  Having to stop doing just about everything and learning more to allow my body to rest is something that I am not used to. Resting in the truth that all things will be okay. Understanding more of trust and faith. I have only been able to get on my bike once for a 7 mile ride in the last month and a half. I would let you know what is going on with my body but that is an unknown that many specialists are trying to figure out. I can tell you that is some type of neurological inflammation/auto immune issue.

For those that have donated and support this amazing Fuller Center Organization I strongly encourage you to follow them on Facebook and see a unique way that God works through simply biking!! They have a good solid team of close to 40 cyclists that are passionate and excited about the ride! Please pray for their safety, their experience, and their witness to so many people! OYEE!!

Monday, April 13, 2015

What is it that You Hear?



“The quieter you become the more you hear.”
-Ram Doss -

Last summer I was able to bike with the Fuller Center across the country from New Jersey to Oregon. It was such an amazing experience! My philosophy in life is if there is an opportunity to do something amazing at least once, do it. If you have the chance to do it a second time, definitely do it again! This summer I have the opportunity to bike from Oceanside, CA to Colorado Springs, CO (four weeks, 2,000 miles).  My heart is full and my soul happy to know that I will get to cycle. I find it amazing how quickly you can slide back in to old habits. A little bit about myself – I am a busy person. I do try to set aside time to spend with friends, to bike, and just to be. The time I get out on the country roads between work and prepping for classes is like free therapy for me. There are many things I love about the bike ride. One of them is the freedom that I get and how my life completely changes when I am on this journey. Last summer one goal of mine was to slow down and I was completely able to achieve this goal. There were many days the only thing you could hear was the wind blowing through the corn or just the sound of the bike chains. The entire experience slows all of me down. The quote above by Ram Doss is so true. When I slowed down last summer I was able to hear the whisper of God. I was able to hear stories of other cyclists. I was able to see what it really means to serve. I learned that serving is more than just completing the actual project but serving by the giving of your time. I learned that serving is about listening and getting to know the people you serve. I saw so many generous, giving people all across the US that served us. Churches that fed us, strangers that set up lemonade stands and passed out free cookies along the side of the road. Brothers and sisters that opened up their homes to us and worshiped with a group of smelly strangers. This ministry blew my mind and changed my heart last summer. When the opportunity came up again for me to cycle some of the ride this summer I didn’t hesitate.
Prepping for this summer has and will be a little more challenging. I have less time to train physically but feel like the mental and spiritual aspect of the training is going well! If you don’t know much about the Fuller Center I encourage you to look it up and read about it! I didn’t know much about the Fuller Center when I started last summer. Throughout my experience, including the spring ride and just in general I completely believe in this ministry. From seeing it in the flesh and working alongside with Fuller Center covenant partners across the US, my heart is glad that there are ministries like the Fuller Center out there trying to end Poverty Housing! There are so many people, families, and communities that need help. Whether it is big or small there is poverty right under our noses in this country. I am going to do all that I can as I cycle mile after mile and hammer nail after nail to do my part. I will keep you updated building up to the ride as well as once the ride starts! Oyee and thanks for reading this and showing interest in my ministry bike ride this summer!