It is finally spring. As I see the trees, flowers, and grass come to new life I marvel in God faithfulness as his creation comes to new life and he gives us the seasons of the year. With spring I am excited about a new year for new adventure and outdoor activities. I love the sight of blossoms on the trees, daffodils and tulips in bloom. I feel a new sense of excitment and enthusiasm for doing things. I feel blessed to have the health and strength to bike and be active. I thank the Lord for each new day to praise God and give glory to what he is doing in my life and the world.
The weather has been varied with temperatures in the low 30's to the high 70's with lots of rain and wind. It was mostly 40-50 degrees. You see me in my training outfit of long bike pants, long sleeve jersey, jacket and full gloves. I managed to stay warm most of the time with only my feet getting cold riding in 40 degree weather.
This month I have started my out door training and put in 320 miles. Although it is less than the desired goal, I am happy with what I did accomplish. My goal for my training is to increase strength in my legs so I can climb steep hills on my bike, increase my endurance so I can handle biking more than 80 miles a day, and increase my average speed to 14-15 miles per hour so I can comfortably enjoy each days ride without feeling rushed and extremly tired. I started the month biking 16-20 miles per day at 12.8 miles per hour. Last week I hit 13.7 miles per hour. On Sunday Hank and I managed to bike 50 miles. The last 10 miles were very tiring and we were both glad we finished. This coming Saturday we are hoping to do another 50 with 30-35 Sea to Sea cyclists starting in Dorr, Michigan.
As I have been training over the last month I have also been reflecting on why I am doing this and for whom. I am reminded that this bike tour is not about me or the other cyclists. It is about what God is doing in this world through his church and cries of the oppressed and poor to bring comfort, peace, hope and healing to them.
I recently heard a sermon on living a balance Christian life. A balanced life is one in which I share who God is and what he has done in my life, but also living justly by helping the hurting, broken, poor and oppressed of the world. It is not just about spreading God's good news, but also about getting engaged and doing things to serve others. The focus for the bike tour is to raise awareness for poverty, to raise money and to challenge people to get engaged in making a difference. In the Bible, Micah 6:8 summarizes it well "And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." To me this means it not just good enough to bike and raise money. As I bike this summer, I will need to be listening and searching to seek where and when God is calling me to serve him in different ways to act justly and love mercy. I have learned that depending on God and surrendering life to his control has given me blessings and adventures I never dreamed I would have like this crazy, audacious bike trip across North America. I would never have thought I could or would be doing something so amazing. What a gift and blessing it is to be able to do this with a group of committed Chrisitians.
Thank be to God for this opportunity and challenge.
Granddaugther Kiley and her family at the play Kiley played a part in. Kiley did a great job and seemed to have lots of fun.
Grandparents day at Ada Christian School with grandchildren Katie, Kamryn, and Troy
Grandparents day at Lansing Christian School with Hank's granddaughter Rebecca. 
It is finally spring. As I see the trees, flowers, and grass come to new life I marvel in God faithfulness as his creation comes to new life and he gives us the seasons of the year. With spring I am excited about a new year for new adventure and outdoor activities. I love the sight of blossoms on the trees, daffodils and tulips in bloom. I feel a new sense of excitment and enthusiasm for doing things. I feel blessed to have the health and strength to bike and be active. I thank the Lord for each new day to praise God and give glory to what he is doing in my life and the world. 
