Spiritual Prep, Poem The Road of Life, and Some Fun Tour Facts.

Well I have one more day before Hank and I depart. We have been busy doing last minute packing, ensuring everything at home is in good order and taken care of while we are away. We are a little anxious but also excited. We said goodbye to my son Jonathan and Kendra and Mark, Hank's son Karl and wife Jan and daughter Libby. I think I have covered all the bases. Who knows I may have forgotten things. I made a list several weeks ago and I have checked off all the things needing to be done.

Recently my daughter asked me several questions as she was preparing a notice for her church's newsletter. One of the questions asked about how I prepared myself emotionally and spiritually for the tour. Following is my answer to her.
"One of the things I have been doing to prepare for the trip emotionally and spiritually is to follow a devotional book called "Forty Days to a Closer Walk with God: The Pratice of Centering Prayer "by David Muyskens. This devotional has really helped me to spend 20-30 minutes each day to work hard at listening for God's voice, seeing His presence in all things through out the day. Today the devotion focused on the gift of the present moment. Centering Prayer helps to focus on the present. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift from God. The present is where we live, where God is, and the only place we experience the joy of life. The realization and practice of centering prayer helps me to be joyfully aware of the gift of God that comes abundantly right now. We are fully alive when we attend to the present moment. Reading Matt 6: 25-34 Jesus reminds us do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
A writing from Max Lucado " Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now and do not get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help me deal with whatever hard times may come up when the hard times comes and trust in the Lord to help me today.
As I look to the beginning of the bike trip I know I will have hard days, but I also know God will give me the strength and power to get through the long hard days. I know I will have amazing experiences when I put God in the drivers seat and let Him control and lead my life. My life has become a great adventure that has given me joy and blessings beyond what I could have imagined."

In sharing this she sent me this poem. I treasure it. Hope you will too.

The Road of Life

At first, I saw God as my observer,my judge keeping track of the things I did wrong,
so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die.
He was out there sort of like a president.
I recognized His picture when I saw it,but I didn't really know Him.
But later on when I met Christ,it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride,
but it was a tandem bike,and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal.
I don't know just when it was that he suggested we change places,
but life has not been the same since.When I had control I knew the way.
It was rather boring,but predictable...It was the shortest distance between two points.
But when He took the lead,He knew delightful long cuts,up mountainsand through rocky places at break neck speeds,it was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,He said, "Pedal!"
I worried and was anxious and asked,"Where are you taking me?"
He laughed and didn't answer,and I started to learn to trust.
I forgot my boring lifeand entered the adventure.
And when I'd say, "I'm scared,"He'd lean back and touch my hand.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed,gifts of healingacceptanceand joy.
They gave me gifts to take on my journey,my Lord's and mine
.And we were off again.He said, "Give the gifts awaythey're extra baggage, too much weight."
So I did,to the people we met,and I found that in giving I received,
and still our burden was light.I did not trust Him,at first,in control of my life.
I thought He'd wreck it;but He knows bike secrets,
knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,Knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.
And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places,
and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face
with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ
And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore,He just smiles and says..."Pedal."

Author unanimous.


Tour fun facts.

There are 219 cyclists 102 Americans, 116 Canadians and one international rider
69 females, 150 males the oldest male sea to sea is 73 and the oldest seatosea female rider is 66.
The oldest male rider for 2 weeks is 81 and the oldest female for 2 weeks is 77.
Averge age is 45. Youngest turned 18 June 4th.
We have 12 husband and wife teams going on the tour 6 Sea to Sea
We have 2 father/daughter teams one going sea to sea
We have 3 father/son teams sea to sea
1 Mother daughter eastern section
Brother teams 2 sea to sea
sister 1 team going sea to sea
2 brother sister teams

155 cyclists will eat the following daily amounts of food
50 loaves of bread
20 gallons of milk
12 pounds of peanut butter
2 cases of bananas
4.5 pounds of tuna
200 granola bars.

How would you like to pay this grocery bill everyday?

We will be staying/camping at:
35 schools, 10 city parks, 6 state parks , 4 Christian Colleges
Average miles we bike everyday is 72
shortest day is 34,/55km
longest day is 113m/182 km
Highest elevations is Berthoud Pass in Colorado at 11,307 feet./3446 m
Total distance is 3880 miles/6200km
We will be biking through 14 states and one province.

Hope to see some of you along the tour. Thank you to everyone who has supported Hank and I financially. We also appreciate your prayers. We pray too the each of you will also have a blessed summer and may your life be an adventure that sees God taking you to exciting places and experiences.

I will try to update again this week end when cyclists start to arrive in Seattle and the registration, orientation and safety training begins.

Claire and Hank