For the past couple of weeks I have been trying to update my blog pictures and look and to have it linked to my FB page. I find blogging is very different than posting on FB. After numerous attempts and reading various pages, I think I have managed to change my blog for 2013 Sea to Sea Bike tour. It has been frustrating to try to navigate through all the pages and info, but I think of have settled on a view that is simple but allows me to get out the info in a manner that I like.
You will also notice I did not delete my posts from the 2008 ride. I found it interesting to reread some of my posts. I had forgotten some of the details and events so found it interesting to look back on that adventure. It will be interesting to see how the 2013 tour will relate to previous tours and what new and exciting experiences life will bring during that time.
Hope you enjoy the journey with me. I do encourage all my readers to live your lives with joy and adventure, sharing and giving to others, and making a difference in someonelses life that brings a smile and joy to others. I feel richly blessed and thank God for each day.
Adventures in cycling, volunteer work, and joy in ordinary days. The joy of being in God's presence, feeling His love and grace, and living a life of gratitude and praise. I have been in the bottom of life’s pit. Today I feel blessed and thankful for what God has done for me. I have chosen to seek God's wisdom and direction, and to live a life in service to Jesus Christ. My prayer is that you too will experience joy and adventure on your journey. May we share insights and experiences.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Finally signed up for 2013 Sea to Sea Bike tour
Well I finally went through the process of registering for the Sea to Sea Bike tour 2013. Now that I am signed up I need to get in gear communicating what I am doing, why I am doing it and asking for money to support the causes the tour is raising money for.
My kids, Jonathan Elgersma, Scott Elgersm and Sarah Boonstra think I am a little crazy to do this again. Their commments "Wasn't one enough, maybe two , but three. Come on, Mom, aren't you a little crazy and too old to this again?" Don't you love your kids for their encouragement and support? Well inspite of this, I think they still love their crazy Mom and put up with my out of the box experiences for older people. Maybe when they get old like me, they may do some things their own kids say are crazy. Life has a way of getting you back.
So I am at again, but I do think it will be my last big, big audacious bike ride. I do not look forward to sleeping in a tent on hard ground every night, listening to it rain and thinking about packing up my tent in the rain. I am not looking forward to biking day in and day out, day after day, up mountains and hills, mile after mile, for 6 days a week, for nine weeks. I do not look forward to having to bike in the rain and wind, and very hot dry days. I know I will be exhausted most days and crash after setting up my tent. So why, oh why am I doing this again I ask myself. Because! I remember riding along the babbling brooks and streams, putting my feet in the cool refreshing water, seeing the mountains, prairies, hearing the birds whistle, watching wild life in the mountains, feeling the wind on my back and the gentle breezes on my face. Feeling the presence and power of God in his vast creation. Being in awe of the beauty and splendor of the birds soaring in the sky, wild flowers along the road side, quietness of the morning as the wind ripples through the corn and wheat fields and hearing God speaking " I am here with you all the way, with each paddle stroke and each mile. Trust me in all things" Somehow I do not experience this closeness when I am speeding across the countryside in my van, or flying across the country in a plane to visit kids in Colorado or Californis.
There will be lots of time for reflection and thinking about life and what we are doing and why. Lots of miles to pray for people we are biking for. The challenges of the bike ride makes me realize that millions of people around the world who may not have a roof over their heads, but sleep in houses with leaky roofs if they have a roof with cock roaches running around, walk where they are going in the wind and rain every day, year in and year out because they do not have a bike or vehicle to get around in. For these people they have no choice but to accept their lot. I will be reminded that I have a choice and at the end of the 9 weeks I will be able to go home to a comfortable bed and listening to the rain knowing I do not have to be out in it on my bike if I choose, but can ride in a comfortable car.
So why am I riding, because there are more poor people today than 5 years ago even in North America. They need our help in regaining some dignity and pride. They need to know and feel others love and care for them. I know we raised money in 2005 for poverty and that money went to help many people. Unfortunately the world has changed again since then. Many people in the US lost their jobs and homes in the last 4 years due to financial meltdowns. Most of you might know people who have experienced this. So for me the call to make a difference in another person's life is still compelling me to do this ride again. Will it be the last bike ride? Probably not, but it will probably be my last big cross country one.
Stay tuned
My kids, Jonathan Elgersma, Scott Elgersm and Sarah Boonstra think I am a little crazy to do this again. Their commments "Wasn't one enough, maybe two , but three. Come on, Mom, aren't you a little crazy and too old to this again?" Don't you love your kids for their encouragement and support? Well inspite of this, I think they still love their crazy Mom and put up with my out of the box experiences for older people. Maybe when they get old like me, they may do some things their own kids say are crazy. Life has a way of getting you back.
So I am at again, but I do think it will be my last big, big audacious bike ride. I do not look forward to sleeping in a tent on hard ground every night, listening to it rain and thinking about packing up my tent in the rain. I am not looking forward to biking day in and day out, day after day, up mountains and hills, mile after mile, for 6 days a week, for nine weeks. I do not look forward to having to bike in the rain and wind, and very hot dry days. I know I will be exhausted most days and crash after setting up my tent. So why, oh why am I doing this again I ask myself. Because! I remember riding along the babbling brooks and streams, putting my feet in the cool refreshing water, seeing the mountains, prairies, hearing the birds whistle, watching wild life in the mountains, feeling the wind on my back and the gentle breezes on my face. Feeling the presence and power of God in his vast creation. Being in awe of the beauty and splendor of the birds soaring in the sky, wild flowers along the road side, quietness of the morning as the wind ripples through the corn and wheat fields and hearing God speaking " I am here with you all the way, with each paddle stroke and each mile. Trust me in all things" Somehow I do not experience this closeness when I am speeding across the countryside in my van, or flying across the country in a plane to visit kids in Colorado or Californis.
There will be lots of time for reflection and thinking about life and what we are doing and why. Lots of miles to pray for people we are biking for. The challenges of the bike ride makes me realize that millions of people around the world who may not have a roof over their heads, but sleep in houses with leaky roofs if they have a roof with cock roaches running around, walk where they are going in the wind and rain every day, year in and year out because they do not have a bike or vehicle to get around in. For these people they have no choice but to accept their lot. I will be reminded that I have a choice and at the end of the 9 weeks I will be able to go home to a comfortable bed and listening to the rain knowing I do not have to be out in it on my bike if I choose, but can ride in a comfortable car.
So why am I riding, because there are more poor people today than 5 years ago even in North America. They need our help in regaining some dignity and pride. They need to know and feel others love and care for them. I know we raised money in 2005 for poverty and that money went to help many people. Unfortunately the world has changed again since then. Many people in the US lost their jobs and homes in the last 4 years due to financial meltdowns. Most of you might know people who have experienced this. So for me the call to make a difference in another person's life is still compelling me to do this ride again. Will it be the last bike ride? Probably not, but it will probably be my last big cross country one.
Stay tuned
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)