In a Nutshell

I could go on and on about the girls bike trip this year. But, it would take too long and I wouldn't finish so I decided to just write down the few memorable moments they shared with me so we would have it down for posterity.

The first biking day was hard. Really hard. Little Mama didn't make it along with two other girls. They were a couple of the younger riders. It was super hot and crazy hilly and 50 miles. Daddy used his parental discretion and had LM get in the truck. Had it not been for her hospital stay 10 days prior he might not have been so gracious because he knew she could do it.

They next day they spent the whole day in a really nice, really huge retirement community. Their Youth Choir director went up to what he thought was an outside restaurant type deal filled with Vietnam Vets. He asked if the kids could sing for them. Turns out it was a bar and while the kids were signing all of the people passed a hat and collected like $70. They insisted that our pastor take it and walk down the road and buy all the kids ice cream!

Next, they "opened" for a local band called Randy and the Rockets or some such name. They really couldn't stand on the stage because they would have needed a permit. But, while the concert goers were waiting for the main attraction, the kids sang off to the side.

That night they performed for a dinner show. (I think it was that night.) Members of one of the church bought spaghetti dinners and the kids served it and then sang their performance. They people very graciously recorded the whole event and put it on Facebook.

The next day I was a mess because it was another 50 mile ride and I wanted LM to succeed. I knew she could do it. I also wanted the other two girls to finish the ride that day. I spent all day praying and checking Facebook to see what I could see.  Finally daddy called and I knew she had done it. Along with the other two girls. I was so, so thankful!

LM shared with me that instead of thinking about herself on her second 50 mile ride, she concentrated on encouraging those around her. Taking the focus off of her and putting her focus towards others. And it worked! She said it was an "easy" ride! The night before, the student leader of devotions, talked about encouraging others. Not just how encouraging others can help one another but in an off hand way it can bless you as well.  And Little Mama was paying attention!

The last day was a short ride, 30 plus miles to the beach. When they arrived, they stuck their front tire in the Atlantic, sang one more song to some people on the beach and had a great time just playing around.

A few of us moms drove the four hours to get them. Literally pulled up to the beach and loaded them up and headed back for home. I had a car full of girls. I thought they would sleep. They didn't. They talked and laughed and reminisced the entire time!

Nature Girl was worried that it wouldn't be as much fun as serving at the children's home last year. But she worried for nothing. She liked how last year they biked some where and stayed for a bunch of days. Getting to know kids and serving. But this year NG said she really enjoyed the fact that they got to sing a whole lot more. They sang at least once a day, if not more.

The trip is in the books. More memories made. They days of these youth are not being wasted that is for sure. . . .

(There are well over a hundred pictures. These are just a few in random order. I don't think I will ever have them all. I am not even sure I have seen them all.)

They Are Back

On Friday, hubby and Nature Girl got back after being gone for 7 days.  They biked 168, removed a popcorn ceiling, did yard work, handed out flyers for their concert, surveyed the neighborhoods, played with the kids at the children's home and sang.

They were tired but happy.  Again, this year, hubby had nothing but fantastic things to say about all of the kids that went.  Worked hard.  Didn't complain.  Had fun.  And sang their hearts out.  They stayed most of the week at the facility of a children's home which was very nice.  And they had lots of work things and fun things for the kids to do.

Nature Girl did great again this year.  Although she did manage to fall off a merry-go-round, fall on a treadmill and have a minor crash two stops from home.  The worst of the bunch was the treadmill accident.  The kids, on Thursday night, were playing a game on the treadmill.  NG hopped on and then kind of fell while trying to hop off.  When she fell she held on to the bar while the treadmill was still running.  (She said because she didn't want her face to get hurt and she really didn't know what else to do.)  Everyone just kind of stood for a minute also not knowing what to do.  Finally, one of the teenage boys, hit the emergency button and rescued her.

By that time her legs were pretty well treadmill burned.  It looks painful but she says it only really hurts when she stays still for any length of time.  She had to dance for about 4 hours on Saturday but she said it was fine.  She is one tough cookie.

It is hard for me to describe the feeling I have when I see those men and all those kids ride over the hill, home.  Relief, pride, thankfulness and gratitude.  I know I have said it before, but when I saw those kids singing over 2 years ago, I just knew I wanted my kids to be a part of whatever they had going on in that youth choir.  God loving, hands and feet of Jesus serving teenagers.  Led by a bunch of men willing to put the time in to hang out with them.

It is/was crazy hard for me to let my baby girl go.  She is growing up and I struggle to adjust.  But, this is totally one of the blessings of my baby getting older . . . .

Bike Trip and Spring Break

The annual Youth Choir Bike Trip just happened to be scheduled this year during Spring Break.  While lots of kids enjoy a little down time during their week off from school etc., these young people will be singing and serving.  Because we homeschool, biking during Spring Break isn't that big of a deal.  In all honesty, we can make up sleep, school or whatever.  But, for many of these kids who only get the week off, it is so cool that they chose to do this.  (That just kind of dawned on me last night.)  

Both daddy and Nature Girl have been training a little bit.  They were each at a disadvantage because we have been so darn busy this spring.  Neither one were really able to ride in the weekly group trainings so had to make it up on their own.  Which, sometimes, just didn't get done.  To say I was a little bit nervous when they left would be an understatement.  I couldn't wait for that first phone call to tell me that everyone was doing fine!  I just kept praying for supernatural physical, mental, emotional and spiritual strength for both of them.  And for everyone! 

They got loaded up in about 45 minutes.  They lined up for the picture and then they were off.  It happened so quick.  I barely got a chance to hug and kiss and say goodbye!  As you can see, it is a big group.  They kids really, really look forward to this.

Hubby has a little bit different role this year.  He and another fellow, a retired police officer, are taking turns leading a group.  So, they switch back and forth riding and driving.  And NG is in her daddy's group.  It is kind of cool because both of NG's friends have their daddys going.  They are also still some of the youngest of the group.  I think there is only 2 6th graders going and 3 7th graders.  Mostly girls.

The truck with the big orange sign, in the background, is hauling all of their stuff.  That driver and truck and trailer run behind the riders, ensuring their safety.

They rode 40 plus miles yesterday afternoon and arrived at about 7pm at the church they were staying the night in.  Hubby called about 10:30pm and everyone was tucked in ready for some well deserved sleep.  He called about 40 minutes ago and they were on the road again for another 40 plus miles today.  Then they will be at their destination tonight for the week.

This year, the trip is different.  In years past they would ride and sing at different churches and nursing homes along the way.  This year, they rode to a children's home and will spend the week there serving and then singing at night at different churches.  It is still the bike trip but more service oriented.  Which I thought was cool.  So, they will stay at the children's home or a church near by and work and sing all week.  Then Thursday, they will start back and be home by Friday.

It is weird being home without NG and daddy.  It seems a little quiet.  We all get excited when the phone rings to get the latest update.  We will keep busy and take a little bit of an advantage of "spring break" but will try to keep things normal.  

I love this time of year.  Happy Spring Break everyone . . . 

30 Miles

In 10 days, Nature Girl will be going on our church's annual youth choir bike trip.  We were caught a little off guard because historically the trip has been in the summer time.  This year it is during Spring Break.  And NG and LM have already committed to a performance of a story ballet at the end of March.  Which is rehearsing a lot right now.

Last year, in preparation for the long bike ride, the kids would practice together every weekend.  But this year, because of NG's commitment to the story ballet, she has only been able to ride with the group twice.  Soooo, that means she had to make up miles on her own.

This week they were to have ridden 30 miles.  Our only option was to have daddy take her somewhere to ride Monday morning.  The plan was to ride 20.  They would start at the trail head and ride to 9 mile park.  And then back.  Nature Girl talked daddy into riding 4 more miles to a little snack shack.

That meant riding 4 miles back to the park.  And then 9 miles back to the trail head.  And daddy's truck.  The most hubby had ever ridden was 10 miles.  So, needless to say, he was a little out of shape for such an adventure.

He called me when they were done.  He said his legs were liked wet noodles.  Of course, NG was no worse for the wear!

She has 35 miles to ride this week and I am not sure how that is going to work.  Maybe hubby and I will have to tag team!  Nothing like having a kid who needs to exercise to make us all realize how much we need to exercise. . . .

Silent Sunday

Finally pictures from my camera.  The first and last day . . . 

The Last of the Pictures, I Think

The pictures are out of order because there are so many of them from a bunch of different cameras.  So I tried to pick the ones that were most memorable.

The kids singing their last concert at a church they stayed at.  Even though they had sung 5 times already, I was told they were as fresh as ever.

One of the fun things that got to do was tour a local cavern at a state park.  They road their bikes from the church to the park.  Daddy decided to ride along this time.  He assured me he knew the roads.  When he got back that night, he said he knew the roads but from the perspective of driving in a car.  Apparently the ride from the church to the park was quite hilly.  He had quite an experience!  Nature Girl, even a week later, notices the hills that we drive on.

Friends having some free time.

They started out each day holding hands and praying.

Their last destination.  They stayed in nice cabins on their last night.  They were very excited because it was much, much nicer than what they were suppose to have stayed in.  It worked out well because that was the night the tropical storm was passing through.

They kids got to play in the lake.  Also, on Tuesday they went tubing.  No pictures of that 

The chase car aka "Guard Dog" and one of the bikers.  

The last day.  Riding through a small town on their way home.

One of the girls who was not able to ride was one of the official cheerleaders.  She would give high fives and always cheer everyone on.

A lasting impression.

Starting off the last morning.  They had to be on their way very early because they had a five hour bike ride ahead of them.

Always praying.

The road that leads to our church.  We could see them coming.

Cars were honking and we were cheering.  It was so thrilling to be there when they got back.  The driveway into our church is another big hill.  The one last hill to climb before their 190 plus ride was officially over!

If my hubby said it once, he said it at least 10 times of what a great experience it was to be with such a great group of kids.  Always smiling and laughing and encouraging one another.  Serving and never complaining

Thanking God for bringing them home safe and giving them such a wonderful opportunity to serve and be together.

Apparently they had sung their theme song "Move" on a hill.  Then they had an opportunity to sing the song to the park ranger in the cave.  They had to sing the song on level ground to make the trip complete.  So, after being gone 5 nights and biking 190 miles and avoiding a tropical storm, they had to sing one last time.  And they did it with joy and smiles.

On Thursday night they handed out awards for Road Rash and Encourager etc.  Nature Girl got Most Improved Rider and daddy got Best Guard Dog.  Everyone got a certificate of completion of a most amazing feat.

I might have some more pictures from my camera.  But, I think this completes most of the pictures.  Hard to believe it is over.  I know a couple people who are looking forward to next year . . .