Sunday, after a crazy ballet day on Saturday, my oldest daughter and her daddy and about 28 kids and adults from our church Youth Choir left in the afternoon on their 180 mile bike ride around our state. Their goal was to be the hands and feet of Jesus to all that they met and to sing in nursing homes and churches where they were staying.
She has been practising her singing and her biking for a couple of months just in preparation for the trip. As I have posted before, it has proven to be challenging in areas we just were not ready for. But, such great life lessons about perseverance and faith and strength and determination have been had up to this point!
We had her and her daddy packed on Friday, for the most part, because we knew Saturday would be crazy. Then hubby and I, with the help of a bunch of friends, had to prepare lunch after the church service for all the bikers and their families. So, not a whole lot of wiggle room for making sure they were ready to take off right after lunch.
NG woke up Sunday and was exhausted to say the least. I won't go into great detail, but, at one point she wasn't sure she was up for the challenge of the coming week. And, honestly, I didn't blame her. But, we talked and prayed and made a plan for the week. The plan was to just get through the most immediate activity. Like just getting dressed and heading out to church for 9AM for rehearsal. (They were also singing in the service that morning.)
Then, once that was done, she could focus on just eating some lunch. Then, when lunch was over, she could just focus on riding the first 10 miles to their first stop. And so on and so on and so on. Of course, it was a great relief for me (and for her) that her daddy was going on the trip as well. he was hauling all of the stuff behind the bikers.
It was a hard decision for us. Push her to go or let her opt out. I knew if she would just get started she would be great! So, getting her going was kind of tough. But, our plan worked. We took it bit by bit and by the time they were ready to head out on a rainy Sunday afternoon she was willing to go. By the time they got to the first snack stop she was over any trepidation she may have had and daddy said she has been a trooper ever since!
They have been crazy busy on their trip. Singing in nursing homes and churches. Having bible time and free time. Tubing and singing in caves to their state park ranger. Oh yeah and biking. Miles and miles of biking. As of today they have biked about 130 miles. And tomorrow, Friday, they have to bike 54 miles. There longest day by far.
Another challenge looming is there is a tropical storm headed our way. And of last night, there was no real plan. They were going to figure it out this morning.
I have a ton of pictures. I don't know if I will post them all today. It might be a day by day thing. Who knows? But, one thing is certain, I have never been so proud of my daughter or my husband. And thoroughly encouraged by all of the teens that they have been hanging out with this week. My husband has had nothing but wonderful things to say about all of the kids on the trip. Well behaved, encouraging and so wonderful to all the people at the churches and nursing homes that they have been to. The older kids have been great, great role models for NG and the two other younger girls that are on the trip.
Have I mentioned that NG and two others are the youngest. Most everyone else is in high school! Those young girls rock!
Setting up for the lunch for the bikers and family after the Sunday service. A family affair.
The kids singing in the service.
Loading up the U-Haul trailer.
Biking around the sanctuary at the end of the service and then Pastor D prayed over all of them
Best buddies!
Fist pump before taking off.
Snack break.
Riding down the road.
Water break.
Their first stop was close enough that we could go watch. My mom was here and had not heard the Youth Group sing so we got to watch them perform again.
NG singing her solo. She did awesome.
Evening bible study.
Heading out for day two.
I know this week, many prayers have gone up for these young kids. I know they have been sharpened by their circumstances and each other. I know they have been encouraged by young and old alike. I know they are growing their relationship with God and each other. They are most definitely making memories. But, most important of all, they are learning to put their faith and trust in God and learning to be the hands and feet of Jesus. What an awesome, awesome experience . . . .
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