Day 2- Selma to Tuskegee

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May 052019
 

Today’s total: $7730 towards $25,000. Proceeds help us repair Ms. Middlebrook’s roof in Smiths Station and continued Lee County Tornado recovery.

Faith, hope, and love and the most important is love (1 Cor. 13:13). That is the devotional message my mom shared to our group this evening after a long, grueling ride from Selma to Tuskegee. We got a little bit of everything today; a few showers (which that late one at 4:00pm was refreshing), some bright sun, humidity, and even some short wind gusts. Although, I will say, having the wind at our back has made a difference. Last year, we rode into a strong head wind all three days!

My mom talked about our team and especially our men. She noted their faith, their friendship, their funny jokes and mostly their commitment to service and ministry. I could not say it better. These guys have helped keep this ride going for the past 10 years. I am indebted to them and what they mean to ARM and me personally.

It was great to have Chase Crowson and his dad, Roger, join us. Chase is in the Atlanta area and his dad is from Huntsville. Those guys were rock stars and having a father and son ride together was special. Chase, John Stephenson, and I, were all at the Auburn Wesley Foundation together and Chase and I served in Panama in 1992 for 21 days. He was part of the group that talked about ministry both far and close to home; how ARM came into being. What a special time and reflection with him.

Tomorrow’s final leg is the hilliest part of our ride. Our legs are sore, our hind ends are sore, we are sunburned, and can’t get enough water…and yet, we ride on. We ride because of people who live day in and day out desperately needing repairs to make their homes warm, safe, and dry. We ride because of so many families in Lee County that lost homes, loved ones, and everything that was routine and normal. We ride because of Jesus dying and resurrecting, which we celebrated two weekends ago, and how we are called to be beacons of resurrection and restoration. We ride because we love; because He first loved us. Thank you to all of our supporters, sponsors, and friends!

Looking forward to another day and opportunity to raise funds and awareness to help families repair their homes and find holistic recovery.

Grace and peace,

lisa

Day 1-May 3

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May 042019
 

Total for May 1: $4368

Yesterday marks two months since the tornado went through Lee County, Alabama. Thousands of volunteers poured into the areas, many from outside of Lee County and many from within the community. We tarped roofs, ran chainsaws, and loved on people broken, hurting, confused and incredibly resilient.

This is not the first time we have ridden to raise funds and awareness for tornado survivors. With this being ride number 10 and starting in 2010, we were riding in 2011 after the tornadoes in West and North Alabama.

This year’s team is a little smaller but still incredibly fun, full of energy and great sports! I love these guys! My mom came up from Daytona to be a support driver and it is awesome being joined by Chase Crowson who has ridden with us over the past couple of years.

Today’s first leg of 86 miles was uneventful in that we all made it safely and no one was hurt. What has made this special is the focus. I have a deep appreciation for just doing one thing. Over the course of this year, I have found myself juggling multiple responsibilities. Some I have control over and some not so much. This included completing my first year of War College, the transition of staff, decisions around Hurricane Michael and now more recently the tornado in Lee County. The pressure and demands have been challenging. So, although it was 86 miles of cycling…to only be able to do that one thing has been so refreshing.

Doing one thing well, pushing away the distractions, and allowing God to speak is the difference maker. I am grateful today for the 4mph tailwind that felt like a small push and the periodic clouds that pushed away the sun. I am grateful for friends who ride with you and make long miles feel like nothing.

Looking forward to another day and opportunity to raise funds and awareness to help families repair their homes and find holistic recover.

Grace and peace,

lisa