Days 1, 2, and 3 of the Great Ride

(Warning: I don't have pics up yet...they are stuck on Darrell's computer. Hope to have them soon.)
We headed south on Friday and had a nice, long, 10 HOUR trip. We got settled into our hotel rooms in anticipation of the Ride finally being here. Ron Holland said he felt like a kid on Christmas Eve and could hardly sleep!
The guys started their day at the bridge at the Mexican border at 8:50 and pedaled all day until 2:30 for some, and 3:30 for others. They had a few breaks along the way and stopped for lunch.
The thing that was kicking them on this "short" 53 mile day, was the North wind that was supposed to be coming from the South and pushing them. The wind has not let up and we are praying hard for the wind to either stop or turn 180 degrees.
Day 2 started good with the guys pedaling by 7:40. It was cold and windy and the winds were still out of the North. They were a little discouraged to wake up to the flags pointing due South! Regardless they finished strong by taking advantage of some drafting techniques, not only with their bikes, but with the SAG vehicle as well. This day was finished with 80 more miles under their belt and a comfortable home to land in for the evening. (Mike Bell has relatives in Bishop, TX...where they stopped at the end of this day.)
My day ended on a sad note as I had to leave the bikers and head north to Ft. Worth. I have really made mayself a part of that team, and it was hard not to finish what I started. But Brigitte Little will be taking over my duties and making the trip as easy for the bikers as possilbe. Philip Shero will also join the ride for days 3 and 4 and then return to Ft. Worth.
(This just in...Brigitte won't be able to drive the SAG vehicle after all...she woke the guys up last night because she was having some heart rhythm issues. Mike Bell and Darrell Crow took her to the hospital and they admitted her for atleast 24 hours. Philip has graciously offered to SAG for these two days until they can come up with plan B.)
Be praying for the guys that they don't get "beat up" mentally by the wind and little set backs. Pray that they will have the confidence and endurance to finish strong!

***************************************************
THE SCHEDULE:
Day One - Brownsville to Raymondsville - 51.4 miles
Day Two - Raymondsville to Bishop - 82.3 miles
Day Three - Bishop to Vidaurri - 75.7 miles
Day Four - Vidaurri to Hallettesville - 70 miles
Day Five - Halletesville to Rockdale - 88.7 miles
Day Six - Rockdale to Rosenthal - 58.7 miles
Day Seven - Rosenthal to Alvarado - 74.5 miles
Day Eight - Alvarado to Denton - 67.4 miles
Day Nine - Denton to the Red River - 34.1 miles
(A few of these days could get longer or shorter depending on how they feel.)

Before/During/After

Before....


The day is finally here that we head south in order for the guys to start pedalling north! Darrell has been swamped at work this month and has only had time to get on his bike twice, but I know the Lord will sustain the training he has done and make his body fresh and new for this journey!

Some of you may know that they are "biking for bikes" to send to Sri Lanka. Bread for a Hungry World printed an incredible brochure that tells about the ride and the village that will benefit from this ride. (I will make a post about how to donate if you are interested in doing so.)

Well....my husband had been talkin' smack for some time about how he was going to shave his head Thurs. before the ride. I kept trying to change his mind and convince him that he would look better with hair. The day came and almost went when I saw Darrell appear with buzzers in hand and headed out the backdoor!

Here are the results:

During.....

After......

I still think he is the cutest thing ever! Anytime that you think about a bike, Darrell, our family, or anything that is related to us, please send up a prayer for protection and strength as these guys pedal themselves across the state of TEXAS!!!

Pink Cars & Pumpkins

October hasn't started off any slower than any other month! The kids are doing great with football and cheerleading...we only have 3 weeks left! I can't believe how fast time is flying. Even Cal said the other day that he couldn't believe that Christmas was so close! Are we just so busy that our lives are flashing before us? Whew!

We started the month off with Cameryn having transportation week at school. That meant she needed to make a cardboard car for transportation day and it was also the week that Darrell was out of town. Now, I'll claim a little creativity in my little finger, but not that much...so I had to call on some help from my little brother, Uncle Ken! He was excited and willing to take on this task (which went to prove that his boy's school projects will not be out done!). We ended up with a cute, pink VW complete with flower-power! (NOTE: Ken did the body and Cam and I did the painting and details.) Thanks Uncle Ken for making us a great car!

I have been promising the kids (mine, Tammy's and the Shelfer's) that we would make a trip out to the Pumpkin Patch in Flower Mound. Since we had the day off from school on Monday I thought that would be the perfect day....except we didn't have Abby and Dusty. So we waited to go after school on Tues. It actually turned out to be the best time to go because it wasn't very crowded and the weather was beautiful! This is really a great gift to the community that this family offers through the Pumpkin Patch! Here are a few pics from our little "field trip".

The GREAT Ride is only 2 1/2 weeks away and we are really getting anxious for it. Darrell has had a really busy month and has had to cut back on his training. We are praying that God will sustain what he has done and what he is able to do when he has a break in his schedule! We are claiming Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.