The BIG RIDE is fast approaching! With less than one month until the ride begins, I am reflecting back on the past 6 months of preparing for this journey. And I wanted to give you a snapshot of my experience thus far:- December 1, 2009 - I just finished reading Donald Miller's newest book entitled "A million miles in a thousand years: what I learned while editing my life". Quite simply, it is about one's life story and what you can do to tell a better story. It made me reflect on my life and my goals & dreams. I immediately found myself looking at my list of Deidre's Big Dreams (which I wrote in ~2004) - and on it I had written "to bike across the United States." So I want to act. To live a better story. Go on an adventure, challenge myself beyond what I can imagine, and in the process raise awareness about lung disease. All I know is this has excited me and my heart is alive. Come what may. For the Lord knows the plans he has for me - and I just need to trust in Him.
-December 3, 2009 - I do feel strongly that it (the BIG RIDE) is something I must do. It is an adventure where I need to trust God will provide for and protect me. I believe that he has placed this desire on my heart. When it comes down to it, there is no way one can comprehend the magnitude of such a ride nor could one do this on her own power. God's power is made perfect in weakness.
-December 4, 2009 - Today Jason Helling, the rehab director, and Kim Peters, my PT supervisor at UMMC Fairview, granted me their support (and an approved leave of absence) stating they "want to do everything they can to support me and the BIG RIDE!" Yippee! One step closer to fulfilling my dream.
-December 8, 2009 - I just signed up to participate in the BIG RIDE Across America for the American Lung Association. I am excited and nervous - my stomach felt a little quesy after registering online :)
So why do I ride?
I ride in honor of my family members and the patients at UMMC who are currently struggling with lung disease, as well as in memory of my family members who have passed on.
I ride because "when you can't breathe, nothing else matters."
I ride to help raise awareness and funds for further research into the treatment of lung disease.
I ride because I love and miss my father, who passed away 3 years ago from COPD.
I ride because I have a loving Father God who has created the amazing outdoors and has given me the opportunity to explore it by bike.
February 21, 2010 - While flying home from Budapest, the computer generated map stated we had flown > 3, 100 miles since leaving Amsterdam. I told my mom how crazy it is that I will be cycling farther than that!
Two thoughts about the BIG RIDE: 1) trusting that God will provide and 2) having the blessed opportunity to see the generosity of others!
March 6, 2010 - She is a beauty - my bike that is! A very sweet ride. I am in love :) I am exicted for the BIG RIDE!
March 10, 2010 - Tonite we had our 1st BIG RIDE conference call. Awesome. It is exciting and each day it becomes a little more real. Wow and then I just took out my U.S. atlas and found every city we will be staying in and I highlighted it -just like my dad would have done :) ! Bridgett, the ride coordinator, said the motto is "go at your own pace but keep moving!" Perhaps that would be a good life motto as well. Take your time, be gentle with yourself, but also keep moving forward one step at a time. Just as God is granting you light for forward movement one step at a time.
