Priceless Commodities

Advisory:
My thoughts are scrambled and processing through the layers of emotion and realities of what has happened over the last 9 weeks may or may not drive you mad.

As of late I have wondered greatly where my head is when I look back on the conditions and positions I have ridden through, climbed up and held on through the whipping wind.

Just+Hope 2012

Blood, sweat and tears build this life and those who have entered and exited through it mixing into the foundation.


4 months processing my first tour along with processing another side of the world in South Africa. 6 months in preparation. 9 weeks on the road. 2 months playing those plans out while seeing both pieces and chunks thrown out the window as this tour and the vision of it is shaped into how it truly needs to be. Teaching and stretching way more than we ever could have thought.

I went into this ride with knowledge of how previous tours have gone. What went well and what could be changed. Working with those who were in the same brand shoe as me, introducing many others to what we in our minds felt the definition of sacrifice touched upon. Biblical justice and how we could relate it to our "comfortable lives".



Leaders succeed and fail. I learned grace through both this summer and I am grateful for the experience. I was able to step back and see parts of me from last summer in others and how teammates stripped layers of their old selves shedding light upon who God is growing them into.

I have seen the way God hardens and softens hearts. And no matter how godly we may feel, how much Satan still tries to toy and bring judgement out of us. How through the blood,sweat and tears of the heat, headwind and climbs no matter what you do you simply cannot satisfy every single human being.




But at the end of the day I was always still breathless. His presence stealing the air from my lungs and taking the entirety of my attention span on a daily basis with in these views. With in these climbs and vastness into coulee city, WA and the same goes for that unbelievable downhill into white sulpher springs, MT.

White Sulpher Springs, MT

Sitting down to see a magnificently painted sunset in Chambersburg, PA while remembering the mountains that have been moved and courage gained as we spoke of our experiences of the day. We conquered the Appalachian mountains to the top of Tuscarora Summit that day.
And for the faces and celebration in that I am so thankful.

Tuscarora Summit

 Not to mention a stuffed Dino that was discovered before ending the day with free chipotle, donated to us in Chambersburg, PA.





Exhaustion can be understated but as I have mentioned in past entries we must keep running the race:
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours." (1 Corinthians 9:24 AMP)

                                                                                   Hebrews says:

Across America Tour 2013

"Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won't let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us." (Hebrews 12:1 CEVUS06)





  Matthew 11:28-29 “…Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
So in every sense of the word I have for sure been seeking rest and resting my bones. The day after I was dropped off in Scranton unexpectedly (Gods got it figured out what is needed) and I ended up sleeping for 19 of the 24 hours the day after I got home.

Decompression is a process and in these times I feel extremely restless but there is also a must to allow the time of transition into other seasons. Allowing opportunity for further maturing and understanding or building of faith to trust the lack of understanding for where Gods bringing me next.
The impacts of all of this has gone further than we can see on many levels. If I'm honest I don't know what the next step is. I've never known. There are impacts that have been made that can be completely opposite from what we had thought.
We must be patient in these transitions and remember that for sure God is faithful.
I'm waking up
I feel it in my bones ...

But how do we translate these things? I have always been someone fully devoted to living right in where God has me. I disconnect from other places to bring my full attention to where I am. Practically falling off the face of the earth. Feeling somewhat neglectful to others.

Across America Tour 2013

I can feel that most recently I have been seeing bits of myself from a far. I have been seeing the ways in which I have grown through the growing pains and outbursts of learning my emotions again. I have been seeing this fiery passion that I see so plainly as black in white begin to fade to gray. But it is not completely blurred. I see. I respect others opinions and have gained more control over what I feel I have been loaded with fire in the past. For instance a conversation with
My brother. Neither of us are wrong in conversing. We have different views of what we feel is right, logical and worthy of our time and efforts.

Opinions of lazy woods living VS pointless materialistic living in a city.
Each of these things help to bring better perspective of how each of us have been created for different reasons. I'm sure thi probably seems like rambles. But I am trying to slow down the chewing and mauling I have been doing to try and swallow the realities of what I do and do not understand. And how I ,as always, need to be ok with that.

Not everyone wants what I want. And I must continue to break down the walls that I build to put myself on the outside of what I feel is and isn't worthy or considerate or logical.

Nut shell cracked:
Tour was amazing. This summer and getting to see some of the same faces and places blessed me tremendously. Along with meeting new faces. Again, pushing these bodies to the brink of what God called us to do this summer.

Across America Tour 2013

Along with the experience we raised funds and awareness. Last year we sent 272,000 emergency meals to care point on the Burma/Thailand border. We made a goal to send 1.5 million this year but have already exceeded that and are in the midst of collaborating to raise the number to 1.8 million.

We are trying hard to get as many meals over as possible swing that Venture is one of the only nonprofit based organizations that has been granted a 3year contract to use the port in Thailand as much as we would like. Bringing on more partner opportunities to get more supplies and help to the refugees as possible.

$1=10 meals
It's amazing what is possible with moving legs and hearts that are willing to surrender and go forth to the call of God. Being obedient in what He calls in "inadequate" vessels to do to build upon His kingdom.

I can't thank you enough for your continued support and prayers. You know who you are and those who I have met along the way, I am grateful for you. Keeps checking in for the ripple effects of what's happening in weeks to come.

Don't forget to check out the next adventurous effort I'm apart of here : Shasta

- Keep adventuring.

Branches In Pavement Cracks

In this life and on these journeys I have found that as the grips of this world begin to harden around me, those that The Lord puts in my life and in the trials and expeditions, He calls me forth on, He continues to grow me even in the most suffocating of seasons. He grows me up through the ruble and brings color and contrast to the dark and broken parts.




And even in the darkest of times there is patience and triumph as we wait for the pavement to crack and grow up through struggle of scratching the surface. I learned a while ago that God pushes me to be uncomfortable. He grows my comfort zones so that I grow more into the person He has called upon me to be. I could choose to ignore it and avoid it or I could answer, obey, embrace and pursue the truth of the expectations that God has for me because He created me with these things in mind.




Some are drawn to certain parts of the world. Certain cultures or struggles. I feel it is crucial to mix these passions in certain settings of adventure based ministry. To be pushed out of our shells. Working with personal and physical reaction and sacrifice. I am called out to be made uncomfortable at times because I learn and grow from things that are not of the norm. I in return am forced to sit, dwell and learn more about myself, my focus and Gods provision and lessons for me.




When I am stripped of comforts I am made raw and therefore lean on The Lord all the more. Not people (I have found that the battle with myself is constant). I am stripped, an open wound mending. In these moments, these treks surrounded by His creation and things that lurk with in it bring me perspective.
I could ride 90 miles on my bicycle and come around a bend, see a wall of a hill and call the van to come back and pick me up to bring me over this "wall". OR I could complain for 7 seconds (because I'm human) about the realities of how I feel then look at that wall again and say, "OK".
I'm certainly not climbing these mountains for self enjoyment. I don't climb these mountains because my heart is into one part of the world than another or one specific cause. I climb because I know that each pedal stroke delivers hope. I climb and battle head wind and dance for joy at state lines because God is using me as a tool to build His kingdom. Either for our neighbors in Southeast Asia or my teammate struggling on a 103 mile ride next to me. These missions grow people. The physical and mental sacrifice of our bodies and time open eyes everywhere we go and Gods timing for those who we meet in towns we pass are equally inspiring and encouraging. That brings a ripple effect to this life that helps lead us down the narrow path.




Ministry is dead unless the leaders are growing too. These experiences and treks strip us of what the world layers us with. Opens eyes, sheds light and teaches us directions that should be taken or avoided. Leaders are never the best they can be at any point in their walk. There is no finish line crossed while we are still here. We learn to finish strong no matter what until we are called home.
My passion is to help and encourage anyway that I can. The majority of these ways is through my body. Through biking, hiking and showing creation to others. Being stripped by the elements of this earth, lessons of this life: put in the example, the possibilities are endless.
So when this cross country tour finishes, the tour that I thought was a once in a life time opportunity that happened twice, I will be embracing with yet another community that needs help.
The community of Adventure Leadership International (ALI) an organization that ministers to leaders to help them grow so that their own communities may grow and be strengthened. They provide training and deciple opportunities that help with glorifying God in His creation in the midst of physical sacrifice and self awakening for participants that partake.




Andrew Underwood, the founder of this organization and an amazing brother, has been working hard in getting these trainings rolling in the states for leaders in Ecuador and has plans in the making to begin leadership training this Fall.
In the midst of all of this in order for anything to be fruitful, seed must be spread, nurtured and tended to. With this on mind, Andrew, myself and a team will be summiting Mt. Shasta in .... California on August 24th along with many other teams who will be summiting 54 mountains in Colorado that are fourteen thousand feet. ALI will be teaming up with the organization that helps to make these opportunities possible. the project is called Project 54. Through this project, funding and awareness can be raised to help provide leadership training for ministries all over the world.
Self sacrifice. Time, physical and mental. These are tangible things that when pushed and stretched can create new perspective mixed with white flags. Allowing God to fight our battles knowing He will protect us and prosper. We learn, grow and teach. There for it spreads more seed and the process continues. We are tilling the earth with His love and mighty truth.




We have all been called upon to peruse different things. Instilled with different passions.
What's in you?
If you would like to find out more information about Andrews mission and what ALI is all about please visit ALI "Blazing the trail"
And to see our team for Mt. Shasta's progress or to donate please visit: ALI Mt. Shasta team
Keep Adventuring

Steady Feet

I'm sitting in one of a million Starbucks found in side of a slice of cultural fruit that seems to swarm with hustle and bustle of different direction and destination.
Important meeting and catching
Up. There are parts of me that wonder if I will randomly run into someone I know simply because Gods got humor like that.
But now I am "home" a place I have somehow been so homesick for in the past and now feel so relived to be back and taking rest to a whole new level...
I have not been scarred into silence. I have been weened and seasoned into listening more and speaking less. Reflecting these layers of senses and emotion.




Sinking into these comforts that are my feet on crooked sidewalks from roots of trees reclaiming ground while the smell of coal lingers in this electric city. I see lights but am hesitant to step into it. Fearful that this step will cause me to sink deep into what I had thought this place always was. A black hole of despair.
But no. God has shown me a new light to this. I don't know how it will work out. Possessions are worthless with the surpassing of know Christ Jesus my Lord. I consider it ALL rubbish.
I will not let scars define me. Nor will I let echoes of Satan discourage and make me believe that I am unworthy of these adventures. That I am not good at adventuring. That this all will end if I leave the majestic woods.
If I travel back to where I once was, how it will be nothing but mediocracy and monotony. But these things, through them, we must be diligent in seeking them through and through. To rediscover adventure at its finest, the unknown.
- Keep adventuring.

Right Here Right Now

I don't know if I've been doing everything right. Nothing ever goes according to plan. But when hearts are in the right place and intentions are seen it can sometimes lead to beautiful disasters that teach us so much more. They show us the beauty and hope and trusting in our amazing God. Perhaps what the enemy tries to succeed in ruining. Even through the times of doubt, His loves prevails, comforts and brings new perspective and hope.
I have been inspired by how God has been working in all of these hours in the days while we have been crossing pavement seas that rage, bump and whip at our team. Time has caused our heads to go astray at times and our hearts to be deceived. But oh how He brings our attention back and breaks us instantly.
It began early on with Brittany. She gained severe numbness and pain in her right arm. And then it moved in through Katie on the 4th of July when she fell and broke her elbow cruising into the half way point of Minneapolis. There was realness in these things but not sure of reaction.
God continued to rock us hard with the further understandings of our own egos. And broke us in half as we saw Jeff's dreams broken like his collar bone.




Google.com says:
struggle:
Noun
A forceful or violent effort to get free of restraint or resist attack.
verb. fight - wrestle - strive - combat - contend - battle
truth:
Synonyms
sooth - verity - reality - fact - veracity - fidelity
Growth:
The process of developing or maturing physically, mentally, or spiritually.
Synonyms
development - increase - increment - accretion - rise
Blinks of eyes. Moving on to the next thing and then I'm thrown to the ground again in this raging sea of pavement. Arm torn up and frazzled yet grateful for an opportunity to be blessed with yet another ministry tool. A scar where there are hopes to rip open others heart scars.








I was riding behind Sara. We had been alert all morning getting out of Philly to make our way onto the 11th state of tour, New Jersey . We made it there. And with in 2 miles of being back on the road in jersey after a break, we were on a highway. There was an on ramp on our right and 2 lanes on our left. A very fast car and my lack of trust in Sara that she saw the fast car. She had already slowed down and by the time I turned my head back to tell her fast car back, our wheels collided and I went in for the dive. 22miles per hour. Skid marks and a phone went flying.
I felt God in it. I felt Him brace my body for impact and felt Him hoist me up right quickly, sharp and aware. With blood on my handle bars and a ripped hippo that took the blunt of the situation, I cleaned myself up and got bandaged.
Moving forward. We spent the next day resting and eating on boats. Blessed in good company we are beginning to look like people from where God currently has us again. But yet we all look somewhat a like even without the spandex.




We are shuttling to the bridge and then we are unloading and riding across the destination we have said we would be arriving to at the end. Knowing where we had departed from but finding it unreal to say New York City.
It will hit us harder, I feel, when the waves crash upon us. Salt on skin and staring at each other waist deep in the vastness of His presence.
God has done it, again.
What will He do next?
-Keep Adventuring

Head Wind.

I remember this one time in Minneapolis, my friend Connor joked and said that Jesus was like a cotton t-shirt for sunglasses. It's the only thing that can really clean them.
To make things more clear and to look around rather than ahead. Trusting that whatever comes down the road, even though you can't see it.

Now that I'm thinking about it I'm thinking about it, Jesus is a lot like the biker at the head of a drafting line. He takes the blunt force of the terrible daunting head wind that drains us until we feel like we'll wreck. Feeling as if we aren't moving, The Lord takes the lead and let's us fall back into the air stream so that you feel as though you are being pulled through the grudging miles. Giving you rest so that you may continue to move forward and gain higher ground.

It's only day 5 and I feel this team has already begun to be revived while being drained of every last ounce. The Lord has truly blessed this team with those He needed to be here to build and to grow each of us the way in which we need to be stretched, pushed and grown to serve Him and one another better.

We have cycled well over 300 miles thus far and we enter into Idaho tomorrow.

It is strange because I feel like two worlds are colliding but it's quite nice. For the first time I am experiencing physically riding down memory lane. Taking photographs where I once stood a year ago with entirely different people. Never having something cross my mind like being at that very spot again, a year later... With really short hair to top it.

Seeing familiar places and faces. Getting to touch base again and see how the year was. Just getting to thank these hosts truly for how much it really means to brothers and sisters world wide what they do. Whether it is a room to sleep in or a meal. Even just seeing the what-is-normal-sights to them and how it blows our minds with each mile we progress.

This team. These hearts and the compassion for one another. The grace the unity. This is day 5. I can't believe the ways in which God has answered these prayers of mine. The excitement of Christ and what He has in store for us is overwhelming and very much raw, real and radical... I had to come up with another R word and that seemed really perfect actually!

The team is split 11 girls 4 guys. You would think it to be insane but it has worked so well and the strengths that come from each individual is beautifully shown. Along with grace in weaknesses and concerns. We are not professionals however we are consumed with passion and want. To serve an amazing God and those who He has called on us to serve and love. There are times when I am speechless. There are also times when I can't breathe because I am laughing so hard.

Again. Day 5.

We had a rest day today in Spokane, WA and we will be hitting the road tomorrow morning for a simple 55 miles to Harrison Idaho where I am extremely excited to see everyone there again and spend some time taking in Gods creation of Lake Coeur d'Alene. It will also be our first State line crossing.

People think I'm crazy for riding again. Sometimes I think so too. But if I hadn't, I wouldn't have met these great friends and had been able to reconnect with others while continuing to do what I love; live on the road and share in these things like perspective and understanding all the more with those who we ride side by side with.

It's amazing what you remember when you're back where you were. No dates or days remembered, but places? Always.

- Keep adventuring.

Necessary, Necessities. (Thank You Alexander Valley for your encouragement and support)

Again and again and again I am reminded of how much God wants HIS name glorified and how small and beautiful His details are to bring more light and more perspective to so many things. I am amazed by how He builds these foundations and how He steadily builds each of us up. Breaking us down in ways that we are humbled and grateful.
I have a story for you and it is one of many blessings. Ready?

For the last couple of months I have been over whelmed by many things. I have been busy with life and where God has me going and feeling very much like stretch armstrong in many ways. Mind pulled in many different directions with constant reminders of how much still needs to be done. And yet when I was on my last leg... Last toe even. God met me right where I was and scooped me up only to bless me all the more. Again. When you surrender it all, you come to realize that if you had just surrendered it from the very beginning, it would have been way less exhausting.

21 blessings came at a moment where I felt that the stresses of Many different things would finish me off by crushing me down. Bit as soon as I was face down these blessings picked me up and brushed me off.

6th graders who are usually too cool for school heading into the 7th grade blew my mind away with the love they had for one another and myself and all this around them. Honest, true, genuine.

They were an answer to prayer in saying this. Passion in following The Lord and putting your all brings the reward of overwhelming joy. And you find that in these moments these joys are the fuel to keep you going. God has willed it. And He blesses us in these ways often.

By the end of the week I had one of those rare weeks where I didn't want these new friends to leave. They're encouragement is so inspiring and with that said they encourage me to love more. Care more.

They all asked me what else I like to do and I explained to them how I like to ride my bicycle. Curious kiddos, asked me where I like to ride my bicycle and I answered across the United States. Their eyes grew big and mouths stopped moving. Question after question led me to explain to them what I've been doing with this bicycle God has given me.

We said our rather tearful goodbyes. Not even 3 hours had passed and I had a message down in the office to tell me a chaperon from the school that had just left wanted me to call her. I called her back and also saw that the main teacher had sent me an email to invite me to these super kids 6th grade graduation on the 31st.

NOOOO! That is the day that I would be departing to fly half way across the states only to drive to Washington 3 days later to begin bike tour! I emailed the teacher and explained why I couldn't come but when I could potentially come to visit.

So I surprised them with coming to visit them in their classroom. They made a slide show and we watched it while eating cookies and sipping on caprisun.

They said that they were so excited for me to ride this summer and why I was riding. So much so that they wanted to be apart of it all too.

So they're class treasurer, Hannah, handed me an envelope and Lorna (one of the most passionate teachers I have ever met) explained that these sly kiddos decided on the number. They had some funds left over from their stay in the redwoods.
She insisted I look at the amount and as I opened the envelope my jaw dropped... 5...0...0...
$500.

It blows my mind on a daily basis again of who God is and what He is capable of doing. The connections and paths He crosses are not by chance. As a dear friend of mine, Jenna Givens once said a long time ago, "when people come into our lives God isn't asleep".

And just when you think you can't handle those overwhelming moments. And then God just blesses you more. His plans are to prosper you. Not to harm. Even if something's hurt. Like falling on the ground because your bike clip malfunctions and people swarm you in the middle of town. Asking you why you're riding your bike. Then getting a donation out of it. God humbles me in the most beautifully uncomfortable ways.

As I got ready to depart from visiting for a few hours, we walked out to the blacktop to take some pictures. I looked at the ground and saw a painting of the United states. It was huge, Like the map that they had on Carmen San Diego . I ran to Washington state and hollered over for them to all come line up behind me so they could ride across the country with me! It was brilliant. Here they were, two worlds colliding. I am so in awe of what God puts in front of me. Inspiration creates something in all of us that can't be explained.















How does He humble you?

Let The Nomadic Lifestyle Commence...Again.

Let's see here. I have things to say but I don't know where to begin. I have things on my heart but I don't know which words should be used to best describe them.

I rode my bicycle today. I am getting used to new things. Shifters, saddle and handlebar placement. Settling into this contraption that propels me from one place to another. From one season to another... I remember riding different bikes. How much we really do get to know ourselves and our bodies when it comes down to riding on something that is not the one God truly blessed you with. Almost like a wand from Olivanders.

I recalled my first ever team ride heading to Seattle and how exciting yet odd it felt. I remembered the feeling as we rode to Rockaway beach and ran to the ocean. How much life changes in 8 weeks. I put my fingers up and 8 is not 10. But 8 is still a lot. and with in that 8 weeks new discoveries were made and it will happen again and again and again through out even shorter seasons of life.

I hit the road in less than two weeks to begin the trek from Minnesota to Washington (washing tongue).

I've begun packing up my room into the same boxes I pack these things into every 6 months it seems, sometimes less. These happenings cause me to look into the photographs in which I pin up and tear down often and it is fun to have these people in my room constantly. To have them reminding me who they are, who I am and why I am again diving into this rather nomadic lifestyle, adding another layer of this story to the depths of my soul.

If there is one thing I have realized in my encounter with life, it is this; God is faithful and He knows how we are built and what we need. God continues to put these kinds of things in people form in my life. and I am very excited to begin the trek. Truth, depth and growth. With others who have been delicately placed into our lives. And with the weeks that have been following up to these moments and that will lead up to when we are all standing in the flesh with one another. It will be joyful.

Though I have experienced something like this before. This tour this Summer I have never experienced. Because it hasn't happened yet. So my expectations are simply this, I have none. Just memories of places and faces with the strength and will of God propelling me forward through these miles and smiles of individuals who I will see many layers to their stories and souls as the journey commences. I am already very thankful.

I am already very thankful again that God has given us temples for Him to work through, to strengthen and to  show the forces of His love and compassion. He builds the story with in us as we see each hill and make the climb. He builds our hope and sees it through to it's completion. It will be completed. I am thankful for the once in a life time opportunity that has turned into twice. Knowing that I have been given the choice to follow or to disobey. He will push me further and harder than I ever could imagine and I am so thankful for that to know that through suffering there is joy. And through suffering there is triumph and celebration that the hope in which I ride for is the same hope that fuels the lives of so many others.

Let these legs be blessed and His strength and love overflowing through all of us that leaves a trail and soaks those who surround us in these 3,448 miles that we will be propelled across... Like wings on Eagles.

Keep Adventuring