Patience, wipe-outs, and prayer

It's been a while since I've updated this so I thought it was about time. So, here it goes:

The last couple weeks have been somewhat stressful for me personally. Trying to balance work, training, fundraising, and my normal relationships have proven to be pretty overwhelming at points. But today, I realized something:

In the movie "Evan Almighty" there is a part where "God" played by Morgan Freeman asks, When you ask for courage, does God just give you courage, or does he give you opportunities to be courageous? In relation to me personally, I don't think that God would just give me patience (which is what I've been praying for), but instead, He puts me into situations to learn to be patient.

And that's what I need. God has given me the opportunity to be a part of this life-changing experience, I know He'll take care of me.

On a lighter note, a week ago I went on my first "road ride" with my clip-ins. For those that may not know, my cycling shoes will actually be clipping into my pedals. This requires quite a bit of hand-eye coordination, which I obviously am still learning. I had to "spills"..one just on my right hand, and the other..and pretty hilarious and amazing wipe-out. I fell directly onto my left knee and have a pretty awesome bruise to show for it. However, now, I'm feeling a lot more comfortable with clipping in. :)

I have had 2 fundraisers in the last couple of weeks. One was a surprsie fundraiser which was organized by a couple fabulous ladies that I work with, and a fundraiser dinner/silent auction/spelling bee last night. It was a GREAT time! At the end of the night I got up to talk some about this summer. And to be honest, most of the time, in front of large groups with a mic I either:
A)sweat and shake and feel like crying
B)my face turns red and I can't remember my name
or
C)I feel like I need to throw up

But really, I didn't feel any of those. I was completely real up there and I was completely comfortable up there, talking about Blood:Water Mission. I think that when there is something that is a part of your heart, it's easy to share that "heart" with others.

I've caught myself praying not only for my fellow team members, but also for these people in Kenya that will get their needs met. People that I probably will never meet...that's what drives me. This ride is going to happen...God is going to do some amazing things in me, in my team, in the people we'll meet along the way, and in Kenya. I'm anticipating it already!

www.ridewelltour.org

**Ride:Well**,
Melissa

The beginning of this Journey

Being the first blog, I've EVER done outside of MySpace, I'm not really sure how to get this started. So I'll start with things I know, and things and I'm in the process of learning at this point of my life:

The biggest (and most time) consuming thing that is happening now is that I am currently in the process of training for the Ride: Well tour. This is a bike ride that will take place during June and July, going from San Diego to Myrtle Beach. I'll be on a team of 16 others (I think...) that will be riding with me for a tremendous cause...fresh water and health for those that otherwise may not get it. You see, this ride is raising funds for Blood: Water Mission, an organization that builds fresh water wells and health clinics in Africa.

If anyone reading this grew up in the church like I did, this cause seems like another tele-evangelist pre-prayer money collection. And like you, I'd heard about the need over and over...but something changed in me. Something snapped. Maybe it's conviction, maybe it's the timing of this point in my life, whatever you want to call it, it happened to me. When I read that 1 in 6 people in Africa don't have clean accessible WATER, I pray that something also happens to you. To know that 1/3 of a CONTINENT doesn't have something that we take for granted, is heartbreaking and something that really woke me up.

You see, I'm not a crazy triathalon, marathon, ironman athlete. I started going to the gym and paying attention to my diet back in March, but that's about it. But one thing that I've learned is that when circumstances are beyond me, God usually puts people in my life to encourage me to push past the limits that I've set up for myself. That's what we do...whether it be a medical disorder, or people speaking negatively into your life at an age where it molds you, or (like me) a childhood that gave you a misconception of church or God or Christians, we all put limits on ourselves.

So, I'd encourage you, if you're at a point of confusion on your next "step" in life, think BIG. Think beyond you...make 2010 different. Make it what you want it. Do something you would have never thought or dreamed of. I'd love to hear what it is..what are your beyond-you goals for this year?