AAAAHHHH!!!! I Reached $4000!!!!!!!!

It's so hard to believe that literally seven days ago I felt like I was ridiculously behind in fundraising and I was starting to have doubts. In seven days $1600 was raised for affordable housing and I have reach my fundraising minimum!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I will say again AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! This whole thing becomes more real with each passing day. It is slowly sinking in more and more each time. I really am biking across the country for affordable housing this summer!!!!!!! This is real life!!!! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! A HUGE thank you to anyone and everyone who has supported me over the past 6 months. Your encouragement and prayers and finacial support have made this journey possible! Thank you and I love you!!!

Let's Ride 65!!!

Where to begin lol Yesterday Kelly and I got up around 6-6:30 am got all of our gear on and our bikes ready and we were out the door by 7am. We saw a beautiful sunrise, the first of many I am sure, and then we swung over to Woldt to pick Kelsey up! Then we were off. Riding together we had decided that this day would be our 65 mile ride day:) The ride into Clare went very well. The skies were cloudy but no rain and a blistering 35 degrees out. Gotta love Michigan weather:) Kelsey lead us into Clare where we were able to atop and meet her family, which includes two dogs and a 16 year old cat!!!! I was SO pumped! I love meeting old cats:) Anyways her dad had prepared a wonderful waffle breakfast and her mom had made blueberry syrup that was wonderful! After breakfast we hit the road again. We made it to Farwell pretty easily. The roads were smooth and the shoulder was wide:) Kelly, of course, provided most of the musical entertainment:) We found hills on our way out of Farwell. Shout out to Kelly for encouraging me up that hill even though she was struggling as well. After climbing some hills we ran into a problem...one of the roads we had wanted to take home turns to dirt! So we all decided that it was probably best to go back the way that we came from. So we hit the hills again singing and laughing together bonding over our experience. We arrived at Farwell without issue, stopped for a bathroom break and then the real fun began!!! In the short time that we were stopped Michigan's sense of humor kicked in and it started snowing. The forecast for the day had been rain showers at 2pm not snow at noon. We decided to make the best out of the situation and ride on at a faster pace. By the time we got to Clare the snow had started to pick up and we were starting to get cold despite all of our layers. But we pedaled onward. At about halfway to Rosebush the snow was pouring down and it was no longer safe for us to ride so we pulled over and collectively decided to stop for the day. Right after coming to this conclusion...wait for it....it thunders!!! Yup that's right thunder snow in April! Laughing at the irony of the situation we started hoofing it towards Rosebush. Thankfully a nice couple stopped and offered to give us a ride into town. So we called for our rides and waited at a gas station after talking to the people who gave us a ride about Bike and Build. Rides arrived and I was never so happy to have heat in my life. After coming home and attempting to unthaw we decided that the hot tub was a must. Lots of hot tub time and stretching and we were finally feeling more like people and less like human Popsicles. All in all a great day of fellowship and biking but not quite what we had in mind for the day. I have decided that biking in snow makes us hardcore. (picture at the top is the view from our apt)

More Fundraising and AHHHAHHH! Moments!

Last night Kelly and I were able to have our spaghetti dinner fundraiser here in Mount Pleasant at His House Christian Fellowship. Each time I have a fundraiser I am completely blown away by people's generousity and last night was no different. 95% of the food was provided by the Siegersmas and the Dykes. Desserts poured in from all over. From set up to break down everything went smoothly. We had a great turn out of family and friends from all over!!! Also, we had a surprise visit from Cory, one of our trip leaders!!! This idea of spending my summer biking across the country is finally starting to set in. AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! In 6ish short weeks I will be biking across the country with 33 amazing people:):):) Anyways, back to the dinner. I just want to say thank you to a few people. To the Dyke family and the Siegersma family, thank you so much for all of your support throughout this journey. You are beautiful people and you inspire me daily. To my family, thank you so much for your support at the dinner last night! Your attendance and support means so so so much! To Lizzy and Alisha, thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement. You are beautiful women of God! Keep fighting the good fight:) To all of my fabulous roommates past, present and future, thank you for always being there. Thank you for encouraging and supporting me all along the way. Thank you for being a part of my life. You mean the world to me. To HIs House at CMU and all of it's staff, thank you for opening my eyes to the good news and thank you for allowing me to call HIs House my home church. Without the church none of this would be possible! Finally, thank you to everyone else who was able to come out adn support Kelly and I last night. Almost $1000 was raised for affordable housing!!!!! Kelly and I are in our final leg of fundraising!!!! WOW I REALLY AM BIKING ACROSS THE COUNTRY THIS SUMMER!!!!!!