true friends and dear family

I'm very happy to be picking Aunt Margaret up from the airport this morning. She's been in Tennessee for a few weeks and we have really missed her. For the last several years she's spent much of her time in Florida with Aunt Wanda so when she goes home to Tennessee on occasion there's a great void here where she should be!

I love how we find our places in different circles of friends and family. If we communicate with someone regularly or if she comes into the group for any length of time, and then if we don't hear from her or she goes away, we really notice her absence. Although both my Aunts Margaret and Polly have been in Tennessee we've communicated regularly. If I were not to hear from them for a while I'd definitely feel their absence. Same thing with friends on a trip or vacation. Go away with a group of people for a week and when it's home sweet home and same old, same old again we wonder how our friends are getting along and what they're up to!

We've had this "friend connection" experience many times over the last few years with our mission trips and vacations. Go on a missions trip with a group and you experience situations truly unique to this particular group. You enjoy the specific fun things together as well as deal with specific inconveniences and share spiritual blessings and challenges. So when it's back home every hello is enriched by deep layers of shared experiences in the Lord. Go on a vacation together or work on a project at home and it's the same thing. When the trip or work is done, we miss those with whom we've spent so much time.

I love how our hearts intertwine in the Lord and how relationship builds layer upon layer when we communicate, we work or we live together with our family and friends. We need strong friendships. We need strong family ties. Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto!

Father, Thank you for true friends and dear family. I am truly blessed. I love you.

Suz

wisdom and pain

Dear Father

I'm overwhelmed tonight. There are so many things going on I can hardly think straight. Too many situations in the lives of those I love that I can do nothing about. I cannot fix them. I must turn them over to you but if I do then I won't have any part in fixing the problem. Maybe that's why I feel overwhelmed--because I'm trying to fix something I have no business trying to fix. Yes, Lord. I know there's no way I can fix anything that's going on anyway. That's what you do.

I know you are calling someone to you. Wooing him. Loving him. Drawing him nearer. But at least for right now, he's holding off. Says he's got to meet you on his terms. It won't work that way. Even I know this. Guess he might have to find out the hard way. I can't stand to think about the pain that's in store for him. The pain that he might avoid if he'd seek you out and surrender to you. But I can't tell him anything. He backs off. Shies away. Secludes himself from the very one who will help him if he'd only ask.

It pains me to think about the near future for him. I tried to tell him. Seemed to fall on deaf ears. Lord, help something I said to him fall on good soil and not on rocky places. I ask you to give him recollection of something good, anything good I said to him that may help him surrender fully to the call of your Holy Spirit.

Lord, I am in dire need of wisdom. Too many hurting people. Too many asking me questions or just needing answers. Too many going down a treacherous path straight to danger and heartache. I try to help them avoid it but ultimately it's their choice. I love that you promised to give us wisdom if we'd but ask, so Lord I'm asking.

There's much heartache. Much pain. Many hurts, and only you can soothe them with your love balm. Only you can carry us through heartbreak. Only you care enough to lovingly guide us in the best way. Your way.

Please guide me, Lord. Please carry me. Please speak to my heart, dear Jesus. Direct me. Direct my loved one. I need you so, and so does he. I am so grateful to you for helping me when I was at my lowest. I am so grateful to you for meeting me at the point of my greatest need. I am humbled by your complete and total care for me. I love you with my whole heart.

Suz

Ride With Purpose--Day 6

We made it home! Our total round trip mileage for the six days was 1651 in all. I can hardly believe we rode that far on two wheels! Well, I might not hardly believe it but I can surely feel it!

What a fun trip we had. I met three new people this week. Loretta and Mike and another Mike. All three were nice people who love the Lord. I knew everyone else with us and the mix of us all turned out very well, I might add.

I'm glad Byron and I went on this trip. When I first heard about it I wasn't too anxious to go. I looked for reasons (read: excuses) not to go. I've been on other very long motorcycle tours but it's been more than ten years since then and it was also on a much larger touring bike, a Honda Gold Wing. I was afraid of going on this trip on our Harley. Although a nice bike, I just hadn't ridden on it much and the thought of many many miles scared the socks off me. But Byron wanted to go--and part of me wanted to go too. I wanted to go have a good time with everyone and having a few days away from regular life could never hurt anyone. Or could it?

I rarely tell anyone that I'm afraid, partly because I'm rarely afraid. The other partly is that I don't see any reason to scare someone else with my fears. I'm sure each person I meet has their own issues to deal with. So, I was scared. Scared of getting hurt. Getting hurt badly. Dying. Well, not so much scared of dying but scared of 'how' I could die. Overdramatic? Probably. But that's how I felt and in spite of it, we went along and I dealt with fear every step of the way.

I know that "Perfect love casts out fear" and that I am loved with the most perfect of love--by the Lord himself. Sure, I struggled with some stuff on this trip especially when it rained on those curvy mountain roads but I also overcame much of my fear with the help of the Lord. He encouraged me. He spoke to my heart. He calmed my fears. He helped me stretch and grow. He also protected us time and time again over the last six days.

We had a few incidents on this trip that could have been serious had it not been for the Lord's hand in our lives. We had a stormy afternoon with lightning and torrential rains on a country road and though we rode through it and though we all got wet, no one wrecked or slid or fell on their bikes. That's the Lord's protection.

Mike and Loretta were following the SUV and Tammy had no choice but to stop short and Mike had to put his bike down. He and Loretta were not hurt and their was no damage to their new bike. That's the hand of the Lord.

Byron and I were riding along the beautiful country roads and I was tired. Too tired. Tired enough that I dozed off for a split second and my head dropped causing Byron to have to slightly correct with the bike. When he asked me what was wrong, I was embarrassed but told him I'd fallen asleep. Not such a smart thing to do on a motorcycle going 70 mph! It could have meant disaster but it didn't. The Lord watches over even me.

While riding along through the beautiful countryside of Tennessee, Byron smacked my hand away from his left side. I didn't know why. I was only holding on lightly as usual. What I didn't know was there was a bee inside his tee shirt and it had stung him. He thought I'd pinched him because of how he was driving the bike--but I hadn't! The bee stung him about the time I'd moved my hand to his side. We pulled over on the side of the road and he took off his shirt and shook out the bee. We were both safe. Shortly after he began riding again he was stung twice again and again, he pulled over and ditched the bees on the side of the road. Stung, but not wrecked. God is so good!

I think the last one is the best of all. We were looking for a hotel in Albany, GA last night and Byron led us to one that we'd stayed in about ten years ago. It was a little rowdy in the area then but we'd stayed there a couple of times with friends and been OK, but last night it seemed even seedier. The area didn't feel right around it. It didn't seem safe. The guys went in to see about rooms anyway but there were only four available and we needed six rooms. We moved along to the other side of town and I breathed a huge sigh of relief. While checking in to a really nice little Jameson Inn we asked the clerk about the other hotel and its area. She told us it was a drug infested area and that a truck driver was recently shot and killed there at the other hotel and that she never goes to that part of town. The Lord protects us even when we may not realize he's doing so. We didn't have bad consequences from any one of the things that happened to us and I know it's because "The Lord protects those whom He loves." Psalm 145:20

I am so grateful for the protecting hand of the Lord. Even when we don't always see Him working, we can know for sure He is taking care of us. How wonderful! How like Him to protect us even when we do not see everything around us. What a mighty God we serve!

Lord, Thank you for your diligence in protecting us, your children. Were it not for your abiding presence in our lives, we would surely die. I love you so very much, dear Jesus. Thank you again for such a wonderful time with all our friends and your guidance and help. I love you.

Suz

Days 4 and 5

The main thing we had planned on Day 4 was the ride up Hwy 129 up to Deal's Gap--the road known as The Tail of the Dragon. It is a mountain road that has 318 curves in 11 miles. Many people come to Tennessee just to take the challenging ride--and we were no exception. The guys had talked about it and looked forward to it for the whole trip. The ride was wild and woolly and great fun and we were all totally pumped after the whole experience. When we reached the top of the mountain we bought tee shirts at the store up there. It was fun ride and I'm glad we got to experience it together.

After the Tail of the Dragon, we headed over the mountains and country roads to meet Tammy with the truck. She didn't drive the wild ride but went across to where we would come down from the mountain. It was a longer ride than we expected and she waited patiently for us for several hours in little town called Etowah. We met her there and then all of us went to a cute ice cream shop where we ate burgers and wings for our dinner. When we all fueled up we rode another hour or two till we found a hotel for the night. As much fun as we had today, we were exhausted and couldn't wait to get some rest.

Day 5

We got up early and had our devotions and prayer in our hotel parking lot in the cool of the morning. It was a precious time with each other and in the Lord. We prayed for you all and also for our church services at home. Pastor Gary read us scripture from Ephesians and encouraged us in the Lord. It was a great start to a great day. We rode hard as we began our descent south and home. The roads were good back ones that had little traffic so we clicked along quickly. There was one incident where we had to stop because Byron had a bee in his shirt. It stung him once and we got it out of his shirt but it wasn't too long before there were two more stings. He thinks they were flying into his sleeves and down his shirt to sting him! It was a painful thing for sure. I wonder if I could hold a motorcycle on the road while being stung repeatedly by bees!

At one of our afternoon stops for gas we walked across the road and bought some lovely Georgia peaches. The woman selling them said they were grown only 3 miles from where we bought them! Several of us ate one right then and there. They were marvelous! There's nothing better tasting than a really good piece of fruit--and these were delicious. What a treat!

Onward we rode to our final destination: Albany, GA and our hotel for the night. Everyone is very tired and looking forward to the quiet evening before our last full day of riding and home. It's been a good day. Everyone has fulfilled their place to make things run smoothly. Tammy has faithfully driven the truck and trailer everywhere we've gone. Without her we wouldn't have been able to take our suitcases and other necessities for the whole trip. She never complained and never stopped being our safety net. The trailer she pulled most everywhere was there in case one of the bikes broke and needed repair. Not only was Tammy fun and a blessing to have with us, she was a great help to all of us. We thank the Lord for dear Tammy.

Each one of us fulfilled a place on this trip. We may never know exactly what role we played these last 6 days. Only the Lord knows all the ends and outs of what was accomplished together. I know we had a fun time. I know we communed with the Lord and I know He spoke to us. I know we built and strengthened friendships and relationships together. The atmosphere of this trip was like a mission trip. It was rich and deep and good. I know I grew in the Lord. I know I heard from Him.

Father, What a blessing you've given us with this trip. We thought it would be mostly vacation and fun...and it was those things but it was also so much more. It was, it is time with you and your children. What a good time! Thank you, thank you! I love you, Jesus. So very much.

Suz

Ride With Purpose--Day 3

We started out day 3 with a short stop at the local Walmart. Seems everyone needed just a couple of things this morning. After the quick stop headed on out to Dillard House for breakfast. Our breakfast was exceptionally good. I've never eaten there before so the meal was quite the surprise. The bounty was great. There were two different sausages, country ham, bacon, and chicken fried steak. We enjoyed eggs, grits, biscuits, sweet rolls, fruit juice and fruit, potatoes, sausage gravy and coffee, plus assorted butters and jams. The bounty of the food at our breakfast reminds me of the abundance of grace and blessing from the Lord Jesus. There is no end to His goodness!

We had a ride in the mountains which was scary for me. There was some rain so that was a reason to be concerned. Plus, I just wasn't reacquainted with riding the bike on those curvy roads yet. At one time, I just sat along and enjoyed the ride with Byron at the wheel but we hadn't taken a long distance tour for many years. Now I was afraid. The Lord reminded me not to trust Byron for my safety, that I needed to trust the Lord, and that neither Byron nor I could protect me from bodily harm. Only the Lord has my life in His hands. I had to start trusting Him and soon. We were going to ride the Tail of the Dragon the next day. I needed to learn trust in this thing fast!

After leaving the mountains and the fear of the ride, we found ourselves in the middle of Friday night rush hour traffic in Pigeon Forge. It was horrendous. We went from the sanctuary of the mountain beauty with the green trees, flowing rivers and the occasional elk to the man made craziness and aggravation that is rush hour in any city.

Oh and yes, I said elk. I'm not sure where they came from these ten huge elk just off the mountain road but they were surely there just off to the side. One was lying down in the grass while the others were trying to graze but tourists kept hopping out of their cars to take photos of the huge animals and to try to get as close as humanly possible. People are funny. Put a huge wild animal in the middle of an open field right by a road travelled by humans and before you know it they are following the poor animals with cameras and digital video machines. It's amazing how people throw away their good common sense to stalk something like these wild elk

During our two prayer times this day, we prayed for all our friends and family and our church. Each time is sweeter than the last. We shared our comments, our thoughts and what the Lord is telling us. This is our common theme every prayer time.

The Lord showed me that I couldn't protect myself on our bike--that I need to trust Him to take care of me! Now that's honestly a revelation. I thought I had to tell Byron how to drive the motorcycle to keep us safe. But that's not it at all. By telling him how to drive, I am simply keeping the responsibility for my own safety in my own hands! And we both know, I can do nothing to ultimately protect myself. My life is in the Lord's hands. Period. That's where it needs to be and that's absolutely where I want it to be. He's the powerful one who loves me better than anybody. He's the only one able to take care of me. So far, that's my lesson on this trip. Pretty big, huh?

We ate a good meal at a busy restaurant and finally settled into our rooms late. We're always so very tired from all the riding and activity--but it's an oh so good tired.

Father, Thank you for my eye opening lesson today. You are so kind to me to show me how I can draw closer to you and how my life can be fuller and richer and more peaceful with you. I love you so very much.

Suz

Ride With Purpose--Day 2

Our second day on the road was wet. Twice. Our route took us down gorgeous back roads that had few places to pull off. When we saw the storm building and heard the thunder we started looking for a place to prepare for some wet riding. Some of us put on our rainsuits and some of us thought we would be able to avoid the storm. Some of us were wrong.

Shortly after we rode away from the little convenience store in the middle of nowhere the rain started coming down in buckets. It was amazing! Those in our group who HAD put on their suits were feeling a little bit proud of themselves about the whole event. We, I mean, they, still got pretty wet but not as wet as the others who hadn't prepared. Most of the others were drenched.

After a while the rain let up and the sun began to shine once more. Our group pulled off on the side of the road to remove their wet rainsuits and recuperate from the tough ride in the storm. Shortly, we were all on the road. It was a beautiful day again. For a short time anyway. That's when the rain came up on us so suddenly that there was no time to redress in our rain gear. Our whole group was once again riding in a downpour! Now everyone was in the same very wet boat!

We had to laugh about it all. Pastor Gary said there were two lessons to be gotten out of the whole experience.

Lesson # 1: It is often wise to take the advice of someone with more experience.

Lesson # 2: It's wise not to be too smug when someone less experienced doesn't take your advice and suffers the consequences.

When we got to our hotel and Tammy and Loretta were so glad to be there they jumped into the pool with all their clothes on. Crazy girls! What a hoot! After cleaning up we went to a small restaurant and had a really nice dinner together.

We have been stopping to pray twice during each day on the road. We are adding new names and situations to the list every time. We are praying for you all at home and these times are becoming more special each time we pray. The Lord is speaking to us and showing us His hand in our trip. We see the beauty of His handiwork all around us and apply His word to our lives as we share our thoughts and experiences with one another.

Our days are fun, but also long and hard work. The guys riding the bikes put in hour after hour maneuvering the bikes safely in traffic and out on the open road. It is hard work but so worth it.

Our group draws attention wherever we go and doors open to share the purpose of our ride. We are a tired but a happy group and the Lord is good.

Father, What a great time we are having together and with one another in the heat or the rain or the cool breezes. You are ever present in our thoughts and our lives. We love you so much. Thank you for this unique time on the road.

Suz

Note for Aunt Wanda

Dear Aunt Wanda

We are having a great time on the Ride With Purpose. Our guys are safe drivers on the bikes and we're having a fun time together. We are praying for you and many others as we go from place to place. Take care of my Kayla and yourself. I love you! I'll see you soon :)

Suzy