Encouragement

For the past ever-how-many months, I’ve been raising money toward tomorrow’s ride. For the past 14 days, I’ve plugged a campaign to raise $40 a day for 14 days — #40for14 — and it worked! You guys came through and came through big-time! With each donation, I received an email that someone had supported JDRF. And nearly every time I checked that donation, I found inspirational words of encouragement. When I felt like giving up or started doubting my ability to complete this ride, I pulled up those quotes and reminded myself of why I’m riding. 

Tomorrow, I’m doing it again. The two photos below will be taped to my handlebars tomorrow morning. One is a group of littles who inspire me daily; the other is a group of teenagers who give me great strength. Both remind me why I do this. All of them have type 1 diabetes, and I want them to know diabetes holds no limitations. Anything is possible. Along with these precious faces staring back at me, I’ve created a document full of the words you’ve each shared with me over the last several months. If at any point I feel like stopping or giving up, I’m going to pull it out of my back pocket and read it. 

You are going to pull me through this ride the same way you’ve motivated me throughout this entire journey. Many of you have prayed over this ride for months and tonight, I’d like to ask you to do the same just one more time. Pray for the nerves to go away and for peace to triumph. Pray for physical strength and mental toughness. Pray for safety for myself and for the other 300+ riders. Pray that God uses this ride for His glory. From the beginning, I’ve given Him credit for the ability to do this. It’s not my ride; it’s His. Pray that He reaches someone through it.

And please pray for my family. My grandmother is in the hospital, and my family has gathered to be by her side. It took every ounce of strength in me to get on that plane yesterday, so please pray for peace and for focus. She would never forgive me if I didn’t finish what I started. She taught me how to be a fighter, and I can’t give up now.

I’ll say it again… I have never felt such love, generosity and encouragement in my life thanks to each of you. I am completely overwhelmed and humbled by this experience. I’ll see you on the other side of this thing … for tomorrow, we ride! 

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” -2 Corinthians 4:7

I’ll be posting updates to Twitter tomorrow as cell phone service allows. You can also catch photos through the JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes Facebook page here. To support the ride financially, click here.