Today was full of more training and finding out more about Blood:Water Mission and their work in Marsabit, Kenya that we're raising money for.

The biggest thing for me today was talking about really being where you are. Not constantly thinking about where you're headed or where you've been, but embracing and enjoying the moments you are living in right now. In Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning talks about listening for the Music of what's happening right now. It will never come again... If you get caught up in always asking God where you're headed, what his plans are... you can miss what he's speaking to you right now. So relax, enjoy the moment, don't miss the music.

Challenged in this season of my life to find God's next step in ministry and career, one of my goals on this trip is to listen for God's leading in this next season of my life. To be honest sometimes it's all I can think of -with worry, excitement and wonder. But today, God was challenging me not to get caught up in that as I seek his plan, but enjoy the present moment. The 'music' playing right now.

Tomorrow we ride with the teams for the first time bright and early!

I'll keep tonights blog short, but just wanted to fill everyone in on what's going on before I hit the hay. Today pMark & Brenda dropped me off at Faith Chapel here in San Diego, where I got my bike put back together and got to meet the whole team that I'll be traveling with on the Ride:Well South Tour, the Team Leaders and directors of Ride:Well & Blood:Water mission. It was cool to finally meet people that I've been talking to over email, facebook and the phone in the last month. The Pacific Coast Tour Team is here too and I met two people from Phx heading out on that tour.

Tonight, we got to hear some of the history of Ride:Well -how it started with just a few guys that sold their car to buy their bikes on the way to Portland, and started riding across the country (without any training) and has grown to multiple trips each year. All for the vision of making a difference in the world. And over the years, Ride:Well has been able to do just that in greater and expanding ways. At the core of Ride:Well is the phrase: benefit the world. discover your soul. Something that's been a core teaching around H2O and in my own life is that when you give you grow. I can't wait to see God's plan for this trip unfolds in our team, my life & how it will impact lives in Africa. Later this week I'll fill you in on some of the specific areas and ways Ride:Well is working with Blood:Water in Africa! Then Sunday morning the Pacific Tour will leave during Faith Chapels early service and our Southern Tour will leave at the end of the second service and post some pictures)!!

Ok and random info for this blog... did you know that Starbucks is sponsoring this tour! They gave us Via and Via mugs!

Now where's my sleeping bag?

On the Road!

Here we are! About half way to San Diego, with my good friends pMark & Brenda driving me out! A big shout out goes to Texaco in the middle of the desert for Beef Jerky and Cheddar Cheese Pringles to help the drive go smooth. Today I get to meet up with all of the Ride:Well Team for the first time in San Diego and so the journey begins!
I’m so excited to be a part of Ride:Well and Blood:Water Mission and the impact they are making in the world. Not to mention the great memories that will be made, the relationships that will be formed, the changes and growth that God has in store for me and all of the team. Many of you are and have been a part of my trip through your encouragement, giving & prayers. If I could, I would build a cart on the back of my bike and take you all with me this summer. So this blog is your chance to climb in the cart and ride along with me this summer and continue to be a part of all that God has in store. I’ll post more soon!
ps This just in, we crossed the California Border, does anyone have a tooth brush I can use… this jerky did wonders on my breath.