Exceedingly Abundantly Beyond

It's been a while since I have posted a blog.  And frankly, the reason I haven't posted is because I don't like whiners.  I don't like my kids to whine.  I don't like listening to other people whine. I don't like reading whiny blog posts.   So, I just decided, rather that succumb to my own pet peeve, I just wouldn't post at all.   I've been worn out and spread thin. I am at church camp this week.  I came in hopes of finding rest and refreshment in Jesus.   Matthew 11:28 - Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Last weekend, Thursday through Sunday, was the bike trip that I talked about.  300 miles through Illinois, Indiana and Michigan on our bikes, all to get to the beach!  And it was worth every hill climb, every aching backside, every mosquito bite! It was cornfields.  It was woods and streams.  It was broken down houses, grown up in weeds.   It was busy highways and secluded bike trai...

I had a photoshoot a few nights ago.  My good friends Jeremy and Kristie Sparling have a photography business in Peoria, called Image Innovations or Imagei. Jeremy has been shooting in the studio for over 20 years.  And he always does a fantastic job. Derick and I love cycling.  We love cycling * together *.  We can ride for miles at a time, getting exercise and spending real quality time together.  Unlike running, we can talk for 90% of a bike ride.  During a run we probably talk about 30% of the time.  We love to be active together!  And biking is our favorite!  My church sponsors a fun ride every summer.  (I use the term fun loosely.)  It used to be from church to church camp.  But church camp is no longer within riding distance, at least not a 3 1/2 day distance.  Now it is from church to Lake Michigan.  Northfield Christian Fellowship in Tremont, IL to Warren Dunes State Park in Michigan, to be exact.  3 1/...

Today I did something I swore I would never do... and I'm so excited about it! Eight years ago, I watched Derick mount his bike, wearing a type of shoe that I had never seen before.  I remember looking at his bike and asking, "What shoes are you wearing to ride your bike?"  He, very matter-of-fact-ly, replied with, "My bike shoes."  Duh... Oh... Well, of course.  My bad... And then he straddled the bike and took off, and his feet were actually ATTACHED to the pedals.  As in, stuck.  As in, when he lifts his foot, the pedal comes too!  Wwwhhhaaaaa!? I laughed and laughed and laughed.   I told him I would surely break my knees with pedals like that!   Well, today I took my bike to Russell's Cycling & Fitness and prepared to do just that.   These are my pedals: And these are the shoes that attach to my new pedals: I rode one big mile today.  And so far my knees are still in tact!  Maybe I'll get someone to shoot some pictures...