Day 1 - Send-off

"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."

-John F. Kennedy

"Next to a leisurely walk I enjoy a spin on my tandem bicycle. It is splendid to feel the wind blowing in my face and the springy motion of the iron steed. The rapid rush through the air gives me a delicious sense of strength and buoyancy, and the exercise makes my pulse dance and my heart sing."

-Helen Keller, The Story of My Life

Quote of the day (sent by Ericka Warren)

"The shortest distance between two points is how far they are apart."

-NYC graffiti

Margaret and I are now at the Holiday Inn Express in Marion, Illinois. We left home at 8:30 this morning and after 492.7 miles arrived here at 6:00 this evening. We stopped to eat lunch with Justin Nations at Newks in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Except for a fuel stop we made no other stops, just enjoyed the drive.

The fun part of the day was our send-off. You know how Baptist churches are, they have to have a committee for anything they do. Well, the Send-off Committee showed up at our house beginning at 8:00 A.M. I'm not sure who the chairman is but the committee members are Donnie Brown, Rhee Brown, Carly Decker, Tricia Fowler, Reg Gattie, Jan Jernigan, Katie Milliner, Sarah Milliner, Janice Ray, Beryl Richards, Carey Stiles, Chris Stiles, Drew Stiles, Lilly Stiles, Maddie Stiles, Ryan Stiles, Trey Stiles, Tucker Stiles, Gary "Cokeman" Warren, Patti "Teatime" Warren, Rita Witcher, Cheryl Woodall, and "Scratch" Woodall. Committees can be very touchy so I have put the members in alphabetical order to preserve peace and keep the committee intact.

I really am very thankful for the committee. Some are family members and all are friends. In reality, all are family and all are friends. Proverbs has a lot to say about folks like this. Take a look at this:

Proverbs 17:17, "A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need."

Proverbs 18:24, "There are 'friends' who destroy each other , but a real friend sticks closer than a brother."

Proverbs 27:6, "Wounds from a friend are better than many kisses from an enemy."

Proverbs 27:9, "The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense."

Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend."

I am so grateful for the family of God. I have an fantasmagorical family of friends for which I thank God often. I am grateful for the committee that came to send us away on this incredible journey knowing we are loved, appreciated, and prayed for often. Other friends, including my family, have helped us pack, helped clean my messy garage, will feed our critters, have called and texted promising prayer and wishing us well, have given us support, and have just loved us. We are so blessed.