I’m not sure of the netiquette of all this. I hope this post will not offend anyone in any way. If you are willing to support me in any way, I would tremendously appreciate it.
This is the letter I sent to many of my real-life friends. Please, read on…
Oh my goodness I can barely believe that 7 weeks from today I will be recovering from a (hopefully) successful two-day MS150 bike ride from Houston to Austin… Time sure has flown!
I have been training, indoors and out, to get my body and mind ready for 180-ish miles on the bike. I’ve participated in 2 official training rides and have a few more on the calendar. I’ve also found a new riding buddy and logged more than a few miles with her. Tomorrow we plan to ride 45 miles in her neighborhood. Gary and I have a date picked to pedal through the state parks in Bastrop, getting in some serious hill training. (Last year we rode through the park both ways. I was terrified one way, a little more encouraged the other way… and then exhilarated when I rode through on day two of the MS 150 last year.) Although I am logging fewer training miles on the bike this year, I feel like my body is rising to the repeat challenge. And that, I believe, is due to all the prayers I’ve already asked for and received.
I can train my body non-stop, but a healthy ride is only part of what will make my MS 150 ride successful: I also need your prayers, my time with God and the support of some of you financially to help stop the devastating effects of MS.
I hesitated in sending out a fundraising letter this year. I know that budgets are tight.
But there are families devastated by MS who are counting on me. And more people have been diagnosed since the last MS 150… one American is diagnosed every hour. Although I achieve so many personal benefits from this ride, the ride was organized to help those being faced with MS… and to help put an end to it.
So, if you can support the MS Society through me in this ride, I know the families who receive improved care would tremendously appreciate it. And I would, too. I have had the blessing of incredible health. As I rode last year I saw a few signs along the route: “Two day’s of pain…” the first one read. “Aren’t we the lucky ones.” The second said. Gulp. That humbles me every time. Families need me and they need you. Together we can put an end to MS and its effects. Every pedal stroke and every donation gets us one step closer.
Also, just like last year, I believe that your prayers are just as important as your financial contributions. Your prayers are what will give me the stamina to keep on pedaling, keep on riding and not get discouraged. 180 miles can be a long time on my bike. But with your prayers, the time will fly by and I will be filled up with God’s blessings every moment.
Last year I took my water bottle and wrote everyone’s name who contributed to my ride financially or through prayer on it. The entire surface of the bottle was covered in names. Every single time I would take a drink I would see someone else’s name, feel a surge and pray for that person. Really. It was amazing.
Please, consider supporting me in this ride financially and/ or in prayer. And if you do decide to lift me in prayer, please let me know. And I promise to pray for you, too.
Thank you so much for your consideration. I really appreciate it.
To contribute financially, please follow this link: http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?px=5489544&pg=personal&fr_id=10222
And if you come across any Bible verses you think would be especially appropriate for me, please do pass them along. I could use all the encouragement I can get.
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