With this entry I'll wrap up the final day of the 2011 Mission POSSIBLE Tour, and give a few final thoughts on the past 2 weeks.

The First Baptist Geneva pavilion we stayed in is at the edge of a huge field of several acres, with a volleyball court, basketball court, and even a soccer field. Earline took this picture of 3 crosses also in that field.


Pastor Mike and Timothy stopped by to say goodbye. Thanks Pastor Mike, and thanks to First Baptist Church of Geneva. We appreciate you!

As we headed south, I "felt" that we needed to get off of the shorter Geneva Drive to Oviedo, and take the longer Snow Hill Road route. [Geneva Drive has no shoulder and MUCH traffic.] And after a mile on Snow Hill Road, we saw this sign:


Does anyone know who this sign is referring to? << MORE >>

We're home! We made it. 35 miles / a FEW raindrops / and MUCH gratitude to God, and to all of YOU who helped make this Mission POSSIBLE! Through God's GRACE, jon << MORE >>

Downtown and 3 miles to go! << MORE >>

Whoa! Not only does it look like the rain has stopped, but our hostess, Krystal, has a hard of hearing son, her fiance is hard of hearing, and his brother, sister, and both parents are Deaf! She said she attends New Beginnings Church on 436, and they have an ASL interpreter! Thanks, Lord, for YOUR timing in the details of our lives. << MORE >>

Well.....5 miles from home, and we're getting rained on! Ack! We were in the Colonial Plaza area, so Earline is introducing me to soup and sandwich at TooJay's. Trying to wait out the rain....[remember, He "sends His rain on the just and the unjust!" << MORE >>

On the Cady Way Trail....10 miles to go! << MORE >>

Whoops! looks like we have one MORE bridge to go across! this one's over Semora Boulevard. Less than 13 miles to go! << MORE >>

Just hit the start of the South Seminole Trail, where they are building a bike ramp to go over Red Bug Lake Road. 19 miles to go! << MORE >>

Getting closer! In Oviedo right now, 12 miles down with about 22 to go. Whoo-whoo! Thanks, God! << MORE >>

Last day!

Slept in a little this morning, up at 7:15am...packing up now and getting ready to head out. It looks like it is going to be a BEAUTIFUL day.

Lord, forgive me for my grumbling from yesterday, and today as I'm riding "let heaven fill my thoughts [don't think only about things here on earth]" [from Colossians 3:2].

Here's our home last night in the light of day.


Thank you, Father, for THIS day that you created!

TGG,
jon

<< MORE >>

Only 2 more days to go!

Up at 4:30, and worked on the blog for the past 2 days. Then we got packed and headed out about 9:00am. We stayed last night at the Dusk to Dawn Motel, an older but clean motel that was recommended to us by a pastor at a Christian thrift store we saw just after we got off the Port Orange bridge.


After inspecting Earline's tires before we headed out, I knew we had to go straight to Walmart, to see if I could find a matching tire to the one right-sized tire that I was able to find Wednesday night in St. Augustine.

I knew that we would be going right past a Walmart on our way out of town, and 20 minutes later we saw it. << MORE >>

After getting to bed past 1am, we were up and packing at 6am. We said goodbye to the Thompsons [and Bentley, as well!].


Thanks again for your warmth and hospitality. God bless!

As we headed down A1A, we had some bike lanes to enjoy....but it was COOL! Glad we brought some sweats to bundle up in.


A1A, of course, goes along the beach, and through some neighborhoods, so the traffic was not as bad as Highway 1. We got to see some beautiful homes, and a lot of homes that were either for sale or abandoned.....sad. << MORE >>

We spent the morning with the Thompson's, had a wonderful breakfast, and then got some more rest, washed some clothes, worked on the blog, and prepped for the program that we would be doing in the Music Building at FSDB [Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind] tonight.

I got the trikes ready for the ride over to FSDB [minus the panniers.]


Unlike the shoes and clothes of the Israelites those 40 years in the desert, our tires seem to be wearing out rather quickly. I'll probabably make a run to the Walmart tonight to see if I can find something to get us home with.

The Thompsons treated us to a taco place just walking distance from the house - blackened fish wrapped in a soft and hard shell - good eatin'!

As it was getting dark, and heading over to FSDB, we needed to cross over the [dreaded] Lion's Bridge.


You can just see the red and white guard bar in a vertical position behind the post with the flashers on it. That's what came down the when we tried to cross yesterday! << MORE >>

I got up at 4:45am, and went to the outhouse...not really outhouses per se, but you did have to go "outside" to get to them. And they did not have hot water. I decided, however, that I HAD to wash my hair, so there I am, 5:00 in the morning, sticking my head in the sink and running cold water over it to get clean.

Hot water is a LUXURY! May we never forget to be grateful for the little conveniences that God allows us to have!

Got all packed up and ready to leave as it was getting light. [You can see the "outhouses" in the background.]


We had some prayer time before heading out....Pastor Kenneth was there, but where was Pastor Pat?! [smile] [She actually did wake up soon enough to text us and tease us as we were leaving!]


We got over to Highway 1, and proceeded to head south to St. Augustine....in this part of Florida, the only choices are A1A on the coast, Interstate 95 [which bikes and trikes can't use], or Highway 1....4 lanes and VERY busy. << MORE >>

Just arrived safely in St. Augustine. Busy, busy road but shoulder most of the way. [Txt'd from a quick stop at Dairy Queen...YEA!] Thx, God!Jon's cell phone 407.383.5871www.godshandsagency.comwww.wifipedalers.com [We did it!] << MORE >>

The forecast is 80% chance of rain today....and we aren't triking! What a great timing! Thanks, God! << MORE >>

Happy Sunday!....and half way thru the 2011 Mission POSSIBLE Tour.

Pastor Pat agreed to let us take the Sunday School time to teach The 10C [10 commandments] in a visual format that helps memorize each one. These graphics are taken from Living Waters, specifically the Evidence Bible from Ray Comfort. [I even got to teach a couple songs: "Deep and Wide," and a brand new song inspired by the vultures: "Birds, Dogs, Bridges, and Bears!"]

Pastor Pat introducing us:


Earline teaching the 10C:


The congregation watching Earline:


Brother Anthony Seawright [Dr. Antz] did a visual teaching on the seeds [sins] that stick to your pants [person]. Good teaching!


And we also found out that Dr. Antz is the boyfriend of Faye from First Baptist Deaf Church of Baton Rouge where we were the past 2 summers. Small world! [See: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtqJrNOZ4-k ]

Bro. << MORE >>

Packed up early and got a special send-off with our great niece, Juicey. Here's Lynda, AC, and Earline, with Juicey getting a chance to try out Earline's trike.


All ready to go!


Juicey leading the way.


AC gave 30 years of his life to the United States Navy, and they live in a beautiful neighborhood called Eagle Landing. Thanks guy, for all of your hospitality; it was great to see all of you! [AND to eat Cocoa's macaroni and cheese and AC's special eggs....WOW!]


After we had gone a ways, Earline disappeared!.....Where?....oh, there!


Found you! << MORE >>

One of the little "fear" songs I wrote for the 2010 Mission POSSIBLE Tour says, "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." [2 Timothy 1:7]

A sound mind.

It is available to us, but for some reason we choose NOT to pursue it. It was sad to hear about the foolishness at the Walmart in California yesterday at a Black Friday sale where someone pepper-sprayed other customers so that they could get an xBox or a Wii for half price.

What foolishness!

Are we so enamored with things, that we will hurt or run over other people to get the THINGS that we want?

It was really nice yesterday to be able to not only finally figure out the technical problems that I was having with this BLOG, but especially to be able to spend time with AC and Lynda, and our niece Cocoa, and her daughter "Juicey." [And okay, even watch a little football, too...ha!]

Lord, just help us never forget that each moment with another person is PRECIOUS, and that YOU have a special love for EACH of us! May we NEVER take that for granted. << MORE >>

We were very grateful for the secure place to stay last night, and got up with the sun this morning. But it got COOL last night, and in the shade it had to be in the lower 50s, upper 40s [kinda reminded me of Northern Minnesota in June....the coolness and the expanse of trees.] Take a look:


At least it was flat!


We went past this interesting sign....do you know anything about these "Old regular Baptists?"


In Green Cove Springs saw this real pretty view of the the St. Johns River right next to the Elks Club:


Heading out on 209, there was no shoulder, and fairly heavy traffic, I thought, for a holiday, but there WERE more really pretty scenes along the road on this truly GORGEOUS day!


Finally made it to Earline's brother's house around 3pm. Parked IN the garage [oooo].


Thanks again, Lord, for a pretty day for a ride, and the safe completion of the first leg of our journey. Make this a blessed time of fellowship with AC and Lynda, and prepare our hearts for our time with Ephphatha Deaf Assembly of God in Jacksonville, and the time with the students of FSDB on Wednesday. << MORE >>