Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thanks to everyone who came out to our Corn Hole Tournament fundraiser!
Katie and I were both overwhelmed Saturday by the community of support that surrounded us.  We had a great time and we raised over $2,000 in cash alone!
The Talsma recliner was given away to Dan McAlary who promptly donated it back to be auctioned off!  We were amazed by his generosity and were able to raise more money by holding a silent auction for the chair!  (God multiplied the blessings!)
Dan and his partner Brian DeRoo were ringers and took 2nd place for the night along with their friends who took first place.  Two of my sophomore students formed a team and took 3rd place.  I played with Rob Bosma and was out by facing Dan and Brian twice.
We are grateful for our small group for covering the costs of the night.  We are grateful for all of the student volunteers who made the evening possible and grateful for the use of Hudsonville Christian Middle School's building.
Signing up for Sea to Sea was a leap of faith for Katie and I and we are so humbled and honored to be supported so graciously by our community!  Thanks for all that we have done so far.  

Thoughts on Justice.

To what extent do we identify with those in poverty?  Is it about us and them, or we?
Watch this video.   A rally call to identify with those in need of Justice and to fight along side them.

Up hill and spinning--downhill and crashing.

James and I rode the Barry Roubaix course again this Sunday.  Weather in Michigan this spring has been pretty typically unpredictable.  Last weekend saw days in the high 30s and lows in the teens.  What this meant for the course was ice and mud.  The shaded areas had thawed all week and it would freeze to glaze ice again as temperatures dropped.  The sunny areas were soft mud, the kind that make it feel like you are on you resistance trainer.  Our typical Barry Roubaix ride is around the 2 hour mark.  This day it was over 3.  I forgot food and my water bottle froze.  Man was that fun!

The good news is that the Sea to Sea rides should be better conditions than this!  I cant' wait to be able to ride in the warm sun again.  Spring is coming!

Movie night! Join us, we'll provide the popcorn!

 According to the website, "The Sea to Sea 2013 Bike Tour is a nine-week, 3,900-mile cycling trek across North America designed to raise awareness and funds in support of those living in poverty around the world."
We are working on the funds and doing well so far.  Now, about the awareness component.  In church and at work most people ask about the training, or the ride or the practical issues of the Sea to Sea in terms of logistics.  Almost no one asks us about poverty.  So how do we engage people in a meaningful way?
A new movie came out this week dealing with hunger in the U.S.  We thought this would make a great opprotinity to get some people in our house discussing poverty.

We might not all agree with the political positions in this movie.  That is not our intent in showing this movie.  We want to raise awareness and join in discussion in prayer.
So join us in our home, Saturday March 16.  Lets watch the movie, discuss our thoughts on poverty in America and join in prayer.

Cornholing to fight poverty! Join us!

Dave and Julie Doll have been awesome in helping us organize the cornhole tournament.  We are blessed to have friends that are passionate in walking with us on this journey.
The details are here, http://tackk.com/xx2e67.  
What a great way to spend a Saturday night, food, games and some educational stations as we join together to raise funds to 
Fight poverty.

Katie's Turn

Mark said it is my turn to post something.  So here goes.

God has been messing with me lately.  He has been stirring a tension in me that says "This isn't right.  Things need to change."  And although it makes me uncomfortable, I love it.  More on this in the days and weeks to come.

Many months ago, Mark started talking about Sea to Sea.  I know he has been wanting to do it for years.  I was not so sure about having him gone for weeks this summer.  Then we found out about the "one week" option for participants.  Mark looked at me and said "let's do it."  I hesitated only a few minutes (because I am a control-freak-planner kind of person), then felt God whisper "Do this.  It will work out.  Trust me."  So we registered.

My hesitation was because we have two beautiful daughters, ages one and two-and-a-half.  Our week apart in August is not something to take lightly.  But we have an amazing group of family and friends that have rallied and are willing to care for our little girls while we are gone.  We are so thankful.

I am reading a book right now called Seven by Jen Hatmaker.  It is a great read.  Funny.  Challenging.  But I caution you, only read it if you are ready to make some changes.  Lots of things are rolling around in my head.  Big things.  Things that will require me to make some changes in my comfortable Christian life.

A lot of people have been asking me "so how is the training going?"  Well, to be completely honest, the physical training has not started. I am dreaming of spring when I can load my girls in the burly and pedal around our neighborhood.  But God is changing my heart this winter.  And I am excited.

How?  you ask.  Well for one, during this season of Lent, I am trying to minimize distractions.  I deleted the pinterest and zulily apps from my ipad.  I deleted the facebook app from my phone. I am bored with tv that I normally looked forward to.  I am reading.  I am purging my house of all our extra stuff.  Stuff I neglected because "I am a busy Mom" is getting done.  And I am finding myself more content, free from worry, and happy.

And God is calling me to something else.  I'm not exactly sure what it is yet.  I am excited to be part of Sea to Sea to raise money to support organizations that work to eradicate poverty.  But there is more here.  I am feeling called to do something more directly, in my own community, with poverty.  And I'm excited to discover what it is.


Thanks for reading.
Katie