Anonymous Giver

“Be careful not to do your acts of high righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward in heaven. So when you give to the needy do not announce it with trumpets as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving may be in secret. Then your father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6: 1-4

I woke up this morning, about to go to the dentist, and there was an envelope sitting in the front seat of my car with the words “Bike and Build” on the front. Last night…. SOMEONE donated 100 dollars and didn’t even give me a name. I immediately dropped my head and started praying. That was just too cool… Beyond words for me to even describe how happy that made me. I think that is all that needs to be said. I am just super excited about what happened this morning and I can’t even form anymore words to tell you how grateful I am for this “anonymous givers” giving. So if you’re reading this…thank you anonymous giver…you have me smiling all day :) and Jesus is certainly pleased!

WSGW

Ever since November I have been meeting with WSGW (790 AM radio) to talk about bike and build and what is ahead of me this summer. IT’S BEEN AWESOME! Cameron Brady, who works with Saginaw’s Habitat for Humanity, has gotten me involved with that and I can’t tell you how many random people come to me and say, “Hey….wait a minute…you were on the radio the other day!” It is amazing the people that you can reach through the radio. People I have not seen in years to people that I saw yesterday are listeners. I am super fortunate to have the opportunity to do this. I never thought in a million years that I would be involved in anything that would get me talking on a radio station. This is all part of the adventure.

I pulled up to Habitat’s restore at like 6:15 am yesterday and there is a huge WSGW van sitting in the parking lot. I hardly can get out of my car and start talking to Art Lewis and he says, “Actually, she is here with us now…beth, say hello.” So basically I walked out of my car listening to WSGW and then I was talking on the station. Pretty insane.

As we were sitting in Habitat’s restore, waiting to talk about Bike and Build and Saginaw’s Habitat for Humanity, Art was sitting in one of the chairs. He was leaning back…just chillin’. And then he leaned further, and further, and further…. And then PLOP. Haha. His chair snapped and in slow motion he fell backwards with his hands and feet in the air. OH WOW. I was laughing hard. I don’t ever think I will forget the expression on his face. Complete fear.

We were in the middle of talking about Bike and Build and then someone came to the door. I assumed that it was someone who worked there. I was fiddling with the lock trying to let him in and as I opened the door he says, “Are you the biker?” And he just handed over his money! WHOA! That was soooo awesome! He was probably on his way to work and I don’t even know! He just decided to stop and give! That is so awesome. His name was Bob. If you read this Bob, thanks! That was selfless :)

So I have a few more fundraisers left that I am planning on doing before I leave. One is a pop can drive…  The other is new. I am thinking that of getting everyone and anyone that can to come out and help pump gas at the 7-11 on titabawassee and mackinaw. I’ll be on a trainer sitting right next to the door biking and then people can help pump gas…maybe get a car wash going? I will let everyone know more about it when I find a date. But if you read this and want to help out… let me know!

About 800 dollars to go! We’re treking…little by little. ONE MONTH FROM TODAY I will be on my way to Portsmouth, New Hampshire!

93 miles!

Sweat Equity

Today I had the opportunity to work with Habitat for Humanity. First of all, I looked up where the build site was and it was 3 miles from my house! MY JAW SERIOUSLY DROPPED! I just think that is so crazy. The work that I did today was no different from the work that I did in Louisiana to Alaska. Service is right in our backyard and I found how true that statement really is today. Even though I was only 3 miles away from my house, I felt like I was across seas. I love how service can do that. It is such a freeing experience. There were no worries today. I was focused on people and listening and smiling. It is so powerful to be in an environment with new people…all with the same goal in mind. To better this temporary home.

I met an incredible woman named Kerry. We were about to start putting up siding on the house and some how we struck up conversation. I was able to tell her about Bike and Build and I could see her eyes light up! She was so interested and I was so excited to tell her all about it. We started talking about life and where we have been and she’s telling me all of these crazy things! Like how she has been to Alaska going out on fishing boats and just incredible things. She was a leader… a true spirited leader. She ended up donating money right on the spot. How incredible is that?!?! Someone to have such a big heart and give so freely to someone they hardly know. That shows character. I can’t wait to meet more Kerry’s this summer.

I’ve had so many donations lately. Like big donations and I don’t even ask people. They are just giving out of the kindness of their heart. I am so blessed to be surrounded by such humble hearts. I want to be just like these people. Able to give without hesitation. God is present, that is for sure.

I’m about 1,000 dollars away! We are almost there folks. Schools out and I’m in Bike and Build mode. Watch out world…things are going to change!