The First Ride

Read the story below to find out how Dave got this bike. Here are a few pictures from his first ride.  We took the bike over to Woodward Park and Dave tackled the obstacle course.  The smile on his face was priceless.  He was filled with such joy, which made my heart swell all the more.

The Miracle Bike

Around Christmas I had the idea to save up and get Dave a mountain bike for his birthday in June.  Granted, some of you are probably already laughing at the fact that I had this idea in December.......6 months before his actual birthday.  Well, if you get to know me, this is actually pretty typical......just ask Dave =)  Anyway, I decided to start putting away little bits of money here and there to save for a bike. My goal was to save $250 by mid May.  Dave LOVES to mountain bike, and his bike has been broken for some time. Even his broken bike was a bit outdated (he's had it since high school), and the technology has significantly changed.  In researching bikes, I had a lot to learn. For example, I found out that the money is in the components (shifters, brakes, etc.).  Dave wanted a hardtail (front suspension only), and disc brakes would be a luxury (necessary if riding through creeks and a lot of water.....but very expensive!) . After my research on brands, components, and prices, I was ready to start my hunt!

I began the search in January by looking on Craigslist.  I looked every day. OK, sometimes twice a day....I know, I'm pathetic.  The months went by and there was NOTHING on Craigslist in my price range. We simply didn't have the money to spend any more. As May came, and now June is approaching, my heart began to sink.  I had saved the money, but I could not find a bike.  I wanted a bike for him SO bad.  I knew it would bring him so much joy. Hopelessness began to creep in, discouraging my efforts more and more each day. Every day I looked - every day, nothing.

Tuesday morning, May 19, I decided to take the dog to the park for a long walk.  I wanted to use the time to spend in prayer.  God has been teaching Dave and I a lot about faith, trust, and God's provision (other cool stories come with that). As I poured out my heart about other things in life, I paused and said these exact words:

"God, I know you probably only care about the really spiritual things going on in our lives, and I know I've been asking you for a lot lately, but I have one last request.  I understand that you are more than a genie that magically makes things appear, and I do love You for who You are, but my heart really wants a mountain bike for Dave.  I would love to see him able to ride again. You say to ask specifically, so I'm asking for a mountain bike with disc brakes between $200-$300.  Amen."  I drove home from the park and turned on my computer as usual, to check the craigslist postings.  An ad had been posted not 5 minutes earlier that read, "mountain bike for sale, disc brakes, $200."  I was elated.  I couldn't believe my eyes!!  I called the gentleman immediately only to find out he was in Tulare (1 hour from Fresno).  He explained the bike to me and before I knew it, I was on the highway headed south towards Tulare.

Upon arrival, I stepped out of the car and began to walk towards the house only to see another man looking at the bike in the front yard.  I inquired of the owner about the bike only to find out he had just made a deal with the other man.  Tears began to well up in my eyes as my hopes were instantly crushed. I offered the man $240, but the gentleman who was about to buy it began to raise his voice about already having a deal.  I explained my situation and tears were now pouring out (embarrassing, I know).  I said I had been saving for 6 months, it was for my husbands birthday, and I had driven all the way from Fresno for the bike.  Apparently so had the other guy. The seller explained he tried to call me but couldn't find my number. He was stuck in a difficult situation, and I was at my wits end.  Negotiations went back and forth, and in the end, I lost. He explained to me that he already made a deal with the other gentleman, but to wait at his door step for a few minutes while he finished selling the bike to the other guy.  I waited, wondering what he had in mind.  The other gentleman drove off with the bike. My bike.  The seller motioned for me to follow him to his back yard. He open a shed and pulled out a gorgeous K2 mountain bike.  He explained that it was his own personal bike and he wasn't planning on selling it, but he felt so awful about the situation that he was willing to sell it to me for $240.  I was floored.  The bike was worth more than double that as he went through and explained all the after-market components he had personally installed:  disc brakes on the front AND back(over $250), trigger shifters, $200 double walled rims, and grip petals. It was a front suspension, just like Dave wanted.  The bike had just been oiled and lubed - ready to ride. The only words out of my mouth were, "you've got a deal!"

As I drove the bike home, I cried and prayed the whole way back. That night I tied a big red bow on it, and gave Dave a birthday surprise he never expected.  Isn't it ironic how God works? I asked for a bike and he POURED down blessing upon us - more than I could ever ask for or imagine.  God is so good and cares about the little things - even a little thing like a mountain bike =)

Cooking Adventures Part II

Here's a fun meal I made last night. Dave was at a track meet all day and it was fun for him to come home to a good meal of shishkabobs, corn on the cob, and some pasta.  I told him the theme was long, skinny foods =)

Strawberry Margarita Cupcakes = Yum!

I enjoy cooking and baking as a creative outlet. Luckily, I've been able to channel that urge towards Bible Study and weekend get-a-ways with friends so that Dave and I don't get too fat eating all the fun foods I want to make.

Here in Fresno, it is starting to warm up, so a summer dessert sounded enticing.  A wonderful mentor of mine, Betty Crocker, emailed this recipe to me. I tweaked it a bit and viola, a lovely summer dessert that is so easy, but looks like you spent time on it =)

The recipe is below with the pictures of my creations.  I chose to make cupcakes instead of a cake (easier in a Bible Study setting to go without plates). The frosting is simply whip cream with grated lime peel.  I wanted a more margarita taste, so I added lime juice to my frosting (about 2 tablespoons).  It was TASTY!! Enjoy!

Recipe:

Strawberry Margarita Cake

Nonalcoholic strawberry margarita

mix makes this party cake a great

addition to picnics and potlucks.

Prep Time: 10 min

Total Time: 1 hour 43 min

Makes: 12 servings

3/4 cup bottled strawberry-flavored nonalcoholic margarita drink mix

1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® white cake mix

Vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box

1 tablespoon grated lime peel

1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Strawberries, if desired

1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease (or lightly spray with cooking

spray) bottom only of 13x9-inch pan. Add enough water to drink mix to measure 1 1/4 cups.

2. In large bowl, beat cake mix, drink mix, oil and egg whites on low speed 2 minutes. Pour into

pan. Bake and cool and directed on box.

3. Gently stir lime peel into whipped topping; spread over top of cake. Garnish with strawberries.

Store covered in refrigerator.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Add enough water to drink mix to measure 1 1/2 cups. Follow High

Altitude cake mix directions for 13x9-inch pan.

A quiet weekend away

The campgrounds opened this weekend, and since Dave and I like to be first (at everything), we bolted after work on Friday and headed out (or up I guess) for some peace and quiet.  We drove deep into Sierra National Forest to a campground we have never been to before, Bretz Mill.  The description on the website said there were only 10 sites, half were on the creek, and no water or electricity.  We hoped the remoteness would deter the faint of heart and only those serious about the peace and quiet would venture out for the weekend.  We were right.

We landed a beautiful campsite right on the water.  Falling asleep to rushing water was invigorating! Our weekend consisted of foil dinners, hamburgers, french toast, pancakes, smores, and lots of snacks.We took afternoon naps in the hammock, read by the fire, played a late night game of monopoly, and took a hike on Saturday that turned into a boat-making competition. We sailed our nature-made boats down the stream only to watch them get caught in a snag 50 feet down the creek. It was awesome, recharging, and the R &R that we needed.

Dave will probably kill me for posting one of these photos, but I told him to pose manly while chopping wood and it was too cute to pass up =)