Biking for Babies

Beware, the following is a commentary of my own thoughts ;)

Taylor — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:08:20 +0000

I can’t believe there are only two days left!! I am leaving home tomorrow!! Gotta pack, what do I need? Bike, check. Helmet, sunscreen, biking shorts, check. Ohh man, better stop to hydrate quick…

Visualize, you can do this. Man! Your calves are looking good. But, why do my legs feel so strange? I thought you only got butterflies in your stomach, and then only when there is a cute girl around?

Please do not rain on the first day, just not on the first day.

Okay, get back to packing. Better brings clothes for Mass, and lounging… Ewww, there is an old apple core in the corner of the seat. Geeze, who knows how long that has been there… mmm, carbs [lol] and it still tastes fine.

And, I better bring stuff for prayer. Bible, rosary, few books, good.

I can’t wait to see all the other bikers, this is going to be soo much fun! And, it’s for a good cause. What a blessing.

130 mile days, I wonder if any of the supporters would know if I just brought my brother’s motorcycle… that’s a bike too…no no, you got this, FOR THE BABIES! Man, think about it, oh wait I already am [ha], someday in heaven a kid will come up to you and thank you for this. These legs are… man they are looking good. Wait, where was I? Oh yeah, they are saving lives here. Actually, we all are together. Bikers, benefactors, all those praying and everyone else behind the scenes are coming together and doing their part. Eternally speaking, this is something big. We have an extended community of pro-lifers working together for a greater good. What’s more, because this is God’s work we are making a difference.

Better go for a quick training run…

Celebrating Motherhood & Life

Mike — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:00:25 +0000

Decide who you want to be…

Mike — Sun, 13 May 2012 21:39:17 +0000

Yesterday was the last track meet of the season for the students at St. Mark’s grade school in Peoria where I help coach. In the course of several of my conversations with some of the athletes prior to their last event of the season I (attempted) to summon up within them the courage to go out and give their event their all–to leave everything at the finish line. Even if they were never to set foot on a track again, I told them that there is something truly self-illuminating about running, or endurance sports in general–they really can show you what you’re really made of. The decisions that they chose to make yesterday go beyond them having a good or bad performance at their meet–it begins to set the stage for the development of their character that affects everything they do.

I think that is why it is so fitting that Biking for Babies seeks to raise money through an endurance event such as this–because working to defend life is not a sprint in any sense (not to put down sprinting events :) I’m sure some pro-life sprinter out there could come up with a good analogy!). Just like endurance sports it’s about standing up and showing what the pro-life community really made of day in and day out–whether that means defending life by being a great mother or defending life by working or volunteering at pregnancy resource centers.

In only 7 days, our B4B team will each attempt to cover over 1,100 miles, under their own power, riding over 140 miles a day for each day we’re on the bike. Today was my last big workout in preparation–putting in over 20 miles running this morning.

As has been said over and over, please be a part of our 9 day adventure!–say a prayer for those who have been hurt or will be hurt by abortion, “like” each of our posts and videos that we will be posting each day of the ride, join our facebook page, volunteer with a pro-life agency, or, if you happen to live near our route, contact me and we’d love to stop and say hello for a bit on our way.

The two other BIG ways to show your support:

1.) You can see now in the upper right hand part of this website, “Celebrate with us in Chicago on May 29th!” On Tuesday, May 29th, our team will be officially concluding the ride at BlueStar bistro & grill (1209 N. Noble St., Chicago) at 5p.m. Tickets are $15 each (which is a VERY good deal for this wonderful restaurant) and will include chicken, pasta, and salad. Now, we need to FILL this place, which means we need at least 80 folks to come out. Simply click the link provided and fill in the information and you can be a part of our finish. The evening will begin with the dinner at 5p.m., followed by a reception at 6, with pro-life speaker, Jason Jones, and conclude with mass at St. Stanislaus Kostka parish at 7p.m. (1351 W. Evergreen, Chicago).

2.) There will also be a small event in Champaign when we finish our ride the previous day, on Monday, May 28th. We will shoot for a 5p.m. arrival again and be celebrating Mass shortly thereafter with the FOCUS missionaries doing their summer training at St. John’s Newman Center of the University of Illinois’ campus (604 East Armory Avenue, Champaign, Illinois 61820). Beginning at 6:30p.m., in the Newman Center cafeteria, Greta Henry, director of Living Alternatives, along with a few special guests will be sharing their stories. No reservations necessary for that event.

Moving Forward

Cory — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:57:53 +0000

I just moved residence and my indoor trainer set up has had a bit of a shift. Before I could watch videos and listen to music on my laptop which sat right in front of me, but now I have no table in front of me so there goes my entertainment. I think this could be God opening a door for me though, because I now listen to the radio. It is EWTN Catholic radio and they have recently been talking a lot about politics and how political figures have been making decisions.

This has really got me thinking about my role in politics and how much I am actually doing to make a difference. Besides Biking for Babies, I have had little involvement in any social justice issues. I think that my moving houses has allowed for me to see my life before, and how I was uninvolved, and now that I have less distractions in my life I can form this new way of living to make a greater difference.

I also heard this great talk by Janet Smith about the contraceptive mentality, and how that leads to having views of children which are burdensome. This talk was great all around and I thought that it really hit on some good issues with today’s culture. Check it out and share it with a friend:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/ajcAKbEp3cg” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen>

bumper bikes! yay!!!

Stacy — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:48:01 +0000

Happy Wednesday!

Mike — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:41:54 +0000

I can’t believe that in only 2 and a half weeks our team will be setting off from the shores of the Gulf in New Orleans (yep, we’re planning on dipping our tires in there, just to make it official). Everything has been building up for our 4th annual ride–from training to doing our best to share with others what we’re doing.

An important note, particularly for pro-lifers in the Chicago area…

We will be arriving at the Planned Parenthood in Aurora, en route to Chicago, on Tuesday, May 29th–somewhere around 2p.m. (Follow our ride and we’ll post frequent updates as to our arrival.) We want you to meet us there! Pray with us at the center before we make our way into the last 40 miles of our trip into the heart of Chicago. We will be concluding our ride on the shores of Lake Michigan, just south of Lincoln Park–then, riding back to BlueStar Bistro and Wine Bar Restaurant (1209 North Noble Street, Chicago) for dinner at 5p.m., followed by a reception with nationally-known pro-life speaker Jason Jones at 6. Our 2012 journey will officially be concluded with the celebration of Mass at St. Stansislaus church at 7p.m. (1300 N Noble Street, Chicago).

Now, we need to FILL this restaurant! So, tell your family and friends and come out for an evening of celebration for the end of the ride!

Please continue praying for us, spreading the word, and living for life!

Every Little Bit Counts

Eric — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:13:13 +0000

Hey everyone! Brief update: training is going hokie dokie as I am mostly just getting runs in for now. I feel that with the experience of last year and a couple of good weeks of solid biking I should be good to go for the ride (it is very hilly here in Blacksburg which helps make the hills we will see in Southern Illinois seem not so hilly!) One of my friends shared this story with me about a year ago and it has stuck with me so I wanted to share it with you all.

Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn’t dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out, “Good morning! What are you doing?” The young man paused, looked up and replied, “Throwing starfish in the ocean.” “I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?” “The sun is up, and the tide is going out, and if I don’t throw them in they’ll die.” “But, young man, don’t you realize that there are miles and miles of beach, and starfish all along it. You can’t possibly make a difference!”

The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said, “It made a difference for that one.”

What we are doing right now might not end abortion right away, but it can and will make a difference in someone’s life. It could even be giving someone the opportunity to live their life outside of their mother’s belly.

Biking for Babies is not about us biking however many ridiculous amount of miles we are about to bike. That is actually a very tiny fraction of what Biking for Babies is about. Biking for Babies is about all of us (yes I am talking to you too) each trying to make a positive change in the world by doing whatever small extra effort we can to help those in need. We need to help the women dealing with unexpected pregnancies, the women dealing with post-abortion trauma, and all the innocent defenseless babies in their mothers’ wombs. Our small actions will lead to big consequences and all of our actions together will lead to something pretty special.

Please help these women and babies in need however you best can. Whether that is through prayer, donations, or service, please help out and protect the beautiful gift of life. And whether you see the fruits of your efforts right away or not, realize that you are making a difference.

The hills of Blacksburg, Virginia

Triathlon and Thoughts (titled by Danny)

Stacy — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 23:17:36 +0000

Well hello everyone,

I just got back from a great trip to Alabama where the National Collegiate Triathlon Championships were held. I was blessed with the opportunity to compete and challenge myself physically while also growing in recognition that the strength and love of God is made available and made known to us in every aspect of our lives, and in every stroke/pedal/step of a triathlon. I was pretty unprepared for this race and it was a little scary going into it. My freshman year I didn’t go to the collegiate nationals because I raced in the Pan American Championships in Mexico trying to win an American spot in the World Championships (I was the 2nd American to finish!). Sophmore year I got injured and Junior year I put triathlons a side to focus on running (to see if I could stop getting injured). So jumping into the triathlon world not being ready to win, was a bit more difficult than I thought it would be. When I got there I automatically wished I was who I use to be. But I realized that I am who I am at the present moment, and the Lord does not want us to grow in despair or contempt because of our current weaknesses/ struggles or situation. So I decided to open my eyes and focus on the things that the Lord does want us to focus on. I decided to make the race a prayer of praise, and acknowledge the beauty of God’s creation in my own current physical ability and it’s relationship/interaction with the physical world and its elements. It was pretty fantastical!!! I’ve never been so unready for a race yet so happy at the same time. And I ended up doing pretty well.

I think this is an important lesson that needs to be remembered in all of our lives. It is easy for us to think of the past and hang on to the possibility of reversing time and changing the past instead of accepting the present and having hope for the future. As I meditated on my intentions behind my race, I thought about all those women with unexpected pregnancies. If only they were able and willing to let go of the past, their image, their weaknesses, their ruined plans exc. and were able to find not just peace, but JOY in the beautiful blessing growing inside them in this very moment. How fantastical!!! If we all practiced this more, how much of a difference can we make against the culture of death? The all powerful and loving God is always faithful, so must our hearts be filled with faith in order to be instruments of His strength, love, beauty and truth for the world. This is one of my favorite passages…

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

I Want to Ride my Bicycle

Jeremy — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:53:58 +0000

Trust in the Divine Mercy

Taylor — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:26:58 +0000

As we continue in our efforts of prayer, sacrifice, and witness we must always remember the mercies of our Lord. For example, through the simple devotion of venerating the image of Divine Mercy with the prayer-Jesus, I trust in you-we are promised “victory of enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death.”

We are promised victory through our efforts when united to Christ. What greater hope is there then this? And, I want to thank all of you for the hope and support your bring to this great cause.

Also, one of the Ball State Students for Life passed on this message of life!

“I know there was a baby saved in Indianapolis last week (on Good Friday), because a guy and his friends chose to go pray at the abortion clinic even after 40 Days for Life was over as part of a spiritual preparation for Holy Week. Stories like that really testify to the impact of our daily choices – it takes “supporting the pro-life movement” from an abstract idea or disconnected struggle to a concrete action that made the difference between a person living or being killed.”

Here is a link to the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Let’s pray it today with an expecting mother in mind, that she may choose life.

http://thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/praythechaplet.php

And here is a picture of Blaine, when he was born 3 1/2 years ago!