50 Years - Celebrating a Life Well Lived

Psalm 16:11 "You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever."

Today would have been Wayne's 50th birthday. We had talked about what we were going to do to celebrate if he made it to this day. What a life he lived. He lived each day to the fullest. He is greatly missed, but I know he is experiencing the most amazing scene-the throne room of heaven. We sang this at church yesterday morning. Every time I read scripture about heaven or sing songs like this, I can see Wayne up there worshiping Jesus, and it brings tears to my eyes. Not because I am sad, but because I know his faith has become sight!

 

 

Unfortunately, God had different plans. The kids and I visited his gravesite yesterday and brought some of his favorite flowers, zinnias. 

I brought 50 glazed donuts from Franks to work today in honor of Wayne’s birthday. 

Abigail suggested a few weeks ago that we should all go to a Dogers game in honor of his birthday. So in September, we will all go to a Cincinnati Reds vs. Dodgers game. 

I have so many mixed emotions today. But one thing continues to be our focus, we want to keep Wayne's testimony alive. He loved Jesus so much and remained focus until the end to bring God glory. 

** Here are two things that I have been working on to keep Wayne's memory alive:

1) I am in the final stages of publishing Part 1 of our story, Anchor in the Storm. It's more than a memoir of our journey through brain cancer, this book reveals how God was our unshakable anchor through every storm we faced.

I am also about two-third of the way through writing Part 2, Joy in the Storm. This book tells the story of Wayne's cancer recurrence and explores how, even in some of life's darkest moments, God enabled us to experience a deep and lasting joy that was greater than our circumstances.

Wayne had a powerful testimony and we want to keep that testimony alive.

2) Many of you have followed our family's journey over the past eleven years. Today, I want to share something that has been on my heart for a long time.

I have decided to finish one of Wayne's dreams.

Years ago, we bought bicycles with the hope of riding them from the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic Cost to raise awareness and funds for brain cancer. Covid and the ages of our children caused us to postpone the trip. Then we decided we would make the ride in 2025 to celebrate Wayne's incredible milestone of ten years of surviving glioblastoma.

But, if you have been following our story, you know that Wayne's cancer returned in 2023. The dream ride never happened. 

So now, I am going to finish the ride for him.

I'm launching a campaign called Ride for Wayne: 5,200 Miles, 52 Weeks of Hope. 

Over the next 52 weeks, my goal is to ride 5,200 miles - the equivalent of cycling across America. While I would have loved to complete the actual coast-to-coast journey as Wayne envisioned, this season of life looks different now. Between a new full-times job and raising our children, a cross-country ride isn't possible. Instead, I'll complete the journey virtually - logging miles throughout the year with weekend long rides and several century rides.

This ride is more than miles, it is about finishing the dream Wayne was never able to complete while bringing hope to families who are walking a road much like ours.

Throughout the year, we will be raising money for two incredible organizations:

Inheritance of Hope - Providing hope-filled retreats and ongoing support for families with a parent facing a terminal illness.

National Brain Tumor Society - Funding brain tumor research, raising awareness, and advocating for patients and families through initiatives such as Head to the Hill.

You will be able to follow along our journey on an our campaign website: www.rideforWayne.com Note: it should be up and running the next couple days. 

How You Can Help:

🚴 Ride with me

Whether you ride all 5,200 miles or join me for a single afternoon ride, I'd love to have you along for the journey. Together, we can finish this dream one mile at a time. 

❤️ Encourage Me

This challenge will stretch me physically, mentally, and emotionally. Your prayers, message, and encouragement will mean more than you know. 

🎗️ Give

You can support the campaign in several ways:

• Make a per-mile pledge (for example: $0.01 per mile = $52, $0.10 per mile = $520).
• Make a one-time gift.
• Sponsor a milestone along the route (for example, "When you reach St. Louis, I'll donate!"

Every mile will honor Wayne.

Every dollar will bring hope.

Every prayer will remind us that none us rides alone.

Thank you for helping us carry Wayne's dream across the finish line! I cannot wait to see where this journey takes us and how God uses it to encourage and bless others along the way.