The 9 Mile Bike Rides

Being blessed with a truck in our area has been great, and I didn't really appreciate it until I didn't have it anymore!

We had to take the truck in to the shop and were told that it would take all day. Not having anybody nearby to give us a ride on such short notice, we broke out the bikes and helmets and went on our way.

A little geography lesson on the Canandaigua area, at the moment we live 9 miles outside of our area, the truck shop is about half way between the city and our apartment. The ride to our area wasn't too demanding and we were able to bike around the town the rest of the day going to the appointments we had.

The day ended and that dreaded ride loomed ahead of us. Neither of us were physically built as bikers and our thighs felt the day's worth of biking, the nine miles home was achievable, but seemed a very daunting task.

We stopped at the church for one final drink of water before we set out on the ride back home, just as we did a member drove up and walked in to the building with us.

He proceeded to ask for a blessing and didn't see it as chance that we both came to the building at the same time.

We gave him a priesthood blessing and he was extremely grateful. While talking after he found out of our bike ride that we had ahead of us, he immediately grabbed our bikes. threw them in the back of his vehicle and gave us a ride home.

We all have those 9-mile bike rides ahead of us, we have faith that the Lord will strengthen us, and that we will be able to do whatever lies ahead.

This life is not easy, nor is it extremely hard, if we have an eternal perspective.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:29

He has provided a way to endure to the end with joy! After this experience I fell down on my knees and prayed with a heart full of thanks. I once again received a strong prompting that the Lord really does loves his children and blesses us with tender mercies in our lives every single day. I know He lives and knows each one of our needs. He wont always take afflictions away, but every once in a while he blesses us with taking those 9-mile bike rides, and making them a bit easier.