handsful

Standing in front of the Atlantic ocean…coast to coast completed! 

Let me back up a bit.  With about 26 miles to go, the guys had to cross a BIG bridge called the Shands.  This bridge crosses the whole St. Johns river, about 1 1/2miles long and it’s very busy with traffic.  Just as they were getting ready to cross, a State Trooper drove by.  Chris (their servant-hearted friend who drove the van, fed them, kept them hydrated, etc.) flagged him down, and the guys had a police escort complete with lights and sirens!!  Here is the shot Chris got from behind…

How cool is that?!?

Here are more pictures from the celebration.  All the parents, some of the other Real Life Groups, and the Jr. High Pastor, Bill and his family were there to show their support and love for this great group of guys.  We are all so proud of them. 

The kids made signs for daddy…Ethan noticed his T for J mistake in the truck on the way.  No big deal, dude, dad will love it.  He did. 

Gregg and Randy, giving out Coast to Coast certificates

Randy said the hardest part of the whole 2 days was the last bridge, coming over the intercoastal waterway.  That bridge is STEEP, and they were dreading it.  Plus, it was within 5 miles of the end and the guys were gassed.  One of the dad’s (Luke’s) drove to the bridge, parked, walked up to the very top, and stood on the side.  As the bikers came into view, he started cheering and yelling, encouraging them to make it up that bridge.  That brings tears to my eyes.  Randy also said several of the other parents drove with them, stopping to cheer them on, driving a little farther down and doing it all again.  Love it. 

This was an amazing weekend for these men and boys…what an accomplishment!  They learned much about what it truly means to endure and then come out the other side victoriously.  They learned the most about relying on God’s strength, when you have none left. 

After the certificates were given out, everyone headed home.  As we packed up, I got this…

I couldn’t help it, she was so intensely shoveling and looking so darn cute, I had to snap a picture. 

I also got this…I’d been picturing this photo in my head for a while, just needed to get to the beach to snap it.  Might try again (and have Abbey lay off the orange nail polish?), but I like it.