Bicycle Lessons and Florida Update

Should a child whose nickname is “Crash” be allowed to ride a bicycle? Is a crash helmet enough or should we invest in full body armor? Holly learned to ride her bike on Friday and has eagerly asked to go riding every day. On Saturday, we ventured all the way across the street to a tiny cul-de-sac. Our goal was for her to stay on the bike and actually steer. She did fairly well. Yesterday we dared to go beyond the first cul-de-sac to the street behind my parents’ house. On the first time around, she smacked into a mailbox. The mailboxes in this neighborhood are encased in solid brick columns. The second time around, she fell off the bike in our neighbor’s driveway. Amazingly, there was no blood. Thankfully, her courage was undaunted and she was ready for a third and highly successful trip. John took her out this afternoon and he realized, after yet another crash, her problem is that she doesn’t know how to brake. I went out with her after dinner and we practiced braking. She is improving but I am still considering body armor.

John spent the first weekend in May in southern Florida. He stayed with his parents for a day and then traveled further south to speak at a church that is seeking a pastor. John thought that the city was great and the tiny church has potential for growth. But it appears that the retiring pastor’s views are drastically different from ours and it looks doubtful that we will be called there. It was a first step and an invaluable learning experience for John. Meanwhile, we are still here. Still searching, still praying, still trusting that God will lead the way.