This years message is about the "Tandem Bike Ride with God" story.  If you don't know the story you can go to Google and type it in so you can read the original version.  We've altered our version and have put our own twist on it but basically it's about life with Jesus.  It's kinda' how Jesus rides this life with us like a bicycle built for two.  During this season in our life where you have no choice but to go along for the ride...not just a bumpy ride but the kind where you are wick-wacking out of control,  and you're sure the road has washed away, kind of ride.  We didn't know where we were going let alone if we would survive.  We went down those slippery slopes and cold, dark valleys at top speed.  We had to hang on as Jesus tredged us back up the tiring steep hills only to go back down again while not being able to catch your breath.  The whole time Jesus would turn around on this tandem bike and say, "Just TRY to pedal". There use to be times of smooth, flat surfaces where we just enjoyed the ride.  Times of dance recitals, spirit weeks, and float building.  There were all the awesome vacations where we saw so much beauty along the way and experienced so much love and laughter. There were also times when warm breezes blew like when we shopped  for prom dresses and were planning our trip to Salt Lake City for the Junior Olympics with our family and so many people that we adore.  And the pedaling was effortless and easy and we thoroughly enjoyed the ride.  But we all know that then came a time when our family felt that maybe the road may have indeed ended.  There was no pedaling at all and we simply were hanging on because the road felt like it had washed out beneath us.

Three years have passed and how can it be?  But yet it is!  We've been on this ride to what seemed to "no where".  A road no one ever wants to travel. And yet we see Jesus saying to us as He turns around and gently touches our hand,  "I know you are tired because it's a long hard ride, but just keep pedaling!" And so we do. There have been times when we've experienced warmth on our faces again as people come and celebrate Em's life with us every July.  We've seen some awesome scenery along the way as we've watched Sar, Adam and Rydik become their own family.  We have felt those moments when life felt good again like when Rydik was born and seeing Sar and Adam so happy. The joy we have in Rydik is like experiencing sunshine after a long, cold winter.  He's been a precious gift along the way. Of course we wish beyond wish that Em was here to share in it all but that would mean a mountain top experience and that will have to wait until Heaven.  And so we keep learning all the time and we keep trusting along the way.  We could, like some of those we love most, get off the tandem style bike and for go it all by ourselves.  We could tell Jesus to "beat it" and have the "thanks but no thanks" attitude because they think he ruined the ride.  But just like the original version of this story states "He knows bike secrets" and He knows what we can't understand.  Jesus knows how to maneuver and He sees the larger map.   He would gladly get off the bike if asked but instead of riding with us, we know He would simply be happy to push us gently from behind still doing most of the work because He's just that way. The reality of going for the ride without Jesus with us would mean going to the valley.....without any HOPE!  In our case we simply needed someone to save us.  He is bringing us back to somewhat flat terrain.  Yes, it's rocky but were pedaling'!  We've been to the pit and when we arrive at that mountain top, the view will be incredible and more so then most because of the road we have traveled.  We KNOW that at the end of the ride when we reach our final destination that we will see our loved ones, our beloved Em and Jesus!  We will see the ultimate beauty of a long hard ride and we will finally feel like this ride will have definitely been worth the while!  So until then, we keep Pedaling and we hope all of you do to!

The Duits Family