Written by: Nicole Bies
I am reminded that a special someone once told me the Fuller Center Bike Adventure isn’t about the ride, it is about the people. Let me tell you, it is a beautiful image to take in a sea of cyclists in orange jerseys float across the pavement amidst the tall trees and intermittent ocean views in the morning sun.
As I cycled today with these special riders (including my mama) I thought, “These are my people, I belong here.” We all belong.We all have a story or a million of how we encountered the Fuller Center and what it all means to us personally. This story is enough to continuously bring us back and grow the mission that Millard created through biking, building, and speaking. I cycled cross country in 2013 with FCBA in hopes of finding a purpose to life. It is safe to say I found more than I had bargained for with the Spirit above. I found a lifestyle of simplicity. I now continue to carry these values learned, the laughter, and the smiles a plenty in my daily life. I look forward to hearing all of these riders’ stories. This ride is a celebration—a celebration of being alive and letting the Spirit guide us in unexpected and beautiful ways. As I sat eating dinner kindly prepared and provided by the hands of the First United Methodist Church of Portsmouth I smiled to myself and took a deep breath of thanksgiving. Today we are all alive and living in community—so let us continue our journey.
