01/04/2016
December 31, 2015 Update
We would like to begin by thanking everyone again for making our ride such a memorable adventure. It was such a blessing to have worked with each of you. We could not have done it without your prayers and support. We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and pray you will be blessed with a prosperous New Year. Most people think prosperity is about money, but it is about everything: what you believe, the way you see things. If you think you don’t have enough time or anything that is poverty. Just change your thinking and half the battle is won. Don’t see yourself as lacking anything: money, time, love, friendship, peace. Remember that Our Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Be positive and grateful for what you do have. When we are faithful with little, we will be entrusted with more. Our prayers for you is God’s richest blessings in every area of your life. Remember:
IF YOU SLOW DOWN, YOU GO DOWN – Keep Pedaling
Now some update on our arrival home and events since. The homecoming at the Cleveland Y was overwhelming. Part of what has taken so long to write this is loss of words. (OK I know that is hard for some of you to believe). We still find it so hard to pick a single special time, place, event, person or the words to describe it. Just know we are so humbled, grateful, and proud of the opportunity you allowed for us to raise support and awareness for our Disabled American Veterans, the LiveStrong at the Y, and the North American Mission Board Send America Programs. We hope we helped and do not plan to stop any time soon. Incredible just does not get it but it the closest we can come. WOW!!!!!!!
This brings me to the next piece of news. Some of you know, and for the rest of you, Tom’s follow up when we returned, revealed that his cancer had returned. This is the other reason for our delay in writing. So it seems that not only was he 81, with one kidney, riding 3070 miles in upwards of 114 degree weather, but he had an active cancer growing in his bladder. He had surgery that next week to remove the larger tumor and completed six weekly treatments two days before Christmas. We go back January 14, 2016 to find out how effective the treatment was. He did very well. And we are optimistic about the outcome. So much so, that we left for Miami Christmas day to be with family and have been riding every day. Yesterday we did a 35 mile ride. Today he has been kidnapped for a fishing trip out of Flamingo.
Thank you again for everything. I gave him the scrapbook, the Y had made, for Christmas, and he teared up as he began to read of all you prayers and kindness. Love you all!
The Cawoods
