Day 47/August 15 - South Haven to Grand Haven - 76km

Wow, lots to say about today. First of all, short ride - yet beautiful. We were surrounded by trees, and at some points I even felt like I was in BC!! Today we also went through Holland Michigan! Now how sweet is that!? First of all - we decided that today of all days should be Rabobonk day!! (Holland biking team.) So we all wore our holland biking jerseys. Then we went to a really sweet church that had basement called the heritage center. The Heritage center had the history of that church, the history of Holland Michigan, pretty much the history of dutch people in Canada - it was really cool. My favorite feature of this was an old pump organ. As I was busy inspecting this thing a man from the church told me to sit down and have a try - well I probably could not have sat down faster! It was so sweet! Bit of a work out - kind of like biking and playing an organ at the same time. BUT later on an older dutch man sat down at the organ and started playing Praise God from whom all blessings flow - in dutch. Brought little chills down my spine - hymns and the love of music - especially the organ run deep into my family's roots.

We didnt quite stay in Grand Haven but at a CRC conference ground where Hope College made us a marvelous steak dinner - yeah steak - wowsers!

Tonight we camped right beside lake Michigan - it was beautiful. I watched the sun set (it looks like the ocean - wow - so big!) called my momma and then went and walked by the water for a long time. The water was warm on my feet, and the moon was bright so I wasn't scared (I'm afraid of the dark, I know - and I still sleep with blankies - no I wont get over either of them.) While I was on this walk by the water I realized many things, so here they are:

So, in life we pick up things along the way - characteristics and such that are given to us by our family memebers. Some of my favorites: one of them is the name Netje. I've been given a lot of nicknames in the past but Netje is by far my favy, I love it. Its caught on in Terrace, in Edmonton and now on this bike tour - the dutchies (and there are a lot of them) just love it. Another characteristic of mine is the love of jewelry. Everyone who knows me, knows I love jewelry, especially earrings. These two characteristics, or whatever you wanna call them (dingists, haha) have been given to me by my Oma. Oma was very excited for me to be on this trip, she supported me both financially and through prayer - I could not wait to see her when the trip was done, unfortunately things took a turn for the worst and I will not be able to have that opportunity. Oma passed away this afternoon, peacefully. I'll miss her so very much and I wish I could of had one more time to say good bye, but God has His time for everything and sometimes that just needs to be accepted. I know that Oma is now with her Lord - and there is no better thing.

I'll miss you Oma, the candy store, bitter balls, good LONG chats, and much more. Say Hi to Opa, say Hi to Dad - I love and miss you all.

Please pray for my family, especially my mom and her siblings at this time.