LeJoG - The Thank Yous

As I've mentioned before, there are lots of people who have either helped to make our End to End journey possible in the first place, and/or have supported us en route.  This is our opportunity to say a massive 'thank you' to you all.

We'd never have been able to take on this challenge if I hadn't been able to take a Sabbatical.  This year, the timing was just right for us as a family - any other year, it wouldn't have worked out nearly so well.  We're very grateful to those within the Diocese of St Asaph who make such decisions, for making it possible for me to take that Sabbatical this year.  And also to my colleagues in Wrexham, who are covering for me while I enjoy this break - thank you all for taking on the extra services and pastoral responsibilities while I'm away.  And especially to Jonathan, who as Mission Area Leader, has organised so much of it.  In addition, there are the Churchwardens at St John's and St James', who have been keeping things going on the ground at the churches - thank you, Jenny and Steve, Jackie and Dilys!

It's been very encouraging, as we've been cycling, to read the various comments which so many of you have posted, either on the Blog itself, or on Facebook.  Thank you for taking the time and being interested.  

As you may be aware, we have a give.net page set up for those who'd like to sponsor our ride.  Thank you to those who've sponsored us through it (and in other ways too).  So far, we've raised nearly £700 online (including Gift Aid), plus a couple of donations which have been given to us as we travelled, including one from our hostess at http://www.broadlea-cottage-accommodation.co.uk/.  You can see the details of who will benefit, and how to donate, if you go to: https://my.give.net/ErringtonsLeJoG.  

We've stayed in lots of different places over the course of our journey, but there are a few which deserve a special mention and 'thank you'.  Most of the B&Bs we've stayed at have been very helpful, but Julie and Barry at http://www.theoaks-bed-breakfast.co.uk/ in Devon really went the extra mile for us.  My mother, Faith, put us up for one night as we travelled through Shropshire, and Geoff and Brenda were wonderful hosts for the second weekend just near Kendal.  Thank you to you all for making our journey easier, and welcoming us into your homes!

I mentioned Pauline in one of my earlier posts.  She has spent the last few weeks housesitting for us in Wrexham, which has given us peace of mind while we've been away.  Thank you, Pauline - we'll look forward to seeing you when we return!

The original inspiration for tackling this cycle ride came from my friend Jane.  Ten years ago, she and her husband Clive joined me on a much shorter ride along the Trans-Pennine Trail (Southport to Hornsea).  Nathan and Joel were quite small at the time - Nathan did cycle a few miles with us, while Joel rode in his seat on the back of my bike.  We talked about the possibility of doing it again in 10 years time, with the boys cycling too.  Jane would have loved to have done 'End to End' herself, but sadly ill-health now makes it impossible.  So we dedicate our ride to Jane, and thank her for her inspiration, her generous support as we've done LeJoG, for her prayer, texts and love.

There are many other people who have been praying for us as we travelled.  Thank you, one and all!  We've seen so many answers to prayer, and it's such an encouragement to know that our brothers and sisters in Christ have been holding us in prayer over the last few weeks.  

Finally, and most importantly, we are so grateful to our heavenly Father!!  He's been a constant presence with us.  He's kept us safe on the roads.  He's given us amazingly good weather.  He's kept our bikes going - we haven't had to deal with a single puncture, or any other problem with the bikes the whole way!  He's kept us going - somehow, we've always had the energy to keep going.  And he provided the wherewithal in the first place, in the form of a 'windfall' last year, which has financed the trip.  We give him the glory.