Changing Gears

I apologize for my silence on what my plans are, but after receiving the terrible news about Donita’s accident I went numb and have been in a state of shock and disbelief.  I have had a myriad of thoughts running through my head ever since… Do I continue to do what Donita and I set out to do but do it alone? Do I go home and be with my family now, so I can see my youngest son, Aidan, play his last summer of travel baseball? Is there a way to still fulfill both the mission I was setting out to do and still be able to enjoy some of my son’s last summer playing ball?  How can I bear the financial responsibility of the whole 8 week trip on my own without hurting my family financially? I’ve had to remind myself of all that is important to not just me but to my family and those who are supporting me on my journey. I’ve taken a few days to get clear about what matters and why I was doing this journey in the first place. I wanted to push myself to do something bigger than myself and also raise awareness for a cause for which I believed. How can I reinvent myself and change gears when something tragic like this occurs and still fulfill both purposes?

When I named this “The Wandering Project!” little did I know at the time the true depth that name would come to have for me. Originally I named it that in an attempt to explain that we were wandering from place to place across the US for a project called Homes for Our Troops. Now it has such a deeper meaning. As we are wandering through this journey called life there are many twists and turns. It’s not flat roads like we would experience in Kansas and some of the Midwest states. In life you don’t get to see for miles and miles knowing what’s up ahead easily able to spot potential danger and make necessary adjustments to keep the ride safe and smooth. No, life is full of the unexpected, the twists, the turns, the adventure. As my mother-in-law used to say, “you’ve gotta be flexible in every situation.” It’s time for me to let go of the “maps” and the “plan” and go coast to coast in a revised fashion.

As of today we have collectively raised $4,041 of our original $3,800 goal. Thank you all for that amazing support and helping us already achieve that goal! Even though I will be doing a revised coast to coast trip we will still be raising awareness as well as funds for HFOT while we are traveling. The average cost to build one room is approximately $5,000. It would be awesome for us to say that we raised enough money to build 1 room for someone’s home through The Wandering Project.

The plan…Sorry I threw it out. I can give you an overview and you’ll just have to follow my adventure on the website and Facebook to see how the day unfolds. How’s that for living life on the edge? 😉

Donita and I were traveling through 10 states. California-Nevada-Utah-Colorado-Kansas-Missouri-Illinois-Kentucky-Virginia-North Carolina. As motivation for Donita’s quick and full recovery we are going to save the original coast to coast trip plan for a few years out when Donita has made her full recovery. Postponing it for a season will allow us to fulfill a very challenging dream together. As for this coast to coast trip, I will be wandering with my sister from state to state as we visit various places by bike and by car. In order for me to feel a personal sense of accomplishment, each day I ride I will be setting challenging goals for myself such as: tackling a ride through the Rockies and maybe even ride across a whole state. My goal is to be home to watch my son, Aidan, play ball the month of July. Kelly and I are excited about visiting places our parents took us to when we were younger as well as seeing new places across the US.  We will be taking lots of pictures along the way.  I hope you will still follow me and my sister’s journey from CA to NC even though I will no long be doing the original full coast to coast riding.

I thank you from the bottom of my heat for your love, concern, text and Facebook messages, phone calls, emails, support and prayers. Wow, I truly am overwhelmed with your love and concern for both Donita and me and belief in us. Please keep my travels in your prayers but mainly pray for my sweet friend, Donita’s road to recovery.  I am so thankful she is alive!

Due to taking a few days to clear my head I will now start the revised 2016 Wandering Project June 1st.

10 thoughts on “Changing Gears

    • kmasseyphoto@gmail.com

      Thank you Denise! Donita is such a strong person and I also believe her recovery time will be amazingly fast do to her determined spirit. Thanks for your support.

  1. When you come back thru Indiana..I’d love to ride with you. Donita and I rode together at times, and she coached my girls. It would be an honor to be in her place for a few miles!

    • kmasseyphoto@gmail.com

      That would be awesome Cheryl! Hopefully we can set up something on our way back. Thanks for your support.

  2. Chuck

    Kristy! You are an amazing person and your safety and family comes before all else! As a vet, what you are doing is very admirable on behalf of our wounded soldiers. Thank you for supporting our troops!

  3. Ed

    maybe not so much changing gears as God leading, again in ways unexpected. Perhaps there’s an even bigger event ahead for you and big sister that this how God is making it happen, Keep your eyes open girlie (Y)

    • kmasseyphoto@gmail.com

      “A man plans his ways but the Lord directs his step.” Pro 16:9 🙂 Thanks Ed. Keep us in prayer as we anticipate the unexpected and follow His leading.

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