In the Shadow of His Wings by Artist Daniel Gerhartz
Heavenly Father, I know you are just a prayer away, so I thank You that Your Word says that when I pray to You that You will hear me according to Job 22:27-28
Father God, I thank You this morning for being who You are, and I give You all glory and honor. Despite all of my short comings and failures, You still look beyond my faults and take care of all of my needs.
Father, I ask that You extend Your grace and mercy to all those affected by the current storms and those struggles mentally with the storms of life. Father God, I know You are able to do exceedingly and abundantly all that I could ask or imagine, so I call it done! In the name of Your Son Jesus.
Father, your word says in Psalm 37:25 that I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread. So, Father, I cast all my cares, concerns and worries on You, the one that cares for me. For You alone are my God, my provider and the lifter of my head. The one who is Faithful and who’s love knows no end.
Heavenly Father, I declare Your faithfulness to the heavens and Your loving kindness and tender mercies anew every morning and all the days of my life.
If this post ministered to youor encourage you in any way, please share with your fellow Wind Sisters.
May the Joy of the Lord instantly become your strength to encourage you to overcome any fears that you might experience. Remember, in our daring to be brave, when we throw caution to the wind, casting our cares in Faith upon Him through the ride. Peace, love, and joy are set loose in the atmosphere, and it permits other riders to do the same. Allowing us to all rejoice in knowing we have triumphant victory in Riding the Good Ride of Faith.
Be strong and of good courage, LaShaun and Mrs. Cavatica
The Ladies in Leather Motorcycle Parade and Rally 2021 College, Texas
If you heard the ground rumbling this past weekend in Texas, it probably was the sound of motorcycles ridden by well over a thousand women from all over the country, taking over Bryan College Station, located in Texas, for the Ladies in Leather 2021 Motorcycle Parade and Rally.
The Ladies in Leather Motorcycle Parade and Rally is the largest all Women Motorcycle Parade in the USA, tied in with a 3-day Rally weekend event, loaded with live music, vendors, motorcycle workshops, celebrating women riders with an all Women’s Motorcycle Parade! And I must say that seeing all the past photos certainly does not do this event any justice; it is a sight to behold. Once again, I must say, “I had no clue that there were that many women daring to be brave, hitting the open road on two and three-wheel bikes.
The energy was electric! I mean, you could not walk into that host hotel and not feel empowered, strong, victorious, and downright proud to be a woman or, as they say a wind sister. I even found myself whispered a little prayer, “God, Thank you for making me a Woman.” It was the right place to be if you ever doubted for one second just how valuable we as women indeed are.
I wish I could have sat and talked with a few of the wind sisters; I’m sure they all had some pretty extraordinary adventures, stories, and lifelong lessons to tell and share; you could see it on their faces, you could see it written on their bikes and helmets.
Moira Zinn, Heritage Coach – Public Speaker & Powersport Expert
Her Bike….OMG!
I originally had planned to ride in the parade when I registered for the Rally back in February of this year, but the Spirit of God put it on my heart not to participate but to go and be an observer; take it all in. There is something to be said for observing vs participating; “everybody can not sing in the choir; someone has to sit in the audience and clap.” As a participant, I would have missed what God wanted to show me. I would have missed the essence of what it means to bring that many women together, women from every walks of life, all ages, races, and backgrounds all-loving referring to one another as wind sisters.
Something extraordinary happened over the weekend, and it is not a coincidence that it also took place on the 20th Anniversary of 911. By my observation, everything around us wants us to think we are different and wants to keep us divided, but The Ladies in Leather Motorcycle Parade and Rally reminded me that we are no different from the other. At the core of what brought every woman to College Station on September 11th. The same day we remember the events of 911 is what makes us more alike than not—our love for Faith, Family, and Freedom.
Photo Credit: Tina Marie LightfootArtist Unknown
God did a beautiful thing on the 6th day of creation; when He looked around, saw something was missing, put Man into a deep sleep, and pulled Women from his rib. Psalms 139 describes you and me as being wonderful and fearfully made.
Day One of Creation by Artist Edwin Lester
That’s what I observed as I walked The Ladies in Leather Motorcycle Parade and Rally event Saturday morning. Every woman that suited up booted up and threw her leg over two wheels or three, hitting the open road from near and far, came to celebrate their wonderfulness and their fearlessness and it was definitely a Rally that I will not forget.
To all the Ladies in Leather that attended, I pray the road carried all of you back home safely. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord keep His face turned towards you and always give you peace.
To all the many hands that pulled this event off, God Bless you and May His favor chase you down and overtake you all.
God Bless Texas & All my Wind Sisters
If this post ministered to youor encourage you in any way, please share with your fellow Wind Sisters.
May the Joy of the Lord instantly become your strength to encourage you to overcome any fears that you might experience. Remember, in our daring to be brave, when we throw caution to the wind, casting our cares in Faith upon Him through the ride. Peace, love, and joy are set loose in the atmosphere, and it permits other riders to do the same. Allowing us to all rejoice in knowing we have triumphant victory in Riding the Good Ride of Faith.
Be strong and of good courage, LaShaun and Mrs. Cavatica
LaShaun Jackson
New to the motorcycle community but not to the body of believers, LaShaun Jackson is a woman of many talents, more importantly, a Woman of Faith. An ordained minister, inspirational speaker, and independent Christian recording artist, LaShaun is dedicated to seeing women of all ages, races, and backgrounds move forward in Faith. Taking a stand against FEAR, False Evidence Appearing Real, and anything that would set itself up against Riding the Good Ride of Faith.
This morning, I woke up reflecting on a conversation my husband and I had over labor day dinner last night. Why are you so angry? He asked. You don’t see it, but lately, you have been. I tried to dismiss his observation with a gentle rebuttal that instantly confirmed that yes! I was furious and highly pissed off…when I snapped at him and replied, “have you seen the state of our world?” my rant must have gone on for 10-15 minutes before he said, “has anything you just said made you feel better?” then he called me out…
Where is your faith??? Don’t you know everything that is going on right now has an expiration date on it? You know, you talk a good faith game at times, then you let what you see shake your faith, and then you allow what you see to pull you towards the pit with the rest of them who are easily tossed about when the Storm comes.
Lately, my Spirit has been highly vexed, agitated, angry? I have tried to suppress it and cover it up, but after being married for 32 years, that is almost impossible to do. My husband and I have been together since I was 17, so covering up or hiding my inner thoughts or feelings doesn’t work. He can always tell when I have gone internal.
I had to admit he was right; the troubles on this side of Heaven were starting to shake my faith and beginning to chip away at my peace and the hope that “Trouble don’t last always.”
During our tuff love conversation, It brought to mind a message I heard years ago from a well-known pastor that preached, “When the storms of life come, you have to learn how to be an observer. You have to have an unshakeable faith that will allow you to stand amid the Storm and watch everything swirl around you without getting caught up in it.”
Unshakable faith comes from being prepared, covered. Like the story “Sleeping though the Storm,” about a Farmer-who owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. Most people were reluctant to work for the Farmer whose land was along the Atlantic. Storms were awful and would wreak havoc on buildings and crops; finally, after many reluctant interviews, a short, thin man well past middle age approached the Farmer, and when asked, “Are you a good farmhand?” the farmer replied, “well, I can sleep when the wind blow,” answered the little man. So the Farmer hired him, and he proved to be a good worker.
Then one night, a bad storm hit with howling loud winds from offshore. The owner of the farm jumped out of bed, grabbed his lantern, and rushed into the hired hand’s bunkhouse. He shook the little old man and yelled, “Get up! A storm is coming! Tie-down everything before it blows away!” The little man rolled over and replied firmly, “No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind comes.”
The Farmer was tempted to fire him right then and there, until he noticed all the haystacks had been covered, the cows were all in the barn, the chickens were in their coops, and all the doors had been barred. It was then the Farmer understood what the hired hand meant, and he went back to bed and slept while the wind blew.
You see, when you cover yourself with the Word of God, you are prepared, you can sleep when the winds of life blow. You have nothing to fear because like the song says “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweet frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand.”
Art work entitled “My Deliverer” by Jeanette Sthamann
Lord, amid life’s many storms, strengthen my capacity to sleep, stand or even rest in the center of your peace – LaShaun Jackson
I woke up this morning, and my Spirit called out to Psalm 91. It’s one of my favorite scripture in the bible; it is a scripture where, when read, you can feel your soul coming back into alinement with the Spirit of God, and if you have good people around you that are sensitive to your Spirit, they can tell when you need a “Faith Check.” Psalm 91, along with my husband are my Faith Checker’s, psalms 91 pulls everything back together and grounds me with God’s Truth and Promises, despite what my eyes see. Lord, Forgive me for going by what I see and not trusting in your Word and what I know.
I thank God for My Husband this morning. God has given Him the ability to have hard conversations with me, in love, and as hard as those conversations are at times, they are always for my Good and God’s Glory. My husband reminded me last night, over our labor day dinner, that I was letting the situations and circumstances of our world’s current Storm to steal, kill, and destroy my joy… Don’t let it!
Beloved Wind Sister, How are you resting in this current Storm? Have you secured your foundation to withstand the storms and winds of life? Do you have a Faith Checker in Life?
Declaration of Faith for Standing Storms
Lord, my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God, I take refuge in you. When the storms of this life flood my soul, You are my deliverer, my rock, and my peace. Sometimes the situations and circumstances of what I see get the best of me, and I start to drown in fear. But you are my lighthouse, and the light of your Love guides me back to peace. Thank you, heavenly Father, for shining your light of Love through others to remind me of your faithfulness. In Jesus name I pray, Amen
Psalm 91; Psalm 18-1-2; 2 Thessalonians 3:3
If this post ministered to youor encourage you in any way, please share with your fellow Wind Sisters.
May the Joy of the Lord instantly become your strength to encourage you to overcome any fears that you might experience. Remember, in our daring to be brave, when we throw caution to the wind, casting our cares in Faith upon Him through the ride. Peace, love, and joy are set loose in the atmosphere, and it permits other riders to do the same. Allowing us to all rejoice in knowing we have triumphant victory in Riding the Good Ride of Faith.
Be strong and of good courage, LaShaun and Mrs. Cavatica
I am believing God for Miracles and Breakthroughs…
As women of faith, we serve a faithful God who gives to all generously and without reproach. So, let’s come into agreement and believe God for greater things to come in the month of September.
Women of Fearless Faith let’s get our hope and expectations up…. Hit the ground riding! But don’t expect anything to be handed to you…. Believe God For It!!!
Go after what belongs to you! Are you ready to receive everything that God has for you in this month of September?
Let Us Pray!
Heavenly Father,
Thank You Lord for keeping me through the month of August. Father God, I am grateful to see September and I’m looking forward to all that it may bring.
Declaration of Faith for September
I declare the month of September as my month of miracles, breakthroughs and healing. I will receive every blessing tied to September for my life. I declare September will be my season of joy and peace. I will not live and ride in fear because I know everything that concerns me, and my family is in your hands. My life is in your hands, my ride is in your hands, my time is in your hands, and nothing can separate me from your love and Riding the Good Ride of Faith.
If this post ministered to you or encourage you in any way, please share with your fellow Wind Sisters.
May the Joy of the Lord instantly become your strength to encourage you to overcome any fears that you might experience. Remember, in our daring to be brave, when we throw caution to the wind, casting our cares in Faith upon Him through the ride. Peace, love, and joy are set loose in the atmosphere, and it permits other riders to do the same. Allowing us to all rejoice in knowing we have triumphant victory in Riding the Good Ride of Faith.
Be strong and of good courage, LaShaun and Mrs. Cavatica
Have your eyes ever opened to a brand-new day that you have never seen before? And as soon as your feet hit the floor, your soul says, “We Need a Long Ride.” Well, it just might be your creator calling you back to yourself and joining Him for a long ride on the open road.
Be the kind of women who, when your feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says “Oh, no! She’s up.” – Joanne Clancy
Nothing is more understanding or forgiving than a good long ride on the open road. Along ride on the open road knows what you need without you asking, and it gives you time to come to yourself, acting and thinking like one’s usual self. Much of our day-to-day calls us into being everything to everyone, except being ourselves. A long Ride brings all of you back to being you.
When you need Grace, the unmerited favor of God, you will find a straight road up ahead to clear your thoughts and ease your troubled mind. When you need Mercy, God’s loving-kindness, the opened road will bring you a few curves to lean into, reminding you if not for God’s Grace and Mercy, where on earth would we be? And when you need reassurance, along comes a fellow rider offering the two-finger wave, letting you know you are not alone on this crazy side of heaven.
Photo Credit: Can Am Spyder Gallery
In some ways, I think a long ride on the open road on a beautiful day is better than talking to a friend. You see, a long ride is just there to listen to you, and it creates a stunning backdrop for the soul to commune with its creator.
Photo Credit: Can Am Spyder 2014 Photo Gallery
It does not judge you or make you feel obligated to listen to other opinions or suggestions. On a long ride, you can be yourself and can share your heart, vent, and be ok with a long pregnant pause as you breathe in all the beauty surrounding you and exhale all that troubles your weary soul.
I often imagine a long ride as being a Church. My Spyder Mrs. Cavatica, the pew or mourners’ bench from where I confess all my shortcomings and release all my fears and worries upon the one who cares for me. A long ride can and will minister to you if you let. A long ride is like a good Sunday Morning word from your favorite Pastor, and if the sun is shining, the sky is blue; well, the choir has just sung an A & B selection that was sure to bless your soul.
The worries and trouble on this side of heaven are never-ending and can overtake us at times. Still, I believe the Spirit of God gives you and me an out, called “A Long Ride.” A long ride to vent, repent, relax and release all that burdens our souls. So, we can experience first-hand, from the saddles of our bike’s true freedom, because where there is freedom, you will find the Spirit of the Lord.
Beloved wind sister, I pray that when the worries of this side of heaven try to flood your soul and drown your Spirit with fear and weariness, the open road will call you to a long ride. And as you ride, your soul will be refreshed, your Spirit fed, and your heart made glad. May every mile you ride fuel your faith and flood out any fear.
Declaration of Faith for a Long Ride
Dear Lord, You promise me peace that would surpass all my understanding, the peace that would guard my heart and my mind. Lord, as I suit up, boot up, and mount up on my bike, I lay aside every worry, situation, and circumstance that is weighing my heart down. Lord, ride with me, speak to be, cover me and love all my worries and concerns away. Lord, help my mind rest in you, dwell in you as I take this long ride, and remember that I am held safely in your hands and safe with you. Amen
If this post ministered to youor encourage you in any way, please share with your fellow Wind Sisters.
May the Joy of the Lord instantly become your strength to encourage you to overcome any fears that you might experience. Remember, in our daring to be brave, when we throw caution to the wind, casting our cares in Faith upon Him through the ride. Peace, love, and joy are set loose in the atmosphere, and it permits other riders to do the same. Allowing us to all rejoice in knowing we have triumphant victory in Riding the Good Ride of Faith.
Be strong and of good courage, LaShaun and Mrs. Cavatica
Sometimes you just need to ride… Nowhere in particular… Just ride. I found myself needing to take a quick spin on my Spyder, Mrs. Cavatica, this hot, sunny Thursday afternoon. But before taking off, I felt a little discombobulated, detached, if you might say from my bike and the ride. So I took a moment to connect with her… sit for a moment and look over her controls and feel the throttle in my hand (I noticed I forgot my gloves).
LA & Mrs. Cavatica
I took a quick mental picture of my route and centered my thoughts on what Mrs. Cavatica and I were about to embark on. For this day, ordered up a short solo “reconnect” ride around our neck of the woods.
Instantly! I was reminded how unattached we are to life. We move through everything like a scroll or flick of the finger. As my late grandmother would say, we treat anything as if it all needs immediate attention vs. stopping to smell the coffee.
So, I stopped and took a moment, and reminded myself to slow it down. Connect with this beautiful hot, sunny Texas day because someone didn’t rise to see it. And enjoy the beautiful bike that allows me the 3 wheel freedom of riding the open roads with Fearless Faith.
I heard it said… “Life is not about the destination. It’s all about the journey.” Well, the same could be said for riding 3 wheels… “The ride is not about the destination. It is all about living in the moment of the 3 wheel journey.
Declaration of Faith for Taking in Moments
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving me this moment to be still and know you are God. Slow my heart to beat in rhyme with yours and quite my mind to hear your voice. Allow me to be present in the gift of riding the open road. Father, slow me down that I may see all that you are and all that you are doing around me.
Psalm 46:10, 37:7-9 Romans 12:2, Hebrew 3:7,
May the Joy of the Lord instantly become your strength to encourage you to overcome any fears that you might experience. Remember, in our daring to be brave, when we throw caution to the wind, casting our cares in Faith upon Him through the ride. Peace, love, and joy are set loose in the atmosphere, and it permits other riders to do the same. Allowing us to all rejoice in knowing we have triumphant victory in Riding the Good Ride of Faith.
If this post ministered to you or encourage you in any way, please share with your fellow Wind Sisters.
Be strong and of good courage, LaShaun and Mrs. Cavatica
I must say, “I envy the photos of mountain views our fellow Wind Sister Warriors have when riding their bikes in different parts of the country. I often find myself riding the picturesque post of their weekend rides and adventures mentally with them. I have always been drawn to mountains views and captivate by them. I often imagine them being created as God walked the earth. For me, Mountains are reminders of how small we are and how big our God is. Here in Texas we have The Hill Country, and it is beautiful, but snowcapped mountains that reach the heavens? We have not.
The Texas Hill Country
There are so many scriptures in the bible about mountains. The bible tells us in Exodus 3:9-10, 12 that God speaks from mountains. Maybe this is why we feel drawn to them, or find ourselves sitting before them pondering life. Because when all hope is lost or life changing decisions have to be made, or we need a reminder of the one who created all things big and small, we find ourselves standing before them sit before them, or in some cases riding through them.
Scene Yellowstone’ Season 2 Finale Cast: John Dutton’s Dad
I also find myself drawn to movies with mountain landscape views, like Kevin Costner’s, Yellowstone. You often find when the characters have difficult decisions to make or tuff conversations to have, you see them sitting before the Creators mountains. I love this touching scene in Yellow Stone between Kevin Costner’s Character, John Dutton and his father, John Dutton Sr., played by prolific and beloved actor, Dabney Coleman.
In the flash back scene, John tells his father that he will miss him but Dutton Sr. tells him “No you won’t” you will miss “what I was a long time ago.” He says that at his age, he will miss being young and being able to “see the look of wonder in his grandchildren’s eyes.” As they sit before the grand Mountains of their ranch, Dutton Sr. recalls all the things he will miss. John puts his arm around his dying father and holds him close, as they sit before the mountains of Yellowstone. I pondered this scene often, because in early episode’s John Dutton Jr. mentions that their property is the size of Rhode Island, which by google research is 776k acres. They could have went anywhere on their land, as John Dutton Sr. final moments were drawing near. But John Dutton Sr. wanted to sit before the mountains before he passes away.
Beloved, every life has been assigned mountains to climb. These mountains, at times, may seem too steep for us to climb, but God has promised us that he will help us climb these mountains, ride through our mountains, or over our mountains, or give us faith and grace to sit or stand before our mountains.
As women of faith, we wear many hats and often ride with the pressures of life such, financial pressures, job stress, marital problems, children giving us problems or family issues as our passengers. So the next time you find yourself riding through mountains… stop, pull over and take a moment to declare Psalm 121:2-8 over your life and the problems of life that tend to weigh us down.
Declaration of Faith for Mountains
The world may turn to the psychiatrist, the psychic and the politicians for help, but my help comes from the Creator of heaven and Earth. My destiny is fixed, and I am resolved to attain it. The One who watches over me is tenacious. He never sleeps or even blinks and eye. I am shielded from all evil. My father watches over my coming and my going, and everything in between both now and forevermore!
What are some of your Mountains? How can I Pray for you today?
If this post ministered to you or encourage you in any way, please share with your fellow Wind Sisters.
May the Joy of the Lord instantly become your strength to encourage you to overcome any fears that you might experience. Remember, in our daring to be brave, when we throw caution to the wind, casting our cares in Faith upon Him through the ride. Peace, love, and joy are set loose in the atmosphere, and it permits other riders to do the same. Allowing us to all rejoice in knowing we have triumphant victory in Riding the Good Ride of Faith.
Be strong and of good courage, LaShaun and Mrs. Cavatica
New Color! by BOHN Body Armor, All-Season Airtex Armored Riding Shirt in Black and White with Icon Airflite Helmet in White Gloss with dark Smoke Icon Aitflite Face Shield.
Turning 54 this year and finally feeling confident in my ability to ride my F3T Can-Am Spyder, Mrs. Cavatica. I decided to be done with playing small and shrinking back when it comes to what I like and how I want to express what I like. As a Wife, Mother, and Grandmothers I have done my job well when it comes to supporting and encouraging others to live out loud and do so unapologetically.
It is what Women of Faith do but in doing so, we forget about ourselves. We tend to play it safe when it comes to expressing ourselves through style beyond the dreams we have, late in the midnight hour….dare I say Stylish Riding Gear?
Beloved, this is our time and season! Who says you can’t look stylish and safe when riding your Spyder, Ryker, or Rally?
Let’s face it! Our bikes are sexy as heck and full of personality, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with looking good and having your gear put together by making a Personal Gear Lookbook.
What is a Lookbook? Essentially a Lookbook is a portfolio of your gear collection. A visual diary-style of different looks or styles that you like. Think of it as your personal gear inventory, a visual guide to keeping track of all the gear you have purchased and how many way you can coordinate and style how to wear them.
Vintage Cruiser look: Styles by Road Runner Travel
Making a Personal Gear Lookbook is a great way to keep track of all the gear you purchase and how many ways you can wear them based on riding season as well. Also, you can see the endless style possibilities of what you can wear when you have three or more jackets, a staple pair of riding jeans, tall boot or mid cafe boot, and a riding shoe.
Creating a Personal Gear Lookbook is simple. Start by deciding what color theme you want to wear or what colors look best on you. Use your bike as an inspiration; for example, my bike Mrs. Cavatica is white with black accents and has just a splash of red on the frunk grill and tire wheel caps. White and black, are my main colors when it comes to my riding gear and sometimes I add in a little splash of Red, I can also play with shades of gray and silver.
Start by taking pictures of all the riding gear you have purchased, organize the photos using an Instagram photo grid. You can also choose to print them out, and create a scape book of some sorts…It is totally up to you!
Can-Am Spyder F3T in Oxford Bluewith color coordinated Helmet, Jacket and blue denim riding jeans
Here are a few of my favorite Gear looks based on riding seasons here in Texas.
Fall Lookbook
I absolutely LOVE! This look! The Harley-Davidson Women’s Arterial Abrasion-Resistant Denim Riding Jacket with Black Leather Sleeves. Rolled Denim Riding jeans, low-mid riding boot with the Icon Airflite Hemet Stealth MIPS in Mate Black and Gloss Black with RST Silver Face Shield.
Winter Lookbook
Baby it’s cold outside! And there is nothing more flattering then a Black Leather Riding Jacket that hugs you when its chilly outside. This Athena Women’s Jacket by Street & Steel not only hugs you, protects you, and keeps you warm. It stands apart from the crowd, and will rock with you no matter the occasion, on or off the bike. You can NEVER! go wrong with a stylish Black Leather Riding Jacket….Throw in a Tall Black Leather Riding Boot and its definitely a date on, and off the road.
Spring Lookbook
So you just want to go out for a quick ride to feel the cool, brisk spring breeze on your face, but not on your bones? This Speed and Strength Cat Out’a hell 2.0 Armored Hoody in Black and White. Paired with the Icon Airflite Helmet Stealth MIPS in Mate Black and Gloss Black with Dark Smoke Face Shield will definitely turn heads at stop lights.
Riding for the slide doesn’t have to be boring; you can look stylish for the slide as well. After all, the bikes we ride are gorgeous and extend our personality and inner Sister Warrior. Remember! God did not create you to be boring or to be like anyone else. You are the only you there will ever be. God made you unique, special and one of a kind, psalms 139:14 says we are fearful and wonderfully made and there is nothing wrong with looking good, and stylishly safe while riding your bike.
So pull out all your gear, Yes! all your gear, even the stuff you have hidden from your spouse or significant other lol and get started creating your own Riding Gear Lookbooks and remember…..
May the Joy of the Lord instantly become your strength to encourage you to overcome any fears that you might experience. Remember, in our daring to be brave, when we throw caution to the wind, casting our cares in Faith upon Him through the ride. Peace, love, and joy are set loose in the atmosphere, and it permits other riders to do the same. Allowing us to all rejoice in knowing we have triumphant victory in Riding the Good Ride of Faith.
If this post ministered to you or encourage you in any way, please share with your fellow Wind Sisters.
Be strong and of good courage, LaShaun and Mrs. Cavatica
“I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it. People think pleasing God is all God cares about. But any fool living in the world can see it always trying to please us back.” ― Alice Walker
1985 The Color Purple: Directed by Steven Spielberg.
I love this scene from the movie The color purple. Cecily, played by American actor, Whoopies Goldberg and Shug Avery played by American actress Margaret Avery, walking through a field of purple flowers. When Shug explains why a person should stop and notice something that God has designed and created to capture our attention, like the color purple.
A few weeks ago, I saw a post on the Women of On-Road Facebook Group that caught my attention. It was a poem by Kare Gray entitled “Counting My Blessings.” I call it A Color Purple Post because it captured my attention when I needed a gentle reminder of God’s Grace, Mercy, and Unfailing love for me….Enjoy!
Kare Gray, is from Surrey British Columbia and rides a Can-Am Ryker Rally 900
Counting My Blessings
by Kare Gray
I can count my blessings on both hands which is many more than some others can.
There was a time when my legs gave out, and a wheelchair is what I thought would help. But because I live in a world that’s ahead, surgery put me on my feet instead!
I have the blessings of two special beings, my beautiful daughters, who share my own feelings. A bond of love that will last forever and stay in our hearts forever and ever.
A sister and family that were always there in my dark and deep moments of despair. All them I will always place in my heart. There will be nothing that will ever pull us apart.
Also the blessing of a man who’s heart is pure, who will love me until the end I am so sure. Who I will love forever and more because this man is the one I surely adore.
My home that I own is a place of solitude, where I am most comfortable no matter the mood. Where gardens grow by my own hand, making life a brilliant spectrum of love of land. Away from the crowd and with nature itself, I can’t imagine being anywhere else.
Friends and family all around me today, so many names, too many to say. But all of them play a very large part of making me live with a very full heart.
My pets that I care for in my home are always there, so I’m never alone. Always willing to give their affection with such vigor and love, never rejection.
The work that I do is considered important! I am helping humanity and being supportant. I love what I do, and I do it well. Which is a blessing that makes my heart swell.
Well that is eight, and I know there is more. With the life that I have so much more to explore. I thank God from the heavens above for giving me all the things I so dearly love.
I Thank God from the heavens above for giving me all the things I so dearly love
Kare Gray
May the Joy of the Lord instantly become your strength to encourage you to overcome any fears that you might experience. Remember, in our daring to be brave, when we throw caution to the wind, casting our cares in Faith upon Him through the ride. Peace, love, and joy are set loose in the atmosphere, and it permits other riders to do the same. Allowing us to all rejoice in knowing we have triumphant victory in Riding the Good Ride of Faith.
If this post ministered to you or encourage you in any way, please share with your fellow Wind Sisters.
Be strong and of good courage, LaShaun and Mrs. Cavatica
An attitude of gratitude brings joy! – Deborah Herbert
Meet fellow wind sister, Deborah Herbert from Myakka City, Florida
Deborah with her Can-Am Ryker “Hwin” or as she likes to call her…”Whinnie!”
Deborah posted a beautiful painting of a Ryker last week in the Women of On-Road Facebook Group. I was blown away by it and immediately intrigued at the fact that she was the Artist. As wind sisters, we are more then what we ride, we are Beautiful – Proverbs 31:25-26, Inspirational – Isaiah 40:28-31 and Grounded – Ephesian 3:16-19 and that should be acknowledge and celebrated. Today I would like to introduce you to Deborah, her Ryker, her Passion and her Faith.
Painting of Hwin, better known as Whinnie, Deborah’s Ryker 900
So Deborah, before we jump into specific questions about being an Artist, why don’t you give us some details about you and your Ryker. Does your bike have a name? How did your bike get its name?
First…Thanks for the sweet conversation opportunity! My Ryker does have a name! Based upon a character from one of my favorite Christian authors, it is named after the talking horse (mare) from the C.S. Lewis Narnia series….meet “Hwin” or as I call her…”Whinnie”!
She has been modified with the heavy duty sway bar, end links, full windshield, flashing brake lights, Shad bag, Knee pads, Nelson Riggs large Commuter bag, Maxmount Rack, Convex Mirrors, Tank Protector, Hand Guards and Wind Hand Guard Protectors, foam grips, wrist guard, full brake pedal, extended reverse bar, radiator protector plate and lots of white accent pieces. She also sports a winged horse on her white hood that I painted and had made into a large decal. I installed everything except the sway bar and links.
Meet “Hwin” or as Deborah likes to call her…”Whinnie”!
Tell us about yourself? How long have you been Riding? Do you have any previous experience with? Can-Am bike or motorcycles?
I was married right after I graduated from college at 20 many moons ago with my art and teaching degree, and my husband got me started right off with a Honda 200CL. I moved up quickly. to a 360, a 400, a 500 and had several 650’s and then a 900. I stopped riding 10 years ago, because so many riders were dying riding on our increasingly busy roads, with many more distracted drivers. But then, a year and a half ago my husband pulled in the driveway on a Ryker 900 he had just bought! (yes…there were still two other bikes of his in the garage, including a Ninja 1000!) I took one look and said…” Get OFF! I gotta ride this!” The very next day we were at the dealership and I purchased my own Ryker 900 from Ray the manager and a super great guy. Hubby and I both got excellent deals because both were “as new demo bikes”. Mine had less than 75 miles on it! My husband rode mine home through highly congested city traffic out to our home in the country…and I’ve ridden it ever since!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has riding been an easy path overall and if not, what were the Faith of fear challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Because I started riding at a young age and we even did some traveling together, solo and two up…riding never really caused me any real concerns. Even after sliding on a graveled curve, and almost going off a mountain on the Blue Ridge Highway, and driving three days in pouring rain on Interstates on my fully loaded bike! (Camping gear, the works…. geesh!) But…. after ten years off, and now being retired and wise, lol…I definitely have changed up some things! I started slow, around my neighborhood. Then through the state park a mile from our house, then short breakfast runs, then some solo breakfast runs to meet friends. At this point I’m ready for some full day rides in the fall…. but for now, the morning rides are best before the Florida afternoon rains and the heat index goes over 100! I also gear up completely! Boots, leather half chaps and gloves, Mesh Riding jacket and Air Hit Vest, Full Face Helmet.
Please tell us about your Artwork and Art Studio
Now that I’ve retired from being a public-school art teacher at a Visual and Performing Arts Middle School, I’m pursuing developing my art business full time instead of just over summer breaks! I have a dedicated website with a sales platform, I follow a marketing strategy and am slowly building a following and collectors. I specialize in Equine themes, also Western Art, Landscapes and Florals. I also create custom pet portraits and barn/home portraits…and lol, as you know…. I’ve painted my Ryker 900 Whinnie!!! The horses are very special and spiritual to me. I have a steady vision in my mind of Christ returning to earth on a white horse as written in the Book of Revelation. My own small herd of horses inspire me as well as the beautiful wild Mustangs of our Western states.
Deborah with her mare. Photographer Credit: Misty Images
What are the most significant memories of your childhood, and how did they shape you as a Women?
My childhood was rough. I had a roof over my head and clothes…but a mother who was emotional distant and verbally, psychologically and sometimes physically abusive. My siblings were loved and adored…I was ignored, made the scapegoat or marginalized. I was a great student. (Top 10%), extremely introverted and an artist at a young age. My dear father was also an artist. But never painted seriously until he retired and was inspired by my attendance in studio classes in college. I got my first job at age 15 as a waitress and hostess at a Holiday Inn near us so I could save money to get away to college (which I received a faculty scholarship for and skipped two years, this was totally the hand of God) …I’ve worked full time ever since. (With a short three year break at raising our wonderful daughter.) At age 18 I had basically decided to commit suicide…but I picked up a book called “From Prison to Praise”. It saved me, literally. I surrendered my life to Jesus right then and have been thankful for every moment that led me to him ever since. He has NEVER failed providing for and sustaining me, even in times of great fear and trials.
What has been the Best Ride you and your bike has shared to date?
I love hopping on my Ryker and riding the back country roads to meet friends for breakfast, or a quick riding date with my husband. Seeing several Ryker’s parked in front of a country restaurant always gets people interested!
Describe how you feel when riding your bike on the open road in 3 words?
Protected (by God), Peaceful (Quiet Time) Purposeful (No wasted moments, all Gifts).
If you could share a “Message of Faith” or “Pearls of Road Wisdom” with a new rider, what would. it be?
Preparation and Knowledge are your friends. A degree of safety only occurs with both! Get to know your bike intimately, take out the manual and read it, watch Ryker Rydes You Tube Videos, practice at slow speeds before faster speeds. GEAR UP! Ride for the slide…. just have a chat with someone who has been hit by a car. My husband was hit by a drunk driver when he was a teen, he still has the rod in his leg from the break in seven places. His helmet saved his life. I wear full gear including a High Viz Air Hit Vest for safety, and I just bought Kevlar pants for those longer cooler season rides. Then…pray before you ride, and don’t ride faster than your angels surrounding you! (In other words, don’t ever be pressured into taking unnecessary risks) and thank the Lord for a safe arrival back home! An attitude of gratitude brings joy!
Adventures of Fearless Faith 