PM Lights Out

I had a great time suffering at the NEW Orrville CX race. This race could hold a lot of racers on it at one time. I loved this course cause it was so hard and no time to catch a breath. I was told a UCI course has more off camber turns or just more turns to make it more technical. That would be great for me cause I am starting to like turns in cross. I think I have got a handle on turns now and hope I can do more races with or without both eyes, I don't think I could do them being dizzy though.

PM came to the race today and I was disappointed when he said he was going to race with Texas Roadhouse again. Thats ok though I am happy for him. He is a great guy, then I went up to him after the race and asked him if he would come back next week to the Orrville race, can't believe I asked him. A race with PM will always turn the lights out for sure. Shawn Adams also made it hard as well, working with PM to make sure I wouldn't catch back on. Those guys are great and I hope to get better if and when my eye clears up.

I was pretty sore after working for only two and a half hours the day before making the course better than what it was. Thanks to dad for the right stuff and for everyone else that made this course come together. Awesome course I wouldn't change a thing. I did say that I didn't like it as much as the other course but that is because it was flat and had lots of turns to it. I am used to that kind of course and the UCI courses are like that I was told but more open. I am starting to Love CX and it shows now if I can learn how to bunny hop those barriers like Barry Wicks, boy am I dreaming. I think I have enough things going on right now, first get my eye better and then lose the weight.

Continue to Pray

I have been trying to keep up with Church Bible study and everyday prayer concerns that I have received. Please Lord help everyone in need, as I have learned no prayer is to small and no prayer is to great, so pray for all.

Things are going great with bible study and our 40 days of community projects. I have a new one for next year or sooner than that. Please pray that all know that OCC is trying to help out the community in some way meeting the needs of those in need.

With life flying by me so fast and lots of plans to do this week, I am almost at a stand still now. I have had a fog or out of focus left eye since Monday night and I did have dizziness and headaches, so I am glad they are gone. The fog still remains in my left eye but I hope the Dr. is right and it will go away with the eye drops, thanks Steph for the sample eye drops. The Dr. ruled out everything which is good and did say I have a little bit of a inflammation in the left eye. I have been blessed with perfect vision up to my 4th grade year and with the help of glasses till now. I really would like to see again Lord if it be your will. Just now sensing more dizziness so please pray that will be completly gone as well as the headaches. I can live with everything but it would take some time getting us to it.

A couple of my plans were to go with my Bible study group and help the least of these, a program for feeding the homeless in the big city. Also going to see Josh Short, I mentioned him in the last blog. The community has really helped out with going up to see Josh and the school worked out a program so they could take the kids up to see him. I wanted to go up this week but I think resting would be better since I have been trying to work. I am not riding my bike to work either and I gained some weight quickly, must be stress.

Last night Caylin puked all over her bed and is running a temp. Becky woke me up cause Caylin wanted a kiss from Daddy. God is good all the time and He will help us get through times like these. I pray that I learn from these things going on, for healing and for peace of mind in all things. Love you Lord God and thank You for all the blessings you have given to me. In Jesus name Amen.

Something no child should have to go through

Something no child should have to go through

ORRVILLE -- Among the many sentences I never figured I'd type, how about this one? Manny Ramirez makes perfect sense.

Here's one I wish I never had to type: A young man, instead of getting ready to play the game he's always dreamed of, is fighting for his life.

Manny, of course, was "being Manny" when, with Boston down 3-1 to the Indians in the ALCS, said that the end result didn't matter.

"It's only a game," he said, and for that, he was laughed at, questioned, even vilified by people a lot smarter than myself.

This column was supposed to be about Wooster and Orrville's football rivalry. In a way, I guess, it still is.

But it's more about what is really important.

Like Josh Short.

Josh is 17 and a junior at Orrville High. As the starting center on the football team, he was supposed to spend Thursday night tossing and turning in his bed, wondering how the biggest game in his life would turn out.

Instead, Josh was rushed to Akron Children's Hospital on Tuesday. Wednesday morning, he was diagnosed with leukemia.

And, Thursday he started CHEMOTHERAPY.

GO THROUGH THAT, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE WOOSTER-ORRVILLE GAME DOESN'T MEAN THAT MUCH.

ASK ORRVILLE HEAD COACH DOUG DAVAULT, A FATHER WITH CHILDREN OF HIS OWN.

WHEN YOU'RE A HEAD COACH -- AND THE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH IN A TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY LIKE ORRVILLE -- "YOU LOVE YOUR PLAYERS LIKE THEY WERE MY OWN KIDS."

DAVAULT TOLD ME THIS ON WEDNESDAY, WHICH TURNED INTO THE LONGEST, MOST TRYING DAY OF HIS LIFE.

LIKE ANY SANE, RATIONAL HUMAN BEING -- EVEN MANNY RAMIREZ -- DAVAULT HAD NO PROBLEM PUTTING A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME IN THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE.

AS A FATHER, HE HAS ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE. AS A COACH, STILL ANOTHER.

"YOU WANT TO FIX THINGS AND MAKE THEM RIGHT, AND IT'S IN THE HANDS OF OTHERS, AND YOU FEEL HELPLESS," DAVAULT SAID. "YOU'RE THERE FOR SUPPORT, AND TO DO WHAT YOU CAN TO HELP, BUT WE'VE GONE THROUGH THE WHOLE GAMUT HERE.

"YOU FEEL SORRY AND THERE'S TEARS, AND THEN YOU GET MAD AND WANT TO FIGHT, AND THEN, WHEN YOU THINK PRACTICALLY, YOU ASK WHAT DOES THE FAMILY NEED FROM US? ALL OF US WENT THROUGH THOSE PHASES IN LIKE A 10-TO-12-HOUR TIMEFRAME.

"YOU LOOK AT JOSH, AND YOU CAN'T HELP BUT THINK ABOUT EVERYTHING THIS KID, THIS YOUNG KID, IS GOING THROUGH AND GETTING READY TO GO THROUGH," DAVAULT ADDED. "YOU WONDER HOW YOU WOULD RESPOND."

JOSH'S PARENTS, LARRY AND KAREN, WANTED DAVAULT TO COME TO THE HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY ON TUESDAY NIGHT.

IT'S EVERY COACH'S -- AND PARENT'S -- NIGHTMARE.

BUT, WHEN A 17-YEAR-OLD RESPONDS THE WAY JOSH SHORT DID, WELL, AS A COACH, THOSE LESSONS YOU SO STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT SPORTS TEACH ABOUT HANDLING ADVERSITY, THE LESSONS YOU TRY TO TEACH EVERY DAY AND WONDER IF THE KIDS ARE EVEN PAYING ATTENTION, THE PROOF IS RIGHT THERE, LYING IN A HOSPITAL BED.

THAT'S DAVAULT'S PROOF -- LIVING PROOF.
SO, IS THE WOOSTER-ORRVILLE GAME IMPORTANT? YOU BET.
IS IT EVERYTHING? NOT CLOSE.

"IT'S JUST A GAME," DAVAULT SAID. "OBVIOUSLY, YOU WANT TO PLAY HARD AND YOU WANT TO WIN, BUT WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO IT, IT'S ENTERTAINMENT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, IT'S A LOT OF FUN TO BE IN, AND IT'S GREAT TO BE ABLE TO DO IT. THAT'S ALL IT REALLY IS.

"THEN, LIFE COMES BACK, THE REAL WORLD, AND THINGS HAPPEN. SOME ARE TOUGH TO TAKE."

ANY COACH, PARENT, FATHER OR FRIEND KNOWS THAT.
JOSH SHORT AND HIS FAMILY KNOW IT BETTER THAN THEY SHOULD HAVE TO.
SO, WHETHER YOU'RE IN RED AND WHITE OR BLUE AND GOLD TONIGHT, YOU SHOULD SAY A PRAYER FOR THE SHORTS.

AND, WHILE YOU TAKE A COUPLE OF HOURS TO CHEER ON YOUR FAVORITE TEAM, DON'T FORGET TO TAKE A MINUTE TO REFLECT ON WHAT REALLY MATTERS.

Orrville CX

Well this is going to be short, very sorry. I have been busy very busy and I want to post about my last two races at Orrville. So here it goes. The first Orrville CX race was almost a no show. Thanks to Jeff coming up and racing and Ed doubling up. Thanks to the Orrville men for making this course the best it's been ever.

After my first CX race I remembered I have to start out as fast as I can no matter who's in the field, Jeff, Ed, and Tricia(sp). So there is only four of us and I know these guys can race. Tricia was there to get ready for the next week, Although I had trouble passing her in the race she is Strong, Look out women!

I was able to get a great start and I felt great about my start passing the clock just under 5 min then the next lap was 10:12 so I was ok with that and then I wrecked with a nice gap bruising my ribs again and re-opening my wound on my arm. I looked like a Paris Rouibax(sp) rider dirty and bleeding. I finished 11 laps under 60 mins so I was some what happy. Thanks to Wes for all the CX advice. http://orrvillecycling.com/OrrvilleCross.php#results

The next Orrville CX race had a better turn out the 2nd weekend. I think it was because the weekend before there were 3 races on the same day, but Ed and Tricia showed up so why didn't more? Just kidding I understand.

Well Cameron came to my house and Caylin wanted me to play with her barbies(sp). So sorry Cam that I wasn't to sociable. Cam and I rode to the race and there was a great turn out today. I can't wait till this coming weekend.

I knew there would be a bigger bunch of riders today. It was near 80 and hot is what I told my wife after coming back to the house before the race. I told Cam it's all about the start at this race, well at least I thought that was true. John Lorson proved us all wrong as he passed so many riders to get 3rd place in the masters. Great job John! I had a perfect start nothing went wrong for me. I was on Steve's wheel and he was on Matt's wheel. We stayed on Matt's wheel for two or 3 laps as he towed us away from all the others except for his teammate Shawn. So at the top of the hill on the first barrier on the 3rd or 4th lap Steve took off and I was right behind him. Shawn or Matt was next. I was able to hold on to Steve's wheel for a lap then we worked together almost the rest of the race. I was having the race of my life! I asked my Dad for time gaps and we thought for sure Shawn was catching us. In the end I finished 12 laps under 64mins with no wrecks and one miracle of a race. Thank you Lord for pushing the pedals for me today.

Come to the next Orrville CX race this Sunday the 28th at 3:15 and Cheer us on. The day starts at 1:30 in the YMCA parking lot. Come bring friends, and walk around, don't forget your boots it will be muddy. Also bring your cameras to get some great pics of muddy teeth. This course will be awesome, wide open everywhere and more pavement than any CX race I done. Drafting will come into play at this course and also bunch sprints, maybe. Looking forward to 1 hr of pain, and muddy teeth.

Top Pic is Bill Marut, had to put that one on the blog. Nice pic Dad!

Thanks Dad for all the Pics and video.

Gideons

God Loves You

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.~John 3:16

But God commendeth his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.~Romans5:8

All Are Sinners

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. ~Romans 3:23

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. ~Romans 3:10

God's Remedy for Sin

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.~Romans 6:23

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. ~John 1:12

All May Be Saved

NowBehold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.~Revelation 3:20

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.~Romans 10:13

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.~John 20:31

My Decision to Receive Christ As My Saviour

Confessing to God that I am a sinner, and believing that the Lord Jesus Christ died for my sins on the cross and was raised for my justification, I now receive and confess Him as my personal Saviour.

Oct. 7th

Today was great spending time in our class and in church. The Lord is working in me so much. I actcually felt smart for a change.... well not really just prepared. Becky and I were door greeters today at the North side of Church. Not to many people came in from those doors so I spent some time talking to some great brothers and sisters of Christ. Then I saw Dean that I play church softball with. If I had the keys I would have locked the door.... I held the door shut till his family came up to the doors then I let them in. I must have looked very helpful with that name tag on cause everyone wanted me to help out today which was fine by me. Ask away I told myself I am here to help.

Bunch of Love going on right now at the church and in our Bible studies that we missed that night. We had planned on going to the Steven Curtis Chapman concert that night. So we missed our friends at bible study but we had a great time at the concert. We met up with Jim and Vicki to eat out before hand and everything went great! We had an awesome time fellowshiping with one another and the concert what so awesome. The Lord had blessed us all with some strong testimonies and music with lyrics of Love toward Him and each other. Thanks to Jim and Vicki Becky and I had a wonderful time. Becky and I will be buying Stevens new CD coming out this Oct. 23rd.

Oct. 6th

Oct 6th and Caylin was happy I was at home when she woke up early in the morning. We had a great morning. My wife said that Grandma and Granny would be coming over this morning so I charged up the I-pod and went for a 3 hr ride. First time in a long time but I Loved it. I kept it in the 53 all day and it was hard going up some of those steep climbs in stark, holmes, and wayne county. I almost didn't make it up one of them but can't remember where that was.

I went on a bunch of dirt roads that I don't remember being on before, so it was great! I had such a great time singing to all my tunes and then about 40 min from home my battery ran out. I only charged it for an hr so I didn't get the full charge but that was ok I put everything away and road in silience the rest of the way home. At one point in the start of my ride I came across a beautiful view wishing I had a camera on me. God had blessed my ride so much today. Thank you Lord so much.

Got home and had some more fun with Caylin. We were wrestling though and she kneed me in the ribs again but this time twice once with each knee real quick. I stll hurt from that and my ribs may never be fully healed cause of so much activity that goes on around or house. I enjoy all of it though, even though it hurt to laugh telling Becky trying to get some sympathy.

Last Night

Last Night I was still tired from the Steven Curtis Chapman concert that took place on Sunday Night. Old age is catching up with me faster than I want it too. So yesterday I did fine eating but when I got home I did great at first and it was later in the night because I had bible study with Tom.

So I started eating good stuff that Becky had made around 6:00pm and after that it went downhill fast. Becky started mowing and then I finished what was left which wasn't much. I did spend some good quality time with Caylin but it can be a lot better than that. I had candy corn, M&M's, and the cookies Caylin and Becky had made.

Ok there was maybe 28 cookies now there is 12. I am bad... very bad. I want to look at the scale and see how bad I did but that won't help me that will only make things worse. So here we go again, I was focused more on food than what God would want me to do. There are so many starving people out there and I come home and eat a weeks worth of food very selfish and not very Loving toward Caylin and Becky cause now there isn't very much left.

Rick Warren

Short Interview with Rick Warren, (PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE) You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having 'wealth' from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren, 'Purpose Driven Life ' author and pastor ofSaddleback Church in California.

In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren,

Rick said:People ask me, What is the purpose of life?

And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven. One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me.I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.

Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort.God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life.

The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness. This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore. Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good an d something bad in your life.

No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems.If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness,'which is my problem, my issues, my pain.'

But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others. We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her.It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people. You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder.

For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy. It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease.So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72

First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases.Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor , care for the sick, and educate the next generation. Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in th e 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free.

We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity? Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?

When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better.

God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do.

That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.
NOW ... PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

Love Life

This past week I rode my bike to work everyday, again. Thank you Lord it was perfect weather to ride. I also did a Orrville cyclocross ride on wednesday with those great Orrville club members. Thanks to them posting the rides. It is so much easier to ride with someone. Caylin and I rode our bikes around the streets where we live. She is really doing good going up and down hills now. Training wheels are still on and I don't plan to take them off until she is older. They slow her down, so that way I can keep up with her. Becky has been working hard as she always does. We have been reading our book by Rick Warren side by side at night before we go to bed.

Things seem to be going good but not great. I have realized I am not doing what God wants me to do. I am doing what I want to do. I need to spend more time with Caylin and Becky when I get home instead of feeding my face with a bunch of junk food. This morning I stopped looking at the scale to show me how much more I need to lose. I am devoting my heart and soul to what God wants me to do. I think I know what that is, the hard part is doing it. I ask for prayer from you that God will be my focus instead of what could be or what hasn't happend yet. Giving myself to God Loving Him and also Loving others. That's what God wants us to do, Love Others that's all. It is so hard to do sometimes but with God all things are possible.

Sept. 30th Get In The Game

In Church we started 40 Days of Community. Where our church goes out and meets the needs of our community. We had a great morning at church worship time and Sunday School class where we really shared our differences out of Love or litterally in Love. We talked about how important it is to know the meaning of Love and how we need to Love others. That is how things happen, out of Love for others. When you Love others as Jesus did there is no greater Love. Our verse for the week is John 13:35 Your Love for one another will prove to the world that you are my discples.

It takes time to have us all work together and get things done in 40 days but with God working through all of us we can get things done. I pray that we all come together and get things done for our community. Something that our church has done is feeding the community once a month and last monday I helped out with that. Such an experience to be a part of. i am so blessed I have a job that I can help support my family for the things we need. Like food, water, and shelter.

That night we had bible study group at our friends house. We had such a great time and everyone in our group is so Awesome. Thanks to Bob, Amy and Jill. Also to any one else that brought the food. We all share our turns each week which is Awesome. Listen to me more food.. food.... food.

Sept. 29th

After the powerman race went home and got ready for church. Saturday night tail gate party at the church with great food and fellowship. Ok so this may be another reason my weight hasn't come down lately, all this great food is killing me. Tail gate party at a church you ask? Where is this church you have parties at. Yep you better come and enjoy while we are here.

Man the food was great anything for your dogs you want. We had like ten grills there... serious. Pick where you wanted to get your dogs. What grill did you want your server you name it. So thanks to all that made the dogs and all the toppings for them as well as tons of sides to add to your mammoth plates.

After all that was said and done Take your pick of Homemade Ice Cream! Yes! I'm in Heaven! No I am still in Orrville and that will put on some pounds. I had two different kinds though and man were they awesome!

After we stuffed ourselves we took Caylin to her classroom and she had fun with her friends. While we went to the sanctuary to have some more fun and games. I had no idea what those football movies were for the guess what movie that is.

Thanks to John, the cooks, and everyone that made everything possible today it was Great.

Westlake

I forgot to tell you about the last Westlake. It was the last Westlake of the year and I wanted to keep things together for the Team cause all of us can place at Westlake. I pulled back everything and did no work in the breaks cause we just didn't have the right #'s up front. Tris is an animal he was awesome tonight, pulling us back and going solo that took several riders to pull him back. Well in the end he made a hard solo effort to get away in the last mile. I pulled him back and 4 RGF riders took money in the top 6 Dave took 1st, Stephan took 3rd, Bob took 5th, and Polo took 6th. I got 8th and was worn out and just one place shy. But I did happen to take some primes which ws great for the Team. Also talking about primes Cameron took a prime after being away for several miles. I should have tried to jump up to him but didn't. Noah and I were doing a great job of keeping others fresh for the end. Although Polo helped pull back Tris in the end as well and still had a great sprint in the end. RGF is going to have some fun next year! I have had so much fun already racing with these guys. It just isn't fair for everyone else.

After the race at Dave's house we had a party for the whole year. Got to spend some great times talking with others and looking at the new uniform's. They will be sweet! Thanks Polo! Thanks to all that helped out with the party and the food was Awesome thanks to Tom. I got home at 10:30 and Caylin was up running around telling me all about her day for a whole hour. Then she hit a wall and was out for only 7 hours but Becky recovered nicely she always does. Almost forgot the coke zero just isn't good enough for after the race so next time I will have to bring Coke Classic. I can't wait to wear those uniforms and they do have yellow on them so you may be able to see us in the pack if we have bright yellow helmets to go with it.

Powerman

Powerman 5 are signed up and 5 showed up. Great day to race, and the payout was going to the top 2 of the five of us. I had a teammate today Anthony Rienzi, great racer very smart and strong. He is only 20 years young so he has a bright future in cycling now with the Tour of America coming to the US. Well they put us with the cat 3 racers and so we had 21 racers together at the start for a quest of only 42 miles not 56. So we started out slow and worked our way to the hilly section of the course. I was back a little and a group of 6 hit the climb hard. I chased them down and waited for my teammate, that didn't need any waiting for later to find that out. I asked him how he felt after the hills and I mentioned to him that he got caught behind the others on the climb. Well after we all got back together Anthony and I were talking about going on the climbs again or to look out for them. 6 of us broke clear and we all worked together perfectly. Anthony was the only cat 3 rider with us how sweet is that. Well I knew Anthony could hold his own with the rest so I attacked several miles before the hills. I thought I would be able to hold them off at one point but they were too strong and they caught me at the base of THE climb. Anthony attacked everyone which hurt me a bit more than others but I caught them on the downhill, I still have that extra weight.

After that 5 of us rolled together for a little bit then Anthony and I started attacking them and it helped in the end cause I just beat the 2nd place rider. Anthony almost broke everyones back in the mile and I thought for sure we would go clear. I should have jumped a couple of times when Anthony did and maybe we would have split them up more in the end. Almost a perfct finish but with both of us winning it all worked out. Great job Anthony!

Also thanks to my Dad and Mom helping me and others get ready,for a great event, and also for Benny Rienzi taking those photos.

Kirtland Race

After early service my Mom, Becky, Caylin, and I went to Kirtland for a cyclocross race. It has been one week and Caylin kneed me in the ribs while we were wrestling a couple of days before that so my ribs still hurt to take deep breathes. I wanted to see how I would do after being 20 pounds lighter than all of last year. Well I was kinda disappointed cause my start was horrible. I was back maybe in 17 place with two groups ahead already forming 20 seconds ahead. This was the race to be up front in cause you could use the draft all day. Well I worked my way back up to the top 10 and I ended up 6th overall but 5th in the A group because Brent was in the 40+ group and he was up front all day. Great job Brent! Thanks to everyone that cheered for me the whole race or parts of it. It was exciting for me to hear Go Jeremy or Grimmy or Daddy all those laps. It helped cause I passed a lot of guys those last 5 laps. I bet my times were faster than in the start of the race. I had forgotten how much I love cyclocross races. Also a special thanks to Mehul Gala for the pics on RGF Solutions website. Thanks to RGF for putting them on the website so I could see them. It turned out to be a really great day when I went up to see what place I got knowing that they were only going to pay to the top 3 I just wanted to see what place I got. I was hoping for top 7 but thought I was 8th - 10th out of 21 starters. When I was going up to look for the results Julie gave me 30 bucks for 5th place YES! I couldn't believe I got 5th place let alone 6th place overall my Mom and Becky were right again. Thank you Lord for an awesome start to my day by worshiping you at church then having some fun on the bike then spending time with family after that. Sorry to those that saw my arm after the race it was really gross looking. My Mom almost lost her breakfast.

This makes my 100th post is that crazy or what?

Need to be Alive in Christ.

Went to Church on Sept 23rd and it was way over due. The word of God lets us know how important it is to be in fellowship with other believers. That could explain my weight gain of 7 pounds or it was from the wreck. I am stuck in a rut again but this time I am 191 pounds not 210 like last year.God rested on the 7th day. I went to church and I sure was filled with the Holy Spirit today. Our Church is hopping, it is so exciting! We are getting prepped up for our 40 days of community by Rick Warren next week. Ouch!!! Just killed a gnat on me, hit my ribs in the process. Struck me funny but now it hurts a little more. So back to Rick Warren, who wrote this book and also 40 days of purpose. Great books but know one is perfect. God's word is where it is at. It helps to read books like Rick Warren's to get some refueled and energized. It is working for me so far looking at the things that help me out. For others and we are in the 6th day now it may be all about Love and may not be as excited. But if you get past the Love part of it the message can be very helpful.

Rick Warren gets everyones attention by starting out with "What Is Love"? Love is a feeling True or False: Love is and action True or False: Love is commitment True or False: I looked at these the first time real quick before the lesson in SS and I said True to all the above. The first one was false and that got our class going. I won't be able to explain how to convince you that Love is not feeling cause I can't explain it to my wife. I do believe it is an action and a commitment an every day thing. Here is my take on it today: If you get caught up in feeling's and say something you didn't want to say or didn't mean them, you just said them because you were upset at the time and no one is perfect. Well true Love forgives what you said because of the commitment you have for one another. My wife and I have said things to each other in the past that wasn't too nice and why do we do it more to the ones we Love? Well we are learning as we are now in our 10th year to be full with Love and we don't have these little spats as much over the years. I am so Blessed that my wife has forgiving me many of times and I don't deserve it. Sort of like how Jesus died on the cross for us and we didn't deserve it but he gave us the Choice of Eternal Life with His Father in Heaven(God). That's why I think it is more of a gift than a feeling. Please tell me what you think. Is it a Feeling, a Gift, an action, a commitment, some of those, none of those, all of the above, more than all of the above. What is Love? Tell me what you think Love is. I'm interested in what you think Love is.

What Is Love?

Last Softball Game

Well here goes everything I got, bruised or cracked ribs and lots of road rash on my arm. Only two days after my wreck and I am not going to sit this one out. It hurt just to yawn or take half of a deep breath but I am going to swing the bat any way. No warm ups just go for it, Here comes the pitch..... what am I doing I must be out of my mind. Needless to say God got me through the night but he reminded me of how stupid it was to try and play. So I guess I won't do ththat again even though it was a little bit of pain. I went 1-2 but had a couple of errors and the other team was ready and they hit the ball all night. I guess they earned it as we got beat up in 6 innings. A couple of days later my ribs couldn't be broke cause they felt a lot better. That same night during the game Don had told me he got hit by a 1200 pound steer and it cracked his ribs so I was glad I hit the crub at 35 mph instead.