I smile

Hi Daddy,

I love you. Daddy come home from work so I can play with you! I want to ride bikes with me daddy. Play games and um watch a bideo and paint. Color um eat.

Were going to go to my haircut. Mommy is going to my haircut they are going to paint her hair.
Talk to you later, bye, bye,
Love you, Caylin

(Caylin dictated this to me!)


I smile everytime I look at this e-mail so I had to post it today. I enjoy getting mail from Becky and Caylin. We have a mail box for Caylin and she loves getting mail. Did I mention she loves to talk on the phone too.

Thank you Lord for Caylin and family.

Racing

This weekend I will be racing my first race of the year and I am not looking forward to it. This will give me some motivation to work hard in the next two months to come. I feel like I am way ahead of last year, but that is mainly because I didn't start riding till the end of March. The Felt bike is totally Awesome this is by far the best bike all around that I have had a chance to ride on.

Our uniforms are also Awesome I like everything about them. They have by far the best shorts made by any one out there. If I would have know we were going to have that much yellow on our uniforms I would have decked my bike out in yellow. Since my bike is supporting white for now I think it will stand out from the rest in the field. I may not do another race until April but we will see after this first one.

My teammates that I have met are the best we all get along really good. I am so glad to be back with this group of guys. I have had great friends with other teams in recent years and friendships that last a lifetime. Orrville was my first team in 2002 and Team Akron was in 2003. Savage Hill was in 2004-2006 with 2006 merging with A&F and Team GodSpeed in 2007 along with RGF. I have learned so much in these past years and have a great understanding what it takes to run a Team. I am so blessed to have raced for so many different teams. I know that this year will be one of the best years of racing and I look forward to this season.

RGF has several guys that were on that team then and are still on this team today. So it has been one of those Orrville family feel type of team. I have been a club member with Orrville every year and the Orrville bike shop is the best bike shop. Roger Amstutz is the owner of Orrville Cycling and Fitness and if anyone knows Roger they know he has a love for riding bikes and knows it is the best way to enjoy exercise. Roger is honest, listens, learns, informs, and loves everyone. Roger is one of a kind. I look forward to growing friendships with all the RGF team members and continue the ones that have been for years.

Record Day

Perfect conditions for riding in SC, I wish I could stay longer. My legs felt fine other than soreness behind my left outside knee and my right inside part of my knee. Both behind the knees. All last night they were uncomfortable and until the ride. I started to loosen them up and they felt better. So I decided since this was my last day in 60 plus weather till June I better go hard for awhile. I still am in shock from my efforts today.

Surprise Ride the 24th of Feb:
Duration: 44:48
Work: 805 kJ
TSS: 42.3 (intensity factor 0.757)
Norm Power: 314
VI: 1.04
Distance: 15.303 mi

Min Max Avg
Power: 0 1024 303 watts
Heart rate: 106 180 166 bpm
Cadence: 30 136 100 rpm
Speed: 3.5 28.3 20.7 mph
Pace 2:07 17:15 2:54 min/mi
Hub Torque: 0 425 96 lb-in
Crank Torque: 0 1343 258 lb-in

Peak 10min (336 watts):
Duration: 10:29
Work: 202 kJ
TSS: 11.9 (intensity factor 0.845)
Norm Power: 351
VI: 1.04
Distance: 3.576 mi

Min Max Avg
Power: 0 1024 336 watts
Heart rate: 105 174 162 bpm
Cadence: 30 136 99 rpm
Speed: 3.5 28.3 21.4 mph
Pace 2:07 17:15 2:48 min/mi
Hub Torque: 0 425 102 lb-in
Crank Torque: 0 1343 293 lb-in

Sunny and 76!!!!!!!

Shorts and short sleeves today, that won't happen till June in Ohio. Great morning ride for 3 hrs and then 2 hrs in a short sleeve skinsuit. I had to show everyone how big I was in the skinsuit and I told then this was as big as I will be. Well no one wanted to see me so they made me hurt the 2nd ride. Thanks to Bob, Martin that is. We had 4 Bob's on the ride, quite interesting. Plow gave me his gu and then he bonked, Goeff took one of his gu's as well so we did a good job of making him hurt, which he needed cause he was so strong. Then Einstein gave me his gatorade but he was to strong to bonk, I tried. I felt very happy with todays rides and couldn't believe my efforts. I may be hooked on this Power tap stuff, now for some money to buy it from Dad. This was also the night Mrs. Fernandez spoiled us all with a meal at the Fernandez's. Thank you all so very much.

Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Fernandez

Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Fernandez for a great time!

Instead of 6 inches of snow, ice, and very cold temps, we spent a very wonderful weekend in SC. The temps were perfect and weather was close to being perfect. The first day I just warmed my legs up. I spent 1:15 in the rain but it wasn't cold at all. The temp was 56 and after the ride I spent time getting all the bikes clean, had to take care of my teammates. I was in shorts that night with heat on the legs. Dad let me use his power tap all weekend to see if I liked what I saw. After the first night we all went out to eat. We all had so much fun meeting everyone and spending time talking about cycling.

I Am a father

I am a father.
I wonder if I am doing good.
I hear from others that I am.
I see a smile on her face.
I want her to love God more anyone or anything.
I am a father.

I pretend that she is a princess.
I feel that she is.
I touch her nose with my nose.
I worry she won't like that as she gets older.
I cry every time she hurts.
I am a father.

I understand that God made her.
I say lets pray together.
I dream for her to marry a prince.
I try not to think about it cause I just want to hold onto her forever.
I hope she will be happy and think of me always.
I am a father.

I Am a son and husband

I am a son and husband.
I wonder if I am a good one.
I hear from others that I am.
I see how happy they are.
I want them to always be that way.
I am a son and husband.

I pretend that I know what they are thinking.
I feel I am doing my best.
I touch there hearts when I do something right.
I worry that I will hurt them.
I cry when they are hurting.
I am a son and husband.

I understand them more than others do.
I say things I regret ever saying to them.
I dream that I am perfect and won't hurt anyones feelings.
I try really hard at loving them.
I hope that they will always love me for who I am.
I am a son and husband.

More on the I Am Poem

Well I have to tell you the I Am Poem came from a very special friend that I would do anything for. He put this on his blog and I couldn't turn down his offer. I wish his family the best in all things. My wife has requested I do another one on a different subject now that I did the most important one. Her request was not one I thought she would say, it was a very selfless request that I will have to do. As for the next I Am Poem, it will be I Am a son and a husband. Then I will do I Am a father, I Am a cyclist, I Am a friend, and I Am a Sinner and a Disciple unless someone wants me to do something different. Shoot me a comment or e-mail and let me know if you did one like I did for Rish. Here is how it all started got to: http://rishfamily.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-am-poem.html

I AM Poem

I am a child of God.
I wonder what God looks like.
I hear of great things God has done.
I see beautiful things God has created.
I want to trust more in God.
I am a child of God.

I pretend God is beside me when I pray.
I feel God continues to change my life.
I touch things God has made.
I worry for people that don't know God.
I cry tears of joy when someone accepts God.
I am a child of God.

I understand that God loves us.
I say things to God that I wouldn't say to others.
I dream of things God would like me to do.
I try to tell others about God.
I hope I can help others go to God.
I am a child of God.

Questions I've Wanted To Ask God!

Orrville Christian Church Presents:

Questions I've Wanted To Ask God!

www.AQuestionforGod.com

Begins Easter Sunday!

If YOU could ask God ONE question, what would It be?

Go to www.AQuestionforGod.com and ask today! Submit your question by Wednesday, February 27th for a chance to have your question answered at Orrville Christian Church. if your question ranks in the top 7, it will serve as a title to one of 7 messages beginning Easter Sunday, March 23rd. You've got questions? The Bible has answers.

Hope you will join us!
Orrville Christian Church / 925 north Elm Street ? Orrville, OH
330-682-3686 / www.orrvillechristian.org

Do YOU Have A Question?

Time to do something

Ok this post should have been posted in October when I stopped riding my bike. I have rode my bike a total of 50 hours since then which is about 2 hrs a week. I had a week of 15 hrs in Dec. but nothing since. Last year I didn't start riding till the end of March and my first race was the RATL. This year I will really see how much it feels like to jump on the bike and just race. I always seem to get to 210 each winter but I know how to tackle that problem. I just don't like doing it year after year.

I have really been kicking myself around, knowing how much God would like me to have my body be more of a temple for Him. I have also enjoyed helping out at the Church each weekend, watching those kids have fun and learn more about basketball.

So now it is time to get down to business in the cycling sense. This is just a hobby for me and it is fun only when you don't wreck. I do it for a better reason than fun, I do it because God has given me a gift of racing or competing. In return I try and do my best to let others know about Jesus and how much He needs to be a part of all of our lives. Plus my wife told me to get on the bike so you know I am over weight and lazy. She will win and I will get on the bike Monday for an hour and then ride hard for 15 mins on tuesday during my two hour ride in the basement. That also means I will have set a record for most time on the bike in the basement in the last two years. In the fall of 2006 I didn't ride, and all of 2007 I rode 30 mins. So in 2008 things may be a lot different, but one thing is for sure I will be lighter than any year since i started racing in 2002.

Love others more than your self

Sometimes we just have no clue. Always try to be thoughtful of others. The bible says to love others more than your self it is time we start sharing it with others more.

Nicest Prayer I Have Heard In A Long Time...

Lord, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprhension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Lord, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

If you send this to 5 others, then you have a chance to touch 5 lives.

Working for God on earth doesn't pay much......but His retirement plan is out of this world.

Pray for our soliders

Pray for Doug's safety. Had to post this picture to give a reminder to the ones that look at this blog.

Give Life With Your Words

Before you read this I just want others to know, especially christians, how much I struggle with lifting others up. Why do we hurt the ones we love the most? The bible tells us to encourage one another, please forgive me Lord for I have not been a good encourager.

I know so many people that are great encouragers and I thank all of you that help me day by day. Everyone please read this and live by it, be an encourager today. It may save someones life.


Give Life With Your Words
by Jon Walker



Words kill, words give life; they?re either poison or fruit ? you choose. (Proverbs 18:21 MSG)


You have the power to kill or give life.


Yes, you, gentle reader ? a follower of Christ ? are capable of murder, and so am I. We can speak death with our words, or we can speak life.


Perhaps you?ve been on the other side of the killing kind of messages: ?You?re not smart enough. You?re not thin enough. You?re not fast enough. You?re not good enough. A real Christian wouldn?t think such a thing.?


In a world where people are beat up and put down, God gives you superhero power to punch through the negativity. You speak life to others when you say: ?You matter to me. I like you just the way you are. You?re human, anyone could think that. Your life counts. You were created for a purpose. God loves you, and you?re incredibly valuable to him.?


Your words may be the only encouraging thing some people hear in a day, or a week, or a month. You ? yes, you ? can become the voice of God?s grace in the lives of others, supporting, loving, helping, and encouraging with the words that flow from your mouth. (Romans 14:19b)


In the New Testament, the word ?encouragement? often means ?to come alongside.? We?re to come alongside one another, ?building each other up,? just as the Holy Encourager comes alongside us to teach us and remind us of the way of Jesus. (John 14:26)


We become encouragers when we stop looking down and start looking up (Colossians 3:2) ? the need and opportunity for encouragement is everywhere. ?Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us,? (Romans 15:2a MSG) and this ?will build them up.? (Romans 15:2b NLT)


So, how about it? Will you become today a consistent source of encouragement to those around you? It?s a choice on your part. You can lift a person?s spirit, change the atmosphere of your office, or lighten the burden of someone in your small group. The Bible says we should ?look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.? (1 Thessalonians 5:15b MSG)


What does this mean?


? Commit to encouragement ? Make a choice to build up the people around you. Fill your conversations with phrases like: ?I believe in you,? ?I?m grateful for you,? ?I see God using you,? ?I appreciate you,? and ?I?m glad you?re in my life.? The Bible says we should ?encourage one another and build each other up.? (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)


? Value others ? An encourager works hard at bringing the best out in others. Value people by understanding they are valuable to God. He encourages you in spite of the failings in your past; he believes in you in spite of those annoying, little things you excuse in yourself but criticize in others. J (Quite honestly, this thought compels me to give grace to others.)


? Be encouraged ? Encourage yourself, for ?there is good news of great joy for all people, and his name is Christ the Lord.? (Luke 2:8-10)

I'm In OCC

I Love our Church! The family is growing and I'm In OCC. John had got us started with a motto, I'm In OCC. From what I can remember a year ago we were to sign a board that said I will do my best to do this and that or anything to help our church family and community out. Well I haven't done much but I am improving in some ways. I pray that I will be more focused on what God wants me to do. I have been so out of focuse for a long time and continue to be but I try hard for Him everyday. Some days I just wish I could start over just like Groundhogs Day, the movie.

One thing that keeps me on track is the people I surround myself with. I can't do it with out them. God puts people in our lives so that we can stay strong and focused. John Mulpas had shared with us some facts about Redwoods.

The root system of the redwood tree is surprisingly shallow, especially given the great height the mature tree attains. There is no tap root and the other roots may reach no deeper than 6-12 feet. The major roots are about 1 inch in diameter, and they typically spread 50 to 80 feet. One way in which the trees are able to remain upright for millennia is by growing close together with other redwood trees, intermingling root systems. In the picture below a number of redwoods crowd together in a typical grove. Go to this link to see it;

http://www.shannontech.com/ParkVision/Redwood/Redwood2.html

So just like Redwoods we need to stay close to each others lives so we can work together to stay strong. Just like in cycling also if you have 3 teammates against one opponent the team should have a big advantage.

LUKE 10:27;

The expert 1 answered, “Love 2 the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, 3 and love your neighbor as yourself.” 4