Merry Christmas

Praise The Lord! I know what is wrong with my eye and if it gets worse I can have surgery done to it. Tiny Cataract in my left eye so it is just some vision loss that I can handle. Sometimes I still have dizzy spells and headaches but am very happy that we found out the problem. It only took 2 months instead of 4 years so that is a major plus.

Here with family in fairborn and we opened up presents this morning. Kids had a blast so we will be playing all day. My brother is engaged and I have never seen him this happy. Thank you Lord for all of our blessings.

The Result

Thanks for the prayers and emails and comments. Doctor told me I had a water cleft in my left eye. This was better for him to tell me, instead of Cataracts because he doesn't want to repair an eye that has slight damage at my age. More to come when I have time to post... Thanks again

Upward and Onward

Upward Basketball is going on at our church. This is for young kids who just want to have a great time playing basketball. My mom was in charge of finding prayer partners for 100 days of prayer for Upward Basketball. Overall we have 110 people praying for Upward but could be more. I pray about Upward everyday and hope that everything goes great for the kids. It is all about having fun, not how good you can be. Don't get me wrong, you strive to be the best but be good sportsman and help all others to have fun as well.

In the years I have been cycling I have tried to do this but I am not perfect. One time in St. Albans I was so happy I won I couldn't help but to scream for joy,.... more than once. I gave God all the glory for helping me to win over two major teams of more than 3 riders on each team. Four of those 7 riders trying to beat me have been pros. Also I did the same thing at Miamisburg but we had the same numbers, two against two.

So why do we do these things and get caught up in all the emotion? Satan wants us to destroy others and make sure we pound each other into the ground. God wants us all to have fun and enjoy each others talents and work together. I have found out over the years that I have had
pure joy when I have worked just as equal as other riders and ended up beating the odds, instead of having joy in the moment and wishing I wouldn't have done them.

I share everything with my family they support me and love me as do I. They get to hear all the real stuff that goes on in cycling such as being spit on because I am not wanted in their group. I also remember a time when someone caused a wreck and I couldn't believe all that had happend, so I let the gentleman know. I have never felt so bad about doing that in my entire life, it wasn't even his whole fault.

In the end you get rewards for what took place from the same team members of the rider that spit on you saying "how great you did" or "I really respect you for riding against all 11 of us and beating the odds" things like this are said because God wants you to here them or receive them. God has given me so much and I thank Him for all of these things. Surprises are the best of all. Even when the rider that spits on you says after all that has happend wants you to race with them next year and you already turned them down without knowing.Thank you Jesus!

GodSpeed

MRI

MRI came back normal. Thanks for the Prayers.

Days to pray

Thanks to everyone that has sent me e-mails or posted comments. Prayers always helps no matter the outcome. Well I have two appointments coming so pray for these days and times. But first continue to pray for my family to have a peace of mind, and for whatever it is causing loss of my peripheral vision as well.

The date for the MRI is Dec. 10th at 3:20pm. My Neuro-Ophthalmology Doctors appointment is Dec.18th at 1:00pm. Pray that I will be focused on God and not the problem durning the next few weeks. More importantly I am having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit, so I pray I can do that today and from here on out. Time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to focus more on loving one another.

Thanks everyone Love ya,
JC

Flu Over?

Well Becky, Caylin, and I have all had the flu. I pray we are all done for the rest of this year and next. Still pray that we all stay puke free and that we get back to normal soon.

Today I had an eye exam and they ran a test that I knew I didn't pass before the result. Now maybe we can get the MRI done and if they find something in the MRI I could have someone go over it with me before the end of next week.

Pray that it will be something they can fix and pray for my family not to worry.

Thanks again,
Jeremy

Flu...Week

This is one week that doesn't fly by as everyone with children knows. Poor mommy, one day Caylin had puked 10 times and then the next day was better other than her tummy had a boo boo on it. I puked one time and my ribs hurt so bad it felt worse than wrecking my bike.



Bike what is that? I rode 3:30 hrs Sunday after a week of not riding at all. Haven't got on the bike since. I went up to 200 pounds so I guess it is time to start getting serious, I just hope I follow through with it. I got a great start with the flu though. I dropped 8 pounds of water weight in one day and still don't feel like eating, well I do but I won't. i don't want to rush it, plus maybe it is time I start enjoying food and not inhaling it. Yep if you ever saw me eat you would get sick too. At least I don't eat 2 pounds of liver at one sitting in the lunch room at work, yes I have seen someone actually do this and he heated up some corn to top it all off.



That reminded me of the movie the great outdoors with good ole John Candy eating the ole 96er I think it was. I just remember that guy with the white streak in his hair saying he got struck by lightning 6....6.....6...6...6.times" wow that's alot"..6....6...6..6....6...... "66 times". Have to watch that movie again some time.

Thanks to all for the prayer concerns. I have had a better week other than the flu. My eyesite is the best it has been but not even close to 100%. The improtant thing is I have not felt dizzy or I haven't had any headaches or numbness in my hands. Praise God for everything. I will try realy hard to eat better and hope that this problem will just go away and never come back. I will keep you posted.

In all things praise God and you and others around you will be blessed. It can be very hard to do this when you are not focused on Him but when you are trying hard to be focused on Him you will receive extra strength. I am speaking from experience. God is Good all the time, don't know how people can live without Him.

Anyone ...Anyone...

Like in the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" Anyone... Anyone... Ferris... Ferris...

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? I am open to any or all so feel free to suggest anything. You can call me at work 1-877-766-4465 mon-fri 7am to 3pm or at home 330-683-5303. or e-mail me grimm1990@netzero.net

The body is so complex. God has made it that way for a reason. People way back before Christ came to earth lived to be what we consider old. Well lots of people don't believe that people could live to be 900 or 500 or have children after they reach 100 years old. God made it happen and it is written.

Doctors have no idea what is wrong with my left eye. It could be as simple as a vitamin deficiency, to as complex as a secondary chiari malformation (where the brain sinks into the foramen magnum {the hole in the skull the spinal cord exits through]). So lets hope for the first one.

I started my vitamins today and hope to start eating better soon. My symptoms have progressed to Blurry or out of focus but can read 20/20 vision or gray vision in my left eye. Ringing in ears but the Dr. said that is from hearing loss of high frequencies. Those symptoms last all the time. The others go on and off as they please and are: dizziness, headaches, numbness in hands for four days they just feel stiff most of the time now, weakness everywhere on the body.

So maybe a Dr. will read this or people that know someone that has gone through these same symptoms and has some ideas for me would be great as well. It only took my family, friends, and I 4 years to find out I had Lyme Disease, so I hope this won't take as long. God has blessd are family so much and contiues too everyday. Caylin was sick with the flu all day and night yesterday but is doing so much better today, Praise the Lord. When someone you Love is sick it hurts you more.

Cat Scan

I had a Cat Scan on my brain monday. The result was a good one. I do have a brain, hard to believe I know. So I have been to one eye Doctor twice, a family Doctor, have had blood work done, and a Cat Scan. I am planning on seeing at least 3 other doctors in the next 3 months.

Pray that someone will be able to find what is wrong with my eye and the ringing in my ears. Also pray for my family not to worry. Pray that my eye will be healed. Pray that it doesn't get worse as well.

God will take care of everything, He is in control. I pray that everyones focus will be on Him and what His will is if it is supposed to be known.

Just in time

This Pic was taking right before Halloween Night. Well my eye has still been a problem so I ask that you pray for healing and a reason why it has been blurry for two weeks now if it is meant to be. Please pray for my family and that my eye will return to its normal sight if it be the Lord's will. Here is a very scary Pic:

Elves and More 2008

I wanted to give everyone an update on the arrival of our bikes. Everyone’s heard of the freighter out in San Francisco that bumped into the San Francisco Bay Bridge, spilling all that oil? Here is a picture of it:

An approximately 100-foot gash stretches along the hull of the [Hanjin] Cosco Busan in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday. The cargo ship spilled 58,000 gallons of oil into the water Wednesday after it struck a support on the Bay Bridge.


I wish this was a bad joke but that ship was supposed to be heading to Shanghai to pick up the containers of OUR bicycles and returning to the States on Monday November 19. However, because of the damage, that ship is now out of service for the year.

The folks who we’ve ordered our bikes with in Houston (The founder of Elves & More down there) have been scrambling (and sweating bullets) to find another ship to bring the bikes back to the States, and have now arranged for another shipment, but at somewhat later dates.
Right now we expect to have all of our bikes loaded on a ship that sails November 23. That will put those bicycles in our hands on/about December 16. This will ultimately affect that nice and tidy schedule that I sent out last week. We are now making plans on what the new dates will be and I will keep updating the website here: http://www.elvesandmoreneo.org/volunteer.html to reflect the changes that we make. All things point to a delivery date on the 23rd and a build/load on the 22nd. Again, this is not final yet but one thing is for sure, building on the 15th is certainly out of the question.
None of this is optimal of course, but it is what it is. It's one of the hazards of trying to squeeze the manufacture and shipping into the timeframe when we have BOTH the build-space and the money.

In the meantime, if anyone has any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Praying

So many people came to my mind this morning when I rode my bike to work. So many people need prayers. When I pray I always tell God how wonderful He is and How everything He created is so awesome. Then I come to the point in my prayer life that I struggle with. I confess to Him my sins and the things I struggle with weekly. This could be anything you are doing that is not pleasing to God. I know a lot of people including myself need so much prayer in this area. Then after I get that off my chest and give them to Him I thank Him, for everything. Now you will run out of time when you do this but try and think of something new each day. God knows what you thank Him for but He Loves to hear it from us. Then after thanking Him it is time to ask Him for things like Protection, food, shelter, healing, to be rich, be really specific, you will be amazed from the prayers and how they come out. God could make you rich in Love instead of rich in money. Or He could say no you will not be rich in money or wait maybe someday I will give you money. I use the word rich because the Bible talks about being rich in money and how it is the root to all evil. I agree with that 100%. So be careful of what you ask for, but God knows us better than we know ourselves and we should do our best to follow Him in all we do.



I just want to do the right things all the time. How do I do them? Well no one is perfect but it doesn't hurt to try, I start over again ever morning when I go to work because I never do the right things. It seems I struggle every week and I would like to last for at least two weeks or more without struggling. God wants us to Love and have a relationship with Him. In order to do that we need to pray to Him everyday and without end. We should be in prayer all the time with Him. Also we need to spend time in church or fellowship with Him weekly the Bible tells us that. If you come to a church like the one I attend, you are greeted with love and it stays that way no matter how many sundays you miss. Get active in your Church, I pray some of you just make that first step you won't regret it. I also encourage you to get into a group and learn the Bible with others, you learn so much more with others than just one mind. They have lots of different groups for you to join at churches. Singles bible study, family bible studies, Men bible studies, women, youth, and more.

Once you have done this for a while you will realize how wonderful it is. You will see a change in your life and others in your life around you. God will become your focus and you will want to learn more about Him and His Son Jesus. Then you will want to try and live more like Jesus. Everything will be focused on Him and when you are doing just that God will place everything perfectly in your life. Everything will work itself out. You will be asking God to use yourself to bring others closer to Him and that is what it is all about. God wants you to Love everyone and He wants us to Love Him no matter what is going on in your life. You will win every time you choose Him, instead sin.

Cross My Heart

Yep this race was the hardest cross race ever. Thanks to everyone that put on this race. I will be back next year.

Last Orrville Cross Race

This has been the best course I have ever done in cross. I can say that now after doing the Spin City Course. Thanks to everyone that put on the Orrville races they are a must for next year. Here is some video from the race.

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.