Friday, July 31, 2009
july tuesdays w/gma
We have enjoyed the grandchildren this month on Tuesdays! This week we visited Rolling Ridge Ranch near Berlin with Allie and Bennett - the girls were great. While a little wary at times of the animals they never shirked back with fear.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Berlin or bust
One of my goals this summer, which I was somewhat foolishly verbalized (suddenly there is accountability), was to ride my bicycle from home to Erik, Laura, Allie and Andrew's home. Just 15 miles I thought; and I even believed I could make it a round trip. Today was the day!
I left at 7:45 with a simple text message to Erik: Berlin or bust; his reply: "OK. good luck." What did he know that I didn't know?
The first four miles, Berg Rd and Moreland Rd, were uneventful, relatively flat riding. As I pedalled along my mind wandered in prayer for our friend Lois B having surgery to remove the cancer she has been battling for over 6 months. I moved in and out of prayer extending my prayer focus to my colleague Paul G who is seeing a pulmonologist tomorrow, friend Ellen N who unexpectedly had a friend die early this week. Family members, our school, ... my prayer list continued; yet I kept coming back to health - prayers for healing, strength, persevering spirit, peace ...
I turned on Mt Hope Rd; Oh this is what Erik knew! As I climbed the first long hill I shifted down to quickly and my chain came off. This was a humbling lesson on anticipating what gears I would need to downshift to ahead of time so the bike could easily shift. A short stop to "fix" my problem and a few swigs from my water bottle - back on the saddle to finish the climb. Encountering a series of hills - I enjoyed the rush of going down hitting 35 MPH while enduring the 5 MPH grind going uphill.
It was on one of these grinds that I realized I was healthy, quite capable of completing this personal bike challenge only because I am healthy! I prayed with thanksgiving enjoying this moment with realization of the grace of good health I was enjoying. Thank you God!
The ride on 241 into Mt Hope was uneventful and I turned on to Twp 362 for the finale leg of the trip. Wow, the hills were a challenge nearly causing me to reach into my pocket and call Erik to come and get me. But, my ego, pride, determination and good health kicked in. At the top of one hill I took in the spectacular view while finishing my water; I was also gasping for air and heard the voice of Kristi reminding me to pay attention to what my body was telling me. My legs were tiring, I panted hard and my orange t-shirt was drenched with sweat.
The final hill into Berlin did me in; I couldn't pedal any longer. Admitting my weakness and lack of training I trudged up the hill on two feet with both hands gripping the handlebars as I passed the water tower. As the street flattened I finished the trip to the Beun home on Maple St in Berlin. It was all quiet, for that I was glad as I breathed deeply to regroup. A quick call to Julie at work; she greeted me with a confident yet relieved voice, "You made it!"
Soon Allie and Laura greeted me, I enjoyed the glass of ice water Laura had promised she would have for me, took Allie to the playground and asked Erik to drive me back to Kidron. I accomplished a goal and for that I rejoiced. It was a beautiful ride; and, yes I will do it again for both the challenge as well as the quiet time while exerting myself physically.
Today it was berlin or bust ... actually, I will humbly enjoy the good health and strength I have for this day!
I left at 7:45 with a simple text message to Erik: Berlin or bust; his reply: "OK. good luck." What did he know that I didn't know?
The first four miles, Berg Rd and Moreland Rd, were uneventful, relatively flat riding. As I pedalled along my mind wandered in prayer for our friend Lois B having surgery to remove the cancer she has been battling for over 6 months. I moved in and out of prayer extending my prayer focus to my colleague Paul G who is seeing a pulmonologist tomorrow, friend Ellen N who unexpectedly had a friend die early this week. Family members, our school, ... my prayer list continued; yet I kept coming back to health - prayers for healing, strength, persevering spirit, peace ...
I turned on Mt Hope Rd; Oh this is what Erik knew! As I climbed the first long hill I shifted down to quickly and my chain came off. This was a humbling lesson on anticipating what gears I would need to downshift to ahead of time so the bike could easily shift. A short stop to "fix" my problem and a few swigs from my water bottle - back on the saddle to finish the climb. Encountering a series of hills - I enjoyed the rush of going down hitting 35 MPH while enduring the 5 MPH grind going uphill.
It was on one of these grinds that I realized I was healthy, quite capable of completing this personal bike challenge only because I am healthy! I prayed with thanksgiving enjoying this moment with realization of the grace of good health I was enjoying. Thank you God!
The ride on 241 into Mt Hope was uneventful and I turned on to Twp 362 for the finale leg of the trip. Wow, the hills were a challenge nearly causing me to reach into my pocket and call Erik to come and get me. But, my ego, pride, determination and good health kicked in. At the top of one hill I took in the spectacular view while finishing my water; I was also gasping for air and heard the voice of Kristi reminding me to pay attention to what my body was telling me. My legs were tiring, I panted hard and my orange t-shirt was drenched with sweat.
The final hill into Berlin did me in; I couldn't pedal any longer. Admitting my weakness and lack of training I trudged up the hill on two feet with both hands gripping the handlebars as I passed the water tower. As the street flattened I finished the trip to the Beun home on Maple St in Berlin. It was all quiet, for that I was glad as I breathed deeply to regroup. A quick call to Julie at work; she greeted me with a confident yet relieved voice, "You made it!"
Soon Allie and Laura greeted me, I enjoyed the glass of ice water Laura had promised she would have for me, took Allie to the playground and asked Erik to drive me back to Kidron. I accomplished a goal and for that I rejoiced. It was a beautiful ride; and, yes I will do it again for both the challenge as well as the quiet time while exerting myself physically.
Today it was berlin or bust ... actually, I will humbly enjoy the good health and strength I have for this day!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Every little bit helps!
Every little bit helps!
During a conversation with Alma, leader of the family group of 52 people I was with as driver for Pioneer Trails, this phrase became a word of encouragement, a word of instruction, and, a reminder as my mind wondered and wandered ...
Alma had inquired about my history as a driver for Pioneer Trails, a charter bus service of out Millersburg. I told her I was a very part-time driver, this was my 2nd trip of the summer, and, I had not driven at all the past three years because of my school administrative schedule other than several trips for school purposes. I had hooked up with Pioneer Trails seven years ago in an effort to pay my way through the masters degree program I was entering at Malone University. During the summer and occasional Saturday trips I earned enough to put myself through graduate school. Praise the Lord!
And , I told her, now that I am no longer a school administrator, aving just helped two of our children move, and having just “married off” our daughter, we have a “few” extra bills which do have to be paid. She smiled: yes weddings do cost money! :-)
"Every little bit helps!" she observed with her Dutchy accent. :-)
On the drive back from Cincinnati I wondered about this truism. It is tempting to only pursue and commit to the big difference makers; so, shouldn’t I just play the lottery, so to speak, and hope to win the jackpot to pay off the extra bills? Or, I’ll wait until the obvious big difference maker comes along; in the meantime missing all the “little bits.” Or, I've only had a good round of golf when my nine hole score is less than my age. :-(
NO, each day is another opportunity to make a little-bitty difference wherever we are – so we choose to get out of bed and do our little bit…
Maybe this is what Jesus is teaching ...
During a conversation with Alma, leader of the family group of 52 people I was with as driver for Pioneer Trails, this phrase became a word of encouragement, a word of instruction, and, a reminder as my mind wondered and wandered ...
Alma had inquired about my history as a driver for Pioneer Trails, a charter bus service of out Millersburg. I told her I was a very part-time driver, this was my 2nd trip of the summer, and, I had not driven at all the past three years because of my school administrative schedule other than several trips for school purposes. I had hooked up with Pioneer Trails seven years ago in an effort to pay my way through the masters degree program I was entering at Malone University. During the summer and occasional Saturday trips I earned enough to put myself through graduate school. Praise the Lord!
And , I told her, now that I am no longer a school administrator, aving just helped two of our children move, and having just “married off” our daughter, we have a “few” extra bills which do have to be paid. She smiled: yes weddings do cost money! :-)
"Every little bit helps!" she observed with her Dutchy accent. :-)
On the drive back from Cincinnati I wondered about this truism. It is tempting to only pursue and commit to the big difference makers; so, shouldn’t I just play the lottery, so to speak, and hope to win the jackpot to pay off the extra bills? Or, I’ll wait until the obvious big difference maker comes along; in the meantime missing all the “little bits.” Or, I've only had a good round of golf when my nine hole score is less than my age. :-(
NO, each day is another opportunity to make a little-bitty difference wherever we are – so we choose to get out of bed and do our little bit…
Maybe this is what Jesus is teaching ...
- when he gave value to the poor widow and her two coins (Luke 21:1-4); or,
- when he compares the Kingdom of Heaven with a mustard seed (Matthew 13:31; or,
- when he encourages faith the size of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20-21).
Every little bit helps!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
18 holes
One of the things I enjoy with my sons is golf! After breakfast at Bob Evans the four of us played 18 holes at Tam O Shanter in nearby Canton. I was particularly pleased as I shot my best 9 hole score ever (48) as well as overall score for 18 (106). The game is fun when you can be consistent!
Final scores for the boys: Erik 92, Brad 98 and Kyle 100. Yes, as usual Dad finished with the high score although I had low score on four different holes.
I am thankful that we can enjoy this recreational activity as family. Last week Erik and I golfed with Adam on the Columbus AFB course and this weekend Brad and I hope to get some golf in with Kyle while we are in Wichita helping Kyle and Lisa settle in.
Final scores for the boys: Erik 92, Brad 98 and Kyle 100. Yes, as usual Dad finished with the high score although I had low score on four different holes.
I am thankful that we can enjoy this recreational activity as family. Last week Erik and I golfed with Adam on the Columbus AFB course and this weekend Brad and I hope to get some golf in with Kyle while we are in Wichita helping Kyle and Lisa settle in.
(click on the picture to enlarge image)
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