Kids playing hard

Kids at Play 2007_04_28

Ethan Arts and Crafts

Ethan and Crafts

GROW HAIR GROW!!

Locks of Love

Well, this may be more of a challenge than I thought. I am becoming more aware of my hair than ever. It may have to do with the amounts of comments I am starting to get, especially since this is the longest I have ever let my hair grow. It doesn't look like much in the picture... but it sure feels like a bunch.

One of my thoughts I have had on this hairy challenge is that I want all of my life to be a living sacrifice. I don't want there to be any thing left of me that I could have offered to others when I die. I want all of me to be used completely by God to further His kingdom here on earth. So as you see my hair grow and approach the 10 inches needed for Locks of Love, know that this hair has turned into my reminder of prayer to be a living sacrifice.

It is interesting how God keeps taking things that I am doing and it seems to turn into bigger things. I knew about locks of love and what a wonderful thing it is to help out kids that have lost their hair to illness or treatment for some illness. I simply was due for a hair cut and thought to myself how I am simply waisting my hair when I get it cut every month or so when there are kids out there that could really use it. So I just started letting it grow. Now this has turned into a major source of prayer for me.

I just haven't found that I have strength like Samson yet.

more MS 150 pictures

Here is a slideshow of the pictures that Deji took.

The MS150 pictures!!!

Check out the slide show!

MS150

I still haven't calmed down from this experience. My brain keeps processing and reliving all these moments! Thank you for all the prayers and support you have given me.

Slideshow

At The Finish Line

This is Brad, me and Deji crossing the finish line of the MS 150!!!

Did it and Survived

(warning Large post ahead)
Well Brad and I survived our first MS150!
Actually, We had a great time. I have had hours of time driving back deciding what and how to describe what the experience of riding along side of 13,000 other riders 180 miles in two days, and I just find myself rambling on and on. It was an incredible experience!
First Thank you for your prayers. There were moments that I don't know how to explain, besides saying: I felt your prayers. So thank you. Also Thank you for being apart of the fundraising. We are up to $1075 that I will have turned in. It was a wonderful experience riding for Mary Jane Finley, I hope she felt your prayers also. If you see any of the pictures of me with a red bandanna, that bandanna was my constant reminder of who I was doing this for. (I am going to wash it before I give it to her... I got a little sweaty)
On Saturday morning Brad and I get up around 4:30am to make sure we get to the start and meet with Team Mission Control on time. Instead of waiting for the big countdown and being piled up with thousands of other riders, we leave as a separate team start and just take off around 6:30am. It was amazing, light was really just breaking and in Houston the roads are just flat, and soon I am on the road pedaling with thousands of riders. All of my training was by myself on the hilly back roads of Lincoln and Union Parish, so flat roads were a treat.
One of the many things I don't think I will forget was when we were cruising along as a team early on. Morning mist was still in the air and the sun had really just begun sharing its light. There is about 30 of us in a tight little group and the road stretched out straight and flat and no one was talking. There were cyclist as far as I could see, and I will never forget that sound of the wind rushing past me and the sound of hundreds of bike pedals just cranking.
God could not have provided better weather! Praise God! Cool and overcast in the morning, sunny but not hot in the afternoon of the first day. 2nd day was just cool and overcast pretty much all day. The first day is the longest and the flattest. We went about 100 miles. Here is the map if you want to see what we did. Brad and I did get tired toward the end of the first day. We should have eaten more at the last break point, because we could feel our bodies running out of energy. I don't think we were going to "Bonk" as some riders call it, but we could feel our energy tank was low. We got in around 3:30 that afternoon.
The second day was my favorite. We left around 7:15am I think I was a little better prepared for hills, because I got to train here in Ruston, while the only Hills Brad could find in Houston were bridges. But Brad was much better at navigating in the crowded situations. He got to ride in another ride before and I think he is also used to driving in Houston traffic. I get so timid in those situations. So on the second day I was getting more used to riding with all the people. The second day also has "the park." Everyone we would talk to was asking if on the second day we would do the park or not. there is a point where you can choose to go into the park for tough hills and turns or go around (I think it is longer around, but flatter). We kept hearing about how challenging the park is, and we decided to go for it. If you know me, I get sick like crazy on roller coaster rides, but this was as close to that feeling as I am going to get. You would climb hard up a steep hill and then ZOOM down the backside. Sometimes hitting speeds in the low to mid 30s twisting through the woods. To only climb the next hill. It was a complete rush for me. Sometimes you would get enough momentum to carry you up and over the next hill and then zoom down again. There was one hill that you would just have to crank down to your lowest gear and slowly work your way up then just when you think you got to the top, it banks to the right and it keeps going up. There were a number of guys walking that one! But the backside of it was worth it if you rode or walked it. I will never forget the park, it was closer to the feeling that you get mountain biking (more turns, climbs, faster and intense). We got in to the finish at 3pm after doing those last 80 miles.
I hope to have some more pictures soon.

The MS150

MY BIG RIDE STARTS TOMORROW!!!
I am here in Houston at Brad Granderson's place. We are about to go to sleep (about 9pm) because we have to get up EARLY to get to the start point of this ride. I am getting very excited, and I really appreciate all your prayers. It is so encouraging to be supported and surrounded by such good friends and family.

I picked up my packet around 3pm today and it was exciting to see all the hundreds of other riders getting ready for the ride. I am getting pretty excited (and nervous). I met someone today that has MS. She was handing out the Bandannas that have peoples names on them if you are riding for someone with MS. It was neat to see how she appreciated what everyone was doing for people like her. I am excited to be riding for Mary Jane Finley. While you think of me and are praying for me this weekend, please say a prayer for her also.

After a donation I just received tonight I am at a total of $975!!! Thank you!!!

Like Father ... Like Son

Caleb visits Mudville
Well, this is how Caleb came home from his recent journey's into the woods. I cannot say express how proud I am. (Yes, I know he is muddy from his arm pits down!) But, before he headed into the woods on his adventure he asked us if he can get dirty. Instead of returning from the woods and saying sorry... he asked first!!!

The other pictures are of Ethan pretending to drive.

At Least He Looks Ready...

Here is my check list to see if I am ready for the MS150,

1. Crash helmet (also useful for defending yourself against squirrels attacking with pecans - that is a story for another day)
2. Eye protection ($2 at the Dollar store, but still keeps the bugs and junk out of my eyes)
3. Team Mission Control Jersey (I crack myself up when I realize how proud I get when I put this on)
4. Bike gloves (I was suprised how much my hands hurt after riding for a couple hours straight)
5. Bike "purse" (I keep a spare tube and some tools in here - and sometimes a Pop-Tart for the road)
6. Biker Short (built in seat cushion!!! Thank God for whoever invented these)
7. Water bottle (got to stay hydrated!)
8. Bike (can't ride without one - Don't ask anyone in my Financial Peace Class about Lesson 9 and me getting this bike)
9. Cycling Computer - A.K.A. "The Truth Teller" How fast, how far, and how long each ride is.
10. New Shoes. I get a pair every April around my birthday. Thank you Nana and Pops for this years pair!

Well, besides the fundraising and the a little more training. I am ready. Well, at least I may look ready. Having the tools and knowing how to use them are two different things. April 21-22 will be my days to find out if I am really ready. PRAY FOR ME!!!

Lent is Gone- Easter is Here

Here where some of the posts to a Lenten Blog that was just deleted, where people were invited to share how God spoke to them through the scriptures during lent:

Fred Wideman said...
The people of God are always on the move. In all the change of moving they remain God centered constantly being reminded that God is with them. This awareness of God is "practiced" regulary in worship ritual where each person has a role and a gift. Wagons and oxen are presented by some to help with the tent meetings. But the holy things must be carried on the shoulders. Ever felt the weight of holiness?
February 22, 2007 9:05 AM

pam collinsworth said...
Scipture:Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Psalm 73:23-24. ObservationGod is always with us. Could that mean in line at the grocery store, at work, around our dinner tables? How awesome that God is holding us by our right hand and providing counsel. All we have to do is tap into that. And the bonus! Afterward He will take us into glory, which I believe means here and there!Prayer/ApplicationGod thank you that you are always with us providing counsel. Help us Lord to stay focused on our ultimate goal in life. Thank you for the assurance that you are always with me holding my hand.
February 23, 2007 6:55 AM

SteveM said...
Scripture:And if you are a child, you're also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance. Galations 4:4-7 Observation:Not only a child of God connected to all the children of Abraham and connected to every member of the Body of Christ alive on the planet, but also an heir to the kingdom. This passage leaves me with more questions than answers.What does that mean? What do I get? What does that make me responsible for? If I am a child and an heir that means I am am representative of Jesus.Prayer/ApplicationGod may I call out to you as Abba/Papa/Daddy/ Father. May I be a son who acts like your Son. Thank you for making me worthy of inheriting your kingdom.

Me and My little Truth Teller

I got this handy device from Jill's grandmother for an early birthday present. I installed it on my bike Sunday night and went on a ride Monday morning. You know... got to get ready for my Big Ride. This thing will tell you the time, how long, how far, how fast you have gone on your ride. It has an odometer so I will be able to know when it is time for a 500 mile check up (or something like that). Well, I had this moment on my ride Monday. Well, before I could get home and say for sure "How Long" I was gone, but now I have a truth teller attached to the bike. I can't say any more... "Well, I think I went about 50 miles today." Now I have a truth teller... and here is the picture of my first moment of Truth. Monday I went 53 miles. Not "about 50", not just "well, I was gone for about 4 hours"... This little device now keeps me honest.. no more stretching the truth.

Well, 53 miles wasn't that bad. The fact that when I left the house it was in the upper 30s and really windy. That made it rough. Mondays ride did give me hope. I was pretty tired (and hungry all day afterward!!!), but I feel like I see that doing this ride is possible. I haven't trained as much as "they" say I should, but I see that I can do it! I am also excited that I am up to $670 raised. I am nearing my goal of $1000. Thanks for all the help, and your prayers.

Murphy Family M&M PHOTO

We all took turns at Planet M&M (http://www.becomeanmm.com) our personal M&Ms. We have had a hilarious time. So here is our summer family portrait for you to enjoy. Ethan has his robot arms, Caleb ... well he designed his own. I am wearing my bikers helmet... not because I am riding the MS150, but because I am afraid of falling coconut, and Jill just looks good!
Go design your own M&M and let me know what you come up with.

Brothers

Our two boys are grown up big and strong. Here is a series of photos of them playing hard in the backyard. I thought you would enjoy.

Click here for the slide show

Backyard fun

Movie Magic