Two of My Motorcycle Buddies

I'm leading off with a joke today so as not to detract from the seriousness of my post.

I am asking for prayers for 2 specific friends of mine who are both motorcycle enthusiast, just like me.

FYI, I know that this is not a picture of a Harley engine :-)

A mechanic was removing a cylinder-head from the motor of a Harley motorcycle when he spotted a well-known cardiologist in his shop.

The cardiologist was there waiting for the service manager to come take a look at his bike when the mechanic shouted across the garage "Hey Doc, want to take a look at this?"

The cardiologist, a bit surprised, walked over to where the mechanic was working on the motorcycle. The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and said, "So Doc, look at this engine. I open its heart, take the valves out, repair any damage, and then put them back in, and when I finish, it works just like new.

So how come I make $39,675 a year, a pretty small salary and you get the really big bucks ($1,695,759) when you and I are doing basically the same work?"

The cardiologist paused, smiled and leaned over, then whispered to the mechanic................................

"Try doing it with the engine running."
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Greg Karber is a friend of mine from Houston.

We had never met until August 2006. He has family and friend ties to Fairview. Greg came to TIRR out of the goodness of his heart and offered any help that he was capable of giving. As it turned out he was an Angel sent by God to help us facilitate my departure from Houston. Greg was a tremendous asset and Christian friend when I was at TIRR in Houston.

Greg and his wife Jeannie

He was in an accident on May 10, and I am asking for prayers for his quick and complete recovery. He has a long road ahead of him, but I know that," He can do all things through Christ, who strengthens him".

This is a Facebook update from his wife, Jeannie.

5/28/14 Update on Greg:
First of all - Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers you have sent our way. They are still working.
I am back working most days now depending on Greg’s schedule. He was released last night after 17 days in the trauma unit at Memorial Hermann Hospital, downtown. We will still have a lot of doctor appointments and more surgeries on the foot later on, but for a couple of weeks, rest and healing.
For those who may not be aware, on May 10, 2014, Greg left work on his motorcycle around 5:30 p.m. and was hit by a car in downtown Houston. The major injuries are on his lower left side. He has now had 6 surgeries that I've sent updates on. His open wound is similar to what our military men and women come back with when they are hurt in the war. Greg has signed on with two different studies to help them study the surgeries he’s had done and how it can help these veterans.
The follow-up doctor appointments will start at the end of next week to determine how much damage is in the foot and what and how many surgeries it might take. We’re not “out of the woods” as they say, but he is in good spirits and wants to thank everyone for their prayers and good wishes.
God is good! We are blessed.
Love to all, Jeannie

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James Marshall before his accident

Another friend of mine also from Houston is going through some tough times. He was a professional Supercross racer and suffered a spinal cord injury at the San Diego race in January of 2006. He was a roommate of mine at TIRR in August of 2006. James was 21 when he had his accident, He recently turned 30. Over the course of the last 8 years he has grown spiritually and is giving back to the sport that he loves. He has many YouTube videos, most of them concerning his nonprofit organization called "The James Marshall Project". He helps raise money to aid riders who have gone through SCI and Brain Trauma. Right now he is in need of financial support for his living circumstances. Here is the link to his story. The James Marshall Project

Will you help us get James to Project Walk? Please contact April Sutton at (832) 892-8202 or email at projectoutlaw@gmail.com. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

 I also believe that the greatest gift is prayer. Thank you for the prayers for Greg and James.

Much love, Dennis

Twisters

I live in what is commonly known as tornado alley. I've seen tornadoes from as little as half a mile away, but fortunately I've not had to experience firsthand the devastation of a large funnel. In May 2011 many people in Oklahoma were affected by several outbreaks of twisters.  People lost their lives and many injuries ensued along with widespread property damage.

 On May 24, 2011 my wife was at work and my mother-in-law and I were home watching the weather. We have a scanner that allows us to listen to the local storm spotters. We heard them talking about damage to the Canadian campground at Canton Lake, about 20 miles SW of us.



These pictures were taken at Canadian campgrounds 3 weeks before the damage.

Yours truly & My Wife "Cheri"

 Notice all of the trees.

Cheri and her cousin Marla

Canadian campgrounds aftermath

The rebuilding is underway.

I have included a video that was taken by my friend Danny Giager.

In a few minutes they were talking about damage just southwest of Fairview, my hometown.
We soon saw this funnel from our West windows.

My mother-in-law put my full face street bike helmet on me and I backed into the reinforced shower. She went into the cellar. That tornado actually lifted up and dissipated just southwest of town. PTL

I like to end each post with something upbeat. I hope this doesn't detract from the seriousness of this disaster.

A family had twin boys whose only resemblance to each other was their looks. If one felt it was too hot, the other thought it was too cold. If one said the TV was too loud, the other claimed the volume needed to be turned up. Opposite in every way, one was an eternal optimist, the other a doom and gloom pessimist. Just to see what would happen, on the twins’ birthday their father loaded the pessimist’s room with every imaginable toy and game. The optimist’s room he loaded with horse manure. That night the father passed by the pessimist’s room and found him sitting amid his new gifts crying bitterly. ‘Why are you crying?’ the father asked. ‘Because my friends will be jealous, I’ll have to read all these instructions before I can do anything with this stuff, I’ll constantly need batteries, and my toys will eventually get broken,’ answered the pessimist twin. Passing the optimist twin’s room, the fatherfound him dancing for joy in the pile of manure. ‘What are you so happy about?’ he asked. To which his optimist twin replied, ‘There’s got to be a pony in here somewhere!’

Much love, Dennis 

FCA

Last Thursday was the end of FCA for this school year. I really enjoy meeting with these high schoolers. They are very diverse bunch. Some of them are always adding to the conversation and some sit and listen. One thing that I've never seen, is one of them not paying attention to what is going on. I'm sure it's because they have the option of attending and if they're not interested, they don't show up. Linda Zimmerman (The Group Leader) and I have talked about some of this bunch being very reluctant at the beginning of the year and now they are comfortable participating and praying out loud. That's very encouraging. One thing that I've noticed is that some of them wear Christian themed shirts.
Here are a few of my favorites

Sometimes T-shirts and bumper stickers can be misleading. Here is an example.

Driving along a busy street, a man became aware of an impatient woman who was tailgating him. She was so close that when he had to brake to allow some children to use a pedestrian crossing, she almost crashed into him. 

Furious at being delayed, she sounded her horn and began waving her fists in a disgraceful exhibition of a road rage. 

Before she could move off, she felt a tap on her window. It was a police officer who ordered her to step out of the car. 

He then asked her to come down to the station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and put in a cell. 

A couple of hours later, after vehicle checks had been carried out, she was told that she could collect her valuables and that she was being released without charge. 

The woman was extremely indignant at her arrest and demanded an apology. 

The officer responsible explained the reason for the mistake. "You see, madam, I pulled up behind your car while you're sounding your horn and loudly cursing the driver in front of you. Then I noticed the 'Follow Jesus, Not Me' sticker on the rear window, the 'God Is Love' sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the boot. Naturally, I assumed that you had stolen the car..."

Much Love, Dennis

EIGHT YEARS

Today is the eighth anniversary of my accident. I thought about it several weeks ago, but had forgotten until Cheri posted about it on her blog   http://cheri-scicaregiving.blogspot.com/ 
I remember everything from that morning up until the time that I landed awkwardly on my head. Many times I thought that so unfair because I was traveling only about 5-6 mph.

I look back now with a different attitude. There were so many situations in my life prior to that accident that could have turned out tragic but didn't. I don't believe that God was responsible, it was my decision to ride that day. I do believe that it was God who kept me alive throughout the five months that it took for me to be well enough to return home. It was God who allowed my mother to accompany Cheri and I to the TIRR (Texas Institute for Research and Rehabilitation) center in Houston for 60 days.
It was God who arranged for my mother-in-law (Darla) to move in with us while continuing to work from home. It was God who touched the hearts of all the people that prepared my house to be wheelchair accessible and create a second master bedroom for my in-laws. It was God who sent a Chrysler Entervan to TIRR two weeks before my release. He touched the hearts of my friends to purchase that van. He has been with me for much more than eight years. My hindsight is much better today. I can say that what happened to me was a mess that God has turned into a message. He has opened doors and closed doors. I know that all things work together for good to those of us who love Him and are called according to His purpose. I'm doing things today that I would never have done if I had not been through this trial.

My Outlook on life is now: Live your life as if every day were the last one here on earth, it very well could be.

Today I am sitting in a room specifically designed for me. Utilizing a brand-new computer while watching the birds and a squirrel hanging out in the shade of my backyard. I have an opportunity to soon have a part-time job. A beautiful wife who loves me and has stuck with me in "Sickness and Health".
I have friends who do things for me and would never even think of receiving anything in return.

I've done more thinking about this anniversary in the last hour then I have in the last two years. I am blessed beyond all I could ever imagine.
Today is the day that the Lord has made, I will be glad and rejoice in it  :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

Much love, Dennis

New Computer

I'm getting pretty excited. A new computer is in my near future. I've been taking online classes for quite a while. The laptop that I use will not handle the amount of information required for the CAD program that I'm working on. One of the people that have been helping me with computer training, Sterling Krysler, commented that this new system is a monster compared to my old equipment.

 I am learning how to do simulated 3-D landscaping and swimming pool design. It is amazing what can be accomplished with this software. The only drawback is that you cannot purchase the software, you must lease it on a monthly basis.

I believe that God orchestrates circumstances and situations, such as what he says in Romans 8:28 

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

I have this opportunity and I believe that if it is God's will, then I will be successful through hard work and diligence, and making sure to give credit where credit is due: "Jesus Christ".

Speaking of computers, here are a couple of silly renderings.

Here is some information about a computer virus. I really don't think we have too much to worry about on this occasion. :-)

VARNING: MinnySoda Compewtr Virus

Ve haf just sent you da NORVEGIAN VIRUS. Since ve do not haf any programming experience and do not know how to actually demage your computir, dis Virus verks on da honor system. Please forward dis Virus to eferyvone on your mailing list and den manually delete all of da files on your hard drive.
Tank you for your cooperation, Sven and Ole

Much love, Dennis