The Big Day

"A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity." - A Proverb of Solomon

"Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!" - A Psalm of David

What a day!  It started sort of scary, at a quarter after six or so, while the band was setting up and getting ready, we had a few raindrops.  Not to worry though, Gary and Mark ran and got some tarps.  The clouds blew over by race time and we had just about the most beautiful day you could possibly imagine.  The wind kicked up here and there but overall, we could not have asked for a more perfect day.  (And we did ask...repeatedly...of our Heavenly Father...good weather please!)  God is Faithful.

As I was going through a small fraction of the days pics, I came across these two that my dad took.  (Thanks Dad!)  I was overwhelmed by these two of Jim and Darlene.  Not only did it instantly remind me that our whole CK5KRRR event is based on the help of our terrific friends that are a gift from God, but it literally brings me to tears to contemplate all of you terrific folks who came out and volunteered, and worked, and donated, and supported, and ran, and walked, and rode, and helped.  We are so blessed.

To those who don't know, Jim and Darlene Williams are the beautiful people in the pictures.  You just gotta love 'em.  Darlene is possibly the nicest lady you will ever meet.  After helping with registration, she walked the 5k.  She is such a tremendous blessing.  We were at her church several weeks ago and Chloe sidled up next to her so that Darlene could hug her.  Chloe never does that.  The fact that an autistic kid sought Darlene out, should tell you just how awesome Darlene is.

Jim (AKA Papa Ho-Ho) is the President of the Christian Motorcycle Association.  I have had the honor of serving with this soft-spoken grandfather on the mission field.  He has the heart of of Our Lord.  Under his leadership, the CMA has been an integral part of this event.  I would have absolutely no idea how to throw together a bike event.  (Jeff: "Hey, sweet bike.  That thing got a dual holly-gripper on it or what?"  Biker Dudes:  "Huh?")  But Jim and Co. pull it off with the greatest of ease.  In his true-blue humble manner, Jim said when I thanked him, "It's what we do."  He wasn't kidding, being smart, or making a joke.  I think Our Savior would say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Thanks Jim and Darlene.  And thanks to everyone who made today possible.  I am truly humbled.

So I don't have exact figures, but we raised over $4000 dollars today that will go directly to the Organization for Autism Research.  They will put these funds to work helping out families and persons affected by autism where they live.  That's one of the things that I love about OAR.  Not only do they care about research, they want to help people.  NOW.  In practical ways.  That's what Jesus was about.  That's what He told us to do.  Help people.  NOW.