Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Washington D.C. - March For Life Photo's

The "Castle" or Smithsonian Informational Building


The Supreme Court


View of Capitol Hill from the march

The super cool group!

The Capitol Building

This was in a government office building in D.C.

Perspective

In life, your outlook can change drastically if you look at it from another perspective...

As we arrived back to Ft. Wayne early this past Tuesday morning after a long bus ride from our Nation's Capitol, I felt my perspective had been altered. This trip turned out to be much more than I had planned or hoped it would be.
I'm so glad that I was able to go. I thought that it would be a "fun" time (which it was), but it opened my eyes and let me (see) gain a perspective on my life that I really needed! It helped me come to the realization in my own life that it's not about doing what's "easy" to fit in, but doing what's right and standing up for the things I hold to be true!

As I reflected back on the March for Life and the time we had in D.C., my emotions overwhelmed me. I was really affected when we went and saw the Genocide Awareness Project. If an individual visited this and saw the images we did and didn't stop to think about the slaughter and murder of thousands of innocent lives and if that didn't change their minds, I don't know what will!

On Sunday, we spent the early part of the day touring the city and later we were given a tour of the the Capitol building by our 3rd district representative, Indiana Congressman, Marlin Stutzman. It was very cool and humbling when we were able to go into "The House Chamber" and walk around on the House floor where some of our Country's most pivotal decisions have been made, are being made and will be made. In fact, the President just made His State of the Union Address in that very room. It was neat when I watched the coverage on TV and to think that "I was right there".

Monday, we were up early for the breakfast that never showed. After hanging out for awhile, our bus arrived. We loaded onto the bus for the half hour trip back to the city, where we went to the Senate Office Building to lobby our state senators. (My group met with Dan Coat's assistant. The other group talked to Lugar's assistant). We stopped off for some lunch and people watching before joining up with thousands of others at the Mall. (D.C. is such a great city for people watching!) We listened to state representatives from all across the country who all defend the sanctity of human life. There were so many pro-life politicians that they were each limited to 30 secs. at the podium. AWESOME! It was powerful to march through the nation's Capitol and proclaim life to those who are in office.

I am praying that God will move in the hearts and minds of our leaders and government officials and open their eyes to the bloodshed of thousands of innocent lives. It is indeed a Genocide being committed against the helpless unborn lives!

I am so thankful to be in a country where we have the freedoms and liberties that we have been blessed with and so thankful that this country was built on godly truths by God-fearing men and women. I hope and pray that we as nation can return to our foundation and principles in God. One of the reasons we as a nation have been so successful and blessed is that God has been put first. By taking God out of the picture, we are cutting off the rich blessings and grace that has made our country great!

This past Saturday was the Allen County Right to Life March here in Ft. Wayne. It started out in the Scottish Rite building listening to a number of speakers, with the keynote speaker being Father John Raphael. His speech was not only powerful, but moving and inspiring. I hope that there is a recording of the speech somewhere because it brought chills. Marlin Stutzman was also there and gave a brief encouragement to keep up "the fight". After the speaking commenced, we headed outside to march in support of the precious gift of life and to be a voice for the unborn.

"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear."
-Thomas Jefferson

"a person's a person no matter how small"
-Dr. Seuss

Friday, January 21, 2011

Trucking Right Along

Well it's hard to believe that we're almost a month into the New Year. Time waits for no one! I've been busy trying to get things squared away for the coming season and have some exciting things to announce in the near future. I am really stoked for this year's racing. I think it will be a lot of fun and I can't wait to see what I can do.
As far as training goes, I've been putting solid time in on the bike despite the weather. I can withstand training in this colder weather; but it just makes those longer rides harder. I'm hoping for some 30 degree temps soon, especially since I'll be racing in a month or so.
I'm looking to try my hand at some skinny tire racing this year. I had a great time doing a handful of Road Races and Crits this past year. I think it's something that I will enjoy and I will have fun picking up on the " race tactics" and finding my own "riding style". I will still be racing in the dirt, but I won't do quite as many local races. Although, I'd like to go up to a couple Wisconsin races.

On another note, I will be headed to Washington D.C. tonight for The March for Life Rally. It's an annual march that is held once a year and started back in 1974. We will also be touring the capital and lobbying Congress. It will be a great experience. Not only that, but it will be a way to be a voice for the unborn. The theme surrounding this years march is:
"Thou Shalt Protect the Equal Right to Life of Each Innocent
Born and Preborn Human in Existence at Fertilization.
No Exception! No Compromise!"


Thanks for reading! I'll leave you with this...
"Abortion on demand has, in my judgment, contributed significantly to an environment in our country in which life has become very cheap."
-Robert Casey

Saturday, January 1, 2011

New Year's Resolution's

Well the old has gone and the "new" is here, new being 2011. Cherish the memories from the past, live in the present, and dream for the future! With each new year comes resolutions. People come up with all sorts of different resolutions. Some of the more common ones are: to lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier, spend more time with family (just to name a few). Which are all very good, but mine was to start this here blog. I have thought about it for some time now and I figured it being a new year and all, what better time to start?

It will be a way that I can update anyone that might be interested in my racing and riding endeavors and how things are progressing and just writing about life in general. I don't know who will read this blog, but I hope all that do are encouraged and when they click to another site that the words here will in some way have affected them in a positive way!

I would like to encourage you to chase your dreams, don't be afraid of the unknowns. You have that longing for a reason and it should be fulfilled. I wish you all the best in 2011!

All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.
T. E. Lawrence