14 Degrees on the Lower O

During a recent Eastern Sierra visit and family vacation, had an early morning moment to cut loose on the Lower Owens River for a little fly fishing.  Had a least 6 lands and several other hook ups.  Beautiful scenery, great time with Johnny O, and fun just enduring the 14 degree temps.

A little video to show the landscape and experience...

Christmas 2012 is here!

This Christmas we are on the road visiting family and friends.  Interesting time to watch the kids adjust and try some adventure in this.  We enjoyed a delightful dinner prepared by my sis Donna and her husband John.  Later in the evening we had a surprise visit by my brother in his uniform, taking a brief break from protecting and serving the community while they sleep.  Lots of fun had by all and the anticipation by the kids for the coming of gifts was precious as it always is.

After nearly a month of contemplating Gods word towards a build up of Christmas, and after accepting and gifting this morning, I was reminded of the greatest gift in an unexpected way this morning.  My son Sean reminded me of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a new way.

After opening a few gifts this morning, which included a cash gift, he retracted to a different room of the house and was tearful.  I gave him a bit but then went to him and sat with him to see what was going on, thinking along the lines of disappointment towards the gifts he received.  I could not have been more wrong.  He explained to me sadly that he did not earn the money and that there are many that deserve it more.

I sat with him for a moment and realized he just gave me such a reminder of the Gospel of Jesus Christ from his own words. God gifted us all, with his most valuable possession in His Son, and we did not earn nor deserve it.  He freely gave to undeserving sinners, which is all of us.  It is only His Grace that we received such a gift, in Christ Jesus.

Rather than make this time with my son a theological experience and screw it up, I simply reminded him that his care and thought for others is a gift of Jesus, and his sharing this with his dad was my greatest reminder of Christmas this year.  We both smiles and hugged for while and I got to watch his joy rebuild...

Thank you God for your providence and the unexpected gift this morning.  My heart is full right now and wanted to share this with family and friends.  Merry Christmas to you all and let the light of Jesus shine in your lives!

Da Wifeys 40th

My beautiful wife turned 40 on December 21, 2012.  Had a great weekend celebrating her special day with dear friends and family in tow.

My niece was kind enough to help bring in the celebration by creating a video of some special photos that tell a story of Jenn.

See this video, celebrate her with all of us...  We love you Jennifer and thank the Lord for the amazing ways you have touched us all in your life.

In Loving Memory, Jonny Kleven

Jonny Kleven

Greater Grace

If you are like me, you remembered Steve McQueen in such favorable ways.  As a child, I had no idea of his life, his addictions, his background, and certainly not this story of redemption.  I remember this cowboy, stuntman, moto rider, and all around fun actor that did it all.  I am sure we all recall the most famous car chase scene in Bullet...

I love waking early and seeking various stories on the Gospel Coalition Blog and to my delight, I found this amazing nugget.  Who knew?  I surely did not know this story but what a delight to read it.  Indeed, God gives the greater grace...

Click this attachment, read on and enjoy and hit the player button at the bottom for some cool tunes...

http://southerngospelyankee.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/greater-grace-a-story-of-god-redemption-and-steve-mcqueen/

Giving Thanks (part two)

My family arrived in Borrego Springs this afternoon.  We are having a great time and love seeing my wife and kids enjoy the experience.  It is a very beautiful desert landscape and our creator seems much bigger than I regularly give credit.  Father, your work is beyond my imagination and gratitude.  Thank you for loving your people infinitely more than they deserve.  Thank you for sending your son so that we may have life from certain death.

I look forward to waking to Thanksgiving tomorrow.  May we praise your name all the day!

Psalms 100:1-5 ESV "Make a joyful noise to the Lord , all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord , he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations."

Martin Family - November 2012

This picture is a very recent family photo taken at our church for the family directory.  Jenn and I both cracked up that even in light of all the many pictures that our family has, this is the first family photo taken by a professionally paid photographer!  Whoops...

We like the photo and hope you enjoy them too!

Giving Thanks (part one)

(Donna, Mom, and Cheryl)

I have much to give thanks for and it is fitting I am speaking of it this month as we approach Thanksgiving.  This picture says a lot.  I am thankful for my sisters (one missing!).  I am thankful for my mother, what a great friendship later in life.  I am thankful for cycling and the fun and experiences it has brought to this family.  Thankful that the ladies found it important to go for it for a charity, raise money, and enjoy their time in fellowship this fall.

So absolutely grateful for the family God has blessed us with.  

More to come...

The Time a Bobcat Almost Clawed Me (by Seanyboy)

This is an essay penned by my son Seanyboy. I was so excited to read it since like my son, I have an adventurous heart and remember similar experiences as a young boy. The only difference being my son can record it at a young age, and record it well! Sean may have an obvious gift of writing. He is 9 and only look forward to what is to come. He loves books and absolutely consumes them. Taking or suspending his reads is my only leverage of discipline that works! Enjoy the read...

Seans Story

Below you will find some books that he started to read this week.  Over half read already.  Thank God for the Public Library!

Thanks for reading friends.  We love you...

A thousand years

Amber asked to post these lyrics and music...  Fun and encouraging song...

Sing it Waylon!

I love this mans guitar, voice, and the deep lyrics over the years.  Great song and especially like the words - promise, and then follow through.  Take a listen and enjoy!

Encouragement...

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

http://bible.us/Col1.15.ESV

Amber and Seany at Tinley's 2012

Multi-Sport Introduction - Scott Tinley

Eden, Amber, and Seany Boy with the sport legend Scott Tinley aka ST!

Tinley's Triathlon 2012

Tinley's Triathlon 2012, a set on Flickr.

So proud of the kiddos and our friend Eden Theule!

A few weeks ago, after nearly a year of talking about it, the kids jumped into their first triathlon. Eden, the resident dark horse, did not train in the slightest and only jumped in the day before completely unplanned and did excellent. Both Sean and Amber did very well too!

I was very grateful that the kids faced the fear of this thing called triathlon. Seany was pretty convinced he would not do it right up to the gun blast. He kind of said "he did not really have a choice since the others kind of forced him into the water..."

Amber was smiling and doing what she likes to do - compete!

I jumped in on the mountain bike version and revisited the former sport I loved many moons ago. It was a bit of a train wreck for me, but nonetheless very fun...

A few other notes: big kudos to Tyler O'Brien who smoked the field and got second place in my event. Sean Cheney and Mark Ernstrom also did very well on Saturdays race with Seany taking 7th overall in his first ever event.

Thankful for the time and fellowship with our Theule friends and their kids. I hope we continue with these life adventures!

Mike Easter - 2012 Masters National Champion!

 

Is this a bike race our a gun show!?

 

Our cousin Mike Easter worked hard this season on top of everything he has going and pulled of the big win in Bend at Nationals.  Yep, Nationals Master Criterium Champion.  God gifted Mike with a big engine, skill, and determination.  He put it to use in Bend this year!  We are all proud of you Mike...

   

Read about what went down here in Mikes own words:  

http://cyclingillustrated.com/winning-a-national-championship-by-mike-easter-time-factory-team/

Summer Evidence!

 

Always need to sport some summer fishing evidence.  Say hello to Mr. Ling!

Rapid Run!!!

Our paddlers coming into a big rapid. Our guides, Bill and Christian were amazing and their attention to detail, safety, and setting the tone for fun was unmatched...

ARR Adventurers!

From left to right: (top) Debbie, Sean, Kendra, Daniel, Missouri, Brendan, Mom, Dad, Richard, Cheryl, Jenn, (bottom) Seany boy, me, Amber, Donna, and Kimbra.

Great to see our Texas Cousins and Seans clan join in all the fun!

Martin Family American River White Water Adventure 2012

ARR FAmily Rafting 2012, a set on Flickr.

Way to go brother Sean!

My brother organized a family rafting trip and what a time it was. We spent several days camping river side on the American River near Coloma and simply had a blast. Our family has done this trip before in 1989. Jenn and I did it on our one year anniversary in 1998. The setting has really not changed much and the guides at ARR were simply incredible.

Looking forward to doing it again!

I will post a picture of the pack that made the adventure this year in the next post.