Dude…sorry. This took way too long to happen

Well, it’s been a season for the record books.  A VERY long, VERY busy season.  I will detail below.

In September, we lost a person in our department.  This meant, I had to learn video, and video editing, and handle all the technical stuff that goes into a new building, and dealing with A/V contractors.  It all means this:  My workload doubled, at least.

In December, Christmas came.  You know that is for church people right.  More busyness.  3 big events on the plate for us each year, each involving some sort of media/worship/technical production:  Christmas Tree Lighting, Christmas Cafe, Candlelight In The Park.  

In January, we moved into our amazing new building.  It’s a Community Building, and I have to say that is one of the things I love about our church, we don’t build buildings, we build tools for outreach.  

Then, in February we are celebrating 15 years of God’s hand on our church.  All month long.  

***side note:  It’s not that I have too much to do.  In fact, I LOVE what I do.  It’s such a gift to be able to lead our church and community in worship each Sunday.  I count it a blessing to be able to bring people into His presence every week, and to hopefully paint a picture to our church, of what it is to live life as a full on worshipper.  And…it’s my prayer that my busyness is being put to good use.  I pray people’s lives are changed by our efforts.  I know that they are…and I can only thank Jesus.  It’s truly, all because of Jesus that any of it is done.

This past Friday, the 13th in fact, we had an amazing event.  We brought in Fee and Robbie Seay Band.  Months of hard work by Sara (my assistant) and I went into this.  It was awesome to see it come to fruition.  I tell you, when Fee kicked off “All Because Of Jesus”, I was a mess of tears.  It was actually happening, and it rocked!  

Here is our stage, pre-show.

 

Ryan Owens, RSB’s bass player is a genuine guy.  He came out on Wednesday and Don and I helped him get loaded in.  In just about 2 hours he had the whole thing set up.  Amazing, he’s like a little army ant.  Drinking sweet tea and setting up the stage.  I am not sure why the rest of the band wasn’t there to help him.  He must have lost a bet.  

 

Robbie Seay brought 10 Martin MAC 250 Intelligent Lights.  Talk about a major punch.  They added soooo much to the stage.  I want some.  However, at about $2k per light, I don’t think we’ll be getting any, any time soon.  

Plus…we just added some LED lights to our scrim in the back.  Elation Design LED 60’s.  Great lights, green (environmentally that is), and they don’t get hot.  They add such depth to the stage.  

So, I wanted to write this tonight, because I have been soooo lazy in blogging, and I have much to blog about.  I will post another blog soon about a hilarious gift my father in law got Reagan for Christmas.  (This is how long I have been meaning to get on here-Christmas!)

Race Report…at last!

Well, so many of you all were with me in spirit, and supported/prayed me through the Half-Ironman.  I wanted to first of all say thank you to all of you.  I ran this race to raise awareness for Lou Gerighs Disease, ALS.  My father has ALS, and I ran with him in my mind all the way through.  What I am going to do here, is give you guys a race report of what the event was like, step by step.  I hope you enjoy.  

We arrived in Killeen at Vanessa’s cousins house, late Friday night.  Saturday, we loaded up the bike and headed to Austin to check in and get set up in transition.  When we arrived at the Austin Sheraton (the place to register) there were $6,000 bikes everywhere!  It was amazing!  I had, bike envy.  We met up with a long-time, and one of my best friends, Wade Collier.  This was his first triathlon, and he chose a half-ironman!  Nuts!

Well, we got checked in, and went to lake to drop off our bike.

It was VERY windy, and I thought we’d be in for it on the bike the next day.  Below is a picture of what transition looked like that day.  

There were over 2400 athletes running in this race, and many pro’s. Simon Lessing, Richie Cunningham, Lisa Bentley…all running this race. Transition was alive with tension.  So, we dropped off our bikes, and went out to eat with Wade and friends.  It was a great time at Vinny’s carbo loading.

After that, home for a night of tossing and turning, and pretending to sleep.  The nerves were alive and well.  The really nervous thing was when we were dropping off our bikes, we went down to look at the lake, and the bouys were way out there.  It looked like we were swimming the English Channel or something.  It gave me some serious doubts.  But, that next morning on my way to Austin (after getting up at 3:00am) I decided that the lake was my monster, and I was going to slay it that day.  It really helped.  

So, we parked about 1 mile from transition, and took a bus over.  It was chilly outside, little did we know how stinking hot it was going to be that day.  We get over to transition, and get set up, and then we wait.  We wait, and wait, and wait.  Wade and I were both so nervous.  Transition was supposed to close at 7:45am, but the busing system they had set up was running way behind, and athletes were still parking, and waiting for the bus.  

So, they pushed back the start 30 mins.  More waiting.  Wade and I headed down to the lake after waited for our wives (who were stuck in the bus line) because the race was starting.  

Down at the lake, the tunes were jamming and the nerves were rising.  I had someone come up to me and thank me for wearing my Blazeman gear.  Through tears he told me that he lost his Uncle to ALS.  Through tears, I told him it was my Dad I was running for.  

Then…it was go time.  The pro’s took off first.  

They were finished before I even got in the water.  Wade took off before me.  Then it was my turn.  The swim was okay, but there was contact in the water the whole way.  I really zig zagged my way around the course.  And I got passed by just about everyone.  Swimming is definitely not my strongest.  In the beginning, I got water in my goggles, and never had time to empty it out.  So, I swam the whole way with one eye closed.  Maybe that is why i zig zagged so much.  Anyways…43 minutes, and 1.2 miles later and I was done.  This is me off to the right.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And another picture on may up to the transition area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On to the bike.  I put on socks, shoes, gloves, glasses and helmet, and I am off.  The first few miles were very hilly, then for the bulk of the ride it was mostly smaller rolling hills.  It was very windy for alot of the bike, and I was really pushing hard.  Then, towards the end of the ride, the hills came back with a vengeance.  I knew I was in trouble when I was wishing I had another gear to switch to.  The last hill on the bike was almost a mile long, and it was a doozy.  Very steep, and very demoralizing as I looked off to the right to see athletes running up the hill.  ….athletes running up the hill?  Nooooooo!  Well the run consisted of 2 loops, and 2 times up that hill.  They called the hill “Quadzilla”.  Oh, it definitely lived up to it’s name.  But…here is a picture of me coming off the bike.

  Yeah, I was all smiles at this point.  But just 200 meters into my run, and things would change.  But not here.  I got back to my spot, racked my bike, changed shoes, took off gloves, took off helmet, put on visor, took a drink, and I was off.  So…200 meters into my run, my legs, seized up with cramps.  Not good!  After about 2 miles, I found my legs, and was running a little better.  It was still very rough, but at least I wasn’t cramping so much.  On the run, I saw another guy running for team Blazeman.  Many people saw me and asked if I was going to roll across the finish.  Of course I was.  :-)  I also saw one girl who called me out from the side.  She told me that she had run for John Blais in Kona (the full ironman in hawaii).  She really encouraged me as I was feeling terrible right then.  That was about mile 6.  Here are some pictures of me on the run.

 feeling good here.

 and here.

 not so much here.  

 talking to my wife around mile 10.  Feeling very bad here.  It was hot.  There was no shade on the course at all.  It was really getting to me.  Only 2 more miles though!

It was a great race guys…thank you all for supporting me through it.  Thank you Vanessa!  Your encouragement, and cheering me on, got me through this race.  I could not have done it without you!  I love you!  Look how cheery she looks here.  How can that NOT cheer you up and make you want to finish strong?

  You are my everything!  

So…here I am finishing the Ironman Longhorn 70.3.  In true Blazeman fashion, I rolled across the line.  It was great.

  Here I am getting ready to roll.

 Felt good to lay down.  Didn’t want to get up!

Thank you all!  God bless you guys.

Longhorn Ironman 70.3…done!

Sunday morning, 8:15am the gun went off.  I was in the water on my way to a 6 hour 39 minute race in which I would leave it all out on the course.  1.2 miles in the water, 56 on the bike, and 13.1 mile run, and one roll across the finish line.  $600 raised for ALS, and my first Half-Ironman behind me.  I will post a race report with pictures soon.  

Thank you all for your prayers, and support.  I could not have finished this race without you all.  God bless you!

When God decides to paint

It looks something like this.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or kinda like this.

 

 

 

 

This was the sunset tonight.  I took these pictures as I was driving home from gymnastics with the kids.  It was about 5 minutes too late.  But still…how majestic.  I love it when God reminds me of His sovereignty through something like a sunset.  So beautiful.  A subtle reminder that He is still in control.

Today was a great day for my Dad.  So much different than yesterday.  Each day in fact brings with it new challenges, and little victories.  Right now the victories are just, that he hasn’t had any bad news.  But that’s enough for now.  We celebrate with him.  

Thank you God, for each day; for each sunrise, and sunset; for your goodness; just for today.

My “A” Race

Well, I told you that I’d blog about the race I am doing to raise funds/awareness for ALS research.  So…here is that blog.

The race I am doing is called the Longhorn Half Iron Man.  It’s a Half Ironman Triathlon, in Austin, TX., on October 5th, 2008.  This is by far the longest race I will have ever competed in.  It goes a little something like this:  1.2 Mile Swim, 56 Mile Bike, 13.1 Mile Run.  Sounds fun doesn’t it?  I have been training essentially all year, although I have really been picking it up these last few months.  It’s quite exhausting.  Here is a picture of me after my last brick (40 Mile Bike, 6 Mile Run).

 Nice spandex huh.  War on ALS.  They are custom, and gives a glimpse as to why I am doing this.  

There was a young man named Jon Blais, who was a triathlete.  At the age of 33, he was diagnosed with ALS.  He was committed to bringing awareness to the disease, so he did an Ironman Triathlon…the big daddy one in Kona.  He finished, barrell rolling across the line.  The next year, he went to Kona to watch others from the front row seat in his wheelchair.  It had taken a toll on him, and he could no longer walk. Many, many people that year barrel rolled across this finish to show support for Jon.  The following year, he passed away.  

Still today, many people in triathlons all over the world roll across the finish line.  It’s a show of support, and solidarity for people with ALS.  I will roll across the finish line on October 5th.

Everyday when I train, I am overcome with sadness for my Father.  He was only diagnosed on May 22nd of this year.  ALS has wrecked his body.  He now is at home, confined to his bed.  He is hooked up to a BiPap machine, and oxygen.  His lungs are finished, they won’t work for him any longer.  His numbers must be monitored constantly.  It’s a horribly sad state to be in.  I am running for him.  

I love this picture to the right here.  This was taken 2 weeks ago, while he was still breathing comfortably.  That is Ms. Reagan on his lap.  All night long she was snuggling with him, and loving on him, and giving him sloppy wet kisses.  I just sat next to his chair witnessing it, with tears in my eyes.  I pray that she remembers her Papaw. 

I want to ask a huge favor of you all.  Please consider standing with me against this awful disease.  Despite 20 million people dying from ALS since 1869, there hasn’t been any significant effort to treat or cure this disease. ALS patients everywhere are basically offered the same treatment options as Lou Gehrig in 1939. Without raising awareness and funding, ALS will not receive the research efforts necessary to find a cure and will continue to strike down every person who is diagnosed.  Please donate to the War on ALS, and support me as I raise awareness.  Visit my donations site here, and scroll down to the bottom where it says, “Make a Contribution.”

Thank you all.  Please continue to pray for my Dad Ben.  Pray for his peace, and comfort.  Thank you all, and God bless you!

Chocolate Cookies

Reagan’s Preschool doesn’t start till September 8th, so until then I am keeping her at home with me on Fridays.  She is pretty finicky about what she eats.  But I knew I’d win her over with this choice for mid morning snack.  

Chocolate cookies.  

She obliterated them, and when she was done, just put the pacifier back in her mouth like it was no big deal.  Chocolate all over her mouth an all!  I’ll never understand how it doesn’t drive kids nuts to have a mess all over their face after eating.

My Catholic Dad

Zephaniah 3:17 —- The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

Tonight, is the first night ever that my Dad spends as a child of our great God!  Praise Him, for He is mighty to save!  Thank you all for the prayers, you are a blessing.  So here is how it went down:

Today, Pastor David Ruzicka from The Fellowship, came up here to just offer my Dad the gift of salvation, and pray for him, and witness to him.  My dad was VERY weak at the time, and in and out of sleep.  David kept at it and at the end, led my Father in the prayer of salvation.  Later, after a nap, my Mom asked him if he remembered it at all.  My Dad thought it was all a dream.  When I got up here tonight, the first thing my Dad asked was for my Mom to tell me about “the dream”.  I already knew, and I rejoiced with them all.  There were tears, and then my Dad said the shocker.  Since he didn’t really remember it, he wanted me to lead him in the prayer.  So I did!  And what a blessing it was.  This was a defining moment for our family.  The first thing he said afterwards was, “I’m still Catholic”.  We chuckled, and said “of course”.  

My Dad needs a crash course in theology, but tonight from the 4th floor at Memorial Herman, he sleeps comfortably, and dreams of Eternity.  Praise You Father, and Thank you!

Now…here is the skinny on his condition.  Earlier today, his breathing was VERY labored, his skin was cold, and clammy, he looked grave.  Tonight, after a change in his C-PAP machine, he is much better.  Breathing, communicating (obviously), and feeling MUCH better.  Thank you God, and thank you all for the prayers.

ALS….blood clots.

I am posting this from my Dad’s ICU room.  

Many of you know, actually, I am not sure if many of you even read this, but my Dad was diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gherighs Disease, back in May of this year.  I am sending out this prayer request, and asking you to pray for my Dad Ben.  

For the last several months, he has been going downhill very rapidly.  Last night, he was taken to the hospital and discovered a blood clot in his lungs.  All of a sudden, he is having lots of trouble breathing.  Pray for recovery from this.  

ALS is nasty.  I am running a race this fall to raise awareness.  When I have more time I will blog about it.  In the meantime.  Please pray.

Thank you.

John

Manor de Cordes

Life comes at us fast.  If your not careful, you’ll find yourself looking back, and the kids will be grown, and all the cute things they said, and all the fun times we had, and the lessons we learned together will be lost.  We’ve gone too long just living day to day and forgetting to document this stuff.  So now we write them down.  We join the throngs of bloggers and post our life for the world to see.  We share as if you wanted to know.  

But you must know, our kids are hilarious and precious, and curious.  We too are curious.  We are living this life, running after God, and His desires for us.  

About us:  I am John, a Husband, Father, Disciple of Christ; a Pastor at my Church, Songwriter, and Triathlete.  

My wife will be posting on this as well.  This is us right here.

Her name is Vanessa.  She is my best friend, my Anum Cara or soul mate.  We met when we were 16.  I have been googly eyed for her ever since.  

We have 3 children.  Morgan (11), Bailey (6), and Reagan (19 months).  They are my little angels, and all 3 Daddy’s girls.  We’ll be sharing stories about each of them.  

May God bless you guys today.  Hope you enjoy what you find here.