Johnny Sherpa's Place

RUNNING

2010-02-16T08:51:00.001-08:00

For some reason I am on this running kick. I don't know why other than everyone at work is doing this "biggest loser" thing to see who can lose the most weight. It is all on percentage and I did half way decent last month. I want to say it was 3.7%. I did it all by running when I had time and just trying to eat healthier and watch my portion size.

Running is really enjoyable for some reason and it relieves stress. Now I am thinking of getting new running shoes too. We'll see! This week has been running before work, and let me tell you it is not fun running at 4:30 in the morning.

Ed's Birthday!!

2010-02-09T08:54:00.000-08:00

My friend Ed just turned 40! and I was able to go and see him (we haven't seen each other since our spring adventure race) It was soooooo incredibly awesome! I had an great time and I was so happy that Jean had asked me to come out to see him. Normally I always think I'm too busy to go. But this was a chance that I could not pass up. I mean he only turns 40 once!

I love you my brother!!!! and Happy Birthday !!!!

sometimes....

2009-10-03T19:50:00.000-07:00

sometimes I feel that God has moved me into certain paths. why I don't know. tonight I was able to sit with seven 5th grade boys in dv small group. I have to say it was really cool to listen, and to be a part of them. they sat around telling me their story from this week and what it is like to be in their world. it moved me in ways that I can not explain (maybe I could! but it is their story). what is God telling me? do they need a sherpa? I can not believe that I am moved to be part of this with everything that is going on in my life. What is it? sometime it is God telling us that we need to grow. Grow in ways that may be hard or not easy at all. What is growth look like for a 5th grader? what does growth look like for someone who is 35? What does growth look like for you? God calls us to grow! To be more like Him. To love the unloved and to give kindness to the unkind. When we feel that we can not give any more, I feel that He is there to be our Sherpa.

this summer...

2009-08-30T12:39:00.000-07:00

this summer started about early May, when my best friend came out from Seattle to go on an Edventure race (yeah I spell it that way). This was the first race I had ever been in and it was awesome to be in it with him. We started dead last and ended up in the middle of the pack. I was a totally awesome way to begin the summer!
right after that I was offered a new job to get back into tool and die. I started after Memorial day and have been there since. I wasn't looking to make a move from my job it was just an offer that came up. it worked out with a little more pay and a little more insurance.
this summer seems to be going so quickly and it seems like it is about to end with Labor day around the corner and the weather the way it has been. it always seems that you have so many projects and so little time.
now we head into the fall with another start of Discovery Village. some new changes, some new faces and who knows. the new year always brings growth, some things you like, some things you wished didn't change.

today...

2009-07-19T17:11:00.001-07:00

so we had a summer day where Greg and I came in to DV and it was totally amazing!
I just love working with him and it seems like we have been doing this forever! Well maybe not forever but we do, a great job. I don't want to sound like I'm stuck on myself, it just that when we get together for this, we just work off of each other as a team that has been together forever.

anyhow ...we had a blast today .... at least I did! so it is worth writing about! since I hardly write...

I mean, come on it has been since Feb. and I did a super sweet adventure race with my best friend and I didn't get that in (oh I will!!!!) and yes I am feeling guilty about it now. and a new job! but it is late for me and time to settle down with the family

well my peeps.... more stories in a few!

a first for me.......

2009-02-22T18:17:00.000-08:00

well today was an very unusual day at dv, I enjoyed the beginning part of the lesson because it was a little humerous with getting to "draw" people... this is fun because I'm not a great artist but it was funny and the kids picked who I drew...... anyhow the lesson was ok ... not our best and not our worst.... but when we did our large group activity is when it got really interesting and was a first for me.... the kids had to get into groups, sit down, then the first to answer a question or the first to stand up with the correct answer, won... that round.... well after a couple of times getting into the groups, we separated, into boys / girl groups....now it was interesting.. it just so happened that we had a visitor who was sitting on the girl side and a couple of the boys said that he, was sitting over with the girls.... well I took liberty to assure the group that it was ok because he, was a visitor, and that if, that was where he wanted to sit, it was ok.. and the kids kinda started making a big deal and I said it was ok..... so we moved on with the game and that was the last round.... and after the girls were telling me that the visitor was not a he, but was a she!!...... ok, I felt really bad because this little girl didn't not look anything but, a boy! and I was totally calling her a boy! .... so I didn't know where to go but out of the room... I talked with our Senior Pastor and we agreed that it was just best to apologize to the little girl and leave it at that.... so that is what I did and that is why that was a first for me.

snow... snow... snow... spring???

2009-02-21T20:41:00.000-08:00

ok so if this is some duck... duck.... goose game...it better be spring here really soon!

ok so can we at least get ready for spring ... I am itching to go mountain biking!

just posting

2009-02-15T18:25:00.001-08:00

ok ... so this weekend I have been sitting up on my computer and waiting for Shelby to go to bed.... and for some reason I have felt the need to post... I don't know what to talk about tonight... so lets start with my day.
--this morning started with an unknown... unknown for what Angie was going to feel like. she has been starting the days, feeling the worse (cold and flu season)... she woke up and decided to make it into church, but still she wanted to sleep in. I feel bad for her because it is usually me that is sick. or the one who hangs on to the cold the longest.. Eli was sick this morning but gave me a huge smile and I figured he was good to go!
--we got to church and it was all good from there. I was able to see some of the guys from the mountain biking group (and that is always fun). our dv lesson was still a little up in the air as how it was going to come off. Greg and I were a little unsure of if it was going to sound a little boring or if it would be ok for the kids. we planned it out and started "shooting from the hip". well plug in was fun, a little race for the kids and it worked great. the music came and it went. (things aren't exactly the same without Ann). so the lesson was up and like always Greg can do amazing things even when he's not 100%. he has a cold and it has lasted for 3 or so weeks. still the lesson was amazing, at least from my point of view. we had fun doing it and our boring lesson was "not so boring". the kids got the lesson and that is what is about! The Lord plans out everything.
--well we made it home and enjoyed our lunch (provided by Auntie Ann) and it was deeeelicious!
--today was the kick off to NAPCAR... well at least this was the reason for my nap today. I always enjoy naps! and it is fun to wake up, to watch the daytona 500 ... and then it gets a rain delay with the winner at the delay... that is pretty lame!
--now it is time to settle down and prepare for the beginning of the week!

see ya!

decisions....

2009-02-15T18:25:00.000-08:00

Valentines Day

2009-02-14T18:25:00.000-08:00

ok ... so yeah it is a Hallmark overblown ..... no wait ... it is Americanized holiday, yeah I'm sure Hallmark has made a killing on selling cards and what not, but I believe America has overblown this holiday. The cards, the flowers, the candy, the whatever it is you do to say "I love you" rather than just saying it yourself...... ok, yeah I bought my wife, the love of my life, flowers and some chocolate candy. But, I think what is most important and what we fail in doing is saying I love you. Ok, saying it without a card on one day of the year... saying it from your heart, saying it to your little daughter so that she knows, what a father should be like, saying it to a friend that they will know that you love them too! this is what we are suppose to do..... this is what we were called to do! ...... it is not that we go into a store, to buy our love, then walk out of there and get upset with the person trying to run over you, that is going in to do the same thing you just did ......... so how do we change this world that we live in? how do we show love?

random thoughts

2009-02-13T19:25:00.000-08:00

I don't know why I feel the need to blog, and I really don't blog that often. Tonight I sitting here waiting for my little one to go to sleep and I have random thoughts going through this head of mine (and that's a lot!).
So what do I say?
...talk about my life?
talk about my family?
....talk about my God?
talk about the past year and what was really exciting!
..... talk about random thoughts that go through this head?........

well right now as I'm waiting for a little one to go to sleep, she is listening to her Christian Hits. Now this is a love of mine because no matter what kind of mood I'm in, I get to hang out with her and hear her sing praises to our God. This just melts my heart, this is why I love to go to Discovery Village for a good portion of the year every Sunday. I get to experience kids and their walk with God. Some Sundays, I get this connection with a kid, that will let them know how awesome our God really is. Now don't forget that I get to act really goofy sometimes, have fun with the my awesomeness brother in law, but I sometimes make that connection, that a kid will know that no matter who you are, or how you act, our God will love you know matter what.
.... I guess what I'm saying is... that kind of love tonight ..... that my daughter is worshipping a God ....... a God that will love her no matter what...... no matter if she fails in life...... no matter if she ever will be failed by someone else ...... and no matter what anyone else can say ..... that is an awesome love!.... a love that does not fail!

why do I have random thoughts? It is probably the life that surrounds me, from my family to co workers, to the awesomeness group that I get to meet with every Sunday.

Angie's birthday

2008-12-13T08:18:00.001-08:00

well it started off with pancakes and the usual morning nap for Eli and I!

Shelby is ready for Mommy's birthday!

and so is Eli!

in the airplane to have some fun!!

they are so cute together!

maybe not so much fun....

to be continued ..... hopefully not next year too!

Family

2008-07-13T18:32:00.000-07:00

Life is so awesome and when you add another member to your own family it is really awesome. It amazes me how awesome God is and how much He loves us. I know I don't deserve anything but our family is truly blessed with another beautiful child.

Maybe it is just me but this kid is adorable!

Well both of them are adorable!

Little Sherpa

2008-07-12T12:16:00.000-07:00

Elijah John Wilcox
Born: 7/11/08 at 11:32am
7 lbs, 13 oz
21 inches
Eating. Sleeping. Pooping. All is right with the world.

PREPARATIONS part II

2008-07-06T18:18:00.000-07:00

......so the time is near and do I feel totally prepared? no .... but that is just me. This weekend was great! Time to get stuff done, time to relax, and a time to worry. I think the worry part is only going to increase until we have the baby. BUT, I can not wait! I've been told that you will love the new baby just as much as the first, do I believe that? yeah, but the one I have now is such an angel. She has blessed us in so many ways and I love her so much! So the new baby will have a great sister! At least we hope...... and time will tell!

So we purchased our first computer from my brother / sister in-law. (A lap top too!) and I am really excited because now we something to take into the hospital for the delivery!

and maybe, just maybe I'll be able to post a little more! .... and maybe not with a new baby too! we'll see!

PREPARATIONS

2008-06-02T12:58:00.000-07:00

time is on my side.... yes it is......
well I'm no Rolling Stone! but, with everything coming up...(new baby)... I feel like everything is good! and that my friends is totally weird for some reason. I feel like I should be feeling some other way than I am right now or maybe even in a panic, but I'm not. For some reason it just has not "hit me" yet.

....... to be continued!
(maybe ... and maybe not, you all know how I post!)

Changes

2008-04-09T04:35:00.000-07:00

It seems like everything has to change at one point or another. Maybe even me posting more than once a quarter. Well I will be losing my Sunday morning teaching partner, a friend of mine is moving to Seatle, and I will be gaining a new baby! It just seems like there is a lot of stuff that is happening. Some days things seem great, and other days it just seems like things are changing too much.
Well if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans!

Happy New Year!

2007-12-31T10:27:00.000-08:00

2008

so what will come of 2008?? I will start my new job! I plan to continue mountain biking in February with studying a book in the bible. I will be a new uncle really soon and maybe even this year! I was asked to go to China but I'm not sure if I can go. I will be a father again! and anything else God has in store for me???

the biggest question will be...... what are your plans? I asked my small group their plans or what goal that they could set for themselves that is nearly unachievable. I wrote them down and I still need to get the rest of my groups answers, but it will be interesting to see who does what.

So good luck to you! and whatever it is that you may want to do in 2008!

Christmas

2007-12-25T16:14:00.001-08:00

So this is Christmas! and what I have I done?

Well the job search is over and anyone waiting for a new post from me is also over! I had to wait to find the job and it took so much of my time that posting was near impossible. Anyhow, I start at The Garage of Lowell as a service writer, on Jan 2, and I am so excited about it. Mostly because like everything else that has happened in the past few years (probably nine to make an estimate), is such a God thing. And not to say that God wasn't in my life! But more of saying that I didn't realize it so much! Anyhow, the rest of the story...... Dave called me up from the Garage and didn't know the name (it wasn't Mr Johnny!) He liked my resume and found it on Michigan Works. He liked that I was detailed, had sales experience and that I had a mechanical background. He really like that I was part of childrens ministry and mens ministry at church! So when he called and saw that I was from Lowell, he asked what church I went to. For some reason he could not put the name and my face together. When he called his family, they knew "Mr. Johnny" and he said they were totally excited. We met and shared our thoughts. After much prayer, I thought I would fit the position and so did Dave.

And now I am so excited to see what the rest of God's plans are for Dave (and everyone with the Garage) and Johnny Sherpa! It's funny because when all this started, a few of my friends were telling me that God takes you down roads that you thought you would never travel. They might end up at where you wanted to go to, but it wasn't the route you would have taken.

So keep your head up! Keep your hands and feet open for God! Because the road you take, may not be the road you are looking for!

This is Christmas, the best present you will ever receive, will be your Savior!

Open my hands....

2007-11-14T12:20:00.000-08:00

This past friday, my employer closed the doors. Maybe it was time, but it sure is tough for many people including myself. What is so tough? I guess I would say waiting for God's new adventure! I have found some companies that really sound interesting, and they have a mission of working for God! I hope that something comes through. God has done some amazing things in the past couple years for me and my family. I want to keep my hands open to Him and work for Him.
Friends and Family.....
Friday coming home from work, I thought it would be best to stop at church, to pray, to inform, to pray again, and most importantly to receive God's love, from his peeps! It was amazing!
On Saturday, I was going to mountain biking. I was on my way there when I was thinking of what my mission statement was. This is very important because it is what God call me to do!!!! The "gun" was pointed at my head and was going off round after round... I was upset, I was failing! God came to my rescue and put the words right into my head, "Guiding men to better lead our children!" . When I got to the parking lot my heart was opened up. "Heart surgery" is always good when friends are the doctors... My peeps were praying for me and God was working through them!
Family.... I love my family so much! From my beautiful loving wife, she is a strong women who is faithful to God, she has amazing financial talents too! My little princess who clings to her daddy when he needs it the most! My brother in law who is ready to hire me to work on his house and pours God's love out to me. My amazing neice who offers herself for anything that may help me out, and she didn't even know that she melted my heart. My parents who pour out their love and understanding to me! My in laws who would do most anything for help also! My sisters, can bring a smile to face! All of my family love me, they listen, and they pour out God's love, even if they don't see it!

God,
My hands are open to You! I love you! Please bless all my peeps and family!

With all my love!
Johnny Sherpa!

is this it???

2007-11-02T09:57:00.000-07:00

The time is coming ….. all good things must come to an end… I had an awesome time this year with mountain biking … I was introduced to a new trail … bought a bike with front suspension….. met a lot of guys….. built relationships…. And had so much fun that a kid could not complain….. so I go out maybe once more for a final ride!

Saturn

2007-10-30T12:12:00.000-07:00

Saturday I was going mountain biking and the Saturn was not wanting to pull out of the garage.... I was really upset because this was the probably one of the last times to get out and go for a ride.... anyhow when I tried to start it, it went completely dead.... no lights, no sounds... nothing ... it happened once again Saturday afternoon and now it is ok.... I checked the battery... it seems tight ..... I really don't like car problems... actually I really don't like any kind of problems... but car is at the top of my list right now!

numbers again!!!

2007-10-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

ok so I came home Saturday after a sweet time of mountain biking to a mailbox delivery from the secretary of state...... and my motorcycle plate is now a perfect plate.. (in my eyes!!) S111S .... man that is so awesome....

Project Mayhem!!!

2007-10-19T06:09:00.000-07:00

Fight Club was the beginning, now it's moved out of the basement, it's called Project Mayhem.

First you have to give up, first you have to *know*... not fear... *know*... that someday you're gonna die.

We have front row seats for this theater of mass destruction. The demolition committee of Project Mayhem wrapped the foundation columns of a dozen buildings with blasting gelatin. In two minutes, primary charges will blow base charges and a few square blocks will be reduced to smoldering rubble. I know this... because Tyler knows this.

Go ahead, Cornelius, you can cry.

Ok so I like the movie "FIGHT CLUB"

numbers ???

2007-10-17T06:01:00.000-07:00

I pay attention to numbers, why?, I don’t really know but I’m sure it has to do with my job. I get a kick out seeing or noticing “mirrored” numbers 80108, and sequence numbers (12345….) for some weird reason I just think that it is neat. Maybe I watched too much Sesame Street Or maybe it is a really weird obsession that I should ….. nah! I’m weird and that’s just how God made me.
Well there is a point to this whole story. I have been watching my odometer on my Saturn, it has been coming up to 123,456 miles. Last night when I pulled in the garage in dawned on me that this morning when I have to take our Subie to work, I will completely miss seeing the number I have been waiting for!
I told this story to Angie and she marked up another thing on how weird her husband really is!
Ok….. as I was about finished with writing this Angie called…….
She told me that at 8:41am this morning fireworks were going off!!!! And the Saturn was screaming woo!!!! hoo!!! She said that she did take the camera to take a picture for me of the odometer, but as things sometimes goes, our batteries are dead and we miss those important things, or should I say weird!
Yes…. She loves to make fun of me! But she still loves me, even though I’m weird.

soccer ... the big scrimmage

2007-10-15T06:05:00.000-07:00

this weekend had a highlight of the big scrimmage in soccer..... when your dealing with 3-5 year olds, you never know what will happen. Shelby was a little overwhelmed with the kids coming at her, so she sat out. we did have some kids who really got into it, and just watching the parents.... was amusing in itself.

so why "Sherpa"?

2007-10-12T04:23:00.000-07:00

... you may be asking "why Sherpa"? well the name started this summer with " an epic journey", and to make a long story short, your "load" may sometimes be my "load". so check whats in your pack! it may be heavy but johnny sherpa will help you carry it!

I just got my first blog!

2007-10-11T12:14:00.000-07:00

well a good friend of mine told me I needed a blog .... and here it is