The Denkers - what a great family! Today I woke up to the smell of homemade waffles. I went to church with Steve and his family. This could sound silly, but it was a surreal experience. The warm smiles, welcoming handshakes, smells of perfume, and sounds of children laughing and crying made me really miss home. I watched couples holding hands, families talking, and thought alot about Tracy and the kids - I miss them so much!
.
Then I thought about our brave men and women serving this great country. I realize that they are not just away for seven weeks, but seven to seventeen months. They are the ones who are making sacrifices so that we can pursue our dreams. To them I am thankful.
.
While staying with the Denkers, I lived and ate like a king. Steve and Tonya Denkers live in a beautiful neighborhood in Fishers, Indiana (20 minutes northeast of Indianapolis). They have four children - two are away to college. Tara and Matt are still at home. Tara is 16 and a junior in high school. She is a great figure skater and a sweet modest girl. Matt, just turned 14, is a freshman. He is recovering from a fractured back, but loves diving. From what I've been told, you may end up seeing him in the Olympics.
.
Thank you Denkers family for your exceptional hospitality! And thank you Dan for looking after me.
12 comments:
Are those addidas SLIPPERS with socks on that you're wearing, Chip? Nnnnnnnice touch.
Hey Chip, Whats going on? Things look like they are going great. Hey, when you come across someone who has seen you in the local news, try and find out what news channel they heard it on. I have been goin to the local news websites of the cities that you have gone thru and cant find any coverage.
BAch
Hey Bach - and everyone else... Tonight, Chip was featured on our local news in a segment called "Seven's Heroes." It's not uploaded on their sight yet, but if you go to ktvb.com - under "news" you'll see "Seven's Hero" - then you'll see his story - it's really neat!
Go Chip Go! We like to read about your adventures. Mike said that he is sorry to hear that you were out of the state when you were made a "Seven's Hero"! :) We are very proud of you. Keep being safe!
I am so very grateful to the Denkers for taking care of you. So, if you are reading this Steve and Tonya, thank you so very much for your genorosity and help and support you gave to Chip. I can't tell you how comforting it was for me knowing he was with you for 2 nights.
We all miss you so much Chip. The kids all spray your deoderant on t-shirts of yours and wear them to bed! :)
Chip, you must know how hard it is for me not to make a comment regarding the chipped tooth, but Vicky did a ggod job, see her late comment to that days events, I will defer to her. I would bet you're far enough into your journey to realize it is every bit the challenge you thought it would and more. I for one want to tell you we are all pulling and praying for you. Many of us now are passing out your cards to anyone we come into contact with. So many new people are becoming familiar with the extrodinary person you are and what your cause and purpose is. Perhaps these new people do not realize you are, for the most part, funding this through your own funds and efforts. All of this at the sacrifice of being with your family and solidifying your position at a new job. Please take a moment in your next entry to let everyone know that you need donations, not only to support your trip but also those children of the families who's parents gave all for our country. Please allow those just joining this trip to understand that this endeavor is not just about riding a bike across the country but also to bring to light the needs of those families who gave so much to insure we could be free enough here in America to have the priviledge of following one of our own heros and family members.....you!
Come on people, pitch in and feel part of something you may never be able to be part of again....... helping others take a stand and doing something about something rather than just talking about it! I challenge each of you to reach into your wallets and give...... just a little from each of you will do it. I tell you this... Chip has plenty of money to complete this wonderful project.... the problem is, that this money is still in your pockets!!!
Love you Chip, keep on keeping on.
Ken (Gramps)
Hey Chip
Cool to see you meeting folks along the way, not that its a surprise to us that know you. (I think you could make friends with a rock LOL). I was wondering if someone could put a link to the chanel 7 seven's heros so we could send that via email to all our friends and hopefully generate more revenue for this great cause. I tried to find it but didn't look as hard as i could, maybe someone else has it linked already. Anyway keep on keeping on, can't wait to talk to you in person about the whole trip. Have a great ride/day.
Hippy Doug
Here is the link to the Seven's Hero segment on KTVB.com's website http://www.ktvb.com/video/index.html?nvid=175656&shu=1. It was an awesome peice and we were all really proud to say you are our friend. Keep it up Chip YOU CAN do it.
Hi Chip, I just watched the video that ran on your Boise TV station. It was a great interview. You are a very articulate speaker. On a personal note, I was tickled to see that the piece closes with the picture of you and Grandpa Roberts on that bench in Boardman, Ohio. Woo-Hoo!! Go Chip and go Dad! Now my dad has had his 15 minutes of fame! Take care.
Hey Bach...
Its Anderson from the Corp. Dude I just found out Chip lives in Boise, Idaho. Saw his gigantic head on TV this morning. What a stud for doing this bike ride.
Email me at konanekid@yahoo.com so we can talk.
Semper Fi Chip..........
Hey Chipper, it is so wonderful that you are getting a little TLC from people on your journey. Blessings to them! We continue to love the monolog and think about you everyday. Loved the segment on chanel 7. Hopefully this will snowball. You are such an inspiration! Keep it up and hope your tooth feels better. I guess they don't call you chip for nothing Ronald!!! Love to you and your fam.... the Lindquists
Carrie,
No room for church shoes.
Bach,
See the upper right corner of the blog for KTVB interview. Also, send me an email with your cell phone number. Would you be interested in assisting as a support veheicle for a portion of the ride? Let me know ASAP. Was good to hear from Anderson, J wasn't it? Can you contact Art Anderson and have him contact me? Or give me his contact info. Thanks!
Tracy,
You're great!
Mike and Dayna,
I love you guys!
Tracy again,
I miss you all, too! The kids are too cute.
Ken,
Wow, wow, wow! Great ideas, thank you so much!
Doug,
You make me laugh. The channel 7 link is on the blog. Thanks.
Brian,
Thank you!
Aunt Annie,
Thanks! Whoo-hoo, too!
Anderson,
Thanks
Tad and Andrea,
You guys are great, thank you.
Post a Comment