2011
Year  5

April 30, 2011
Barnstormer's Grill Ride
Dear Son Chasers and Guests: 
I did not send out a trip report yesterday because we had a wedding to attend yesterday afternoon and evening and when I got home at 10:00 pm, I was just too tired (lazy). Also, I kept running through all the thoughts I had about the day and had trouble deciding exactly how I would convey it (too linguistically challenged).  So here goes.

We started the day with four new riders; Jimmy Strickland, Kim Day, Rick Atkinson and Cesar Cruz; registering and going through our group riding safety review class. Welcome guys! It was certainly a plus to have you join us on this perfect weather day. Our emotions then cycled as we read from scripture that reminded us of God’s promise to be with us, especially in time of trouble and to have a plan for us and our best interest foremost in His control, and I brought the group up to date on the recovery progress of Paul Silfee.

We then went immediately into a memorial service at our church for Shirley, the mother of Tom Rycroft, who went home to be with the Lord last week as a result of a motorcycle accident. Eighteen Son Chasers stood as a group to show our support for Tom and Johanna and their extended family as I read from Psalm 5:11 and then led in prayer. This was a sad occasion because a loved one had departed, but it was also a celebration of one who knew the Lord and lived life to the fullest.

We then had a fun, uneventful ride to Williamson, Ga. except for about a half mile stretch of recent tornado carnage; with at least one house missing its entire roof! There were 18’’ diameter trees twisted in to and many uprooted trees all around.

As we prayed before the meal at Barnstormers we again lifted up Paul and Cheryl Silfee and the Rycroft family and those suffering from the recent storms and we thanked God that we could enjoy the food and fellowship and know that He has a plan for us beyond the trials of this world. We then did our best to “explore” the specialties of the Barnstormer’s Grill menu and the newest members to ride with the Son Chasers. The ride back was again 10 out of 10 and helped me realize that the whole day was a great reminder of what the Son Chasers are all about: Friends and members of God’s family getting together to share God’s love, share the Gospel message and ride motorcycles…….Oh, and eat some good food!

Just a reminder, The Kyles and the Harrelsons will be gone on our next great, motorcycle road tour for the month of May so, God willing, we’ll see you in June. Ride safely and Follow the Son.  Alan

April 17, 2011
Hanners Benefit Ride
Dear Son Chasers and Guests:
What do you call temperatures between 55-65, sunny, pure blue skies, police escort through very little traffic on mostly rural Georgia roads; the smell and eating of freshly smoked bar-b-que; the occasion to give some of what we have to those that have a need brought on by failing health; the look and words of faith, gratitude and love expressed in the eyes of those that are struggling but happy to be there with you and you get to ride your motorcycle home and you know they cannot? I think all of those that were able to be there with us today would have to call it TO BE BLESSED!

God allowed David Hanners, his wife, Jeannine, their son, Ray, and two granddaughters to join us today and bless us. I pray that we helped them in some small way with our presence and donations. But as I was at the microphone addressing them to give them the money that we had raised and I saw in their eyes the look of heart felt expressions of gratitude to God for the opportunity to praise Him in all that they were going through, it spoke volumes about being content in God’s grace.

Thank you Reed and Robin for setting up this opportunity. Thank you folks that went on the ride and set the stage for the Holy Spirit to be among us and make the fellowship what the Son Chasers are striving to experience. The only thing that could have made it better is to have had all of the Son Chasers there with us. I guess we’ll have to do something like this again.

Our next ride is April 30 to the Barnstormers Grill in Williamson, Georgia. This is a great little restaurant built inside a replica of the Chandler field hangar. Any airplane enthusiasts will be doubled rewarded with some of the old planes in the hangar or sometimes going down the runway next to the restaurant. Hope you can make it.
Ride Safely and Follow the Son.
Alan

March 20, 2011
High Falls Ride
Dear Son Chasers:
It was really great to see so many of you come out and enjoy the weather, the fellowship and the food yesterday on our inaugural ride for 2011. It was as good as it gets in so many ways. We had eighteen members join in, plus, two new members signed up to enjoy the fellowship, Frank Stripling and Sam Harkness, both from Newnan. Welcome guys! We look forward to riding with you more as we roll out the 2011 schedule. Speaking of which, as I mentioned yesterday, our next ride is on April 16 and it will be a Son Chaser sponsored Benefit Ride for David and Jeannine Hanner of Franklin, Georgia. David is a former police officer who has been in a long fight against cancer. We hope to get other riding clubs to join in and have a really large group. This will probably be a police escorted ride from FBCPTC to the Riverside Park in Franklin Georgia. Reed Lewis, who provided the delicious Bar-B-Que at his Chapel on our September ride last year, will cater the event. I’ll be seeding out more on this in the next week, so mark your calendar for a fun and very worthwhile cause. Ride Safely and Follow the Son.
Alan