Just when you think you can't go any further, you maybe can.

Today topped it all off. It has been a few months since I have been working on some projects that if they would have worked out, payed great dividends and provided me with the financial support I will need for the next few months. What a thrilling experience it was to see it all come together and feel on top of the world! This morning I woke up on a couch in Provo, awaiting the final world and fell off the top of the world as I quickly discovered that the deal didn't close, and my financial future was next to none. Money is not everything, but the blunt truth is that we all need it, we all want it, and it is a mere creator of opportunity to travel, explore, develop, serve, etc.

It is always disappointing when we work so hard at something and it doesn't work out. We are so quickly filled with bitterness, frustration, despair, and it seems as though our future is dammed. I felt all of these today. But as I have had to face so many failures and disappointments over the past few months, I have begun to experience what I have read about for so long: Trials, obstacles, and our ability to work around them and endure though them. Much easier said than done. We never know when success will come. We don't know what lies around the next corner. We can only follow our instinct, push forward, and work until we reach our reward.

If there is anyone who knows about endurance i believe it is Connor. Professional cycling is the most physically challenging sport in the world. It requires 110% push til the end, regardless of how you feel. If your tired, you keep going. If you crash, you get back on your bike. If you throw up, you rinse your mouth out and carry on. Each race will hold its challenges, and for those that endure them, they receive great rewards.

I wish I knew what I am going to do. In all honesty, I have no clue. But I know one thing, I AM NOT GOING TO SLOW DOWN. I WILL NOT QUIT THIS RACE, NOT THIS TIME. I was/am a lousy cyclist. Always could have pushed harder, endured more, reached new heights, and I realize now my great weakness. This will no longer be the case. Not in cycling, and most certainly not in my life. I will persist until I succeed.

She kissed me in American Eagle...

Tonight I hung out with a girl whom I gave my number to last week as she took my order at McDonalds. We had a good time and if nothing else added one great memory to my life adventure. We were inside American Eagle looking at bracelets and other things. I was goofing around with a hat and shirt over in the corner when I saw her b-line right towards me. Without warning she looked at me, grabbed my head, and kissed me. Maybe she was trying to live up to what I had told her I look for in a girl: Spontaneity. If there is something spontaneous to be done, I believe this is it. Ill never forget that kiss. When I told Connor on the phone, he was shocked, stoked, and ye, a bit jealous. Don't worry Connor, you will have your turn someday, if you already haven't. Did I mention that this chick is gorgeous?

Nate

Completing your bucket list, or not?

This will be short and to the point being that it's late and I'm on the road. I just found myself in a conversation with a good group of friends about life goals and bucket lists. The more I talk about this with people the more I learn about how seriously I take my own list and goals. I feel excited every time I talk about mine, and I see the excitement in the eyes of each person as they tell me about all the things they wanna do. But behind every smile I also see doubt, fear, and lost hopes. I have also felt that way about my list. It would be easy to make it a dream list and let life blow by as my dreams fly away. I see one option, to make it a list of action! Accomplish what it is that I really want to do both big and small. In the end we will only regret the things that we never did. I wish the best for all of us in realizing our bucket list!

Cross out cancer was an epic event. I had a blast in the race and enjoyed being there. I raced for Connor and for my old man Kent. Thinking of what they suffered in chemotherapy helped me to push my limits during the race. Abby, Connors niece, rode in honor of her friends who has cancer. Dave lead us all in the fun ride along with three other cancer survivors. Ia cancer everywhere in this event? Yep. For both the survivors, those suffering and those already passed we rode, laughed, and dedicated those hours to the battle against that awful disease, and will continue to do so each day throughout our lives.

Nick the fugitive

Chillin with bubbles

Bill and his newly found amphibian compadre