Mr. Sladkey's Thoughts
High Schoolers
I constantly talk to other people about high
schoolers. I tell them that there is hope for the future. To
know the 10 high schoolers that went on this trip was an absolute joy.
They continually amaze me at their generosity, openness, caring and love.
I am proud to have worked with these guys to make the trip successful.
Most of them had a part in planning the trip. All of them had a part
in the service we had for the 2 churches we outreached to. You guys
are an inspiration to us all. Thank you for your dedication to the
Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for your dedication to the Fellowship
of Christian Athletes. You will all constantly be in my thoughts
and prayers.
Thank You
Thank you Jesus for your Inspiration and Guidance.
Thanks to my soul mate and best friend, my wife,
Linda. You are the best.
Thanks to Mr. Snyder. This trip would
not have happened without you.
Thanks to PJ. You are my hero.
Thanks to the drivers: Mr. and Mrs. Chandler.
Mrs. Hilger. Mr. Krema. Thanks for being servants.
Thanks to Mrs. Krema and my mom. The Friday
night BBQ was great.
Thanks Student Leaders Ali, Brian, Eric, Jenny,
Michelle, Lauren. May God bless you for your faithfulness.
Eric, Jenny, Kyle and Lauren your leadership
for NCHS FCA will be missed. Thank you
The Planetarium
After meeting at Naperville Central for a send-off,
we drove downtown to leave from the front of the Field Museum. After
pictures and good-byes, we went a 1/2 mile down the road to where the Planetarium
is. We actually went around the Planetarium on a sidewalk.
The view was unbelievable. There was so much energy from us all.
I remember PJ (who is my Dad) slow down, we are going too fast. It
was an experience I will never forget.
Soccer on a bike trip
We were at the 45-mile point on a 55mile day,
and taking a break. It was the first day in Waukegan, IL. We
started playing soccer with the local kids. It started with only
3 locals and suddenly there were 10. We split up the teams and had
a game. Wow they were good. We older players did not intimidate
them either. It was a fun experience. The kids asked when we
were going to come back. I knew then that it was a fun time had by
all.
Dinner
What diner would you make if you were in charge
of the menu for a camping trip? Hot dogs? Hamburgers?
Nope. That's not what Ali and Michelle planned for us. They
planned Pasta and tossed salad. Everyone was a little weary of the
idea; however, it turned out very well. Some even called it their
favorite meal of the whole week.
Thanks Ali and Michelle for planning out the
food.
Hold the rope
Who would you trust to hold the rope for you
if you were dangling from a cliff with a rope attached? That was
the question Jenny asked us in her devotional on Monday night. We
had to work together and hold the rope for each other on the trip.
Turkey
No, I'm not talking about lunchmeat. It
was an actual turkey that kept us company on our day 2 lunch. We
were entertained by him strutting and spitting on the other side of the
road. Eric tried to intimidate him with no luck. The turkey
actually deterred a few of our crew from walking across the lawn to the
washroom. The funniest thing was when we were leaving the turkey
decided he wanted to mess with Lauren. We were busting out laughing.
Mukwanago Church
We arrived at the Our Savior Weslyan Church
at about 5pm on Tuesday. They had a big spread of food for us.
Of course we gobbled it up. (No pun intended) It was great
to meet Pastor Dan and Pastor Patti. The people at the church were
great. They seemed to really enjoy the program on "Go Where He Sends
Me" All the students did a great job of putting on the service. My
host family was awesome. They actually had a par 3 golf course in
the back yard. Better than that was the fact that they were great
people serving the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanks Dan and Beth.
Leave it to PJ
PJ met more people along the trip. I was
continually amazed at him. At lunch on the 3rd day was no exception.
He found three high school bikers and asked them to join us for lunch.
They did and we had a great time together. We did our usual ultimate
Frisbee game after lunch as well. It was a great time.
What a welcome, Deerfield Church
We took the scenic Glacier Drumlin Bike Trail
on Wednesday. We were almost into Deerfield when we saw this man
and his daughter. He was the Pastor at the church where we would
be going. He wanted to be sure that we knew where to go in the city.
He gave us excellent directions. We approached the park where we
met all the host families. They began clapping. It was quite
the experience. Thanks Cathy Miles for an outstanding experience.
Our host families treated us to a dinner and then took us home for a shower.
The church again was wonderful. We had an outdoor service.
The interaction with the people of this church was wonderful. We
immediately felt at home. At my host family Paul and Kristen were
wonderful. It was fun to have people dedicated to ministry like these
people.
A Long Day
Thursday. We had nothing planned, except
to bike that is. What was supposed to be 67 miles turned out to be
75 miles. As always the students were very forgiving with our detours.
I have to admit, one of the stops this day I had 2 candy bars. I
remember that it was a nutrageous and a butterfinger. We stopped
at and ice cream store and wow it was good to have a strawberry shake.
We had a long stretch to get to Lake Geneva. We got to Lake Geneva
WI about 6pm. We went through the city to get to the campsite.
After setting up camp Jenny suggested we go swimming in Lake Geneva.
It turned out to be an excellent suggestion. We went swimming and
then went into town for dinner. The students decided on a family
restaurant and it was good.
Canoeing
We had a short riding day on Friday of about
33 in all. We had to canoe the Nippersink Creek. It turned
out to be a rough beginning because Jenny and Michelle turned over within
the first 2 minutes. Liz and Matt were very strong in their boats.
Mr. Snyder and Mr. S had a few surprises for the others. Although
they got just as wet in the process. Brandon, if you are reading
this, it was a great idea to go canoeing.
Party
We arrived in Wauconda IL about 4pm. We
decided to go straight to the lake to go swimming. The water was
very refreshing. Mrs. Krema and my Mom put on a BBQ for us all.
It was great food and great company.
The Final Push
Mr. Krema and Mr. Jandrain decided to join us
for the last day of biking. We had a 60-mile day ahead of us.
We made great time. We had lunch in St. Charles. We were home
by 3pm.
Tidbits
I have never seen a person change a flat as
fast as Kyle did on the first day.
Brian was the master of making people think
they had an itch.
Mr. and Mrs. Chandler's face when I told them
I didn't have a detailed map of Chicago.
Jenn, Eric and Kyle swimming in Lake Michigan
on the first day.
Matt sleeping outside the first night.
Jenn and Brian were always in the front
Eric, Kyle and myself catching up to the others
on day 1. Guys you about killed me.
Cathy Miles giving me a hug even though I was
as dirty and sweaty as could be.
PJ leaving early at the break to get a head
start.
Mr. Snyder joining us on day 2.
Mrs. Chandler looking for the Krema girls key
Mr. Chandler video taping.
Liz saying she was ready to attack the hills.
Hearing the people of the churches saying that
they were ministered to.
Hearing the students on the trip saying they
were ministered to.
Michelle giving all she had, and still had a
smile on her face.
Ali listening to her tapes.
Kyle stopping at the side of the road.
Hearing Matt J bark like a dog when asked, "Who
let the dogs out?"
Kyle doing bike tricks all day long.
Jenn sleeping outside at Big Foot Beach State
Park WI
My cousin saying this trip had God's economy
"Everyone felt as though they received
more than they gave".
The great time at the cottage, with the meal
put on by Mrs. Krema and my Mom.
Matt J doing devotions
Writing on T-shirts
The twins, Kyle and Eric had on identical bike
shirts one day.
Mrs. Hilger's face when the pastor of the church
had driven 10 miles and showed up with
her purse.
Mr. Krema and PJ caught up to us in their canoes.
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