One Way Revelation Works

Almost two weeks ago, on an evening bike ride, I noticed my brakes not working very well and starting the squeal a little. Mainly, I could tell the rear brake was not doing very well. It felt like the cable had slipped so the shoes weren't putting much pressure on the rim.

I first noticed this a 123rd south, and then at 114th and then other stops or slow downs. Finally at 7800 south it was bad so I stepped off the road to try to adjust the brake. I tightened things up and then noticed it didn't improve the brake performance. Then I realized part of the brake was missing.

I think the following is a good example of how revelation can work. My first reaction was, "Huh, that's weird." A couple of seconds later I remembered that at one point it has sounded and felt like I ran over something in the road when I hadn't seen anything. I figured that must have been the part falling off. My next thought was, "Well, I have no idea what point in the ride that was."

The brake, as well as a lot of the parts on this bike are unique, one off designs. You couldn't just replace the part with any old brake shoe holder. I'm pretty sure you could find a replacement, and it might not even be terribly expensive. But, it would take some time and bother.

I rode home slowly so as not to put myself in a bad spot where I needed to stop real quickly. As I did I prayed and thought about the situation. I started to remember more and more. I first thought it was probably 123rd south where I lost the part. Then I thought maybe it was 114th south. By the time I got home I was thinking of another possible spot at about 125000 south on 200 east.

I cleaned up and logged my ride and ate dinner. Then Lenore and I got in the car to see if we could find the part. (I did this once before when my saddle broke near the Lone Peak skate park, and found those parts.)

I said another quick prayer and we drove to the last place I thought of. Within 30 seconds I had found the part lying in the street. It took about 30 seconds to find the bolt as well. I was still missing a conical washer and maybe one other flat washer. But, I was just happy to have found the main part.

We said a quick prayer of thanks and I had the bike back together and operational with carefully tightend brake parts by the end of the night.

Whew! I think that was all help from Heaven.

Jan Ullrich and Lance Armstrong?

My dad is 10396 days older than me, or 28 years 5.5. months. he has almost always been concerned enough about his health that I don't know of a time he didn't exercise consistently, until maybe the last 10 years or so. At one time he was nearly fanatic about weightlifting and also occasionally cycled to work.

We moved back to California in 1989 and the next July the Orange Stake had a fun run event on the 4th of July. I had done one or two of these in the past and had fun. But, I was not in any shape to run. So, I suggested to my dad that we do it on our bikes and do the 3 mile course twice just to make it a minor challenge.

The start/stop was at the school that is now called the Prentice School at the corner of Esplanade and Fairhaven in Santa Ana. We went counter clockwise up Esplanade turned left on La Veta then Yorba back to Fairhaven and to the school. There is a little rise going up Esplanade.

I wasn't having any trouble leading my dad and fully expected to beat him. The second time going up that little rise on Esplanade I attacked a little and spent some energy. No problem.

My problem arose as I approached the four way stop at La Veta and Prospect. I was going fast and then saw a car. They might have had ?police? or other people trying to keep the intersection clear for the "event." But, the car didn't give me any defference and I had to slow way down, almost to a stop.

Meanwhile, the timing was much better for my dad who was coming up fast from behind, and he was able to just blow through the intersection at full speed. Now, I had little in reserve from the previous "climb" and had to accelerate again to get up to speed. I wasn't doing well. I had about 2 miles to catch him. But, I never did. Maybe I can say that with the circumstances he was encouraged to ride even faster and keep me behind. I fully expect that without the car interference I would have won. But, I didn't. So, once upon a time my 60 year old dad beat his 32 year old son in a bike race.

(And I'm no piker. I once came in fifth in a race of 715 people.)

Fall On Your Knees

Singing runs in both the Smith and Lillywhite families. Joan is the most accomplished. Besides her singing, she taught voice for years. She helped me some and probably understands the male voice better than the three other voice teachers I had.

Early on, since Shazia grew up at Gram's, she received some attention and lessons from Gram. She has a lovely voice and lots more power than her 87 lbs would indicate.

When she was about 16 or 17 she came to sing at our ward during Christmas time. She sang "O Holy Night", which is a big song. Rather than stand near the piano, up front on the pulpit (or at the microphone) she stood at the back of the choir seats. It seemed the congregation was thinking "What on earth? What is she thinking?" Well she filled the Chapel with her voice and blew them away. I remember specifically seeing more than one congregant weeping in tears.