December 31, 2016

December 31st 

The last day of 2016

Tomorrow, everyone starts anew

A time for reflection

What has passed

What is to come 

Second chances

Improvement

364 nights.

2017...

     It is difficult to digest the last 525,600 minutes. My favorite time of year is now, reflecting on what has happened these past 364 days and considering how to improve the next 365. As I look back on all of the opportunities I have been given, I can't help but ponder some of the chances that I have let slip through my fingers; chances to be a better husband, father, son, brother in Christ to my fellow believers. We shouldn't dwell on things passed, simply use them for fuel as we welcome in a new year. Many are saying, "I hope this year is better than the last," but my question is, "Why did you not make the most of the time you were given?"  What holds us back from doing our utmost since we all have indeed been given the same amount of time? I can only blame myself for not making the most of every second available to me. The same second that is available to everyone else...

     As I peer out the front window of our home, this home we have been in for the last 364 days (x3 years prior) I feel a sense of accomplishment. Accomplishment for keeping this house standing and the heat on and the electricity running for another year. I look at our vehicles parked outside and I reminisce about the green Jeep Cherokee that is no longer dripping small spots of fluid onto the pavement; replaced by a white F150 with United Rentals logos on the sides and rear. I think back to my adolescence and try to understand how I have been so fortunate to wind up in the position I currently hold. A good paying job, a vehicle to drive, and even gas that is paid for by my company. How can I be so fortunate when others are not?  Why have I been chosen to be among the top 1% in the world? I think of all the people I have met over this past year and consider their circumstances - many less fortunate, many more fortunate; some trying to get by and others striving ahead to greatness. Here are a few people that I have had the good fortune to rub shoulders with over this past year, most of these have been "chance" meet ups during the some 10,000 miles I put on the Honda Odyssey, others are just connections I have made through my wife, or friends of friends.  I have bolded some of my favorite stories for easy reading. 

  January 23 - Uber passenger whose Dad passed away 7-8 years ago and I was fortunate enough to pray with him.

  Feb 2 - a perfectly timed Uber drop off gave me the opportunity to drive the kicker of the IU football team. An upstanding young man and I wish him the best of luck with his future career, in football, or otherwise. 

  Feb 7 - another divinely inspired Uber pick up, this time at Zoobilation, the annual gathering of the "who's who" in Indianapolis. I got the privilege of driving an Indy Car driver. Had a wonderful conversation about racing and church. Wishing you the best of luck this upcoming season!

  April 17 - drove former Purdue star, current Minnesota Timberwolves player.  

  April 21-24 a life changing experience meeting new brothers in Christ at Red River Gorge, KY.                              https://the4thmusketeer.org/xcc/impressions

  May 7 - driving former students that I taught at Park Tudor 5 years ago! JP! Crazy how great God's timing is! 

  

  June 4 - My ever wondering friend "J" who is still out there somewhere. After a perfectly timed drop off at Eagle Creek Golf Course, I was able to drive "J" out to the highway to continue his journey. He was walking through Zionsville, hitch hiking from Florida to Canada because of a calling he felt from God. I gave him my number and some supplies for the road. I hope I get to hear all of the amazing work that God did on this journey. I pray for you often my friend and brother. Until we meet again...

  July 24 - pickup at Klipsch after a concert; turns out the passengers are good friends with my buddy M.B. and is a teacher in my former school district of Beech Grove. I scratch my head at how out of 24,000+ people, I can get a ride so pre-ordained and people say "it's a coincidence."

   August 12 - some of my favorite regulars telling me they are contemplating divorce; praying feverishly for them for a month and despite my attempts, them still splitting. My heart still breaks for them and their family, but I know it's in God's hands. 

  September 28 - "the incident" on our street....5 hours away from home and feeling helpless for my family...firmly planting the roots that God either causes or allows all things to happen and that he is there with us each step of the way. I may not ever know why He allowed our family to experience this, but I hope some day we can use this to help someone in need. 

  October 23 - meeting and praying with a new brother in Christ "V" after a somewhat sticky situation in Broad Ripple. I was happy to be where I was, when I was, so I could minister to him and share with him some "not so smart" marriage decisions I had made. Sometimes our worst decisions make the best advice for others!  This was another divinely inspired trip as I was not even supposed to be out driving at that time, but because of an airport pickup that didn't quite work out, I was in the right place at the right time! 

   October 24 - praying to God, "I don't really want to drive anyone else tonight, but I will if you need me to."  ...go online 3 blocks from home, and get a request from Lebanon (18 minutes away!)  Turns out the passenger crashed their car on the highway and needed a ride home to BLOOMINGTON! Did I mention this was a 4:15am pickup?  That was a long night, finally arrived back home around 6:30? Was happy I was online and available to give a much needed ride back despite a lack of Zzz's. 

   November - Picking up "strangers," although I don't believe in such things! And hearing their amazing life stories...my friend "K" who I picked up downtown. I got a request but the passenger canceled, which put me on that particular street where I wasn't planning on going. "K" needed a ride across town and on the way I found out she was using heroin and prostituting to support her habit. I have been able to stay in contact with her, but unfortunately no progress on kicking the habit yet. I am confident that God will redeem her from her situation and use her to rescue others. 

   November 25 - having some "real talk" with "M" in Broad Ripple about marriage and pregnancy. Still praying for you and your wife. Remember, God sees the whole picture, we see a small piece of the puzzle while we live in the day-to-day. 

  December 30 - driving and wanting to be home...ask God for someone to share his love with, getting to drive "S" back to her soon to be in-laws place from a party in Zionsville. She's getting married in 2017 and is active in her church and faith. Praying for everything to run smoothly and that pre-marriage classes go well and bring you closer together. Best of luck! Remember, "there is no plan B!"

Other happenings with no specific date or they happened so often that it's impossible to pin down just 1 occurrence:

• Extra tips from customers when the gas light is on and the bank account is running close to "E"

• Countless conversations with people about God, and his son Jesus. Many questions that non-believers have asked that have made me look deeper into my own faith and build a greater love and understanding of what Jesus means in my life. 

• Having the opportunity to minister to young men on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

• Meeting future "regulars," and doing God's work in their life, unbeknownst to me - "N" one of my Zionsville bartender regulars. Always a pleasure to see you my friend.
• Getting an opportunity to pray with people on marriage, family, moving, life, boyfriends/girlfriends, money, anything and everything else...
• I must give a big shout out and "thank you" to my good friend M.B. for keeping me out on the road to make the "big money" when I wanted to go home, for praying with me when needed, and most of all just keeping me company while out and about in the city. I am praying for you, your family, and that 2017 would bring us more prosperity and opportunities to serve God than we could ever imagine. 

    This year has not been without heartache and struggle. We have had ups and downs as a family, had friends move away, and people come in and out of our lives. I'm sure the cycle of life will continue until God decides it is time for us to leave this planet. Until then, my hope rests in Jesus and the promises that he not only makes, but keeps. My aim for 2017 is Joshua's promise in chapter 24, verse 15. 

    Dear Abba, Father. You have allowed me to experience so much this past year. Thank you. Thank you for the people, circumstances, and situations that you have brought into my life. I know all good and perfect things are from you (James 1:17).  Thank you for being by my side and going before me. Thank you for carrying me through situations where I had no authority or power. You are amazing. You are unbelievable. I pray that in this new year, you would allow me to draw nearer to you, so I can love my friends and family better, share your love with more people, and ultimately live a life that is inviting to others. Not for my benefit, but for your glory.  Always and forever. Amen. 

As Christians we need to be obedient to God in sharing our faith. We should do this with of a sense of duty to those around us who do not know Jesus instead of doing it because it is something we "want" to do.
If we are IN Christ He will give us the words to speak and put us in the situation that He wants us in; all we have to do is pray that we can show up for what God wants to do in our lives.
Too often i act on a "wants" basis instead of a "duty" basis.  Too often i don't do what needs to be done because,  "i don't feel like it." Well,  this is changing.  Moving forward i am acting out of duty and responsibility rather than just how i feel. This should be interesting.
God, i wait expectantly for you to show up in my life and show me how to live this out for you.

That isn't just a right turn you're making, that turn will change someone's life...

To you, reader, 
You are reading this story today not because of chance, but because you should be and you are meant to be. Remember, whether you are a believer or not, every decision you make leaves a lasting impression on someone, somewhere, whether you see it or not. Your choices have consequences, both good and bad.
Do what you can to make sure that the ripples of your actions will be positive. 



I wanted to share an experience I had this afternoon (October 4, 2015)

One of the things that stood out most to me from the sermon at church this morning is the fact that we need to be available for God to use us in whatever way He sees fit. 

In my spare time I am an Uber driver and most of my Friday and Saturday evenings are spent in the car, on the road, shuttling people from point A to point B. This has been an excellent opportunity for me to share my faith with people, have some awesome conversations, and invite people to TPCC. 

On Sunday afternoon I signed on to do some Uber trips while running some errands. On my way south on Michigan road I noticed a lady walking carrying a bunch of stuff just north of the Cost-Co parking lot. I decided to diverge from my intended destination to see if she could use an extra hand getting where she was going. When I finally made it over to that side of the parking lot she was nowhere to be found. On the way however, I did see two gentlemen walking, both carrying some bags in their hands. I pulled up to offer both of them my card for Uber and ask if they needed a ride anywhere. One of them promptly shrugged me off (the one carrying more bags, about 4-5) and may have even picked up the pace a little bit. A white dude in a mini-van wearing sunglasses and a camo hat was probably somewhat intimidating (not really.) The guy who was carrying only one bag in his hand asked what I charge for trips, how Uber works, so on and so forth. 

I asked him to tell me a little bit more about what he was looking for and he explained that he and his wife are having some trouble getting to work (broken vehicle) and they have kids that they need to take care of as well. 

As I drove the man over to where he and his family are living, temporarily in Motel 6 (as I would find out later on, see Update**) I talked to him a bit more about his situation and what's going on in his life. I knew at a very minimum the Lord had provided me with an opportunity to pray for someone in need and I asked my new passenger to do so (as I occasionally do with my Uber passengers.)   He graciously accepted and then I learn that this man, D, gave his life to Christ about three years ago and has never looked back. 

He said that he and his wife were just trying to put together a game plan on how they could figure out this whole transportation debacle and I was a blessing in disguise. He is a man of faith and a lover of Jesus. He proclaims God's promises every chance he gets and knows that our meeting was not a coincidence, but a divinely inspired crossing of paths.  Writing out this part of the story doesn't really seem like anything over the top, but I guess the big picture here is that I saw someone who needed help and took a small step out of my way to try to be of some assistance. When I could not find that original person I wanted to help, I reached out to ask someone else if I could do anything for them. Simply because I made myself available I was able to help someone on this beautiful Sunday afternoon, just like we talked about that morning at church. 

//I am truly amazed at how God can orchestrate the perfect timing of everyone's lives and interconnect us in this way that is incomprehensible by any stretch of a human imagination//

**UPDATE as of Sunday evening at 11:00pm**

I gave D my number and told him to call me if there was anything I could do for him, and he said he would probably call me later that afternoon to talk more. 

I ended up hearing from D around 9:00 pm the same night. I didn't especially want to answer my phone when I saw a random number show up on my screen, but I am grateful that I took that call because D had decided to take me up on my offer and ask for help.  He told me that his wife is working nights and asked if I could help with transportation for her. As I continued to talk with him, I learned that they were kicked out of their house by a landlord who had no interest in anything but personal profit, and that the Motel 6 was a temporary living situation provided by HIP (Homeless initiative program.)  D also shared with me that he and his fiance have 6 kids between the ages of 3-15 and that not only is one of their vehicles broken, that is their ONLY vehicle. 

They are looking for a more permanent home to house their large family and are meeting with their case worker over the next few days to find out how much longer they are able to stay at Motel 6. 

What does this all mean for you?

I am praying that you will make the choice today to leave a positive ripple in someone else's life.  I also hope you will forward this on to whomever helps in these kinds of situations and provide some assistance for D and his family. (Secretly I'm hoping one of you has Ty Pennington on speed dial and we can just do an extreme home makeover for them!)

Their main needs:

-transportation for Mom/Dad to get to/from work 

-living arrangements that can be a long-ish term solution

Thank you for your assistance and for reading my extremely long email. Please feel free to find me on Facebook or email me directly, dwefler@gmail.com . 

Here's to being available for God and all the amazing things He can do in our lives when we make time for Him. To Him be the glory both now and forever, 

Amen

I love it when a plan comes together...especially when it's not my plan

Yes, this is another blog about God. Jesus. Lord. Father -  the one that created all of this and the one that sets in motion each and every cog and gear in this unbelievably complex and gigantic puzzle. This post is about His amazing timing in this place we call home.

Tonight I am writing on the topic of timing and how, if left to our own devices, we will generally tend to screw up the timing of one thing or another throughout the course of our day.   Even you punctual people have to admit that if someone were telling you exactly where to be and precisely when to be there, you could have had better timing, for at least one instance in your life.

Tonight was like many other nights driving Uber in Indianapolis.  I went online a bit later than normal after a wonderful movie date with my beautiful bride, and wound up mostly being around downtown for a majority of the evening. Around 1:15 or so I start to think about shutting it down and heading back home; mind you I am still downtown so I begin to do what any good Christian would do at this point, and pray, that the Lord will provide me a trip somewhere north.  I tend not to be greedy so I usually pray something like this:

"Dear Lord, thank you for a profitable evening. I would like to head back home, so if you'd like to give me a trip north, that would be great, if not, that's great too. Your will Lord, not mine, Amen."

[Please reference my earlier blog about praying this prayer, being the last car in Broad Ripple on one evening, then having to drive some dudes to Greenwood.  Bummer!  I put this note here so you can see that even though I am a Christian, I understand that God's timing is not always my timing, and it just did not work out in my favor (that I know of) for that particular evening.]

Back to the topic at hand - I say "Amen" and sixty seconds later I get a trip heading north. "Hooray, I love it when a plan comes together."  After dropping off a few dudes and their dates in Broad Ripple I'm like, okay that was convenient, I'll go towards the strip and see what's happening. Maybe head home, maybe hang out. Who knows.
I park in front of the giant comb at Monkey's Tail for a minute and another request rolls in.   This couple is going a few blocks off the strip; or are they?  The guy lets himself out a few blocks away and tells me I'm taking his girlfriend back downtown to her apartment. Back downtown?!  What?! This wasn't my plan.  Now I'll have to drive back home with an empty car! (it is 2:15 by this time, and I'm not in the mood to wait around another 45 minutes for closing time)

I drop off this girl at her place and before I can finish my thought and get a game plan of what to do next, I turn onto Mass Ave to find it...,,,.deserted. Completely and utterly deserted.  I drove 3 blocks without having to touch my brakes, and if you've ever driven on Mass Ave, Uber or not, you know that is no easy accomplishment.

Another minute or two goes by and DING!  Oh hooray. A request:
"Hi Cole, this is David with Uber, I just want to confirm you're at 608 Massachusetts Avenue..."
  -"hi David, yes we're at Pizzaology" 
"Great, thanks for confirming, I'll be there in just a minute."

I park in front of Pizzology, stopping in the middle of Mass Ave to open the door for my passengers, because this is what I do and because I can get out of my car on Mass Ave without being honked at!
I hit the [Begin Trip] button, and to my wonderful astonishment, their address is Zionsville,

All I can say at this point is, "I love it when a plan comes together, especially when it's not my plan."
The Bible talks about "enduring" and "endurance" and I think sometimes this is read too much into; like we should have some big struggle that we have to fight through so that we can share our testimony with others and they will want to know God more, because we are enduring this great battle.  Sometimes, friends, enduring is simply not hitting that "off'" button the moment you feel like it. Sometimes enduring is waiting on the Lord's perfect timing, even when you don't feel like it.  I could have easily gone offline in Broad Ripple and made the drive home by myself, but I didn't. I decided to let the Lord work in me and through me, and because of this I feel that he blessed me with a small glimpse into his perfect plan.

We are all cogs in this great machine, sometimes letting someone else be in charge is the most difficult part, however; it is what we need most - to let go of our control and allow God to use us as pieces in his amazingly timed, perfectly crafted plan.

Timing is everything.

Correction. God's timing is everything.  God is in control and he has everything timed perfectly, like the most accurate and precise clock ever created.
Sometimes that timing works out for us to enjoy and be excited over it; sometimes it works out for us to be sad and disillusioned by it.
Either way. I never cease to be impressed by God's perfect timing.

Tonight God's timing worked in my favor to see a friend and get them a safe ride home.
I just finished up an Uber trip on the north side when I was heading back south on Michigan Road.  Just as I was driving by the complex where my friend and her husband were wrapping up their party, they texted me to ask for a ride.  Sometimes it is the little details that baffle me, and sometimes it's the bigger picture (see '2015' post)

Whether it is working in your favor or not, revel in God's perfect timing and know that he knows what is best, every second of every day and he will not fail.

2015

Tonight while driving, I accepted a request that turned out to be from a friend I haven't seen since 2005. I am ecstatic about 2015 because I feel like this happening, with this person, exactly how it did is God showing me that he is in control, always has been, and always will be.
I hope that I can be more dedicated, more humble, and more willing to let Jesus work in me and through me in ALL areas of my life this coming here.
Here's to 2015 and everything that will happen.

The ride of a lifetime (from June road trip to Canada)

Yesterday's ride with some folks from Fresh Air Experience was exactly the kind of riding you would imagine in British Columbia. Rolling hills into the country, a strong wind from the north, an unfortunate storm blowing in with gray clouds and rain in the distance. With about 1650 ft of climbing and a top speed of 57 miles per hour, it was truly the ride of a lifetime. 


I think my favorite part was after quite a few wonderfully amazing tire squealing down hill sections someone says "we haven't even gotten to the best one yet!"
The final downhill was 3 kilometers of blindingly fast, brakeless curves back into town, and this Indiana guy ended up getting 10th overall out of 90 people that have ridden that segment!

Unfortunately the rain today kept me from a second, faster attempt. Will I have my chance to try again? I can only hope.    I was having too much fun to take any pictures, so I'll try to get some next time.  Until then, you'll just have to imagine.

Thursday June 10

Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana

Wow, North Dakota is wide. Like really wide. Like add wide as Kansas.

And you know what we say about Kansas, Andrew Abegg. 

Wednesday June 11

Made it to Chicago in 2.5 hours

Listening to our road trip playlist on spotify and Into Thin Air by John Krakauer (audio CD)

Drove 430 miles before getting gas with about 80 to spare, averaged 30mpg in the loaded down Subaru, currently averaging ~31 through the hills of northwest Wisconsin.

Found New Glarus beer and a plethora of other awesome porters and stouts.
Hooray for Spotted Cow!

Remembering my trip to the Wisconsin Dells with my mom as a kid: getting sick and going to the hospital, Wisconsin Ducks, gigantic waterparks. Great job driving all this way Mom!

Things I've noticed:
-Minnesotans are very friendly
-Minnesotans talk very slowly

12 hours of driving is a long way to drive, but not so bad when you have an awesome Co pilot.

Alexandria, MN looks like awesome biking territory!
And indeed it is! (got to ride with some super awesome dudes) 

A huge thank you to Jake's Bikes for putting me in touch with Craig Andrews and a huge thank you to Craig for putting me in touch with Ralph!
Had a fantastic 25 mile ride with a really cool group of guys around some of the lakes here in Alexandria.
Only stop #1 and I already want to pack up and move away to the land of 10,000 lakes.

Updates in Uber'land (written back in...May?)

A few new happenings since the opening weekends of Uber...the concise and precise version

• I drove a girl who taught Katie's art class when she did a wine and canvas night with the Zionsville Mom's group (this was a pretty lucky pick up as I was not really near their location and it was a prime time of evening)
• I took a few people to Center Grove (which is a haul and you probably won't be coming back with passengers.)  Prayed that I would find some way to make money on the south side. About halfway to CG a friend texted me from the southside needing a ride.  Unfortunately timing didn't work out and I was headed back north with an empty car.  I thought about sticking around on the south side for a bit, and I asked God to give me some sign if I should stay.  I drove a couple minutes down the road and had a request from Beech Grove to head across town.  Shortly after I dropped that guy off I had a request to go from Southport, pretty far west, and it ended being a $40 fair.  I met up with my friends eventually, took them home, and then had numerous other requests from the near vicinity.  South was blowing up that night!
• On Wednesday, 3/19, I got up early (~4:45am) and after sitting around reading my Bible and asking some important life questions on 1 Timothy 5 I got a request from an auto shop in Zionsville.  After a brief conversation I learned that the owner of the shop was looking for someone to help get his clients from his shop back home after dropping off their cars for work.  The fare wasn't much, but it was a very promising conversation and hopefully some lucrative future business.
  (follow up to this - owner did not work out and said "I have worked long and hard to get this business up and running, I'm not interested in promoting anyone except myself,"  to which I walked out scratching my head wondering if he had missed the whole concept of Jesus first, others second, self last. And yes, I know this business owner is a Christian.) 

It's been too long

I'm a horrible blogger apparently because my last post was in June.
I've had the itch to write quite a bit since June, but I always pushed that urge aside for other things.

I was sending an email out to a friend and since this is a topic I wanted to blog about I wanted to share it here and hear from my readers on this (however many or few there are.) So. Read. Think. Respond. Let's start some dialogue.

    I wanted to know more of your thoughts on exactly who Jesus is. I feel that in today's Christianity there are people that follow the church (or a leader at the church) and there are those who follow Jesus.  I have been coming to the realization that if people really know Jesus they only have two choices to make

1) People can either accept him for who he is, which in turn means he should be worshiped and held in the highest regard or...

2) People can reject him because they think he is a fake and a liar 

    These two options do depend on one pre-requisite though, a person has to know Jesus before they can make one of these decisions. Just like any other topic in life, you shouldn't make a decision based on pure guesswork. Before buying into something (or someone) there should always be at least a little bit of research done on the topic. So, I guess my question is, What do you know about who Jesus is and what he did?

I am excited to hear your thoughts and get your opinions.  This is a simple question but a life-changing answer.    Here's to a great discussion. 

-Wef

PS. I can be reached at dwefler@gmail.com if you do not want to leave your comments below. 

Westward Ho!

West we go

Into the wild blue yonder

Not in search of gold

But in search of adventure 

Five thousand on the map

Twenty two on the calendar 

Countless memories 

Family

New Friends

Places and spaces never seen 

Forests, mountains, plains

Moose, bear, jackelope? 

Ecstatic

Only 8 more hours! 

Bible Reflection Psalm 27:11-14

[Inspired by Brent Booher: former co-worker at South Grove Intermediate School, man of God and role model of what it looks like to live out your faith]

Brent posted a challenge on his Facebook page about reading and reflecting on some scripture that means something to you.  I don't actually know what the challenge was in it's entirety, but I came home from a bike ride this evening to find yet another thing in our wonderful home that needs fixing.  The AC seems to be blowing, but not much colder than room temperature. Disappointing, considering it is about 80 degrees today. I love owning a home, but it definitely comes with a weight of responsibility and discipline to do the little things each day, so that this house can not just be a house, but a home for my family. Unfortunately I feel that I've been lacking in this area as well, as it seems that I have been leaving all these things for Katie to do and brushing off some of my husband responsibilities. With that, the scripture I ran across while browsing for something to reflect on was from Psalm 27:11-14.

11 - Teach me your way, O Lord;

lead me in a straight path

because of my oppressors.

12 - Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, 

for false witnesses rise up against me, 

breathing out violence. 

13 - I am still confident of this: 

I will see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living. 

14 - Wait for the Lord; 

be strong and take heart

and wait for the Lord. 

I have a desire to know God and his son and what it means to really be a follower of Him.  How do I mention Jesus without being embarrassed? How do I give a gentle nudge to some, but a strong push to others? For this, I desire, "teach me your way, O Lord."

There will be people who persecute me and slander me, simply because I love you and desire to bring glory to you Lord. They will turn violent towards me, and knowing this, I stand strong against them and proclaim, "Do not turn me over to my foes, but let me put on your armor so that I may shield myself from the evil things of this world and the enemies it sends for me."

Let me see the goodness of the Lord while I am here on this Earth, and let me share with others that everything comes from Him who created it.  Let me never get bored with the beauty I see and the awe and wonder around me each day.  For this I pray, "let me see your goodness Lord."

When I feel frustrated and helpless. When I know that I am at the end of my rope, let me always look to you for guidance, and lean not on my own understanding. I want to bring everything to you first God, remind me that you are the reason I am here, and it is for your glory that I exist. I plead, my Savior, "Give me patience and endurance, let me be strong and take heart, while I wait for you to come again." 

The side of Uber you rarely hear about

It is truly amazing how God decides to reversal himself through this new job. 

In February of this year I began a new job with a driving company called Uber. Basically you pick people up, take them where they need to go,  and there isn't much else to it besides that. Simple, convenient, and a fantastic way to make money. Not to mention it is extremely affordable for the passenger. 

Or at least there wouldn't be much else to it, however, these seemingly random people keep getting in my car and we have all these things in common. Not just the, "Oh we like the same sports," "Oh we like the same music..." but these last few weekends numerous people have gotten in my car who know people that I have either attended high school or college with, or even people that I've rented a house from (that whole process of finding a house was also a total God thing as well, think I already blogged about it, go check)

So let me frame this up for you and describe a little bit about how this service works. I, as a driver, have an iPhone in my car that the company gave to me. When I am ready to work all I do is turn the phone on and "go online" as they call it. Basically I'm making myself available to pick up a passenger should the need arise. When a passenger needs a ride the request automatically goes out to the closest driver. I get all of the info on my device, including the passengers name, and location, and destination if they have put it into their request. I go pick them up, I take them where they want to go, and all of the payment is handled through the app. I don't worry about cash, cards, or anything else. I do often use the phrase, "tipping is accepted, but not expected," (or I would if I could ever say it correctly on my first try.)

So my first Saturday night on the job I am hanging out at Katie's parents house in Zionsville. It's about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and I decided I'm going to head downtown to start my evening as that's looking like where the busy spot is. Not one second after I announce, "I think I'm going to go downtown to start my evening," a passenger quests a ride from Zionsville to downtown. Awesome!
I like to think at this point God exclaims something like "checkmate!"

Some people could chalk this up to a mere coincidence, and I could agree with them, but I won't. Because throughout the night, and the next couple of weekends, there are too many "coincidences" to just be coincidence. 

   A bit later that evening, I find myself downtown again.  I am driving out of Monument Circle heading north, and I see Vermont St. (I think) I decide that looks like a good to turn, and as soon as I make my turn, someone requests a ride from Mass Ave, which is sweet, because Mass Ave is a few blocks ahead, and I'm sure that there could have been a car closer if the timing wasn't absolutely perfect for me to be there. 

I arrive on Mass Ave to find my passengers waiting, I open the door for them, and confirm their names and destination.  At this point I have to start praying, because unfortunately this couple is going north. North north. To Fishers, north, and at this time of night, that's kind of a downside to the job, because I may have to drive back to town without anyone in my car, which means I don't get paid for that driving time.  So instead of complaining, I focus my attention and pray that God would provide some way for me to get paid heading back south. I ask for anything to happen, and of course, because God is awesome and amazing, it does.  I drop off couple #1 in Fishers, I head around the corner to the gas station for a quick pit stop, and someone from Noblesville, about 7 minutes away, requests to head down to Broad Ripple.  "Checkmate!"

  The last story of the evening worth noting is my last ride of the night. I manage to pick up a group of friends somewhere downtown, if I remember correctly it was near Cadillac Ranch, and it was pretty close to closing time. Good Uber drivers know that people have to get home somehow, so around 2-3am things pick up and if you are super lucky you get a ride back in the general direction where you need to end your night. This is what I am always hoping and praying for, sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.  This particular evening my passengers are going to Noblesville from downtown and this is a pretty good sign that I should go home after this trip. They live off 176th and Spring Mill (which will be further explored by myself and my bicycle later on.) After a long journey northward, and a nice fare for myself, I drop them off and head southwest back to Zionsville.  As this was my first night driving for Uber, it hadn't occurred to me to intentionally look in the back seat to see if my passengers have left anything in my car. A girl in this group had left a clutch containing an ID, credit card, cell phone, and $50 cash.  Hello new identity! Unfortunately I hadn't looked in my back seat until I was parked, in my garage, back in Zionsville. 

I consider my options, hope the phone isn't password protected (luckily it wasn't,) and text the first couple of people in the phone list.  I realize that she probably called her friends she was with, and I open the recent call menu.  To my shock and dismay, my best friend from high school's name pops up numerous times in the recent call history.  [jaw drop]  SERIOUSLY!!??! HOW IS THIS COINCIDENCE PEOPLE?!?!!?

   I have to tell you that this story goes a step further. Upon telling my friend I found his name in this girl's phone, he continues to tell me if it had been a few weeks prior, his name wouldn't have been in there at all. Long story short, they 're-met' a couple of weeks before hand after their first encounter approximately a year ago.  They hadn't exchanged phone numbers the first time, but luckily he did the second time. I was able to return the phone, cards, and cash, and even had an awesome testimony to go with it. More evidence of how awesome God is, and how he wants to be a part of every facet of our lives, not just the "stuff " that we bring to him, but he wants to be involved in the day to day, high points, low points, and every adventure in between. 

  If you have questions about my beliefs or about Christianity in general, I welcome any and all comments and questions.  I do not, by any means, have all the answers, nor do I want all the answers. That job has been given to one much more important than myself, and I would rather look to Him every day of the week than try to do this thing on my own. 

Until Next Time...

Prayer for today:  Lord, let me never cease to find the amazing things you do in my life and others lives each and every day.  You have given me so many awesome stories, and I pray that you would continue to bless me with this job, these people, and more awesome encounters, so that I may continue to be a witness to you.  I love you. Thanks for everything. You are incredible. 

the chess master

Sometimes I think about God as an all knowing, all seeing, all powerful chess player.

Something to this effect (the big guy, not the little guy)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVLoc6FrLi0

Replace the scrutinizing looks with love and adoration, leave in the part about a second chance even after numerous mess ups, hang ups, and bang ups. Letting God be in control when we are inadequate to do the piloting.  It just makes sense.


This similarity occurred to me today when I was driving to meet a friend at a pet store. I was unsure whether or not it was Petsmart, or Petco; which are in opposite directions from one another.  Turn left, go to Petco; go straight, go to Petsmart.  Not quite certain which one I was supposed to go to, I turned left, and a few minutes later I arrive at the wrong store.  After a quick drive through the parking lot and a confirmation text to affirm that I am indeed at the wrong location, I pull back out onto Michigan Rd. heading southbound.

Just before making my left turn I notice a fellow booking it down the four lane, high traffic, chaos that is Michigan Road on a Saturday afternoon and he is riding a bicycle.   Did I forget to mention it is approximately 40 degrees and raining?  This man is drenched.  Stripe up the back and all.  It was also obvious from afar that he did not WANT to be commuting in this downpour, but that he did not have much of a choice.  Maybe the alternative was walking, so i could be incorrect in this assumption.

Perhaps I shouldn't knock his mode of transportation, because it wasn't for 3 more stoplights that I finally caught him.  As I pulled up beside him, I shout "throw your bike on the back and I'll give you a ride!" (trying to have my voice heard over his headphones)   He tells me that he is heading to a bus stop nearby and waves off my offering at a warm seat and a dry enclosure.

Since I couldn't offer him a place to sit and warm up I put my flashers on, and drove behind him for the next mile or so, waving traffic around us and creating for him a safe lane in which to ride.  It was at this point that I imagined God in his all knowing wisdom smiling down and saying, "Good job David." I marveled at the perfect timing of me being able to be in that exact place, at that exact time, to provide a bit of shelter to a man who I may never meet again. Then I thanked God as I went about my day and He went on moving his chess pieces, setting things up for the future checkmate.

My wife started a blog...

...So I thought this would be a good time to share some thoughts I've been having...

I'm trying to be more intentional about being a Christian and serving out the Great Commission.  How can I do this in my daily life and work Jesus's message into my everyday conversations?  Surely it is an art form.

Zionsville Triathlon & Cycling Team is kicking off 2014 strong! 2 board meetings already, a trainer party, and lots of decisions being made.  Can't wait for more to come. This will be an exciting year indeed.
www.zionsvilletriteam.com     join us!

How do I become a more effective teacher?

How do I balance all the things I want to do while still keeping my faith priority #1?

Is Clash of Clans really worthwhile or do they just have a cool commercial?

Enough randomness.  Why am I still awake?

oh right, kmwefler.wordpress.com

Enjoy! 

PS. Katie is way funnier than me (and she knows it) 

New Year - New Post

Happy 2014!

Is there a better feeling than writing January 1 at the top of a blank page in your journal?  Doubtful.  Such hope, and promise; anticipation and excitement.  Who knows what lies at the end of this year?  Or even this month for that matter. In 2013 Katie and I found out we were pregnant, and then 9 months and approximately 18 hours later, we were able to hold our 20 3/4"  8 lb miracle, Lucy Rae.   It will be so exciting to watch her grow up this year.  Walking will be a possibility!  What?!  I am not in a hurry for her to grow up so I hope this year takes its time. December, I will be excited when you come back, but until then, don't hurry to show up again.

Some other excitement from 2013:

• Leaving Beech Grove for Pike

• Home improvement projects (with the awesome help of my father in law)

• Jessica (sis) going off to Purdue to sing with the Purduettes
• Continuing at Traders Point church and growing closer with our life group
• New friendships that have come from our lifegroup
• Friendships not yet rebuilt, but possibly taking baby steps in that direction (Andrew apologizing)
• A trip to Orange Beach, Alabama with my family
• Birthdays & holidays
• losing family - Uncle Frank & Aunt Carol
• Dad visiting for Thanksgiving
• Grandma & Grandpa Henke's health roller coaster
• Zionsille Triathlon & Cycling Team
• so many other things forgotten and remembered and forgotten again...

Who knows where this year will take me?  As the head of a household. As a child of the One True King. As a teacher. As a Dad. As a friend...

I am not certain of the future, and I'm alright with that.  I know that God has each step along the way planned for me and when I get lost, I will look to Him for guidance.

I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store.

It started with a driveway

   It started by me shoveling the end of a driveway for a woman I didn't know and her being grateful...

Happenings in 4th grade

Stardate: September 8, 2013

The fifth week of school is about to begin.  I still have hair on my head, but I feel that it is turning gray quite quickly in this new environment.  I have a few kids that love to test the limits, so as long as I keep reminding myself "this is only a test" then I can keep my thumb on them and test them right back, or lay the smack down, as I prefer to call it. Of course this "smack" is simply a metaphor and is not intended to physically hit any small children (insert legal disclaimer here.)

My new staff is extremely supportive and I have more resources that anyone could ever read/use in a year.  Books galore and shelves full of things I'm sure I will only remember I have after that fact.

The biggest change is teaching 9 year olds instead of 11 year olds.  You wouldn't think that 2 years makes much of a difference when it comes to what kids can and cannot do on their own, however it is a complete role reversal.  Just when I think I can rely on these kids to do a task completely unassisted (or after an example or two) BAM, it backfires in my face, thus far without hilarious consequences.  I need to keep reminding myself that the students in front of me are fresh out of 3rd grade where I think a kid peed his pants the other day...?  4th graders are not nearly as self sufficient as I thought, so I will continue to guide them and lead them as I do my 3 year olds at church.

Speaking of, new classrooms at church this weekend.  New crop of kids.  It's funny to see our old kids, they look...OLD!  They are only 4 but they look much older than our current group of 3 year olds.  The new space at TPCC is fantastic and i can't wait until we are in our final rooms and done moving around. It will be outstanding once the construction equipment is gone and everything is in it's proper place.  Thinking back on the day - there is a scissor lift on the second story of the church, how do they plan on getting this back outside?

Well, another week of educating awaits.  I hope I can keep all of the extra plates spinning that is required of us teachers...so many things, so little time.


PS.  Baby Lucy will be here in approximately 6 weeks! 

New Diggs

Well folks, it's been a while...

Tomorrow is the first day of school in a new building...with a new staff...with new kids...with new everything!  It is invigorating and exciting and I can't wait to start my day.  No coffee needed.  "Am I ready?" is the question everyone keeps asking and any teacher will tell you that you are never truly, "ready" for the kids on the first day.  You just get your room set up and your day planned out as best as you can and then go for it.  Dive in, feet first, into the deep end, and occasionally stop to reflect on what's happening.

What am I most excited about?  New kids.

I'll be in Pike Township which is a new school district. High poverty, like my last school, much more diverse in ethnicity and culture than my last though.  I'm excited to hear and learn new languages. I'm excited to teach new things. I'm excited to have new stories to tell and enjoy new experiences.

Here's a few pictures of the new room; stay tuned for more funnies in the near future!

[ Just had to add one in here of the furry baby before the baby baby gets here! ]