Lunch! I have company for lunch!

Best Christian Motorcycle Group around! 

I am so excited!  I have some friends from my local Christian Motorcyclist Association chapter The Steel Horse Disciples, here checking on me and taking me to get a bite to eat.  Yes, I am getting off the highway for the moment, so I can go get a bite to eat, get off my bum knee and take a break.  TBear & Rushelle were a sight for sore...  eyes, body, knee, ... you get the picture! 

I am probably going to stop somewhere around Denton tonight, so I can get a longer break.

Dairy Queen was awesome with my friends!  Thanks TBear & Rushelle!

Skinny Shoulders..

No, Ken does not have skinny shoulders, he is walking on them.  He just sent this picture to show everyone that sometimes we take life for granted.  He said that from now on, he will slow down and try to get over to the other lane when passing people walking on the roads.  He has a deeper appreciation for street workers, cops and hitch hikers. 

Day Four..

Ken left my cousin's house this morning to start his journey somewhere in Texas.  I think he said he was going to wear OU shirt all day.  He brought several with him, so I am sure it is going to be an interesting day.  He barely got on his walk, when he was stopped by another reporter!  We are getting the word out, which is his biggest goal.  Oh wait, his actual biggest goal is to raise funds for a plane ride home, because he doesn't want to spend the eight hours in a car after walking all that way....  hahaha!  I am thinking that God will have to provide that flight if that is what his intention is.  

I am not an OU fan (Kathy), but I will put the picture there anyway, since Ken is a huge OU fan and missed the second football game.  He says it was a sacrifice he was willing to make to get the word out about human trafficking. 

He says the knee is not swollen but it is very sore.  His phone holder broke yesterday and he is surprised he even has a phone that works.  It went flying out of his bag and hit the ground sliding.... however, to my relief, it does work. 

He was dropped off at mile marker 500 in Texas this morning by my cousin's, so he is heading through Gainsville right now. 

In this picture, I think that is Cracker Barrel.  Seems he is eating well on this trip.  Actually, I think his only good meals have been breakfast, so I am glad he got to eat there.  The lady with him is Delania Trigger, a reporter for the Gainesville Registar.  (If I spelled it wrong, not my fault) 

For those wondering, Ken is walking down I-35 south towards Denton right now.  He is not sure he will make it much further than that tonight because he is tired, sore and needing a short day to get some rest. 

Day Three .... Continued

From Kathy:  I am sorry...  I got home, updated the blog, then left before Ken stopped on his journey, so I did not get to update the blog last night.  By the time I got home from my meeting, I was too tired to even check it.  So, here are the continued stories of Ken's journey. 

I did not want to discourage anyone, so I did not post this earlier.  While Ken was getting prepared for his journey to begin, he stepped in a hole and went down, twisting his knee.  He was hurting, but his response to me was.. "I tell you like my daddy always told me.... get up and walk it off...  so that is what I am going to do."  I watched Ken literally limp away from me.  I wanted to make him get in the car and drive him to get checked out, but he refused.  He still has not sent me a picture of the knee, but at one point he said it swelled up as big as a softball. 

Two miles down the road, he had to walk through a construction zone that had a shoulder, but the semi's would drive right next to him.  I know I wrote earlier about this situation, but I am writing again, because he sent me a picture from the grass where he had to walk.  I want to also remind you, he was walking on an injured knee and on a slope, in the tall grass, which is how he hurt his knee in the first place.  I am not by any means bragging on Ken, I am simply saying, God is definetly with him. 

Also, he said to tell EVERYONE, that the next time you drive through a construction zone and it says 50 miles per hour, don't speed past workers.  He said that it is crazy how people blew past him and he had no protection.  He had cars almost hit him, just because they were driving too fast for the condition of the road.   Notice how the truck is driving on the shoulder.  Ken is walking in the gravel at this point. 

Again, I have to say, Ken got a ride through the construction because a guy saw an over-sized semi almost take him out, so he stopped and offered to take him all the way to Laredo.  Ken was just thankful for the ride to the end of the four miles of construction.  Just past the construction, he was stopped for an interview by Dara Downs.  She is a reporter for Channel 12 news in Ardmore.  I found her picture on the web since Ken forgot to take a picture. 

Ken got to a Marrietta exit and stopped at the Valero just in time to see a large group of college students come in from Abilene Christian University.  Some of them helped him get some ice to ice down his knee and then they talked to him about his mission of walking to get human trafficking acknowledged.  He said there were about 40 kids (young adults) that sat and listen to the story and took down his info so they could follow along and spread the news.  I think his twitter said something about having a safe trip to KC, so I am going to assume he was saying that they were on their way to Kansas City. 

He said that after he got back on the road again, he had a guy stop and offer to give him a ride again.  He talked to this guy for a bit about human trafficking and this guy had no idea that there was any such thing going on.  Now to do you understand why we must get the word out?  Don't assume that people know that there is an issue with human trafficking, because they don't have a clue!  His plan for today is to talk to as many people as he can and just see if they know there is an issue with human trafficking.  He is going to take his own personal survey. 

The stretch between Marrietta and the Texas border is only about twenty some miles, but for Ken it looked like a thousand.  He says he got to a point where he was just watching for the huge casino sign, because he knew that he would be close to the Texas state line.  He said that his knee at this point was not doing well, but he just kept telling himself that he could do it.  Not that he is saying that the casino was a great place to go, but it sure helped his spirits when he finally saw the huge signs, they were sort of a beacon to a rest stop at the mile marker one. 

Just a quick note, Ken was trying to conserve his battery life, so he did not take many pictures.  So, I am trying to pull pictures from other resources.   So, If anyone sees him alongside the road and wants to send me a picture of him walking, send it to Kat522@att.net.  Let me know where you spotted him.  Thanks!!  Also, if you want to stop and take the pic with him that would be even better.  Also, please take him water or a snack if you can. 

Last night, he made it to the Texas state line and to the Thackerville Truck Stop.  He was so thankful to be there, that I think he could have spent the night there.  His knee was telling him no more.  My cousin, Becky and her husband, Mark picked him up and took him to their place for pizza, (his favorite) a long soak in the bathtub, ice for his knee and a place to sleep.  Thanks so much! 

Day Three... Wow! Am I really ready to get out of bed?

I had to meet Ken in Ardmore last night, so I could bring him a larger backpack, for clothes and such and some stuff he forgot.  Leave it to a guy to forget his phone charger and then when I got to Ardmore, he informed me that he had no toiletries.  Oh well, guess he gets to smell girlie today, with my Dove deodarant!  Hahaha

Before he left, I made sure he had the necessary items he needed, you know, chapstick, sunscreen, toothbrush, deodrant, toothpaste, and a few more clothes.  He ate well for breakfast.  I have to say, I was very impressed by the LaQuinta's breakfast.  LaQuinta in Ardmore....  you rock and so do your employees! 

Last night an employee called shortly after he arrived, just to check on him.  This morning, we washed some clothes and were waiting for them to finish so we could dry them.  However, when we got back to the laundry room, one sweet lady, Shawna, had already started the drying process for us.  I tried to give her money back, but she refused.  Everyone needs to say a prayer of blessing for Shawna and also, visit the LaQuinta in Ardmore just off of Exit 33!  They are awesome people! 

By the way, they had the best breakfast layout for a hotel that I have seen as far as continental breakfast goes.  Ken had bisquits and gravy, eggs, & bacon and juice.  I had a wonderful waffle. 

Kuddos to LaQuinta! 

As we were about to leave, a guy from the local newspaper showed up to get the story on Ken.  He was a really cool guy that has a bright future.  I am sorry but I failed to write down his name, so I will have to get that later to post.  However, this is his picture just before he started taking pictures of Ken. 

One of the hardest things for me to do is watch Ken walk away, knowing that I have a car that is perfectly capable of taking him where he needs to go.  I did meet him on the on ramp, because he left something back in the hotel room as he was leaving and I was doing a last minute check. 

Yes, I know, it makes me an enabler if I am being a "mother hen" when it comes to him doing what God has called him to do.  However, I have to say, I did stick around just long enough to see him start walking through the construction zone.  I wanted to drive him through it, but that would not have helped him touch others lives. 

While he was walking, a guy saw a semi-truck almost take him out in the construction area, so he offered to give him a ride.  I was on the phone with him, so I listened as he told him he could take him as far as Laredo.  Ken told him thank you but I really need to just be dropped at the end of the construction zone.  He told him our story and gave him a card.  Before Loui left, he and Ken prayed together.  How awesome to share a moment like that with a total stranger. 

Next, Ken ran into a news reporter waiting for him just down the road.  Dara Downs, Channel 12, from Ardmore, interviewed him and wished him well.  She said her interview would be on the 10 o'clock news and that she would send me a link for the blog.  God is spreading the message! 

I am home, taking care of business and Ken is walking...  He is hoping to make it to the Texas State line, best case scenario, he wants to make it to Gainsville tonight.  Tell everyone to watch for him on I-35.  Wave, stop and give him a word of encouragement or a bite to eat.  It's a long walk and it's hot out there.

Tested Beyond Understanding... Miracles Overflowing!

Today has been a really hard day for me (Kathy)!  I am not trying to draw attention to myself, I want the attention drawn to God.  Here is the deal..  I wrestled all day with the fact that I felt like I was letting Ken down when he needed help because I didn't jump and run and the fact that I was not allowing God to work in his life because I was going to rescue him.  Let me explain...

Ken started sending me messages saying he was tired and out of water.  He even called me and was angry because he was hurting and couldn't go on.  I prayed for him to get help... then I decided to get him a little help by calling Highway Patrol and asking them to just do a welfare check when they got a chance.  About ten minutes later, Ken sent me a text and said that his angel had arrived. So, I figured that it was a trooper coming to check on him. 

Lesson one:  NEVER try to help God when He is working.  He already had a plan.  Ally Seymour, a friend of ours, just happen to be going to Ardmore today and was just going to stop by and say hello when Ken got to his breaking point. He was trying to make it up an off ramp to a little store so he could get some water and rest, but he didn't even have the strength for that.  Ally picked him up and drove him through the mountains to the nearest actual truck stop so he could rest. 

Lesson two:  NEVER try to help God when He is working.  I called my mom and asked her if she had a friend in Ardmore that might give Ken a place to sleep for the night.  She said no, then I said, Oh, don't worry about it, I am sure something will happen.  I even said.. I bet within five minutes of this call, someone will help him.  So, I hung up and about five minutes later, Ken called to say that a lady called him and offered him a hotel room right across the highway from where he was.  Lucille Cavalle just happen to be the sister of another dear friend of ours from Oklahoma City.  Ken truly had another angel step in!  Oh yes, I almost forgot, she even brought him supplies for him to take care of the blisters on his feet. 

Lesson three:  Jesus turned water into wine and God supplied Ken enough water to walk an extra nine miles today.  His camel back was almost empty when he checked it.  He knew that he had to conserve, so he only took sips of water, just enough to quench his thirst, thinking it would be his last drink.  He said there was only enough water to fit in the straw part and that when he sipped, it was actually cool to the taste, even coming from the straw part that was in the sun. 

Lesson four:  People really do care!  Lucille provided him a place to lay his head, comfort for his aching feet and total kindness to a stranger.  Ally just stopped to say hello and ended up being a lifesaver.  Justin really did get Ken through a bad situation at the construction site.  Also, Amber & Daniel fed a starving soul not only with food, but also with food for the soul.  While I was on the phone to Ken a few minutes ago, his room phone rang and it was the front desk just checking to see if he was ok.  How awesome is that? 

We serve an awesome God!  I can only say that my faith has been so overwhelmed with the goodness and mercy of God.  I am in total awe of my Lord!  Thank you for all you are doing for Ken and I!  Tonight, both Ken and I will sleep well, knowing that we are truly taken care of. 

Day Two... All Is Well!

So, Ken started his journey with a good spirit and more shoes.  He is wearing new shoes, so he had to put his old pair on the back of his pack, somehow..  I didn't even notice the sign beside him when I took this picture.  It says... He can't turn back now! 

A big shout out to Justin....  his team lead at Shred It.  Ken was trying to figure out how to safely get through the construction zone on a bridge with no shoulder, when he decided to make a run for it across the bridge.  He was waiting for a car to go by, when that car pulled over and some guy rolled down the window and asked him what he was doing....  You guessed it, It was Justin!  My hero for the day!  He had him jump in the car and took him safely through about three miles of construction that would have been very dangerous for him to get through.  After he got through the construction zone he was met at Loves by Kris, his son for a photo op......

Ken was sent this verse from a great friend of ours:  Phil. 4:19 - You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.

Apparently God has placed some really awesome people in Ken's life, because Ken was getting really hungry when he topped a hill and saw a Mustang sitting on the side of the road with a bag from McDonalds being held out the window!  Thank you so much Amber & Daniel, you are two of God's blessings to us! 

Notice...  Ken sitting in a car at the side of the road... loving McDonalds right about now.  This was sent around 11:30 this morning and he was somewhere close to Wynnewood.  He later sent me mile marker 62. 

He hopes to make it to Ardmore before he stops today.  He has a few miles of mountains and we are actually hoping for someone to take him over the mountains because there are places that have no shoulder for him to walk on.  Pray for God's divine intervention.