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Dear friends and family, I just want to give an update on Ken. For those that did not know Ken was involved in an accident on 7/18/06 while we were attending a family camp in Monteagle, TN. He was riding his bicycle training for a Sprint Triathlon. A pick-up passed him and then immediately made a right-hand turn in front of him. He could not avoid the truck. The impact left him with compression fractures in two vertebras. With the initial diagnosis, the treatment was to wear a back-brace for several weeks for recovery. However, when we returned to Chattanooga and saw another orthopedic doctor, she suggested a surgical procedure that seemed like a better option. The healing time is the same for either treatment, about three months. The brace option will cause the muscles in Ken's back to weaken and will require a lot of physical therapy after it comes off. In addition, there could be problems later with his posture. Option two: the surgical procedure (Kyphoplasty) would eliminate about 75% of the pain within two or three days and would not require the brace. Also, this should almost eliminate any future posture problems because of the fractures. We have chosen to go with the surgical procedure. It is scheduled for this Thursday afternoon and if all goes well he will be home Friday. Ken has been taking strong pain medicines since the accident and is having a hard time dealing with not being able to think clearly or do things for himself. He gets tired easily and feels frustrated because of his limits. He is anxious to return to work and cycling, but the prognosis for that combination is uncertain - possibly mid September for a doctor's release for work with restrictions. Some of you know how much he enjoyed biking to work on the Riverwalk. Please pray the procedure will be a success, Ken will heal quickly and completely, and that we will grow stronger in our faith and knowledge of Him through this trial. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for those of you who have already shown us so much love and support during this time. Sincerely, Carolyn

I was on vacation at a Family Camp with my wife who was the Children's Director for the week of the camp. I reluctently went to this camp to support my wife. During the week, I had planned to spend some of the time on my bike preparing for a triathalon next month. This would have been my first tri. On Tuesday July 18, I went for a morning ride. The setting was a small rual town. While riding on the main road through town a pick-up passed very close to me. Just as soon as the truck passed the driver made a right-hand turn into McDonalds. I went from 20 mph to 0 mph with the aid of the truck that was in my path. When I regained my senses, I was laid out on the pavement staring at the sky with a very bad backache. An amblance ride to the hospital, x-rays and CT scan reveiled two fractured verabreas in my back. I was lucky.There was no major damage. However, I have to wear a brace for 6 to 8 weeks. I know that all things work for the good but this is hard. I can't do anything for at least two week and the after that my activites will be limited for weeks until I recover.