Greetings friends. I have not been around for a bit, but I thought I would just share for a moment. God has Blessed me so richly. I stand in awe of His kindness and power. I give thanks for His Son, Jesus Christ, and the sacrifice he made so we could live next to Him, should we choose to. (Why would anyone choose anything less?) I have been working hard towards a goal I started when I was about 14 years old. I always wanted to fly. Even thought about all the avenues I could get closer to planes and airports when I was young. My dream was always to combine my mechanical ability gift with my passion for flying and become a A&P mechanic, with an IA certification. When I joined the Navy in '76, I thought that I was on my way. BUT as we all know, the recruiter gave me this wonderful package deal, and I ended up working with planes, and other training areas. I don't regret it, but I never saw that goal. Then through the years of chasing my passion of speed, I found a way to put my mechanical abilities into building and racing cars. I have had lots and lots of fast cars. With my team, we did okay. As a bunch of privateers, we finished our best year in 3rd overall for championship points.

 

Always moving up, and trying to go faster and faster. I had a couple of pretty nasty wrecks along the way, and being able to be gifted by God Himself helped me to lean that I could do much more for Him with my mouth, if  I Iet Him steer my path. But along this journey, my eyes always looked up whenever the sound of a plane went over. My mind rolled into my childhood whenever I got a smell of the aviation fuel in the air. In my garage sat the pinnacle of speed for all my years. My beautiful 2006 Steeda Built Ford Mustang GT. Very fast, handles like a road racer, and did I mention really super-charged fast? 

 Then, came what I would call a mixed type blessing. I had waited a long time for my knee surgery again. Which I got done Sept. 20th 2012. This was my 3rd knee surgery, so it was not like I did not know what to expect, and even though I was prepared mentally and physically, it still was kind of a stress-er. (I was back at work after 3 weeks, back to 100% duty). Anyway, we had just gotten a new puppy, a beautiful little Shorkie we named Mr. Tootles, and being as I was home rehabbing, I got to spend the time bonding with Mr. Tootles and hanging around outside during the really nice fall we had here in Minnesota. One afternoon we were playing around in the back yard. I live close to the Blaine airport, and even closer to the sea port on Rice Lake. On one afternoon, they were having a fly-in or something over at the sea port, and Mr. Tootles and I were watching the planes fly over, I came to the realization that it was time for me to get back in the air. I went and got my Class III medical certificate, drove down to the FAA and got my students pilots license, and found an instructor. Then came the impact of all the costs associated with flying. Dang. This was never going to work. BUT WAIT! That Mustang. Yup, my need for fast cars quickly diminished as my wanting to get in the air grew. SO I did it. I sold my car, and bought a plane. I may not be in a position to get the mechanics licenses I always wanted, but at least I will find a way to share my dream of flying with my family.    

 

So now the wonderful Piper Cherokee N1880T sits in a nice little hangar I have at KMIC, and while it is not inexpensive, my flying time is less expensive, and when I get finished, I will have something that my family and I can travel around in. I passed my FAA written exam which is an excellent Blessing for me, and I am well on my way to getting my Private Pilots license by my birthday this year. So basically, I want to thank God for wrapping His gracious hands around me and showing me great favor. And I want to thank God for the support I have received from my family and friends, and mostly my beautiful wife for her undying support of all my goofy pathways. And also my Mom and Dad. For giving me passion, and letting me fly all those years ago when I was just a 14 year old kid. It had never left me.

Enjoy the Blessings of the Day my friends, and may God Bless you Richly. 

Chev. Lydell II