Team Bad Frog

Team Bad Frog
Beyond All Doubt Fully Rely On God

Saturday, February 22, 2014

God Does Indeed Have Plans For Us!

The good news is that God does indeed have plans for us through our faith in Jesus!

Ultimately we must be patient and trusting as little children, following the lead of our Father. Many times we think we know what we should do or where we should go, but many times our plans are thwarted or we are sent in a different direction than we originally chose. One of my favorite Bible verses is Romans 8:28: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the Christians in Rome as encouragement to continue on doing God's work even in the face of adversity. We all have faced adversity, if we are at all living in this world, but we should not be discouraged by this, but use it to build our faith and put our trust and hope in Him. 

As a team of like-minded followers of Christ, we have each encountered trials that have challenged our faith and perseverance, but it is in these challenges that we can many times, through trusting Him, be able to come out the other side and get a glimpse of His plans for our lives. We continue on in this new year with a renewed hope that God will lead us. I believe that it is God working in our lives as we are called according to his purpose. This contemplation leads me to why I even feel led to share with you today....

As I am sitting here working on a much needed revision to Team Bad Frog's website, I took a moment to glance back at older blog posts. I don't believe it is coincidence that I am at this moment encouraged by a saint, fellow Bad Frog and  beloved friend, Lucinda Shenkman, who is no longer with us but in God's glory. Feeling led by God, so that you may be encouraged, I would like to share again.  Lucinda, we miss you and love you and are still encouraged and ministered to through you.  Please take a moment to enjoy a message I received from Lucinda Shenkman via email and originally posted on 03/09/09:


From Lucinda Shenkman:

Go Frogs! 

Once Upon A Time...Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs.... who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants.... The race began.... Honestly: No one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard statements such as: "Oh, WAY too difficult!!" "They will NEVER make it to the top." :D or: "Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!" The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one.... Except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher.. The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!"

More tiny frogs got tired and gave up..... But ONE continued higher and higher and higher.... This one wouldn't give up! At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!

THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it? A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal? It turned out.... That the winner was DEAF!!!! The wisdom of this story is: Never listen to other people's tendencies to be negative or pessimistic....because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you -- the ones you have in your heart! Always think of the power words have.. (There's life and death in the power of the tongue - Proverbs 18:21.) Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions! Therefore: ALWAYS be.... POSITIVE! And above all: Be DEAF when people tell YOU that you cannot fulfill your dreams! Always think: God and I can do this! Pass this message on to "tiny frogs" you care about. Give them some motivation!!!

Thanks Lucinda!


Monday, February 27, 2012

Team Bad Frog is running for Real Life Childen's Ranch once again!


Ann and I really are super excited about our next adventure and we are asking for your support. On March 30-31, 2012, we and 10 teammates from Team Bad Frog will be participating in the Sunset 2 Sunrise Relay, a 180-mile relay race across Florida. We will start in Ft Myers, FL on Friday morning and arrive in Jensen Beach, FL on Saturday afternoon. Yes, this is a crazy idea but we are running with a purpose and our purpose is to help the children of the Real Life Children’s Ranch in Okeechobee Florida. This is a safe, nurturing Christian foster home to 24 abused, abandoned and neglected children. Real Life Children’s Ranch runs solely on charitable donations. As a ministry, we have decided to support them through our running effort. So won’t you help us support them?

Team Bad Frog is a Christian outreach ministry, serving our community and touching lives for Jesus Christ. All donations to Team Bad Frog are tax deductable as we are a 501 (C)(3) not for profit public charity. Please join us in our effort to help enrich the lives of these children so they might be able to afford certain extracurricular activities which the Ranch may not be able to financially afford.

If you are not able to donate financially we ask that you pray for these children and for the runners who are participating in this event, for peace, strength and safety. Please visit our website for more information www.teambadfrog.org or click here to donate. All donations received until April 30th, 2012, will be earmarked for our Sunset 2 Sunrise charity run effort for Real Life Children’s Ranch. 

Thanks for your support!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Upcoming for Team Bad Frog in 2011

We are hoping to make TEAM Bad Frog an even better outreach ministry for 2011, and we need your help!! 

For the past three Sundays we have hosted Coffee in the Courtyard at First Presbyterian Church, North Palm Beach, FL and will do so again this Sunday. We have been promoting the RACE for FAITH and would like as many Bad Frogs to enter the race or come out to support this race as possible. 

We will have entry forms on hand on Sunday to encourage others from the church to join us for the walk or run.  Everyone who enters the race from our booth in the courtyard on Sunday will receive either a free Team BAD FROG technical t-shirt or a green cotton Bad Frog t-shirt. We’d really like to make this a great event since it is sponsored by a fellow Christian outreach organization. 

We hope everyone will join us with the start of our first big event for the new year!!

If you have not registered for this event but would like to join our team in either walking or running in the 5k or running in the 10k Race for Faith, being held on Saturday, February 26th, at 7:00 am at John Prince Park in Lake Worth, you can either sign up in the courtyard at First Presbyterian Church, NPB, FL between 9:30 am and 11:00 am this Sunday, February 20th (and receive a free Team BAD FROG shirt) or click here to register directly with their sight.

More details regarding the race, such as when and where we will meet beforehand, will be forthcoming.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Happenings Around the Lily Pad....

Many thanks and congratulations to all the Bad Frogs who attended and participated in the 7th Annual Race for Faith 5K Run, Walk and 10k Challenge. This was a great time to disciple and share our faith by representing Jesus Christ. A special congratulations to Scott Hansel for placing 2nd in his age group and a special thanks to Lucinda Shenkman for all the encouragement and support during the event.

Results can be viewed online at http://www.raceforfaith.com/2010results.shtml

Bad Frog results are as follows;
5K Race/3.1 miles:
Lisa Cole 27:39.6
Curt Shenkman 26:07.2
10K Challenge/6.2 miles:
Scott Hansel 48:49.3
Chris Gonsalves 50:32
Chris Gunn 48:50.5

Thanks again to everyone for participating in such a great event.


Training
We are kicking off a new training schedule this week. Please feel join any of these training sessions no matter what your ability. As the days become longer with more daylight, we will be adding more training sessions (biking and swimming).

Monday 6:00pm: Run: Mirasol Walk Plaza PGA Blvd west of the Turnpike. Meet at west side of parking lot. This is an easy run on a lighted paved trail along PGA Blvd. Workout led by Chris Gunn.
Tuesday 6:00pm: Track Workout: Benjamin High School on Central Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens. Workout varies, runners participating in scheduled workout should have an good aerobic base (10-12 weeks of running). Workout led by Dan Hutchinson of Ultimate Speed.
Thursday 6:00pm Run: Juno Beach Town Hall. Easy to Moderate run along A-1-A and around Juno’s duck pond. Please bring a flasher and wear light colored or reflective clothing as we will be running on the road after dark. Workout led by Tom Bennett.
Saturday AM Bike Ride: Dates to be determined, 1 ride/month. Ride to be coordinated by Robby Drake and Don Pennington.


Sunset 2 Sunrise Relay across Florida:
We are now less than two months away from our annual run across Florida. Please stay in touch with the event by visiting www.sunset2sunriserelay.com and checking in at the Bad Frog website. All team runner positions have now been filled. However, we are still in need of 2 additional drivers and 2 volunteers for the race course. Drivers, will be used to drive and navigate the course switching between RV and passenger van during the event. Course volunteers are used somewhere in the Palm Beach/Martin County area to secure exchange points or at the Finish line in Densen Beach If you would be interested in volunteering for any of these positions please contact Chris or Ann Gunn. As last year, we are once again running to raise money for The Real Life Children’s Ranch. This is our opportunity to provide something for the children that they might not be able to obtain through the regular RLCR Budget. Last year the monies we raised were able to send some of the children to summer camp. I encourage you to continue fundraising and if you need assistance please give Ann or me a call.

Please check the Bad Frog website occasionally for updates on training, events and notices.

We look forward to seeing everyone soon.

Monday, November 23, 2009

We did it! Join us for the 2010 S2S Relay Across Florida

--> So, we went ahead and pulled the trigger on registering Team BAD FROG for the 2010 Sunset 2 Sunrise Relay to take place March 26-27, from Ft. Myers to Jensen Beach, FL!

Now we have a few details to take care of.  For all members who may be interested in participating in this incredible event, we need each runner to complete a team member registration form.  The link for this form is http://www.sunset2sunriserelay.com/team-member-registration-form/
Since we decided to register so early we have saved as a team between $180-$360.  So individual cost to each team member is only $65, as opposed to $80 (regular) and $95 (late)!

We will also need two (2) course volunteers.  If you are interested in being a part of this event along with our team but don’t want to run or drive an RV or Van for 34+/- hours, you can join us as a course volunteer.  More information about volunteering can be found at www.sunset2sunriserelay.com/volunteers

Further information will be coming as we receive it, but in the meantime if you would like to learn more about this event click here www.sunset2sunriserelay.com
We will be conducting our monthly business meeting on Thursday, November 26th,  after the Run 4 the Pies (around 9:30 am) at Chris and Ann’s house.  We will be having breakfast at this time.  If you plan on joining us, please let us know what you will be bringing.

Meeting minutes and agenda to follow.




Tuesday, November 17, 2009

News and Information

Here are a few exciting bits of information:
  • The 9th Annual Run 4 the Pies 4 mile road race is coming up next Thursday, Thanksgiving morning in Tequesta, and for the past 2 years Team BAD FROG has had a contingent of racers and supporters at this event. If you are interested in running with us, we would encourage you to sign up soon as we believe that online registration will be closing soon because they may be near capacity. See the link below.
  • We will also be having breakfast as a group again at our house after the race. If you are interested, get with either Chris or Ann about what to bring.
  • We decided that we will also conduct our monthly business meeting at breakfast since most will be there. Agenda to follow.
  • Lastly, but definitely not least, we are finally unveiling the new Team BAD FROG website for all to see. Keep in mind that this is a “Work IN Progress” subject to change daily. We desperately want constructive feedback so that we can continually work to make this a site that truly glorifies God and attracts athletes and supporters to our mission for Christ. To that end please email us after you have had a chance to look it over with comments, suggestions, corrections, things to add etc. PLEASE NOTE: There are still several pages “Under Construction” and some “Missing Pages”. We are also looking for personal testimonies to fill up our “Our Team” pages. There is also a link to our new Member Forum which I sent an email invitation out about last week. This will be fun once we get going with it!
Racing to win for Him!

Chris and Ann Gunn

Thanksgiving is approaching and Publix will be baking pies again this year. You remember what it was like when you showed up at Grandma's house last year without a pie? Don't let it happen again this year...
Visit www.palmbeachroadrunners.com/pies.html for all the details.
The 4 mile race and Kids 100 Yard Dash takes place in Tequesta. We've partnered up with The Church of the Good Shepherd again this year to collect food for those in need. Last year we collected a ton of food. Literally, 1 ton. This year's goal is 2 tons!
First 750 finishers get an apple pie from Publix. First 1200 to register get a T-shirt!

2009 Multirace Miami Man International and ½ Ironman Triathlon Results

Congratulations to everyone who participated in one of the Miami Man Triathlons in Miami On Sunday, November 7th:

In the Half-Ironman – there were heroic efforts by Brian and Lisa Smith, Chris Gunn and Tom Bennett, and the relay of Robbie Drake, Debbie Vasata and Camden Drake.

In the International Distance – congratulations to Jenny Drake and Scott Hansel for outstanding performances.

Thank you also to the supporters who came out to cheer and minister to our athletes – Lisa Cole, Sally Mark, Katie Bennett, Ann Gunn, Dylan and Robin Hansel, Bailey Drake, and Melanee.

We also had other unofficial (non-Bad Frog members) supporters in Nancy, Tristan and Mariel (sp.?) Dagassan (wife and children) who cheered on Christoph, who we all had a chance to witness to at dinner on Saturday evening and Sunday morning during the race.

Once again, everyone represented our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in a manner that brings glory and honor to God. We are proud of all of you!

Also, many thanks to all those who were praying for the athletes for safety, endurance and Godspeed. Your prayers were necessary, felt and much appreciated.

For more details regarding individual results and statistics for the various contests, here is are the web site links:

Results from the Miami Man 1/2 Iron Triathlon -Congratulations to everyone who participated in one of the Miami Man Triathlons in Miami yesterday:

In the Half-Ironman – there were heroic efforts by Brian and Lisa Smith, Chris Gunn and Tom Bennett, and the relay of Robbie Drake, Debbie Vasata and Camden Drake.

In the International Distance – congratulations to Jenny Drake and Scott Hansel for outstanding performances.

Thank you also to the supporters who came out to cheer and minister to our athletes – Lisa Cole, Sally Mark, Katie Bennett, Ann Gunn, Dylan and Robin Hansel, Bailey Drake, and Melanee.

We also had other unofficial (non-Bad Frog members) supporters in Nancy, Tristan and Mariel (sp.?) Dagassan (wife and children) who cheered on Christoph, who we all had a chance to witness to at dinner on Saturday evening and Sunday morning during the race.

Once again, everyone represented our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in a manner that brings glory and honor to God. We are proud of all of you!

Also, many thanks to all those who were praying for the athletes for safety, endurance and Godspeed. Your prayers were necessary, felt and much appreciated.

For more details regarding individual results and statistics for the various contests, here is are the web site links:

Results from the Miami Man 1/2 Iron Triathlon - http://www.multirace.com/AllResults.aspx?Race=316
Results from the Miami Man International Triathlon - http://www.multirace.com/AllResults.aspx?Race=317
Once again congratulations and we pray you have a speedy and pain-free recovery.

Finally, if anyone has a personal testimony regarding an experience you may have had this weekend and would like to share, we would love to hear about it.