Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/666319
WheelsOfGrace.com April/May 2016 27 situation. He called his wife and she asked if he got his Harley. He told her he did pick it up, but she sensed something wasn't right. He told her he just lost his job and he could try and return the bike to the dealer and take a loss, but his wife said to him "bring the bike home and we'll work it out." Dean never forgot that bittersweet ride on his first Harley with his final checks in his pocket, but he was thinking what an awesome wife God had blessed him with! He called his pastor at the church they were attending to ask for prayer. e pastor came by their house to see how he was doing. Dean let him know they had a small window le of about six weeks before their savings were exhausted. e pastor let him know he would be praying for a job by week six. Six weeks to the day, he was hired at a new job. God had provided again! Dean told his pastor who just smiled and praised the Lord. Dean was able to keep the bike, paid off the loan, and rode it for 10 years. In the year 2000, while in a Harley dealership, Dean saw a flier for Blacksheep Harley-Davidsons for Christ. "A motorcycle ministry," he thought quizzically. He discussed the idea with his wife. He didn't think he could join the ministry at this time. Aer all, his schedule was unpredictable and packed: his work, the kids, playing worship at church, the youth group and bible studies frequently meeting at their house. e motorcycle ministry idea was set-aside for the time being. God had blessed them with their house only 3.5 years aer almost being homeless. Dean and Sandra have a policy to use their home for God's purpose and aer 8 years they felt they had outgrown their home. So his wife made him a deal he couldn't refuse: bigger house = bigger motorcycle. God opened the doors for both. Aer two years in their new and bigger house, his wife asked Dean: "Remember the deal? It might be a good time to look for a bigger bike." Wow" he thought! He then went to the Temecula Harley-Davidson dealer. He picked out a brand new 2006 Electra Glide Classic, a two-tone beauty. However, Dean was hesitant to spend the money and one of his friends, also an ol' biker buddy, made it real simple for him when he told him, "If your wife told you to go get it, GO GET IT! ere are no U-turns in life; it's a one lap race." Dean went back to the dealer, bought the bike, and rode home with his daughter on the back. e batwing fairing he dreamed of having since the 70's was now parked in his garage right next to the Sporty he still had. Aer bringing the bike home and showing it to Sandra, she reminded him, "God blessed you with the new Harley you always wanted; you need to use it for His purpose." With his wife's wise advice and blessing, Dean joined Blacksheep Harley-Davidson for Christ. It was the lifestyle Dean needed to reach out to the ones in the motorcycle community that didn't have a relationship with God. He has been involved with Blacksheep ever since and served as the president of the Lake Elsinore, CA chapter in 2014. rough Blacksheep, he found out about a car and bike show that was taking place in his area, benefiting the opening of the Lake Elsinore Dream Center for the homeless. He wanted to go show his support and see the cars. What is interesting about this is that I was at the same bike show. I saw a Covingtons Customs Bobber Panhead, now known as "Lil' Red" (our front cover feature bike). I admired the crasmanship of the unique Panhead and inquired about it with the owner, hoping I could feature Lil' Red in the magazine. e owner was not very interested in anything more than selling the bike; that was his sole reason for being at the bike show. I confess I was a little disappointed, as it appeared I would not get to do the feature I had been set on from the moment I saw Lil' Red. Dean was also at that show. He was there to see the cars and he certainly wasn't there to buy a bike. But, as oen happens in a life of faith, God had other plans – both for Dean and for the magazine feature. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Dean fell in love with Lil' Red that day. e custom Bobber stood out like a bright light and was surrounded by people talking about it. Aer carefully looking at it, Dean knew that if he could build a bike, it would be just like Lil' Red. He briefly spoke with the owner. Dean took photos of it, along with photos of a nice 1932 Ford Coupe that was also for sale. Talk about being torn between two loves… e next day, Dean woke up thinking about the Custom Bobber. He never thought he could own a bike from a custom builder like Covington's Customs, especially with his background of knowing and having met most of the premier Custom Builders. Blessed by God with an unbelievable wife, she reminded him of the rough year they had with Dean's dad passing away. She graciously told Dean, "If this will bring you joy, I want you to have that bike. You don't know how long you have le riding motorcycles." Dean contacted the owner, went to see it, sat on it asking questions and went back home to tell his wife about it. Two weeks later, Lil' Red was parked in Dean's garage.