Good Friends

Well we are back home in Seattle after the YWAM DNA conference. Man, what a conference. It was good, but long. In the week that we were there we had 24 sessions of 90+minutes long and two optional sessions. It was great, but long. Some people call us Youth With A Meeting, I am not sure what they are talking about.

So, on two of the day's I was able to go to my friends Jim and Nico's house just outside of Rosarito, MX. I have known Jim and Nico since 93-94. They have been true friends to me and now to my family. This was the most refreshing part of out week to be honest. There is nothing like spending time with people who you truly care about and care about you. We had great food together, fine coffee and smooth cigars.

They were a real encouragement to our family. God has provided for them in some major way's that also encouraged us in the faith. The coolest thing though was seing our girl Emma playing with their three girls. I liked it so much mostly because it showes a different side to people when you have kid's. Just the fact that we used to be young punks who could barely take care of ourselves and now we are old punks taking care of children, if our kid's only knew. Anyway, thanks Jim and Nico. We love you dearly.

Ensenada, MX

So I am in Ensenada Mexico currently with my family at the YWAM DNA conference. It is going great. I am enjoying the relationship factor of seing people who I have not seen in years. I am also enjoying having my family with me. Emma loves this country. She loves the taco's and just playing with all the other 20 or so kids that are here. I also love eating here. The food, pork taco's in particular are amaizing.

The conference is run by Loren and Darleen Cunningham (no relation) our founders and David Hamilton, a long time YWAMer. It is good to be apart of this tribe. I am greatfull for YWAM and the people I get so serve with directly (YWAM Seattle) and the people I get to serve with indirectly, everyone else.

One think that stinks is that United lost all of our luggage. Car seats, stroller and all our suit cases and Mexico underwear just doesn't fit the same as we have had to buy some down here. I am sure the luggage will come today, 3 day's late. Anyway, have a great week and enjoy your friends.

Thanks

The Scent Of Jesus

I just saw a Web Site advertising a candle called "The Miracle Candle." It is a candle that smells like the scent of Jesus. WOW, I can't believe that someone figured out how to bottle that smell. Here is the quote from the web page. "Combining these fragrances into a candle has made a remarkable scent: rich and mysterious with the essence of ancient spices, yet calming and peaceful with a scent uncommon to modern times. This is the scent of Jesus." And "Rubbing the candle soy on your skin will impart the incredible fragrance on your body to lift and calm your spirits all day long."

WOW, I would have thought that Jesus smelled like poop and wood and fish. I mean He walked around in sandals behind donkeys and camels and was a carpenter who hung out with fishermen. Now that would be a candle scent to market.

Enjoy.

Lucky # Slevin

I rented this movie tonight with my friend Ben Fooshe. If you like action and funny and story you may like it. Lucky # Slevin If not, sorry.

Bragging

Well I am going to brag a little bit about me and my night. So I took Emma out on a date today. We went downtown and bought mommy a gift. Then we went to the candy store and I got Emma some gummy drops. Then we went to the apple store and she played video games while I lusted. After that we headed to the market and picked out the perfect pumpkin.

So, we get home and Amy went out to do some stuff. Emma and I made a fire. I held Abby till she fell asleep. Then I cooked supper, set the table and cleaned up. After supper Emma Amy and I made the design that you see in the picture for the pumpkin and proceeded to carve it.

After we carved the pumpkin Emma and I made home made pumpkin pie, which is approx. half way done cooking. We also made dill pickle roasted pumpkin seeds that will go into the oven after the pie is done. I am a champ and I had a great day with my girls.

Thanks

The Rolling Stones

So I was going to blog about Mars Hill Church tonight, which I attend, but I went to the Rolling Stones show at Quest field, so I will blog about that instead. It is late, so I will not be long, just the basic facts.

So I am under this impression that you should not pay for any show, unless it is Iron Maiden or AC/DC and you don't want to miss it. But, if there is a show that you want to see, but don't care if you don't then free is the way. I headed down there with two friends tonight. We were going to meet two other friends who already got into the show for way cheap. Did I mention that Dave Matthews was opening for them?

So, we get down there and I asked a few people for tics and got two. Unfortunately they were already scanned. I was asked by another guy how many I needed and said one. He proceeded to give me a ticket, which worked. I got into the show, for free and sat by my two friends. Then my other friend got in and sat with us. After a few songs I called my other friend who had not showed yet and he had no ticket. Now I am not this good of a friend, but I left and hung out with my buddy who did not get in. If it were Maiden or AC/DC then I would be at the show for sure, but it was the Stones so I left. Also, Keith Richards
looked like he wasn't going to die that night either.

I ended up hanging out with my buddy for an hour or so over a drink. It was great. We had a good talk and I totally enjoyed my evening. So, the moral of the story is that shows can be free and friends are more important than free shows, but not a Maiden show.

The Violet Burning

Last night Dave, Gordon, Sean and I drove to Sequim, WA to check out the The Violet Burning show. It was a late birthday present for Dave. Dave and I have listened to The Violet Burning for over 10 years now, Dave more than me for sure. The last time we saw them was at a club on Sunset Blvd. In 95, so we were excited to see them again.

The thing about the show that was weird was that it was at Sequim High School and was put on by a youth pastor as a youth event. So, here we were at the High School surrounded by people who still could barely grow facial hair watching the band. It felt awkward, but one the show started and the lights went down you couldn't see the 12 year olds anymore so that was good.

The band was great. If you have a chance you should give them a listen. You can find their recent album on the I-tunes music store and the rest on their web site. So needless to say, last night was cool. Hanging with my good friends, taking a fairy ride over to Sequim, seeing the Violet Burning and eating at a grain elevator that was converted into a Mexican Restaurant. Good times.

My Kind Friend Rob

Hey Rob, check it out, I am blogging about you. Yep, I want to tell you about my kind friend Rob. Rob and I met in Grade 11, 1989. I think the 1st time I met him I was working at Arby's. Mmmm, Beef n Cheddar. Anyway, I always thought Rob was crazy and loved life, but the other thing, actually the main thing that I have always thought and loved about Rob is that he truly cares for people.

In 1992 we were roommates at Briercrest Bible College. I don't remember much of those day's, but I do remember that the thing that got me through were the relationships with my friends, which Rob was one of. We were at each others weddings and have been in and out of each others lives since 89. It is one of those friendships where you know that you are committed and love each other, even though you don't see each other very much.

Well in the last year Rob has contacted me a few times just to talk and catch up. On one of those occasions he invited our family to Leavenworth to stay at a log house that he was renting with his family and a few other families. He just wanted to get together with some bros who had made and impact on him. I have been here less than 24 hours and realize once again why I truly love my friend Rob. He is so kind, and truly appreciates his friends, the people that God has place in his life.

The other thing that I feel is sadness. Sadness that I have not been a better friend to Rob, and also the other people that have entered into the story of my life over time. It is no excuse to say that we will always be friends even if we don't talk very much or see each other, we just have that kind of connection. Well, if you do have that kind of connection then put some effort into it. I want to be a better friend, not just rely on a connection.

Thanks Rob, I had a great time with you and your family.

Happy Thanksgiving Canada

In Canada Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Unlike the American tradition of remembering Pilgrims and settling in the New World, Canadians give thanks for a successful harvest. The harvest season falls earlier in Canada compared to the United States due to the simple fact that Canada is further north.

The history of Thanksgiving in Canada goes back to an English explorer, Martin Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Orient. He did not succeed but he did establish a settlement in Northern America. In the year 1578, he held a formal ceremony, in what is now called Newfoundland, to give thanks for surviving the long journey. This is considered the first Canadian Thanksgiving. Other settlers arrived and continued these ceremonies. He was later knighted and had an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean in northern Canada named after him - Frobisher Bay.

At the same time, French settlers, having crossed the ocean and arrived in Canada with explorer Samuel de Champlain, also held huge feasts of thanks. They even formed 'The Order of Good Cheer' and gladly shared their food with their Indian neighbours.

After the Seven Year's War ended in 1763, the citizens of Halifax held a special day of Thanksgiving.

During the American Revolution, Americans who remained loyal to England moved to Canada where they brought the customs and practices of the American Thanksgiving to Canada. There are many similarities between the two Thanksgivings such as the cornucopia and the pumpkin pie.

Eventually in 1879, Parliament declared November 6th a day of Thanksgiving and a national holiday. Over the years many dates were used for Thanksgiving, the most popular was the 3rd Monday in October. After World War I, both Armistice Day and Thanksgiving were celebrated on the Monday of the week in which November 11th occurred. Ten years later, in 1931, the two days became separate holidays and Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day.

Finally, on January 31st, 1957, Parliament proclaimed...

"A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed ... to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October.

Information taken from here

A short tribute to 80's Metal

So this post may get me in trouble, or mocked, but either way here goes. It is Saturday and as I was driving to Cloud City Cafe to get my $1 drip and toasted bagel with cream cheese Mettalica's Master of Puppets came on the radio. Now I don't care what anyone says, but this was and is one of the greatest rock songs ever played. I started thinking about all the other 80's metal out there and a few came to mind. AC/DC Back in Black, who's tape I have in the van, Priests Screaming for Vengence and Iron Maidens Powerslave also had a great influence in me banging my head and rocking out with my friends growing up.

I used to catch a lot of crap for listening to this music from my church, youth leaders, and wusses, but that is the music that my non-Christian friends listened to and that is who I hung out with. I was talking to a buddy this week about how I have always loved the Lord, but I just didn't like Degarmo and key. The people, including me, who listened to these bands were good people. We were not dangerous, or going to off someone cause James Hetfield said he did it, but we were just kid's listening to good music.




Now the thing with these bands and this music is that Maiden and Metallica are still putting out stuff when what they should be doing is just touring the old stuff all the time as that is the stuff that was pure and worth listening to. Anyway, this is my short tribute to 80's Metal. Keep it real boyz

Thanks

Finish Well

Today is Friday, the end of the work weed for most. I am sitting here drinking my Trader Joes black oily coffee (mmmmm) and thinking about how I want to go out of this week. I want to go out well, I want to finish well. It is raining outside in Seattle, my family is not here and the coffee is good. I could just putter around and not finish well at all, but that is not how I am designed. Now I don't mean that puttering around the house is bad, or coffee is bad, but what I do mean is that I don't want to just let myself go just because it is Friday.

Who can I touch today? Who can I think about or pray for? Who needs a smile or an encouragment? Who needs a friend or a shoulder to cry on? I want to be aware of the people around me and where they are at today. I don't want to just get through the day with me. Anyway, have a good day, ask God for direction, don't let your guard down, finish well.

Thanks.

XXX

So I am at home for a week in Seattle without my family. It is good in the fact that I can make my own hours, be selfish with my time, eat whenever and whatever I want (I am eating good, no McDonald's) and go to bed totally late. That is as far as it goes with the good side of being home alone. I am finding out quickly that the bad definitely outweighs the good.

The bad is that I am lonely. I miss having fun with my girls. I miss tucking Emma in at night. I miss holding Amy's hand. I miss a kiss goodnight. I miss carrying Emma around on my shoulders. I miss a crying, smiling baby. I miss dinner for 3. I miss taking care of someone other than myself. I miss accountability. I miss a full house, not the show, but an actual full house.

Anyway, another thing that is hard is where my mind goes when I am alone. It is like I resort back to a teenager who is alone and in a place where he can get away with anything. I have some bro's praying for me that I would be a man of integrity in my thoughts and actions, but it is a struggle. I want to be a man of God when no one is watching me and not just when I am surrounded by people. I mean seriously the only one who matters is the Lord, and He sees all.

I am encouraged by the fact that I don't need to satisfy my mind with anything but Jesus, but it is not always that easy to execute. I don't want to buy into the lie that the media poses that you can fill your mind and find satisfaction through lust and porn. This conversation has been going on in the lives of men for years and years. It is the topic of many a guy's small group and is a struggle for all. It has to stop. We, (I) must have integrity and live a life of denial and discipline. I think Jesus talked about denying ourselves and taking up His cross. Once again easier said than done, but He wouldn't have said it if it weren't possible.

Anyway, if you think of me pray with me. Thanks.