Lucky guy

So, its been about 2 months since I updated this blog.  It doesn't seam like much goes on in my life out of the ordinary, but it sure fly's by. We had Thanksgiving which gave us a opportunity to really think of the things we are thankful for.  Some of these are, One,  my wonderful wife, which I fail often to let know how much I love her, two, my outstanding children.  One could not ask for a better bunch of offspring then I have...A sweet daughter-n-law that gave me a beautiful (I guess I should say handsome since he is a guy) grandson..and a good steady job.  Brenda has gotten into facebook, and that has been a fun thing for her.  She has re-established friendships from years past and gives her a chance to expand out of the four walls her life mainly consists of.  We have been healthy (thank God), and enjoy the blessings we have.  Some friends of mine are planing a off-road motorcycle trip in eastern Oregon this summer.  We all have dual purpose bikes and it will be fun to explore area's we have never seen.  Ness is heading off to Nashville this fall.  No, not to sing.....she's going to collage there.  Joey is doing great, Skyler, which is two, is the average size of a four year old, and extremely busy..  We continue to ask for pray for Olivia and the team in Peru.  The rainy season is coming and the drainage is not sufficient  at the house we built for them.  Water is up to the floor, and sewage is coming up the drains......I'd like to get back down and help resolve this issue.  They are sacrificing enough, and don't need this to fight as well.  I guess that's it for now!

Back from Peru

Well, where do I start? How about with a WOW! I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Peru on a project with Extreme Nazarene. (WWW.Extremenazarene.org) Our goal was to complete the house that the first group of 40-40 missionaries would live in as they ministered to the small jungle town of Puerto Maldonado. It really was a daunting task. When we arrived, we had a lot of work to get completed. Plus, how do you acclimate to 95 degree weather and close to and above 90% humidity fast? We arrived in Puerto Maldonado on Friday, Oct. 23, a little before noon. After grabbing our maxed out luggage and loading on the top of a small bus, we trekked on to our motel. As a friend called it, a 5 star one at that. However, he didn't mention that it was falling stars! Once moving our stuff into our rooms, we assembled and went to the Nazarene church to receive a brief of our goals. AFter that we walked to the new building site where a team left two weeks ago with a good start. Still, getting this house ready to be moved in would require a lot of work. After touring the site, we had the remainder of the day to rest up, explore some etc. My cozy room was right off the main drag, with the large neon sign providing sufficient lighting to overcome any darkness night time might provide. In addition, my room lacked a fan. So, being used to dark, quite and relatively cool evenings at home, I was battling a host of obstacles to a good night sleep. It was so warm, when I turned over, my sheets were damp with sweat, plus the constant honking from the traffic and the night light, I struggled to doze off. After 3 nights of this, I casually mentioned this to Mike and He was surprised I didn't have a fan, so after speaking with the staff, I had a fan that evening!
Our team consisted of people from Alaska, California, Idaho and Oregon. 30 in all. I have never seen a team work as hard, long or sweat as much as these folks. And, to top it all off, no bickering! Look at the website extremenazarene.org for pictures and more stories of this trip.
What topped it all off, Olivia, my oldest, was one of the missionaries that moved into this house. Ever since she was knee high to a grub, she had a calling to be a missionary. I was awfully proud to be able to help build this for her and her wonderful team mates. Although it was fantastic to get back to the states and home, a part of me longs to be down there working.

Seattle weekend

So, its been about a month since I updated this blog. We had the opportunity to come to Seattle for a Williams Syndrome get together with other NW folks that have children with Williams also. We made a wonderful weekend of it. Vanessa is down in LA doing a inner city ministry, so she wasn't able to come with us. ( I think she would prefer being in LA). The weather is miserable, rainy and about 38. So I did the mans worst nightmare.....went to the mall....Not just for a short 3-4 hours ether. We went all day long! OK, really it wasn't that bad.....considering the alternatives. One, stay in the hotel with a 15 month and a 5 year old (not going to happen), or get sopping wet walking around the nicer sights of Seattle. If it was only Brenda and I, we would do the walking bit, but wanting to enjoy life a little bit more, we opted to stay in doors. The kids really did tolerate the mall fairly well. It did have a small play area we visited once, we went back several hours later (or so it seamed) but it was crazy full. We had lunch at the Jungle cafe (maybe it was the rain forest instead) but it was good. The moving snake startled Skyler the first time it moved, but he got over that quickly. The alligator was fine also, until a girl screamed, which surprised him and got him upset. Joey did great pretty much the whole day. There is a kids museum at the factoria mall that is wonderful. We got to spend two hours playing and having a ball with other families. Joey of course loves musical instraments, so once he got hold of the drum sticks, it was hard having him let go. They also had gitars, water things, air things, gears, etc etc etc. Really a great place for children. The two hours went way to fast. Joey was really upset when we finially had to leave, but got over it quickly when I promised him a cheeseburger and fries (pretty much his favorite)....Skyler had found the water activities and by the time it was time to leave, he was really wet. Fortantaly we had a sweatshirt with him and got the wet stuff off before leaving. The final thing for today as a chance to talk with Olivia. She is staying the weekend with her good friend Kindra and so has a chance to use her internet. We got to talk with her using Skype, which also allowed us to see her. It was great to chat. If you don't know, she is a missionary in Peru. We are proud of her for listening to Gods calling and following through with it, even if it was easier to do something else. It looks like Vanessa is also following Gods direction, she also has a calling for missions. We are excited to see where she will end up. We couldn't be more prouder of of our first grandson either. (although I guess now we are supposed to be "old") I'm fighting that though, I keep telling myself you are only as old as you think you are. Joey and Skyler keep us young, so I must be just a shade over 30! So, there you go, my life in a nutshell! Wouldn't change it for the world!

Cruizin along

So its Thursday already........my Friday ;>) We have our Faith Promise weekend this weekend and I need the time to get set up, so I took tomorrow off. Ness is doing track again this year, trying something new...pole-vaulting. hhmm, I'm scared of that one. When I was younger I saw a vaulter shatter the pole....I think that scarred me for life. I should be able to get some government help for that I think. They are spending trillions of our dollars without a clue where its going...so a few million my way wouldn't hurt! Ness is also doing the 800 & 1500. Back in my day we did the 1280. Only 3 laps, and in 6th grade I actually had the school record. She has a lot better form then I ever did. Plus a whole lot cuter....Wesley (grandson) is doing good. I've got to hold him twice now. I had a cold for the first week so didn't want to pass it on. He has such long little fingers. Still, after 10 days doesn't do much....eat and poop. We did get to talk with Olivia on Tuesday. Skype is great. She is doing good it sounds. Enjoy's the family she's with. Its fun to keep up with her blog...As for us, normal cold,,however lifes good.....

Full new week

Well, ready to start a new week! We did hear from Olivia on Saturday evening. She got down safely to Arequipa Peru. I'm sure all wiped out. Unfortunately she doesn't have internet at her host home. We had gotten all up to the 21st century and actually downloaded Skype. I guess she also has limited phone service. So much so that she isn't able to contact her team members either. Not really concerned though. God will keep her. It would be nice though to talk to her with a little bit more regularity. We did have a great weekend with our new grandson! He is a keeper.......very cute! His mom and dad are doing well. Mom's still healing, but up and about. Dad needs to go tomorrow to work...to bad. Real life starting!!! If Wesley wasn't so dog-gone cute you might get irritated at having to spend your nights awake holding him. They are hanging in wonderfully. I am really proud of my oldest, and newest!

Wesley Charles

Olivia's last night before Peru bound

Well, its here, Olivia's about heading out. It's no surprise though, its been her calling since she was about 8 or so I think. Both her mother and I are real proud of her. Mom's not quite as adventures as Olivia or I, so she is a little more apprehensive. What a great adventure! Seeing a new land, meeting new people, sharing Gods love. Can't beat that.....I'll miss her. I'm a bit jealous. Think of all the new foods! One of my favorite things about traveling you know. Tonight and tomorrow will go to fast! I'm a little bummed. What can I say......Go girl!!!