Washington / Idaho Trip

I recently returned from northern Idaho and Washington from a wedding of a very dear friend. The "J" family graciously let me stay with them when I got out of the Marine Corps over 11 years ago under "not so good" circumstances. BONUS - I was also able to visit with some awesome friends...the "W" family who moved from Escondido a little over 3 years ago.

The wedding took place in a most peaceful setting - out in the middle of no where, good thing I was able to follow some newly introduced friends or Faith and I would not have made it back to civilization.

While I was visiting the "J" family, I was able to meet someone I hadn't seen in a long time. I knew the "P" family from Fallbrook First Baptist, where I met my wife Kari. She shared with me about her daughter Erin serving in The Philippines - visit to see what God is doing at http://www.hereamiministries.blogspot.com/


Sister of the Groom - cheerleader by nature - demonstrated the YMCA song still rocks~!!

Sister's visit

We were blessed to have my sister Michele and her husband Dennis visit over the summer...it's been a while. We made up for lost time by fitting in Disney Land, camping, fishing, hiking......eating, snorkeling......eating, movie watching......eating and more.

Dennis' MONSTER FISH

Dennis and Luke holding up

a huge boulder.

Daddy caught a big crab causing Luke to get pretty excited and fall into the water from the rock jetty @ Oceanside Harbor. He cut is legs on the muscles attached to the rock.....I told him, "hey...let's let it bleed and take a picture of the carnage" to which he replied "yea, cool". This has turned out to be a turning point in young Luke's life - now when he doesn't cry he refers to the time when his legs almost fell off at the beach and he didn't cry. I'm proud of you son!!

Surf Camp Ministry 2008

Wow!! After my trip to Israel and Jordan earlier this year, God really impressed upon me that he just wants my "YES", so - against my "planning nature" I went ahead and committed to a date and started moving forward. God brought some great brothers to help out and in early August, we hosted our church's first Surf Camp.

Highlights: 2 days prior to the camp I had no one to share their testimony or to lead worship. Through someone listening in on a conversation, I found out that a former employee and friend (who has an awesome voice) was in town and just finished helping another church put their "action sport" camp together. Not only does she have a fantastic voice but I found out her boyfriend played the guitar and is a professional surfer!! The day before the camp I had two people call from Christian Surfer's International and there it was - someone to give their testimony.

The goal was to develop relationships with whoever came and we had the pleasure of not only our own kids coming but also some kids from The Rock in San Diego. We surfed, we had fun, we worshiped and God once again demonstrated his love and faithfulness to me!!