Heat Wave

I can't handle this hot California weather any more! I am moving back to Washington where it is cooler and sunny. I am tired of the triple digit temperatures of Southern Cal.

Leavin'

Going home for the weekend. Celebrating the soon to be Mrs. Castro and seeing my new nephew for the first time (in person)!! Gotta go, my plane is a leavin'.

Birthday Wishes

Happy birthday Gma Rhoda. Hope today is as good as the past 33580 days. See you soon.

Shake, Shake, Shake

second earthquake this month....gearing up for a BIG ONE!!

First: Aug. 9th magnitude 4.2
Today: Aug. 16th magnitude 3.5
Both earthquakes were just north of Chatsworth, CA (4 miles)

Hunger

Spent the morning at the Children's Hunger Fund. This is an annual service project for the junior high kids at our church. Today we packaged school supplies for children that don't have paper, pens, folders, etc. The kids seem to really enjoy helping at the Hunger Fund even though it was HOT!! Now they are busy working on cleaning the Youth Closet in Fellowship Hall, while I sit in my air conditioned office typing this post (oh, I mean while I am working hard)! Ahhh, the joys of being an advisor.

Do I have to?

Finally going to get some use out of my gym membership that I have had for nearly 2 years. I think I have only gone to the gym twice. Once to sign up for the membership and then once to use the free personal training session I got when I signed up.

After going to Chatsworth Karate on Saturday night, I realized how out of shape I really am. All I did was punch and kick a bag for a few times, but man am I sore. I could barely hold a pen my arms hurt so bad. Oh well, I am done complaining (I think) and now I am going to do something about it.

John and I are doing a kickboxing class at Bodies in Motion if anyone cares to join us. We are going today at 5:30 or you can call us and we'll go with you another time.

Helping Hands

This month at church the pastors are focusing on "social justice" and how we can make a difference. This reminds me of a few things.

Have you heard of Zach Hunter's "Loose Change to Loosen Chains?" Zach is a young kid who started collecting loose change from everywhere to help free slaves. He has raised a ton of money and freed many slaves, all because he cares.

What about World Vision or Compassion? These are great organizations too that help people in third world countries. How about sponsoring a child? It is only $30 a month and you give them clean water, health care, education and a spiritual partner. A small amount of money each month can save a child's life. I have been sponsoring a child through Compassion for 2 years now and it is such a joy to receive letters from Telvin telling me about his schooling, his family and above all how much he loves Jesus.

Change does not happen over night, we all know that. Change just takes action, saying yes. It doesn't even have to be a big action. I challenge you to look inside and to pray about what you can do to make a global impact.

Baby Nephew

This is my brother and sister in law's first baby. His name is Trevor Aaron Garrott Snow. He was born yesterday, August 4, 2007. He is a tank. He weighs 11 lbs. 2 oz. and is 21 inches long. HUGE!! No wonder he wouldn't come out. Welcome to this crazy world TAGS!! Congrats Ted and Ann. I love you guys.

Honduras

It was a long trek across the country of Honduras but we made it back to California relatively unscathed. Just a FEW bug bites (26 to be exact)!! We had an amazing time hanging out with children and church members in Choluteca, Honduras. We helped the local contractor build a front porch area to the church equipped with steps and a ramp. It was lots of shoveling dirt and mixing cement on the ground, but we survived. Don't discount the heat too. It was in the high 90s and probably over 100 degrees with more than 90% humidity all week. YUCK!! After a week in Choluteca, we headed North for our short stay in the city of Copan. While we were here we got to see the Mayan ruins at Copan, the bird sanctuary, a coffee plantation and went horseback riding to a hacienda. It was a great trip. A good mix of work, play and sightseeing. If you want more stories you have to ask. Here are a few pics from our travels.