Sleep is rare

So this last week was very ...different. Some of the more mild things involved, me falling out of a palm tree, taking my regular classes, going to the beach for a morning extravaganza, lot's of thought, discussing salvation with mormons, and for the weekend I served six hundred ladies all their meals. It's great. I've got to listen to some Chuck Sermons and read H.A. Ironsides commentary on mark. Before all this I think I would like to listen to the latest from Levi Lusko on the book of revelation, but it's only if it's already online.

Gnomes of paradise

Chris and I were sitting next to one of the hot springs today when He noticed a garden gnome across the way enjoying the steam. With excitement we made our way over to him.  

Upon his head was a phylactery, not with the hebrew law, but a note that read "Check my boots".  Hoping to find a treasure map, we quickly searched his boots (not a common practice for us) for anything that would lead to gold. We did find a letter, but not a map.  It gave explanation and instruction. Apparently, this was a twisted  game of hide and seek.  We were told that many had played and the responsibility was now ours to hide him.So we stuffed the letter back in his boot and put him somewhere on campus. For anyone that is on campus I wish you the best of luck. For anyone back home, don't be discouraged cause you can't play, because you can play. I encourage you to start your own game with some rare object. It may sound ridiculous, but I assure you, whoever finds that object will have a smile brought to their face and should be happy to participate and be a part of putting more smiles on more faces. 

Weekend getaway

As ritual goes, every other weekend we head out of town. Yesterday, we went to yucca valley to visit my grandparents. After a couple of games of rummikub, we decided to have a bible study. Which is another thing that we have made a habit of, the guys that feel led to worship (Josh, Chris, and Devan) lead worship, and those of us who feel led to be teachers one day (Myself, Jesse and Devan) give a sermon/sermonette. Well this week was my turn.   Since Josh needed a red bull, we decided to just have it behind the building. This was great! Devan Played a couple of songs and an old lady came and told us we had to go to the far side of the parking lot where we were more visible. This was distraction number one, after we went to the farside, Josh played a few songs of worship, when the same lady told us to move closer to the building. distraction number two. With all this we were still able to praise God for who He is. Soon after the second move, Chris began leading worship, which much surprise their were no interruptions. A short while after I we opened the word and shortly after I began to teach, A lady came up and used the payphone that Chris was sitting right next to. Distraction number three wasn't too distracting. I just pivoted my feet while Chris and Josh smoothly relocated.  I continued speaking when an older native american man parked his diesel truck a couple spots over and started filling his tires. Not too bad, just enough to make us laugh and realize that with four major distractions, gas stations might not be the best place to hold Bible studies. However, we were able to talk to the gas station attendant about the gospel of grace opposed to a legalistic religion. I really loved the whole night. Wherever God will be praised,  there God will be pleased. 

Tuesday is good.

Today has been great, I've written about 85% of a paper that I'm writing for my mark class. It's on blind bartimaeous. Usually, while working on exegetical papers like this one, I listen to some worship by phil wickham, jon foreman, or some other great worship artists. However, today I decided to change it up a little and that's just what I did. I changed it up with some teachings by Denver Miller, Aaron Moreno, and Skip Heitzig. Right now Devan and I are taking a break to listen to the first sermon  of Levi Lusko's new series through revelation.  Something we are both excited about staying faithful to and learning from. God is good and I'm glad he uses those who love Him and stay faithful to the text of truth. 

Weekend mayhem and San Diego

After waking up on a beach in Carlsbad CA, (Right outside of San Diego) We went to a donut shop. Where we ordered a dozen donuts from a nice asian man that made a comment after every donut we chose. Things like, "Apple Fwitter, wow you know your donuts."  and "ok, yeah dat's a good choice." are just a little taste of some of the things He would say to us. I think We were all a little wiped out saturday morning. This probably caused from our adventures aroudn the city of SD the night before. The Whole adventure started Around 5 pm on friday (after I had talked to mormons and ate dinner), when we piled (quite literally) into Chris' ford focus for an adventure to be remember. Well, I am pretty sure we will remember this. 

          Entering San Diego, we got a little lost in some of the neighbor-hoods, if you know what I mean. Well, once we found a place to park, Josh Started climbing and kicking off walls, Jesse, swung around a pole very showing his athleticism. Devan and I grabbed our camera's and began to walk about taking Pictures. Chris was just happy to be in a city where he could look good. 

       After walking around a bit, snapping pictures, window shopping, and trying ever free sample seen (Jesse) we were able to talk to some people about the gospel, it was great.  We talked to a lady that asked for some money, mainly we were able to pray with her and share the gospel in that manner. After walking a bit more, we heard some exciting music across the street. Raising our heads, we saw a parade of about 20 hare krishna dancing and chanting down and around the sidewalks. Obviously, Jesse ran across and started dancing with them. Throwing his hands about in the air. Josh  grabbed the opportunity at hand and began asking questions to the one of the ones passing our bulletins. This resulted in a good lengthed discussion of truth and more importantly the way of truth. After conversing we noticed a Girhadelee chocalate store and decided they would have nice, clean restrooms. It had a dining room which we sat in for a while as some of the brethren stood in line at the restroom. Well, as I walked out of the restroom. I saw something that brought certain joy to my face, a banana split!  I guess one of the waiter gave it to our group  for free when I was gone. He came over once more, brought me a spoon and said "I figured your group was the most deserving." we praised God for that. 

         We eventually found a beach, after washing the car with window wipers that are found at gas stations. Josh slept in the car and that's where we meet back up with the second picture. The first picture displays me in La Jolla (another district/sub-city ) on a cove. We all had great quiet times overlooking the crashing waves, declaring the Lords strength. It was really fantastic. We finally visited the sight where many high-school students got baptized this last elevate (summer camp) trip. Long story condensed, we slept in grass next to a beach, ate more donuts (left over), met Devan's (ate lunch), talked politics and came back to campus. Ate worked out, hot spring-ed it up, ping-pong, and much more. Well thank you for listening to my life. God Bless.

Devan and I

Have many similarities. One being our mighty mouses. The only difference is, I didn't steal mine.