urbana 07

I'm here!

I'm so excited.

31 PIONEERS friends from around the world are joining me at this 5 day conference in St. Louis, MO, to represent PI and hopefully encourage and love students to the mission field. We want to hear their stories, answer questions, pray with them. It'll be fun.

I'm most excited about hanging out with my team, though. These people are awesome. Heros of the faith. Lovers of God and lovers of those who don't yet know him. Passionate for the Kingdom. It's energizing to be with them - that's what it is!

Pray for me -all of us, really- to represent well Christ's heart for the nations. May the events, conversations, and worship this week ripple from this place to all the farthest corners and crevices of the earth! Soli deo gloria!

a christmas present - from me to zjuu.

Courtesy of Dave Barnes.

Turkey Shoot

This is a really late post...but who doesn't want to see me with a gun?! Come on, now.

These pics are from the annual "PI Turkey Shoot", wherein the winner of a one-shot-one-chance target shoot takes home a huge frozen turkey from Publix.

Much to your surprise, I did NOT, in fact, take home the frozen turkey. But I had a grand time!


Seriously...don't mess with me.

Practice.

(The real deal was a longer distance.)

And now for the shot.

Well, yes, that IS a lever-action shotgun that makes you feel like you're in a cowboy movie.

A Beracah Christmas Tree

We're pretty excited about our tree and Christmas decorations!

ever met an ice sculpter?

While in Austin, Lauri and I had dinner with one of her supporters and then he showed us his...studio? I'm going to call it a studio. Pretty darn cool.

Here are the freezers where he makes his own ice blocks. Looking in, it appears to be all water, but wen I stuck my hand down into the water, it stopped about 4 inches deep! The rest was already frozen. I could have never told you that; the water was so clear.

Frozen ice blocks ready for the chainsaw.

Doug also has a laser machine that cuts the ice perfectly. This is best used when making monograms or logos. You just shimmy the ice block up into place, configure your settings on the computer, and vwa-la, it's done in about 20 minutes. And this dude ain't playing; the work is amazing! I don't have a picture of his finished work, but you can find it at www.amazingicedesigns.com.
Brrrr....it's cold in this freezer!

backing up a bit

So, I have to tell you about Freebirds! YUM. It's the best burrito I've ever had, for sure.

Can't you tell? I love me some bird.
This picture was part of our "Eating my way through Texas" collage