Whole lot of shakin...

Living in SOCAL is great!!! I honestly mean that, even though I never thought I would. It has grown on me (of course 70 degrees in the middle of winter helps). I love it for the mountains, the desert, the beach and the PEOPLE (some of the greatest as far as I am concerned).

However, the one thing I will never get used to is the earthquakes. Yesterday, there was a whole lot of shakin going on. At around 11:42 a 5.4 quake hit in Chino Hills (not too far as the crow flies). I was working on my computer when the ground began to rumble and then the jolt hit. Words cannot describe how an earthquake feels (you have to experience them to know). To me it is the most unnatural feeling in the world. The ground is not supposed to move, at least not where I grew up. I would love to say that I am getting used to them, but the truth is, I am not.

It just makes me realize how fragile this world truly is and that the really only firm foundation we have is found in a personal relationship with Christ.

I am finally back

It feels good to finally be posting again. The reason for the long delay is that our home computer crashed and we did not replace it for a while. I do not post while I am at work so I had to wait to get a new computer. Of course by the time we got one, I was out of the habit. Here are some really important events that have occurred since my last post.

• Meagan (my oldest daughter) GRADUATED from high school and is registered for her first semester at Crafton Community College
• Marissa (my middle daughter) GRADUATED from middle school
• Malory (my youngest daughter) GRADUATED from elementary school
• The church voted to bring on two new ministerial staff members (Jason Barker as Minister of Education and Jonathan Jones as Minister to Middle School)
• We went on a family vacation to Montana (Montana is quickly becoming one of my most favorite places)
• I am now the Executive Pastor of Immanuel

I would say however that the single greatest thing that has happened continues to be the faithfulness of God. His faithfulness ALWAYS amazes me. As I write this there are some significant things coming my way that I will expand on as they come.

• I am leaving for Russia next week for a mission project in which I get the privilege to minister to our M families (looking back this means I have had the privilege to visit The Netherlands twice, Poland, Cambodia and Mexico - only God could have orchestrated all of that).
• Meagan will begin College, Marissa will begin High School and Malory will begin Middle School.
• Our two new ministerial staff members will be arriving
• Gretchen and I will celebrate 21 years of marriage
• Marissa will turn 14

I know that through all of this the Lord will continue to show His faithfulness. Stay tuned...