Back to Corvallis...the not-so-uninteresting life of Andy Catts

because mark said so

2005-12-15T10:18:00.000-08:00

I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY MARK REILING

I DECLARE WEST COAST SWING TO BE THE COOLEST THING EVAR.

2005-10-20T23:50:00.000-07:00

That's right ladies and gentlemen, West Coast Swing is officially the coolest thing, ever. It is rediculously awesome, fun and a great way to spend an evening. Just thought I'd let you all know.

HPowned

2005-10-09T21:45:00.000-07:00

So today I wanted to print a photo from my HP Photosmart printer. Lo and behold, it gave me an error on my ink cartridge! Being the poor college student that I am (with no $30 to speak of to afford a new tri-color ink cartridge) I dialed up HP tech support. I basically got through telling him that my ink cartridge when I recieved the best news in years (well, days anyway): That I get a free replacement cartridge!
Props to Bert, HP tech guy: Bert
"Andrew, I just talked to my supervisor regarding this and I convinced him to send you a new cartridge free of cost because customer satisfaction is our primary goal."

YES! Heh. Heh. Heh.

So I got bored and THIS happened.

2005-10-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

So the other day in CS195 (Introductory web authoring) I got bored. Started doing my HW on my laptop. Part of the assignment was writing a description of yourself. Bored as I was, I just went way overboard when the creative bug hit. But here it is anyway. Hope you enjoy. OSU students especially will enjoy it. Those of you who are not yet college students...just wait. It'll come.

When I was five, my dad started me down the road to being an international spy. First, I was inducted by enrolling into the most prestigious school in spycraft in London, at MI:6. I quickly learned that the most important job in the world was protecting the Queen. My years passed, and I was trained in White Crane kung-fu, ninjitsu, hyashi-ha karate, Tae-Kwon-Do and Krav Maga, the Israeli-Defense force hand-to-hand combat system. By age 12, I could defeat most of my instructors. They called me a "prodigy." I called myself Bob. It was a nice, inconspicuous name, after all. Finally, at the age of 18, I could be taught no more. I could defeat all comers in combat, and was deadly accurate with all weapons. As soon as I was finished, I was sent back to the United States to continue work with the C.I.A. I remember that first day vividly, as I walked onto the campus of Oregon State University, feeling the weight of the responsibility that I was now entrusted with. As the best spy in the world, I had been given the most important task that the C.I.A. had ever given. The very existence of the freedom we now know was entrusted into my hands. I was the head of the recently developed Student Fee Agency (S.F.A.) Dissention had been growing among the students, building as more and more threatened peaceful and horrible things like facebook groups that actually suggested lowering our wonderful fees. This we could not have. Those fees are essential to the survival of the university, the football team, and most importantly, bolstering the president's salary. Quickly I began infiltrating these various dissention groups, a spy in their midst, trying to find out what they were up to, and just what could drive them to do such a thing as dissent against our essential fees! What I found was shocking. Students were disturbed by the $100 building fee, $450 engineering pro-school fee, and for new students, the most essential matriculation fee of $300. How they could not simply adore these invaluable facets of our life as we know it here on OSU's campus, I do not know. Delving deeper into their organizations, I found out their secret plan. Soon, the students were going to push the student government into attempting to lower the fees! The horror of the possibility shocked and appalled me. I almost fainted when I heard it, but managed to regain my composure, and decide what to do next. The first step was to alert the powers that be, and get them informed. The meeting to decide our very fate was tonight! Alas, my cell-phone battery was dead! I was alone, alone and surrounded by the enemy. I knew that I had to get to that undergraduate senate meeting before it was too late. I dashed across campus, and into an air duct that I knew lead to the room above the meeting. It was dark in the tunnels, but i had my LED flashlight with me. Suddenly, I ran into laser mines across the ducts. They must have known I was coming. I pulled out my laptop, logged into my ENGR account and began the path through the SSH shell to find the remote-commands for the mines. After 5 minutes of sweating through the layers of security, I was in. I set their permissions to 777, and the red lights turned off. I was free to continue my journey. Crawling quickly to make up lost time, I finally found myself overlooking the room where the senators sat. I listened to see if I had missed the motion that held the fate of OSU in it's hands. Relieved to find that the conversation was still on the silly notion of removing OSU from the BCS, I listened intently, waiting for the right moment. Suddenly, all was quiet. I readied my laptop, and connected my caribiner to the handily placed loop right over the vent hole. Suddenly I heard some of the most terrifying words: "And now, the motion to lower the abnormally large student fees - let's hear arguments from the proponents." I knew my moment, my purpose in life, had come. Pressing the button on my laptop, the lights in the room switched to permission 700. Only I controlled them. The room plunged into darkness. People below screamed. I kicked through the vent, and zip-lined to the floor, the rope flashing through my gloved fingers. Landing softly on the floor, I came up quickly behind my quarry, knocked him out, and carried his limp body through the doors, to the waiting helicopter outside. I hefted him into a seat, where he was quickly handcuffed. "That will teach him to threaten our wonderful student fees!" I cried jubilantly. Looking up into the helicopter, I saw a familiar face from the past. He reached out a hand and shook mine, and then he spoke. "Well done my son. Like father, like son - protecting the student fees that keep our campus going, keep our football team's drunken parties paid for, and keeping Dr. Edward Ray driving the newest BMW availible." I smiled. It was the first time I had seen him since I had left for spy school. Hearing his praise was all that I wanted, and I had earned it. Encouraged, I smiled, saluted, and the helicopter lifted off into the night sky. My mission was over for the night, but I knew further challenges would come. One regime down, but there would be more. More challenges to our freedom, to the existence of life as we know it at OSU. I will be ready. I will not fail. I am a Student Fee Enforcer.

The Next Project - $9 Custom Case

2005-10-02T19:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back again with another White Trash Mod *TM*. Last time we saw the amazing Plywood, Wall-Mounted computer. This week, I decided to spice my life up a bit. Put it on fire, if you will. I am building a new computer. The issue at hand is, I'm a poor college student. Like, if i get hungry on a night when food isn't provided for me, I just might go eat what i can find outside in the dumpsters. (Ok, not really, but it's close to that.) Anyway, being the poor schmoe that I am, I was at a loss when building this new PC. I didn't have money for a case! Alas! What's a poor boy to do?! Call his friends of course. My trusty homeboy Josh happened to have a spare plain 'ol beige computer case sitting around. And by sitting, I mean scattered in parts across his room, and we spent about 10 minutes just finding the darn pieces for it. But, it's plain white! How can I stick my new l337 system in a white case? It just ain't natural I tell ya! So I took my sorry self on down to fred-meyer and picked up a few rattle cans, determined to beat the odds and have a smokin' machine, both inside and out. 2 days and 2 cans of spraypaint later, my new beast was finished.

Workin' on the flames layer:

Workin' on the flames layer:

Right side:

Left side:

Front:

Hey. It ain't a Falcon-NW or Voodoo Automotive-paint uber job...But I'd say it's pretty awesome...for $9.

Awesome time with God

2005-09-26T09:01:00.000-07:00

Hey ladies and gents,

It's the first day of school! Argh! Alas, I'm not too concerned. Just wanted to post up this morning the readings I did during my quiet time - because I was just talking with a friend who was struggling with this (you know who you are!) and I wanted to encourage him, and all of you. May you be influenced by the words of the Lord Almighty!

1st Corinthians 4:1-13

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court.[a] In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God. 6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! 9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

This amazing piece of the letter Paul wrote to the Corinthians show's God's heart for us as Christians - that we may submit ourselves before God as servants in this world - to take the brunt of the world's critiscisms, jeers, insults and mockery - yet to gain all with Christ Jesus. What in this world matters? Nothing! It will all burn. Who's opinion matters here? None but Christ's! I encourage you, submit yourselves fully before God - for his service in this dark world, that we may be persecuted for Christ's sake, enduring what He endured! What an honor to be treated as our Lord and Saviour was treated. The judgements of this world will pass away...His judgement is eternal. Who are you living your life for? The pleasures and approval of this finite world? Or the service and approval of our Eternal Father in Heaven? Let that sink in...and may we all be servants of our King.

The white trash computer...

2005-09-17T01:58:00.000-07:00

Well ladies and gentlemen...I'd just like to inform you that Matt Crews and I provided a computer for his little 'bro, Jordan. We decided to go a bit different route though...we present to you, the WHITE TRASH COMPUTER, now on display in the 5-Man, Antioch Upstairs. Yeah, so what else do you do the week before school starts anyway? Huh? :)

*for those that asked in the comments*:
1. yes, it is nice and quiet actually. It's not like there are a bunch of case fans to make it noisy. And it runs pretty cool too.
2. Dust isn't a huuge issue, since there are no fans pulling in tons of it. Just spray it off with some canned air every few weeks and it's fine.
3. The on/off switch is just as white trash folks - it's original to the core. We didn't have time to strip a power-switch from an old case, so we decided, what the heck, go old-school and just use a screwdriver to complete the circuit. Crude? Yeah. A little more work? Yeah. White trash original to the core? HECK YES.
4. Cost? about $42. Why? $11 for the HSF for the processor. $31 for a refurb'd stick of DDR from Newegg. I already had the rest of the parts...the plywood came from a shelf that I no longer needed.
5. I'm happy with it the way it is, mounting it directly to the wall would be much more difficult, because I can't exactly zip-tie things to the wall, plus the sheer amount of holes would probably not be fun to repair. Next project is a secret...but it won't happen for a long time. I guarantee it will be awesome.

Putting it together:

In it's display posistion on the wall:

The proud creators of this wonderful work:

Home - where the heart is

2005-09-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

Hey all,
I've just arrived back at good 'ol Antioch here in Corvallis. Set up my new digs (back downstairs again - my original room the first year!) And I'm just waiting for the school year to start. Man it feels good to be back here - it's really like my second home, and I love it. I'd love to hang out with anyone down and around here or whatever - I'll be heading back up to P-Town the 23rd-25th for the Kutless benefit concert on the 25th! Hope to see you there - peace

Last day

2005-09-02T08:41:00.000-07:00

Hey all,
Last full day here in Mexico. Tomorrow morning, I'll be getting on a bus at 6:30 in the morning, riding to Monterrey, then catching a flight to Huston, TX, and finally, home to PDX! I want to publicly thank everyone who has contributed funds and most importantly, prayers to my trip down here. You know who you are, and God will bless you in Heaven more than anything I could do here on Earth. Pray for a safe return, and if anyone wants to see my handsome mug after 3 months, show up Saturday night, I'm on Continental flight 553 out of Huston, TX, arriving at 8pm. God bless you all and I'll see you tomorrow!

Internet has returned!!

2005-08-25T11:01:00.000-07:00

Well, almost 2 weeks after paying Megacable, they have decided to acknowledge that fact and turn the internet back on! Hurray! Just a short update for y'all, I havn't been doing much these last few days, except for helping Antonio move from his old house to his new one. It's been an interesting job, thats for sure. But we finally finished last night at around midnight (finished moving out of the old house that is - now everything has to go to the new one! argh!) However, things have been fun, but I have to admit, I'm looking forward to heading home in 9ish days. Some pictures for you all, cuz I know you love 'em - these are of the "Camp day" we had for the youth. It was a blast - and though I have no photographic evidence - I stepped in a Mexican river! I'm waiting for the 500 different diseases to set in and end my life, but so far God's protected me (I didn't swim, I just went up to my ankles :p) It was a fun day, and the kids had a blast. As always, click to make them larger!

Playing kickball:

More kickball:

Headed for left field!:

Playing in the pool(a rarity of great proportions for these kids):

Ready to take on the world!:

Checking out shells in the river:

Enjoying the "river" - more of a creek:

Futbol!:

Good to know that ISPs are terrible everywhere...

2005-08-18T18:23:00.000-07:00

Hey all, I know when I last wrote I said I would be working on a webpage, but up to this point, I havn{t had the opportunity! Seems that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are terrible all over the world. Megacable, the provider here, will not acknowledge the fact that we have paid, and so we have spent 4 days on the phone with them trying to get them to understand. So we continue trying I supppose, but until then, I cannot do much webpage making, eh? I am writing this from the local internet cafe, but it is just too much to try and build a whole webpage from here. Anyway, just thought I would update you all - things are going well - I have 15 days left here! I cannot believe it either. Seems so short - yet so long too. :) I can't wait to get back to the states and see you all - though I know once I am back I will long to return here to Torreon as well. Thank you all again for your support and prayers! See you all in 2 weeks!

Last 3 weeks

2005-08-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

Well Damas y Caballeros (Ladies and Gentlemen),
I am down to my last 3 weeks (exactly) here in the country of Mexico. This last week has been pretty slow (for me) but for Pastor Antonio, it was busy busy busy - he married off his daughter Lydia yesterday (Friday) in a very nice ceremony. Of course, as I didn't do much else this week other than help prepare for that, I've got some beautiful wedding photos for you all :) Next week begins the web page work, and I'll let you all know the address so you can see the progress. I miss you all - see you in 3 weeks! As always - click on a picture to make it bigger!

Antonio Gomez and his daughter Lydia:

Marco and his bride, Lydia Gomez:

It's official!:

Cutting the cake:

The wedding group (Family, bridesmaids, groomsmen):

A little update...

2005-08-10T14:37:00.000-07:00

Sorry all, I know I've been spoiling you all with oodles of pictures, but this week is rather boring. Not much is going on here in Gomez Palacio/Torreon...Really. This week is a chill-out week, though at the end Pastor Antonio's daughter, Lydia, is getting married, so I am sure there will be plenty of pictures of that at the end of the week! So though I am not busy, I am sure Antonio and his family are. Be praying for them!! Next week, and for my last 3 weeks here, I will be building the webpage for the church, ministry and the Special Education school. I will give you all more details on that once it gets started, for sure. Anyway, God bless you all back home, thank you all so much for your prayers and support!!

Adventuras en la Ciudad de Mexico!

2005-08-06T15:04:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I just got back from Mexico City, Mexico! What an amazing trip! 45ish people from our church travelled to the great city for 4 days. We went to a country-wide church conference called "The Fires of Evangelism" put on by the Baptist Church of Mount Zion in Mexico City. Thousands attended 4 days of speaking by many different pastors from both the United States and Mexico. It was amazing to see God work here - a normal day consisted of 3 preaching sessions. Everything started at 8:30am, and there were 4 1-hour sermons intermixed with worship until about 1pm. We had lunch until 2, and then had more sermons until about 5, then another hour for dinner, then at 6pm there were 3 more sermons until around 9-10pm. Approximately 10 sermons a day!! How many of you can say you have sat through 40 sermons in a 4 day period?! How many of us can say that we think we COULD actually sit through that much preaching? However, God was doing such an amazing work - every preacher was amazing - on fire for the LORD! I sat through these long hours and yet never fell asleep, even when the speakers were talking in spanish and I could not understand what they were saying! The LORD was amazing. The trip down was an adventure in itself - 16+ hours in a bus is enough to drive anyone crazy! But we had fun anyway. Much like all church trips, there was a party in the back of the bus - we were all singing crazy spanish songs and playing crazy spanish games - I didn't understand 1/2 of it, but that is ok. While there, most of our days were spent at the church, but we did take some time to venture out into Mexico City - and now I can say I have seen MORE famous places in Mexico than in my own stinking country! I saw their Supreme Court Building, I went inside where the Mexican Congress meets, and I saw the Presidential Palace, as well as the humongous Cathedral. I have never seen the USA capitol - interesting, no? But a fun trip nonetheless. I took my Digital Rebel - I can't believe I actually carried $1000+ worth of camera equipment around with me in Mexico City, on the Metro Subway and everything - but God blessed and it is all in one piece, as am I (again, thanks to God.) I didn't even get pick-pocketed, being the big, white, blonde, blue-eyed American target that I am!! On the way back, we stopped in Leon, which is famous for it's leather products - things are amazingly cheap and I swear, it is a girl's dream location. There is literally a 10-square block area that is ENTIRELY SHOE STORES. I have never seen so many shoes in my life. I swear a woman could find any shoe she wanted there. Boots, sandals, tennis shoes, dress shoes, cowboy boots, you name it, they had it. And rediculously cheap too. However, I don't need shoes, so I just bought a nice leather wallet to replace my worn out quiksilver one. About $7.50 for this really nice leather wallet - I love Mexico! We then continued the ride home, which was hard, cuz it was so long, but I got some fitful sleep in the bus chairs - more comfortable than an airline, but not much, now I know what it'd be like to fly to Austrailia or something. Anyway, I know you are all waiting for the pictures and I have A LOT! So be ready folks - 56K warning, you might want to go to an internet cafe or something...:) Love you all and I can't wait to see you in about 3 weeks!!!
Who says I don't take care of the folks back home?! 24 Photos, all for you!!! Remember, click on them to make them bigger!! Leave comments or email me, I appreciate all the communication!!

Mexico City subway - So full, you couldn't move, literally:

The monument to the children soldiers of Mexico who died fighting for freedom:

Pastor Antonio preaching at the conference:

Me in the Mexico Congressional room:

Mexico Congressional Room:

Left Side of the Mexico Congressional room:

Right side of the Mexico Congressional room:

The group that visited the city famous sights in the courtyard of the Palace:

The Catholic Cathedral in Mexico City:

Entrance to the Mexico City Metro Subway:

Me and others in front of the Monument to the Children Soldiers:

A mariachi in, where else, Mariachi Square:

The Latin-American tower, once the largest in Latin America:

An Indian (probably Aztec) dancer in the Mexico City square:

A book of the laws and decisions made by the Mexican Congress in 1856:

Outside of the Mexico Presidential Palace:

Pastor Antonio translating:

The crowd at the conference - there was a whole seperate balcony, full as well:

The Mount Zion church Choir:

Pastor Salazar translating:

The Mount Zion Rondalla(a type of music) band:

The Ruella sisters, friends from my church in Gomez-Palacio:

Paola, one of the Ruella sisters, asleep on the shoulder of Bety on the bus:

A photo of me taken by Bety on the bus - man I look silly but oh well:

Leavin' for Mexico...again

2005-07-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

Hey folks - Sunday night I'm headed off to Mexico City for a church conference! Thousands of people, about 10 speakers, it promises to be very very interesting! I'll be there for about a week, with many other church members. I do not know if I will be able to update my blog, so I am just letting you all know what will be happening. I hope to be able to visit the Mayan ruins and get lots of photos, so be prepared! I miss you all at home and will update again as soon as I am able! Email me at andy.catts@gmail.com or leave a comment here if you wish - I'd love to hear from you!

More photos of VBS...:)

2005-07-22T15:50:00.000-07:00

Hey ya'll, just thought I'd give you a quick update - VBS is over, but it was HUGELY successful! Over 200 kids each day here in Gomez Palacio, and close to 800 each day in Nazareno! Plus the other places equals somewhere around 1500 kids hearing the good word of the Lord! What an amazing work the Lord is doing in this place!

as always, click on a photo to make it larger!
Perla, one of the cutest kids ever, caught candid:

Kids with their VBS diplomas:

VBS kids clamoring for the camera!:

Posing like models:

Too darn cute...

2005-07-20T13:53:00.000-07:00

Just one photo for now (though I took 138 today) this is one of my favorites. I swear it wasn't posed, she's just photogenic! :) Her name is Perla and she's one of the cutest kids I've ever seen. As always, click on the photo to make it bigger :)

photo fiend

2005-07-19T16:48:00.000-07:00

well friends and family, I'm here to grant you all the gift of more photos! Pictures say a thousand words, and I'm too tired to type! Plus I know everyone loves photos - so here you go!! I've recently had the opportunity to take a whole lot, now that the Michigan team is here and Vacation Bible School has started, photos are what I do! For example, I took 255 photos today alone...got carried away I guess :) Here are 14 of my favorite photos, all from Vacation Bible School, except for 2 of the Michigan Team. As always, click on the photos to make them bigger!!

Setting foundations for flooring in the San Jose church:

Preparing to pour concrete:

Kids getting out and ready for VBS in Gomez Palacio:

Kids at the mic, VBS in Gomez Palacio:

2 Cute kids at VBS in Gomez Palacio:

Group of kids with Luis at VBS, Gomez Palacio:

VBS Class, Gomez Palacio:

Me! pictures of me never happen! With Paola, one of the VBS teachers:

Alex, VBS kid (he's mexican I promise):

VBS kids with Samuel, Pastor Antonio's son:

Elias, Pastor Antonio's grandson, reaching for my camera (He loves to take photos):

Group of girls at Gomez Palacio VBS:

More VBS kids, Gomez Palacio:

All 200+ kids at the Gomez Palacio VBS, praising Jesus!:

just a photo

2005-07-16T19:03:00.000-07:00

a photo of me for you all. since I am the photographer, I am usually absent in all the pictures :) so here you go!

PHOTOS!!!

2005-07-15T09:54:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I am just fresh back from a trip to Laredo Texas (how does 17hrs on a bus sound to you?!) I went and picked up my new computer to replace the one that became a boat. :P However, I'm back and going strong with my new baby! It's a nice little 5lb 14" widescreen, and it does the job just fine. I promised I would bring pictures to you all, and I'm not holding back! A quick update for all: The RHCC team from Oregon left this morning at 7am, and the Michigan team (all 120+ of them!!) are coming in tomorrow at some time, I'm not sure when. I'll be working with them and catching up on some computer work that I did not have the time for while mine was out of commission. The Michigan team will be here for around 10 days, and when they leave it will be just about time for me to head down to Mexico city for a huge church conference! I'm very excited about it.

*NOTE*
For those of you who arn't exactly sure what a blog is (I realize that not everyone is as much of a tech-geek as I am) a blog is an online, realtime "live-journal." This one in particular I've had since Spring term of this year, and decided it would be a good way to share how everything was going with all the folks back home! I hope you all enjoy it! Also, an excellent way to let me know your thoughts, or anything you want is to post a comment on my blog!! It's easy. Right beneath the end of the post, it will say Comments. Click on that, and it will let you leave me a message! Or, you can always email me! I'd love to hear from you, I promise I'll write back! andy.catts@gmail.com

now for what you've all been waiting for....
PICTURES! Click on them to make them bigger!

RHCC Team painting Pastor Antonio's new house:

RHCC Team at the Jesus Statue:

RHCC Team working with kids at VBS in the San Jose Ranch:

The crowd that came to see the puppet show & Jesus film in Nazareno:

Here in Torreon, we don't have rainstorms. We have dust storms. Yes, that is a cloud of dust.

God Provides!

2005-07-13T06:43:00.000-07:00

God is amazing. I know many of you already know this, but once again, He reinforced that in a situation down here which was very unfortunate. As you know if you ready my previous posts, my laptop was destroyed in an accident(details below.) Down here, I prayed hard, and I am sure many of you in the States also prayed, and I thank you for that! The LORD provided an answer to my prayer. Many of my friends and family (both by relationships and through Christ) came together and I am going to be able to purchase a new laptop this week! The LORD is awesome. Thank you all for your continued support, and I hope to bless you with pictures as soon as I am able!!

Gone to that great electronics store in the sky...

2005-07-09T09:40:00.000-07:00

Well folks, my laptop has bid it's last farewell to the world. Apparently the water shorted out the power transformer and the motherboard, so it is officially kaput. At this point, I am not sure what I am going to do, knowing this now. I would appreciate your prayers for this situation and any offers of help or anything would be greatly appreciated. Thank you again for all your prayers, and I will get back to you with pictures as soon as I can.

Long time, busy life

2005-07-08T15:09:00.000-07:00

Alrighty blog readers...

first of all, i apologize for the lack of an update. However, I promise that there is good reason for this. Just last sunday, the RHCC team came down from Oregon. My life since June 29th has consisted of preparing for the entire month of July. Beginning on Wednesday the 29th, I started visiting the ranches (satellite churches) all day, taking pictures of various needs for construction and other things. That took all day. Then, Sunday the 3rd of July, the RHCC team arrived. Quickly, my days became full. Breakfast at 8am, then off to work sites to paint, pour concrete, and dig a ditch in dirt that was half solid rock, half concrete (or so it seemed.) Then in the evenings, we went to more ranches to show the Jesus film and a puppet ministry for the children. Returning at 9-10pm, we collapse into bed, ready for another day. Things being this way, I apologize for the lack of time spent updating you all about my goings-on, but I hope you realize that the time has been well spent doing God's work!!! It is a blast having the team down here. I get to be much more of myself, given that when i solely speak spanish I cannot be quite the joker that I like to be...plus I am not as comfortable with the people, but I'm getting there! With the RHCC team down here, things have become more interesting. Example? Well, today was going perfectly normal...we were packing up for the day, we had been painting Pastor Antonio's house. It was time to wash the brushes and be on our way. Now, understand me, I did not start this. Seve came up behind me and swish swish, proceeded to paint my arms. Retaliation being in my nature, she soon found herself the recipient of 5 gallons of water from a bucket. Fun? Of course. Also, just to let you all know, it is rediculously hot down here. Yesterday, reports have it, up to 115º F here. That's hotter than anywhere I've ever been in my life. So what did Josh and I do? We slept on the roof of our host family's house, because inside was like an oven. Outside was heavenly. Perfect temperature, stars (through the pollution haze) and about the best night's sleep I've had since coming here. I am having a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the summer. Thank you again for all your support and prayer! I want to apologize for the lack of photos on this update, but last night there was an overflow of the bathroom next to my bedroom at my host family's, and my laptop was liberally doused with water. Not a good situation. I am ferverently praying that it will be OK. I took it all apart and separated the pieces and have them drying in this rediculously hot weather, and given that it is not humid, my hope is that the air will suck up the water and my laptop will be just fine. I'll find out tonight when i put it all back together, but everyone please pray for it! If it is fried I am not sure what I will do, so pray for answers to that question as well. Again, thank you all for your support and I will get pictures up as soon as possible! ¡Dios le bendigan! (God bless you all)

Pictures!

2005-06-24T08:12:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!
Just thought i'd provide an update for all of you, pictures and all! :) Everything is going GREAT here and it is definitely an adventure. I am so happy to be here. Everyone is great, and my spanish is definitely improving! I was able to talk to an elder gentleman for 45 minutes straight the other day - and he in turn was able to tell someone else what I had told him about my life, where i was from, what my parents did for a living - meaning what I said made sense!! An update on exactly what I've been doing: Down here Pastor Antonio is running a school for special ed. kids of all ages. Teaching them to interact with other people and other social skills, plus learning great things. It is going very well. They got out of school on wednesday, so I have been busy taking pictures before the school year ended. (it begins again in august.) I am also building a photo presentation for Antonio because later this summer he will travel to the United States to show the presentation in from of the American Christian Farmers Association to help raise support for the ministry and school down here. It's been a great week so far! In other news, surprise, surpise, there is another American down here! Not only American, but Oregonian! She met me at the bus station when I finally rolled in at 2am. I was surprised beyond all belief, but happy nonetheless. She's been a great asset to me as I get my bearings straight down here :) There's more in the pictures below :) That's all for now - thank you all for your prayers (I heard that I ended up on a refridgerator magnet...:p never thought that would happen!) Dios le bendigan! (God Bless you all)

Pastor Antonio Gomez and his family:

One of the Special Ed. teachers, Nichi, with a student:

Left side view out my room window:

Right side view out my room window:

Some of the students, Jonathan is behind, Lupita is on the left:

Alysa(fellow Oregonian from Lebanon!) with Jonathan and Lupita:

During class:

Lupita at work:

Lupita again (such a cutie):

My last view of Oregon! (Mt. Hood):

My bed in the school dormitories:

My room:

A great expedition...

2005-06-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

For those of you who don't know, I'm about to embark on one of the biggest adventures of my life :) I'm going on a mission trip to mexico for 2 1/2 months, I leave tomorrow morning. I'm going to be building a web-page for a church supported school for the poor, and also helping with some American teams coming down to do VBS for poor mexican villages. Obviously, I will be focusing on growing in the Lord each day and strengthening my faith! I am extremely excited for this experience, but also nervous, as is expected. I would love if you guys/girls (whoever is reading this) would add my trip to your prayer list - prayer is going to be getting me through this! I love all you guys and will see you again in September. I come back the 3rd. I will have email and probably IM so if you want to get in touch with me, I'll be somewhat availible! :) Thanks again everyone, have a great summer!

Day 2

2005-05-24T10:04:00.000-07:00

Ok. Yesterday went great!

1. Breakfast was yogurt & granola.
2. Lunch was some scrambled eggs with wheat toast
3. Dinner ( i went home and convinced the 'rents to cook healthy!) was halibut (MMM!) wild rice mix and corn. Man, it was the best dinner I've had in a loooong time. It was so good, and so good for you!

Day 1

2005-05-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

Matt & I went to Winco this morning and picked up some stuff for the 30 day challenge. A loaf of "hearty grain" bread, 18 eggs and 10 no-fat, 90cal, ultrahealthymighttastelikedogdoo yogurt. (it's actually pretty tasty.) So I had some yogurt & granola, plus some eggs & unbuttered toast for breakfast.

lunch was some saltines and a bowl of Tad's chicken/corn/ham soup. Mmm mmm good!

dinner was scrambled eggs w/cheese and some granola.

so far so good. props to my roomie matt (on the same deal, we're partners in pain) who endured a smorgasbord of food @ the Rohrs (spaghetti, garlic bread, pies) and only ate salad. What a champ. Me...well I endured the offer of a chocolate chip cookie. That's about the extent of it...on to day 2!

Healthisize me?

2005-05-22T02:09:00.000-07:00

Completely random here folks. Ok, so my roomates recently watched "Super-size Me." Not that I regularly eat at Micky-D's, but you know, it's freaky anyway. So this weekend my roomie Matt had an epiphany. Why not, instead of eating pure crap for 30 days, eat pure goodness for 30 days and see what the difference was? Well, being the friend that I am, and the silly phool I am as well, I decided to join him in his quest, and bring it to you LIVE ON NATIONAL INTERWEB-NET-COM. We'll be eating such things as yogurt, peanuts, granola and oatmeal, fish & chicken, plus other rabbit-food type stuff. We'll update you on what's going on, we're going to do, and how things have progressed healthwise (i.e. heartrate, blood pressure, etc.) and let you know how it ends up(certainly better than Supersize me, I doubt that the 'doc is gonna say we're doomed. :p Check back for updates!

kwik update...

2005-05-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

Dryer is still broken, but I got my clothes to a laundromat (thx to tommy jones) so I have clothes. Now I won't have to run around naked. What a relief!

i might run out of clothes...scary thought

2005-05-16T00:03:00.000-07:00

Ok so...wow. Both of our dryers are broken. Of course, they break while my clothes are in them, soaking wet. So i am fast running out of clothes. This isn't a good scenario, not at all. And it's not like I can re-use anything because they're all wet! ARGH! ummm...yeah, not cool at all. So unless i can make it to a laundromat...umm well I just might be...well...eek. It wouldn't be fun. So pray that the dryers get fixed, because I need clothes.

Evil, just evil!

2005-05-15T09:07:00.000-07:00

Satan is vicious. Let that set a preface for the rest of this post :p because that's the way I feel right now! Last night was a lot of fun, had a bbq with friends, played tennis and went up to the park to have ice cream. It was a blast! But...for some reason on the walk home I just came under attack. Satan is so difficult in that way - he attacks you when you're most vunerable and at your weakest spot. On the way home I just felt worthless! It was so hard to see how, but for some reason on the way home it was me vs. the world, and I was a tiny, insignificant piece of human being fighting against giants. I was bombarded to believe that I was not good enough, that everything was crashing and burning around me - it was intense, in ways that I had not felt for weeks. I came home and immediately went to bed, praying that I would have the faith in Christ to overcome this - that He would strengthen me because I know in my heart that I am a child of the Most High, and to Him, the most important and special thing in the world (what a feeling!) But alas, in the morning I woke up again under bombardment. Luckily my roomate Matt came in the room and we just prayed for release - prayer to banish the great Deciever, Satan. And praise the Lord, banished he is. Take that. I can feel the pressing lies again at my door, even as I write this, but through God's grace I don't have to listen - I'm blessed by that. Praise the Lord! once again, real life proof that a little time on your knees before your Creator can solve even the smallest things.

as a side note...

2005-05-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

yeah on second thought, after spending 5 hours watching arguably the biggest chick flick ever, I feel the need to dig my hands into my car, get covered with motor oil, pull out a Stihl chainsaw and cut up some firewood, then build up a sweat chopping that wood with a fatty axe. To top it all off, go hunting with some guns. Then I can feel like I have reclaimed my manliness.

pride and predjudice is a long flipping movie

2005-05-13T01:26:00.000-07:00

Wow. 5 hours of chick-flick. How in the world did I live through that? Maybe it was that i was watching it with a bunch of friends, laughing the whole time and making hilarious commentary. Either way, it was an experience not likely to be soon repeated, given the unbelieveable length that 5 straight hours is. Really. I mean, you thought Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Extended Edition was long at 4ish hours...at least that's got lots of killing, general pwning and elves, and for the girls, Legolas. Pride and Predjudice is flipping long, with no interesting "guy stuff" to hold my attention. I know, girls love it. Not that I disliked it either....it was just 5 hours. Holy cow. Well, at least it was better than one of the modern chick flicks like "A Cinderella Story" with Hillary Duff. Don't even get me started. I went to Matt's house the other day and his brother, a male model and manly man, was watching it. I was embarrassed for him! Oh well. Anyway, thats all I have for tonight. Insightful huh?

What a morning - God is so awesome, isn't he?

2005-05-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

Oh man, what a blessed morning I've had. I got a blissful 8 hours of sleep (which was great) and I woke up and had an awesome time with the Lord, both in His Word and on my knees. After yesterday I'm just realizing more and more how awesome it is to have every effort on this earth be for God's glory, and how everything else just falls into place. After an awesome time in prayer with the Lord yesterday, I was able to just attack my day in a whole new light - it's amazingly refreshing. Man...if you don't know what it's like, ask me and I'll be happy to talk with you about it. Everything that used to be difficult, all the fears and insecurities that I used to face were just...gone. Jesus just lifted the burden from my back - and it was amazing. Praise the Lord for that...Praise the Lord. And I know today will be no different. I encourage everyone to try it!!

tee hee

2005-05-09T23:09:00.000-07:00

it's 11pm and I am giddy with excitement. why? well you'll just have to IM me to find out.

feel spiritual? read on...

2005-05-08T21:42:00.000-07:00

Alright. So as previously mentioned, this weekend was an awesome time with not only my bro matt, God's creation and eating tasty fish, it was an awesome time with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I've been working through a lot of issues lately, mainly self-esteem and all that, plus life was just getting me down (as it does all of us at times) and I just had to get away. This trip really did that for me. Let me get out there and in the peace and quiet, seperate from all the junk that our materialistic world throws at us, be at peace with God and figure out exactly(as far as i can reckon it) what He wants me to do, who He wants me to be, and soforth. A great thing indeed. The logical following to this is, what did I learn? A great many things indeed. Getting out there was just a chance to see what grace, what love, what joy we can have in the Lord, and most definitely what grace, love and joy He has for us!!! It has been difficult the last few weeks to visualize that with all that's been going on. But that's what this weekend really taught me. When I get down, when I get frustrated with who I am - I've got to remember that in all reality, this world and all within are just a shadow of the truth, and that all judgements of men, all standards set by them are just that - standards of men! Is this what we should strive for? Should we strive or the praises of men, whose lives are "dust to dust" and "mist in the wind?" Why? The truth is, the opinions of men just don't matter!!! God's opinion, God's purpose for your life, and God's judgement is what matters. How quickly and easily in this world we can all fall victim to wanting to please men! It's natural. You and me both, we desire to please our peers, but in reality...it's irrelevant. We should strive for God's goals. Sounds simple, but it's hard to keep in mind. The amazing thing about it though, is that once we find ourselves really reaching for what God wants, and attaining what God wants, the approval of man, of our peers, will fall into place. Not to say that everyone on this earth will love you. Some will hate you for what you believe, and that is just the way the devil works on this earth. Man. Just typing this out makes me want to really reach for God's goals, God's approval, and to laugh in the face of mankind. Because who really cares about all that? Looks, money, power, fame - it's all gonna burn. What would you rather have on your tombstone? "He was a man who had God's heart" (a.k.a. King David) or "He was a great success among men." (a.k.a. Bill Gates) What would you rather be when you reach heaven and meet God face to face? What are you going to want Him to say? "Well done, good and faithful servant" or "Well, you made a lot of money...but what did you do for me?" I'd rather be the good and faithful servant. So that's what I'm striving for :) to be the good and faithful servant, concerned about not only the heavenly matters, but the heavenly ATTITUDE. Not just thinking about the eternal, but focusing on being yourself in God's eyes - being who he made you to be! Not to conform to what this world wants. Not to buy the abercrombie clothes because they are in style, but to reject them because their catalogue is glorified soft-core porn (i'll rant on that later...yeah I vow never to wear A&F.) But also when someone doesn't accept you for who you are, to just realize that they are simply missing out on what a great person you are in Christ. Not what a great person you are in comparison to the world's standards, for that does not matter. What matters is who you are in Christ, the rest will fall in line later. Regardless, this is the new attitude I plan to adopt, and I hope after reading this, you might also feel this way. And to cap it all off - I'm tired. So I think i'm going to collapse into bed, it's been a long but awesome weekend. Keep it real folks...keep it real.

This weekend in short...

2005-05-08T21:10:00.000-07:00

So this weekend was a time of facing challenges and definitely getting a new perspective on things. It's been difficult the last few weeks I'll tell ya. But anyway, more about that in my next post. This weekend was awesome. On a whim I was able to go camping/fishing up on Mt. Hood with my roomate & close bro matt. It was a sweet time! We got to fish all day and sleep for long hours at night...eat our tasty fish goodness saturday night and really get a chance to see God's beauty at Harriet Lake, and just bask in His presence! It is such a blessing from the Lord that I could go. I even threw in some pictures for you! P.S. - do all blog thingys have issues!? I can't upload the pictures correctly even with all their fancy gadgets - so i did it the old fashioned way, OSU FTP! wewt.

our catch!:

our camp:

fryin' fish!:

matt, big pimpin' as usual:

me throwin' on a bit more johnnys:

A story i wrote...

2005-05-08T20:40:00.000-07:00

alright. this is a story i wrote about 2 weeks ago, just on a whim. hope you like it...and post comments because now you can!

The Playing Field:
Imagine in your mind, a man, wearing simple jeans and t-shirt, standing with his arms upon a chain link fence, staring forlornly out across a basefall field. The grass is green and lush, and the players on the team dash back and forth, throwing the ball, practicing their swing, playing catch. He sighs, and in his heart, wishes he could join the players, but knows that it isn't time.
Again, later, the same man, finally in a practice uniform. He's in the locker room, suiting up with the guys, joking, getting pumped up for the coming game. He rushes out onto the field, excited for a chance to finally play, but as he runs eagerly to the field, he is stopped by the coach before his feet can touch the beautiful green grass, and he is delegated to "warming the bench." Again, a sigh echoes from his heart...his desire is to play, to enjoy the gift that has been given to him from God. He glances longingly at the players as they prepare, yet he is only one step closer, not yet accepted into the brotherhood.
Finally, he's called to play! Will he make or break the game? Is it time for him to shine? He thinks to himself, it is the time...it is the chance to make it big, to show that he too, can play. Bottom of the ninth, 2 outs, and the game is tied... he is up to bat. Swing one...strike. swing two...steerike! swing three...the ball glides into the mitt of the catcher, and the soft crack of leather upon leather signifies his defeat, in his moment of glory. Dejected, the bat slides from his hands as he falls on his knees, crying out in frustration to the Lord above. "Why Lord? Why must I fight through this, struggle day in and day out to achieve what I desire, and I know you desire for me? What must I do?"
As time continues, he practices day in and day out. Focusing on school only when necessary, he spends each free moment throwing, running, swinging. Determination is the name of his game. When he is done, his hands are hardened from the rough maplewood on his fingers, the smell of leather constantly on his catching hand, his pitching fingers permenantly curved as if gripping a baseball. He is ready.
As the season continues, despite his training, his devotion, his wholehearted effort, he continues to warm the bench, to watch and wait as the world seems to pass him by, day by day. Surrounded by his teammates, he cannot but wonder why he would ever get a chance. Dejected, he begins to contemplate all that they have and he does not. They are better runners, throwers, batters. What does he have but heart, dedication and a desire to reach for the best? Heart doesn't matter without skill in this world. Pain grips his soul as he realizes the truth - that the world does not want his kind. The world wants the stars, the bright, shining sons who could send a ball into orbit.
Again, he sinks to his knees, beaten in the knowledge that this world is not for him. "Father" he cries...."What must I do? Who can I turn to but You? Hear my words Father - you made me in your image Lord...you made me to be all I can be. What is this place I call home...why must it be this way?" By now, his knees are digging into the dirt in the dugout as he lifts his hands in the air. "Lord...show me Your way...show me what You want me to chase after...show me Your heart, Your desires. For You know the desires of my heart."
He rises, and again slides onto the pinewood bench, feeling it's familiar grain, knowing it well. For he has seen the seasons pass, the team change, the practices so numerous that they cannot be remembered nor counted. IN quiet protest, he tosses his mitt to the ground as he exits the field, leaving behind a plume of dust, signifying defeat.
Again he has returned to his former posistion...watching quietly from the fence...seeing the pitcher throw, watching the runners run, and the batters swing. A sigh, all too familiar, again wells up from his soul. But in his heart, he feels differently. Reaching again into his bag, he pulls out his mitt. Worn and faded, laces loose, the pocket scarred from years of use, he stares at it, remembering what he has seen and done, what he has given up to be all that the world wants him to be, all the pain he has endured only to see the world turn it's back on him. The memories flood back as he realizes that he has wasted many hours, days, weeks, months...even years upon this field that holds nothing for him anymore. The excitement is gone, the desire for what it offers have faded into the distance, nay, they seem mere wisps upon his synapses.
He turns his back on the field for one last time. Not to return tomorrow, not to long for it's lures and desires again. No longer to find comfort in the feel of the glove, to find purpose in the power of the bat, to find focus in the curvature of the ball. Behind he leaves a field of broken dreams, of worldly desires crushed, situated in a place in which he does not belong, and never has.
He feels a stirring in his heart, something he has felt ever since he first stood at the edge of the field long ago, something he knew was true, was right, was the answer. But before now, he had never felt it so strongly, and suddenly his heart was filled with the desire to run home. He ran for blocks upon blocks, passing streets with names he had not seen for years, with houses that suddenly became wonderful memories of childhood, of playing in the streets. Finally, he arrived at a place he called home.
Everything was in the same place. The grass was it's luminescent shade of green, the house freshly painted, the windows still open, inviting. But as he crossed the front steps, a fear gripped his heart. It has been so long since he had been home! Would he be accepted? Would he be remembered? Or would he be turned away, never again to know the love and joy he had once felt? At this he almost turned away, but felt the desire to knock even more upon his heart.
Facing his fears, he reached up, slowly at first, but then with more determination and desire to conquer his fear. His fist hesitated, but, with a stern look on his face, he rapped a quick three knocks on the door, then stepped back with a repentant look on his face. While it seemed like an eternity, not but a second had passed and the door opened, and his eyes flew open wide.
Quickly he found himself fully embraced in the largest bear hug he could remember, his Father's arms. A flood of memories came rushing back to him, smells, sights, feelings that he had not felt for years. The soft, yet strong feeling of his Father's hands, rough from each day's hard work, yet smooth and comfortable from his play with His children at all hours of the day. The tough smell of freshly cut wood, refreshing in it's own way, reminding of the grace shown each day as he pushed through life with his Father's help. And the smile is what finally broke his heart. Wide as you can imagine, toothy and hearty all in one, it came accompanied by the words "My son, you have returned home. Welcome, enter and rest, for you are weary of heart." A torrent of tears flowed from his eyes as he buried his head in his Father's beard, managing to cry out "But I have been away so long from you Father, how can you accept me again?" His Father's reply was simple and strong, comforting as He said "My son, you are always welcome, no matter what you have done or what you have yet do to. My arms are open wide, all you must do is knock at the door, and I will welcome you home. Come inside, and relive again in your true home, and strive not for the pleasures of this world, but for the joy of the Lord." As the tears continued to flow, the pair entered through the door, and he finally knew he was home, home with his Father.

Umm....yeah.

2005-05-08T20:28:00.000-07:00

So. I was all set up on Xanga and all that...but realized that my friends can't post comments unless they are members!! What a joke! Forget that trash. So I moved over here to www.blogger.com. I encourage you all to post loads of comments, laugh at me, whatever. Anyway, more to come in a bit.