Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Contrasting Landscape

Citrus groves in the Borrego landscape. Lush meets the barren landscape...


Sunday, September 27, 2009

Happy 50th Tamara!

In 1959 there were some considerable introductions to the world. The BIC pall point pen introduced in the US, Barbie was introduced world wide, Alaska entered US statehood, and many other important events seem to hit the US headlines. But these little pieces of US history simply meant nothing to our family. One of the best decades of our country was coming to an end and our family enjoyed one last piece of blessing from the 1950's. Tamara was born to the world... God really blessed us all with her and we are grateful that she is in our lives. Tamara, meaning spice and in some cases palm tree, is a very fitting name because the beautiful and tasteful ways she has impacted all our lives.

This past weekend, all the siblings and children drove to Borrego Springs to celebrate her 5oth birthday and the weekend did not dissapoint. Her husband Brad and her introduced us to their new ranch home in which they are responsible for - a very profound and old organic citrus grove tucked in the upper valleys above Borrego in the San Diego County side just above the imperial valley. The desert oasis setting was stunningly beautiful and the ranch in which they reside has been there since 1940. They gave us tours and it was a blast.

The birthday day was spent at a SPA poolside with everyone having a blast poolside watching the kids and cousins go for it in the pool. The balance of the adults spent time fellowshipping and enjoying Tamara's company in this hot desert and 100 degree plus setting.

The evening was spent getting ready for dinner and a drive into the town of Barrego. To all of our surprise, we were greeted with a WWII armed forces carrier truck and we enjoyed a music filled tour of the Barrego Springs area as family together in the back of an elevated truck body with comfortable seats. The warm breeze, music, laughter, and smiles from everyone was an amazing experience and we all seemed to enjoy the unique aspect of our evening. It was something you could not have planned from an area outside of Borrego - Big thanks to Brad for this evening. We landed at a restaurant that hosted the Hollywood elite in the 50's. The building was a modern type of architecture built in a very desolate desert setting complete with pool, suites, restaurant and bar. Christina and Vanessa (Tam's daughters) set up the pool deck with memorabilia, cheeses, wines, and other enjoyments to make the birthday celebration all the better. The evening was filled with cheer, fellowship, sharing, tons of laughter, and overall a family appreciation and celebration. In this case, Tamara was center stage.

What a great time and we are all indeed grateful for Gods hand in all of our lives and the faithfulness in keeping us all together in our life journey. We will continue to make our family fellowship an important one.

Papa and his grand kids and great grand kids...

The beautiful girls: Jenn, Debbie, Cheryl, Shawna, Donna, TT, Tamara, Diane (the mom and grandma), and Amber. Have no idea why Vanessa is not in the pic?

The Gents: Korey, Jeff, Seany boy, Richard, Kenyon, Jeff (dad and granpa), Sean, Kevin, and Brad. John was missing and left to Taiwan on business. He was missed.

All aboard miss birthday girl!

Brad and Tamara at Dinner. Thanks to Brad, Christina, and Vanessa for putting on such a memorable evening...

Monday, September 14, 2009

Gods Finger Print

People often ask me why I have a passion for the outdoors and fishing for that matter. I can answer the question in so many ways for sure. But this picture says alot... Fishing, and the outdoors, is just a moment to reflect on the creator! Yes the creator and not the creation. I love to think that these beautiful moments don't even come close to the real Glory of the Lord and that being in His presence will be simply unimaginable beauty and pure joy.

I love fishing and the outdoors because I get a moment to give the Lord praise and enjoy what He created for our joy. There is so much more to this point so I will not try to explain but only give you a glimpse.

Welcome to the night time in the Aleutians in Alaska near Cold Harbor. The picture credit goes to my fishing pal Bob Silva. More to follow on that trip.