Flippin Hot

I know that the San Diego crowd will not sympathize with me, but here near Seattle it got to 91.7 degrees today! We have not had anything over 80 this year.
I spent the day driving around without air conditioning because we never need it up here. Yesterday it was pointed out to me that I had a very flat tire, and I noticed that except for being flat, the rest of my tires were not in much better shape. So I hopped on Craigslist and found 4 tires, in my size (38 slim...) for $70. I was super excited and drove the 45 minutes in the heat to get them. Then after nearly separating my shoulder using the tire iron to get my flat tire off, I discovered that the new rims were for a bigger Chevy and would not fit by about a 1/4". After kicking my car off the jack, then getting it back on, I called Walmart and they offered to patch my tire for a mere $9.50 and 3 hours of my day. I was smart enough to come home and play in the pool while my tire was being repaired. I also let my girls in when I was done skinny dipping...


We made it back from Wallyworld, with a few popsicles to cool off our insides and I returned my shoulder to its proper position while putting my old tire on. I still will need tires soon, and I am fortunate enough to have a friend who has the machines to put tires on rims and balance them too. So it was not a total waste.
We also went to church this morning, and had an awesome sermon on worship and how even though we usually feel better after worship, that is not the point. It is something that is not for us, it is for the glory of God and his Kingdom. The audio is usually up by Wednesday, and I highly recommend you all listen to it. You can find it at www.smokeypointcommunitychurch.org.
Well I am sweating from all this typing, so I am heading back to the pool.

Manly Men

Last weekend I had a BBQ with the small group I am in through my church. We got to hang out, eat meat, and play golf. It was Montana Golf, but that was as close as we could get on our budget...

It is a true blessing to be part of a group filled with such Godly men. They strengthened me and encouraged me in my dark times. I always looked forward to Wednesday nights, and I cannot wait until we start up again in September.

Left to Right: Kenny, Me, Greg, Dave, Doug, and Curt... Curt! Where are you?

Thanks to the guys for a great year, and sticking through the lessons. Also thanks to all the wives for supporting us and blessing us with our "guy time".

Also, my brother is doing awesome, in fact he will be going back to work after the July 4th weekend. Less than 4 weeks after having a mechanical heart valve surgery... Many thanks for all the prayers, God is good, and God is great.

(The slide show in the past post has been updated)

Finally!

Man it has been a long time since I have been here.
I went to San Diego to give some blood to my brother Mark for his heart surgery. The woman (term used loosely) who skewered my arm succeeded in getting the blood, but also left a pear sized bruise that has now been there for a week!

But I would do it again if my brother needed it. Scott had a worse time giving platelets, they would take some blood, spin out the platelets and plasma, and then put the red cells back in through the same needle! He has a new respect for older women and their hot flashes!
After being shishkebabed I got to spend an entire afternoon and evening with my mom, which I have not done in years. It was so awesome, and I hope I can do it again soon.
Sunday I spent mostly with my three little brothers; Scott, Mark, and Paul. It was a lot of fun to get the four amigos together.

Left to Right: Me, Mark, Paul, Scott

It was a great weekend and I was glad to be able to help Mark in a little way.
His surgery went perfect, and his recovery is going so well he may be out of the hospital tomorrow, only 5 days after his surgery! Only the Lord God could provide him with the strength to do that, and for that we praise His name! Even through the tough times, we can rely on God, who has orchestrated all for the glory of His kingdom. I will admit that it is hard to think that God allowed Mark to require 2 heart surgeries before the age of 24, but we have seen many miracles through them, and it has strengthened our faith.

If you can handle the sight of a little blood, I recommend you see the slide show my cousin Melissa did the night after Mark's surgery.

View Slideshow