“The finest men in all the world are not to be found in the warm, genial climates, where the earth has only to be tickled with a hoe, and it laughs with plenty; but the strongest and the most enterprising spirits have been found at the back of the north wind, where there are frosts and ice, and long, dreary winters, and men have a hard struggle for a livelihood. They become really men under that stern training. Now, if there were no thorns and thistles, no struggles and no trials, should we have any brave Christians? Should we have any great and noble souls at all? When did the Church yield her best men for her Lord’s service? It was in the persecuting times, when they had to swim through seas of blood to hold fast the truth of Christ. These are silken days, and we have wretched specimens of Christians everywhere; but if the times of persecution were to come once more, with the rough winds blowing, and the whole sea of the world tossed in tempest, we should then find brave sailors who would put the ship’s head to the wind, and ride safely over the stormy billows in the name of the Eternal God.” Spurgeon, C. H.
From the Thorns and Thistles Sermon, Vol 39.
Family
Family,Tuesday, September 02, 2008
My brother Mike started a new blog where he describes daily experiences as a “fractional pilot”. His life involves spending an entire week flying the country and then an entire week back at home. So a fraction of his life is spent in the air, at airports, hotels, and interesting cities around the country and some of the nearby vacation islands.
He’s a pilot for a private jet company that provides private jet service for people able to pay the huge price tag. So he’s often in nice vacation spots and interesting small airports, describing his experiences. His latest experiences include hurricanes, secret service agents, mexican cola, huge yachts, and more.
For someone who probably barely passed English courses in high school, he has a very nice writing style too.
Click Here for Mike Lombardi’s Blog
Family,Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Nearly every morning I make myself a toasted sandwich with peanut butter, fresh fruit (bananas, strawberries, berries, etc), and honey. Jenn, Claire and Matthew will usually be sleeping. I’ll enter the room with sandwich and two latte’s in hand and announce “rising and shining”.
Jenn will get up and use the restroom while I sit, drinking my latte, and eating my sandwich. Claire is used to Jenn being by her side and so Claire inevitably begins to awaken and sometimes make her fussy noises and sometimes not. But she will soon notice my sandwich and make her way towards it, even with eyes mostly closed. If she was making fussy noises, they stop as she becomes focused on getting my sandwich.
Some mornings I’m more prepared to break off a piece, and other mornings she just grabs the whole thing. Then I have to fight my way to get some. But in every case, she is not interested in eating the sandwich. She wants to open the bread, and pick out the cut pieces of fruit that are gooey with peanut butter and honey. What’s left is a couple pieces of bread with some peanut butter and honey, and Claire with hands and mouth full of the same. Thankfully, the baby wipes are in reach for both diaper changes and situations like this.
It’s funny to watch her because she’s still half a sleep, but very content to do this routine. It’s a fair compromise, considering she would otherwise cry away while Jenn is using the restroom and getting some warmer morning clothes on. Now I just have to remember to cut a piece ahead of time because this routine of Claire’s is becoming more common.
The funny thing about this, is that it is very similar to Matthew’s routine when Matthew was Claire’s age. However, he would not take the sandwich apart. Claire is truly a very unique and special little girl.
Family,Wednesday, July 30, 2008
This year we actually made it to the parade before it started. The past couple years we sorta just showed up when we showed up. But when you have to get everyone dressed, sunscreened, and cart everyone to the parade you might as well get there on time. This time we parked right behind some new friends that happened to visit West Hills church some weeks ago. They were considering going to West Hills church and then we happen to park right behind them. We plan on meeting up with them again too.
Here’s a photo of the family at the parade.
Here’s a photo of one of our new friends kids. The daughter is in the background and the mother is right behind her. The father is just off the picture on the right.
We actually had a very good spot right in front of the announcement booth, so we heard a description of everything that was in the parade. We learned things about the parade that we never knew. For example, this guy on the horse we see every year, but we never knew that he get top awards in various shows and he’s wearing a traditional Mexican outfit and looks forward to being in this parade every year. He’s been doing this for a long time too. I think it was something like 15-20 years.
You can see the entire gallery here.
Click Here for the 4th of July Parade Gallery
Family,Monday, July 21, 2008
We had a fun day in San Francisco with our cousins Priscilla and Dita from Guam. We had a full 13 hour day. Started at the Ferry Plaza, where we had lunch, Gelato and I was filmed with Matthew answering a question for Eplay.com on whether I would be willing to move to Mars. Next, we stopped just north of Pier 39 and visited a ship museum adjacent to Fisherman’s wharf that I’ve never even seen before. We also visited Girradelli square and had some cupcakes. That was a load of fun. Next, we stopped just under the Golden Gate bridge and took some photos at a spot that Jenn and I had once taken photos of ourselves long ago. Next we drove around some hilly roads until everyone screamed and had enough. Next, we found BiRite creamery were we tried some hand made ice cream (Salted Caramel, Snickerdoodle, and Cookies and Cream) all made from scratch and tasting delicious! Next we went to Twin Peaks and froze our buts off and couldn’t see anything through all the fog. Next we went to Krispy Kreme and had some “HOT NOW” donuts! And finally, we headed back to drop the cousins off in Palo Alto and found a Mexican spot where we were officially tired, done and full!
Click here to see all the photos from San Francisco
Here’s a photo of Jen and I with our new hats at that old spot. I’ll have to dig up that old photo and post them side by side.
Here’s Dita with Claire
Here’s Priscilla with Claire
Family,Thursday, July 17, 2008
We bought Matthew a fancy new pedal tractor and even before that there was a nice tricycle. The combined value of those two is over $400! But his favorite thing to ride is a scooter in John Deere colors given to him by his thrifty Nana Lynn in Alabama. Thank you Nana Lynn! 
Click Here to See Photos of the Tractor and Scooter
Thankfully, that pedal tractor is a collectors item that will look good for many years to come. And made in the USA.
