Beauty Never Changes

Although the land seems to have taken on a blue-cheese tone.... there is still no change in beauty... with En here :-)

White Desert Convoy

It's funny... as soon as we checked into our hotel we went back out front to where we parked... asking for directions to the "black desert" and ended up following this group from the hotel to the black and white desert... here we are following the trail of the lead group... through the middle of the white desert.... thank you Loli and Seriff..

Not Your Kitchen Mushroom

This is not your kitchen mushroom ... the girls are trying to hold this "beast" up... White Desert ... Egypt

So What Does the White Desert Look Like

After seeing so much "regular" (brown or tan) desert... it is very interesting to see the While Desert... and the formations out there....

White Desert Photo Op

So... when you think of the White Desert what do you think of? Well... this is the Egyptian version of "snow".... the white desert..... the substance was very weird to say the least... it was like black board chalk all over the ground... but it still wasn't quite the same consistency as chalk.... for those that actually check this site... you might have actually seem the 2008 Christmas card background :-) ... where else are we going to find a "white" background where we can where shorts?

Protect the White Desert

A 1983 text seems to emphasis how important it is to protect the "White Desert".... never mind that fact that it's 2008...

Black Desert

So what would you expect the black desert to look like? Well... from my perspective I expected a little more "black"... but hey... what do I know... when all the sand around you looks yellow (tan)... to see something different really IS a big deal... although the guy with us (as a tour guide) told us these hills are not volcanic... I have trouble believing that one... they look very volcanic to me

Father's Day 2008

Well, this year we did something different... we went and say "

Kung Fu Panda"... which was great... and then... for the first time in 2 years here in Cairo... went to Starbucks... ah... it was nice to have a Frapachino :-)

Quad Running in the Desert

My of My... what's the best way to see the pryamids in Egypt? Camel? Car? Foot? yeah... these are all ok... but the BEST way to see them is Quad Running!!! oh man... a group of us rented all 8 quads from the clud and road for just about an hour and it was a GREAT time!! I never really knew that there were so many other pryamids out there until we were actually there... here in the pic is Sakarra...

A Moment of Silence

Well... we found of group of hamsters to be aging a little... so we decided to bread two of them... the golden haired Chinese guy with the black and white female ... and she had 3 babies... all dudes... and this poor little guy... well... there were a few other kids over and playing with the new born hamsters... and this poor guy just wasn't watched close enough and he fell off the table... and things didn't work out too good for him... and of course he was the favorite of the litter... it was a lesson in "there's a season for everything"... and for us we only got to enjoy this little one for a very short season...

6th Grade Field Trip

Ok... so we live here in Egypt... and Angela is in 6th grade... so where do 6th graders go on field trips in Egypt? Yeah... they take short trips to the bread shop... or maybe a local Egyptian school to work with underprivelaged kids... but the "real" field trip of the year is truly a trip to remember... they went to Luxor for three full days! Here's Angela at Karnak... enjoying of course :)

Mia's Get's to Sing too

Oh yeah... the Second graders get to "show their stuff" too before the end of the school year too... and Mia actually had a 20 second solo (the picture didn't come out so good...) with one of her friends.... but for sure she's not afraid of singing in front of her peers !! Pinoy through and through!

Can You Believe

Can you believe that the 6th grade class went to Luxor for a few days of touring and ... "educational"... on site learning? Well.... I'd have to admit that it seems a little far-fetched... but ... if I were 12... I'd get on the plane too and leave everything else behind too :-) .... and they had a great time... and yes... they did actually learn something about upper Egypt!!

Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom

Yes... good 'ol "Walt Disney" even managed to make his way to the Middle East and stopped in Cairo for a week or so... we happened upon the tickets to see the magic show by chance... but none the less we went... and it was an experience to say the least...

Minor Miracle

Ok..... I've lived up to my billing as "blog slug"... it's been sine the middle of May since I've written anything.... and has anything happened since the last posting???? Of course there's been a little something happening :-) We've had the end of school year... and before the school year ended the choir had a concert to display their talent! ...

Sanctus Real... I'm Not Alright...

It's weird... a friend sent an email with a link to another story... but of course... I checked it out and the more I dug... the more I found... including this video here.... by Sanctus Real... I'm Not Alright

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=dc06ea233a7177c6b4af

Second Grade Play

The entire Second Grade had a Reader's Workshop play today... were each kid had multiple lines to read in the play (actually... it was a series of stories that they read) for the parents. Mia was one of the narrators for her group... although she said she was nervous... it's hard to tell that by her smile here on stage :-)

Today begins the next semester for my studies... so... the "Blog Slug" is about to go back into hiding again for a few weeks (well... the semester is 10 weeks) as the homework begins.

The Desert's in the Sky

Well... in less than three weeks we've had our third sandstorm of the year... and it's really weird each time we get caught in one how the sunlight seems to turn to this khaki color as the light tries to fight through the sand in the air. The other day there was so much sand in the air that it you could even smell... taste... breath it inside without any ventilation on... the only thing we have like this back home is a "white out" snow storm... or maybe a very heavy rain...

Graham and Crew are in Cairo

We are very fortunate (yes.. .blessed) to have the worship we have a MCC with all the people that serve to lead people before the throne of our Lord ... but that does not diminish how exciting it is when Graham Kendrick and his crew with Steve coordinating the musicians and Raul on percussion and horns just raising the roof off our tent and filling the neighborhood with praise to our Lord! Their version of "How Great is Our God" was such a nice change up with just the chorus and skipping the verses all together... just letting the Spirit flow ... and Psalm 148 was great too... the whole series of songs they led us in tonight was nice... and it's nice to praise and worship for more than an hour too from time to time. Ah... it was just so refreshing to praise the Lord!

Suprise Pics

This weekend Graham Kendrick is leading worship... and well... the services this weekend... and I went to download the few pics from tonights service and what did I find on the camera? A surprise. The girls not really camera shy... as you can tell here. Enjoy!

Hebrews 6:4-6

Ah yeah... this is what our cell group looked at tonight... we actually read the whole chapter... but these were the only verses that we actually dug into and covered tonight. As we've been going through the book of Hebrews we have to continually remind ourselves who this book was written to... Jewish Christians that wanted to go back to the "old way" of looking to God... the way of the law vice the way Jesus made and paid for them (us all).

This is really a hard set of verses to read and grasp... so the question remains... who does this apply to? Those that go the way of apostasy? Those that are not true believers? Can a believer loose their salvation? Was this whole discourse just hypothetical? Is it possible to fall away AND then come back to salvation? and if so... was the person really lost then?

It's all really a matter of the heart though isn't it? If we are truly His, then we'll hear His voice. Which means, if we're missing the mark, we'll have the confirmation in our hearts that we need to repent of that which is dividing us from our Lord. The bottom line is that believers in Christ cannot lose their salvation... the key though is staying in Christ.

No Explanations?

Have you ever been in church and you wonder what the verse that was being talked about really meant... you know, you just want a little clarification on what is being discussed so ... you want to ask a question (whether it's during the sermon or afterwards). Well... at the Church of All Nations in Jerusalem (aka Gethsemane)... this sign is just outside the church... maybe this is what's plaguing many people going to church today... they believe they can't ask for an explanation... so instead of asking to have the Word explained to them... they walk in darkness. The Word is a light to our feet... and where there is light the chances of stumbling are decreased...

Tax Season Thought of the Day

Thought for the day

As income tax time approaches, did you ever notice:
When you put the two words "The" and "IRS" together
it spells "THEIRS"?

ht Bret

Signs that = Your Holiday is Over

Yup... as good as it was to see the Welcome to Egypt sign... it was indeed a sign that meant you're going back to work on Sunday.

Streams in the Desert

We did a little off roading on the way out of town to a place called Ein Avdat... where a natural spring forms as water is running out of these rocks in the middle of nowhere... the water was SO COLD all your muscles just constricted instantly when you jump into it... but that was just part of going out there and checking it out... what was the terrain like getting here... see the picture at to the right

Isaiah 32:2 just came to life out here... "like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land." This was that kind of place... and indeed... there weren't even any trees out here... so just shade from other rocks would have been a blessing in days gone by...

Steakhouse Outing

Well... for our last night in town we went out to eat at what is proclaimed to be the best steakhouse in the area... and we were all stuffed beyond belief so that was a testament to how good it was... this pic is us poking a little fun at the cow Maitre d' statue in front of the restaurant since his hoof was on his chin... we're all posing in a very thoughtful manner.

Tel Beersheva

So what else was there to see and do here in the desert town? Well... there was the old city that is nothing besides ruins and we visited... with it's pagan altar (ok... this one is a replica because the original is in a museum) and outlines of its city walls are still there... there is also a well that is believed to be one of Abraham's wells... but one thing is for sure, the cisterns they dug were quite impressive as we were able to walk through them. Even today the city still uses a cistern system to contain their water supply through the dry months.

Beersheva and Baby Zeb

We spent a few days visiting our friends from back home living and going to school in Beersheva... Anthony and Irene and little Baby Zeb... the girls had a great time playing with Baby Zeb... of all the things we saw on the trip... Zeb was their highlight.

How Low Is That?

When you're driving you don't really give much though to how low the Dead Sea valley really is... but when we noticed on the altimeter of the truck that we were at -300 meters... I just had to get a pic of that... for those back home... -300 meters is 984 feet BELOW sea level... yeah... the lowest point on earth... well... ok... on dry land anyways!

Kinneret / Yardenit

We stopped at Yardenit for baptisms for the group... Sandra and I wanted to be re-baptized because of the significance of being here... and for Mia... this was her first time to be baptized. What a great place to commit and re-commit to the Lord!

Galilee & Capernaum

The trip to the Galilee region was very interesting too... just to see the landscape getting greener and greener as we drove was something... although the countryside was still pretty rocky and hilly... it was now green by the time we were to Tiberias. Here we are in Capernaum's excavation of houses in the background. This area was really something special to see. A walk to the shore of the Galilee and you could see why Jesus would have used the sea as a place to conduct teachings... marvelous!

Fill Up? Are You Kidding??

Somethings speak for themselves... but let me put this into perspective here... 1 USD = 3.3 NIS... the sign says 1 liter of gas is 6.32 NIS... so that means a liter is $1.91... and it takes 3.78 liters to make a US gallon... so a gallon of gas is $7.24!! WoW... that makes ya' think twice before filling up... actually... we only bought 37 liters in Israel the whole trip... but that's enough... and since we're spoiled here in Egypt with gas that cost 96 cents a gallon gas... well... 7.24 was sticker shock. Once we were back into Egypt... the thirsty truck happily took 120 liters of petro.

Jerusalem ... So Much to See

The city of Jerusalem was pretty incredible... just seeing the city puts my beliefs in the Word of God into a deeper perspective... walking the narrow streets of the Old City... and how hilly it is... seeing the Western Wall along with the Tunnels of the Western Wall were outstanding to see. The streets truly were so crowded since it was the western Easter weekend.... actually walking the Via Dolorosa... crowding through the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and hearing the Greek Orthodox priest cussing out the crowds...


wow.... funny how the things Jesus taught about are still happening even today with those that are suppose to be leaders even in such a tourist place... Here's our "cussing priest" as he appears to be having a "bad day at the office"...



even the walk from the Old City itself to the Garden of Gethsemane just re-enforced the ruggedness of the terrain that Jesus dealt with... we all found our legs to be tired at the end of the day of walking all the hills we're just not use to treading up and down... even these olive trees... believed to be 3,000 years old... are a living testament to the kind of places Jesus departed to ... to pray!

Dead Sea Float

Well... we made it through the board crossing... and now it was time to visit the Dead Sea and see what this salt water phenomena was all about... no one else in the family was willing to "lay back and take a free ride" on the Dead Sea except "ole Dad"... but I have to say... it was beyond belief to me to lay there and not have to do anything to float... wow! Way too cool... this was one of those times where 1 Peter 5:6 came to life... "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." In this case, to just put yourself into the Dead Sea... the creation of the Creator... is a humbling act... and He was faithful to lift us up and not sink within the sea He created.

Neighbors at Peace?

It's hard to see in this picture (click on it to have a better view) It's very interesting to see these two flags flying next to each other at the Taba boarder crossing... We were crossing on the Prophets Birthday and Purim... so between the two... there were no lines ... or more appropriately, because of God's grace there were no lines for us to wait in as we crossed the boarder... although it still took us two hours to cross... even with no one ahead of us at any step of the way...

Where Are You Heading?

That's exactly what we were wondering as we were descending on the town on Taba... but it's an important question each of us need to ask ourselves in regard to our daily walk with our Lord... where are we headed?

Israel 2008

We are currently seeing a few of the sites here in Israel ... so... more than anything this is just to let you know were we're at and will post a few shots when we get back... Josh... Happy 21st Birthday

Color's of Cairo

Purple seems to be the first colors this year...

Sixth Grade Art work

This is the picture Angela displayed for Woman's history month... it was pretty funny watching people check out her art work... I know for me... it was very different and I really don't know what to make of it... but a lot of folks seemed to like it... which was great to get to pass those compliments along to her ...

Second Grade Art Work

Because it's women's history month... with a theme of women's art... work held an art exhibit for woman's art work... these were Mia's contribution to the event. Enjoy

Spring Is In The Air

It's amazing how quick the seasons change... but we're finally starting to get those great scents in the air from the flowers that are just now blooming (jasmine being the best to me) ... the cherry blossoms are popping out now... and it won't be long and the flame trees will be bright red again too. These purple things... I don't know what they're called... but they're pretty while they're in bloom!

Funny thing about Cairo. I needed to get a spare key made for the car... I went to an auto repair shop... and of course they don't make keys... but they did know who did... this old guy that was just sitting in front of a dry cleaners shop... he had a little grinder and tool box full of blanks... all the times I've talked down that street in two years... and I'd never noticed that guy there... I wonder how many people I walk by and never notice.... and then God really reveals the obvious to me that there are so many people I miss because I'm caught up in my own world... trying to do "my thing" and usually... even when I do manage to do something for our Lord... I'm still doing it in my strength instead of trusting in Him to carry it out ... wow... the life of Peter is a great encouragement... not that I'm a great disciple like Peter... but when I blow it... at least God has allowed me to drawl strength and encouragement from Peter... or when Jesus called him "Simon, Simon" instead of using his "new" name... as a reminder that we can have the tendency to get off track... but our Heavenly Father is faithful and just to cleanse us of all our unrighteousness... if we'll confess it to Him... Lord... I ask that you'd work in my heart today... forgive me for crowding You out of my life with what I've made important... I ask for a renewed focus on what you'd have me to do... thank you Lord...

How Girls are Different from Boys

Months ago when I had mentioned to my boss that I needed to place an order for some new books for the girls... he'd told me I should wait because they had loads of books they could probably part with since his girls were getting older now... Sandra went over tonight... and came back with this lot... there's 48 Nancy Drew books alone... plus... as you can see... many others on the floor... now notice that the girls are smiling... happy to receive books.... I know when I was young... if it wasn't a book about trains (with more picture on the page than print)... don't expect me to be too excited about it... but these girls are great readers!! Enjoy Ladies.

Now on the other side I can attest to how important it is to continue to read... I usually see positive results in the classes I'm taking... because I read the material... now today I received the results for the state dept exam I took back in December... I didn't study one bit for it (I wanted to see what I knew I told myself) ... and ... it most have shone (that it wasn't as much as I thought) ... because my score was not high enough to receive an oral interview... but there are a few points to be remembered (or even learned...) first... if it's God's timing... it'll happen. Second... next time I take the exam I should study the little "cheat book" they sell... so I'm better prepared for the exam... and Lastly... if it's God's will... He'll open the door... in His timing... He knows my attitudes and how I would have reacted had I passed this exam this time around... so... I'll try again next December... Praise God for keeping me focused on what's important now and not letting me getting "off track".