And it's Still Busy Here

But what else could take up all our time here? Back to school events... a wedding where Angela was the Bride's maid and Mia was the ring bearer... best wishes to Sam and Cathy as they begin their lives together... but we've had dental exams this last week... eye exams... and now that we've been here just over one year, it's time to re-register the car... then there's all our regular commitments through the week... Well, life in Cairo keeps us busy that's for sure.

14th Anniversary

Wednesday the 12th was our 14th anniversary... and my bride was so nice to take this years celebration of our vows to another level by scheduling dinner out, we ate at the Bukahara (Indian cuisine) and then surprising me by reserving a room for just the two of us at the JW Marriott... she went so far as to pack for me and didn't let me know we were going to the hotel until AFTER dinner :-) and indeed it was great to have some time just for us without the girls. A little massage and some more time just resting in the lawn chairs on the sand gave us time to just relax and chat. It's the chatting part where a marriage is really built. Thank you Mahal for a great anniversary.

The Dairy of a Cairo Driver

It's been a while since I've written, but one thing that sits on my mind is driving here in Cairo and all the different things I see going back and forth to work here.... Things like a guy driving his pick-up truck with his head out the window to see where he's going... because the windshield is shattered and he couldn't see where he was going otherwise... or maybe the people in a little cab with a bicycle on the roof... and arms coming out of each window to hold it on the roof as they drive along... or there are the single car accidents where people seem to be attracted to the light pools with the center of their hoods. I'm actually surprised how strong those polls are because they never seem to fall from the hit ... as the cars here are no match for them when they hit 'em. Then the trucks with their loads of cargo... or rubbish loaded so high you just wonder if the truck is going to tip over... not that I haven't seen that either... an 18 wheel truck laying upside down on the freeway like a "dead cockroach" with all 18 wheels pointing towards the sky... with a few 100 backs of something on it... or maybe two guys on a moped, with one of them holding a satellite dish... there are so many times I wish I "had a camera" for things I see... well... driving here is truly an interactive experience... and honestly... I wouldn't trade these driving experiences for the roads back home!

Back To School

It's amazing... another summer gone by and the girls are back to school again. I know for me back to school always was followed by the changing of the leaves and the change of seasons... there was always something a little magical about this time of year... I mean, don't get me wrong... I was never one to look forward to going back to school, but I still liked fall and all that went with it. Jumping in piles of leaves... the first day you can "see" your breath... and then of course there's football... lots and lots of football... pee-wee (ok, micro, juniors and seniors) ... high school... college... and yeah... pro... never too much football....

Well... no leaves are changing in our neighborhood... we'll have to leave all the "leaf racking" to you there :-) One thing that is the same though... and that is that the Lord is here too... working here in this land just as He was thousands of years ago. Continue to pray for a softening of peoples hearts here in Egypt so they will be open and receptive to the word of God and to come to a true understanding of who their Savior really is and to have the courage to accept Him today.

Rescue Diver Course

What a weekend... the seven of us that have been working on the PADI Rescue Diver course went to Dahab and did all the skill sets required in the water... what a workout the actual retrieval of the simulated unconscious diver and then the towing of them to shore ... then couple that with the rescue breathing... wow... I was spent by the time it was over... the great thing about the course is it teaches you to look out for those around you... and because you've practiced the many of the different type of unusual things that could ...and sometimes do happen while diving... well... you're just more prepared for the "what ifs" of diving.

The girls finished up their week of Vacation Bible School on Thursday... they really like the tunes that they heard there... And now tomorrow is the beginning of another school year here :-)

Is The Pressure Really On... Or is it Just Me?

What do I mean by that? I seem to manage to fill every minute of the day with stuff... of course there's time for work (don't work... don't eat) ... then there's the one college course this semester... put a bible study in there once a week... add the Rescue Diving course training going on the last 2 weeks... plus... well, you get the picture... but what is it all for?

I know yesterday I was a little stressed after having taken the family to Ain Sukna to rest. Imagine that, we go away to rest... and I come back more stressed. The kids had a good time, swimming in the pool there... and wading in the shallow Red Sea and playing in the sand and mud there... but I came back more stressed because of falling a chapter behind in the online course coupled with the diving class going on. But God knew my stress and intervened... He knew I was concerned how I'd get a major homework project done while doing the diving course work... so He provided a shortened diving training class last night... allowing me to focus on the college work... and really bringing a load of relief to an over-active- self-imposed- stress- filled- mind.

Cast your care on the Lord, He will never let the righteous fall. Ps 55:22 That about sums it up. When everything seems out of control... it's time to re-center and remember that He is the one that is in control of everything.

I Will Be Careful to...

....................................................... Lead a Blameless Life-

Wow. Ever read something and you think... ah, that's great for him... or someone else, but there's no way that applies to ME! Yeah, that's what I had to ask myself last night while reading Psalms 101 when I got to the 2nd verse. . . So, does it apply?

I mean when the Psalm started it was "all good". Here we have "I will sing of your love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing praise". Fair enough... easy enough really... I love to sing... and hey, to sing of His love and justice... all right... let the singing begin. Then there's where we're suppose to love others in the love of Christ, still an admirable thing but ok, let's give it a try. But then David makes this declaration in v2 that "I will be careful to lead a blameless life - when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart. v3 I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of the faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me"

Again I have to say... wow! I mean giving my life to Christ is one thing... but to make a commitment to do "my part" and covenant with Christ to lead a blameless life... I know it's just me and my selfish self but ... I don't usually think of "attempting" to live a blameless life. I've always just thought... if I do good, praise God... if I fall... ah, Lord will you forgive "this... again"... and move on again... but to covenant to be blameless... and that beginning in my own house before even getting to the house of God... that's a real commitment. I mean, there are so many ways for a guy to sin... at home... where it's out of the public sight... but God knows... and that's where my own commitment needs to begin... Now what does it all mean?

I believe in the end it comes down to faith in our Lord. We've not capable of living the sinless life, otherwise we wouldn't need the Savior. But... by His grace coupled with His Spirit, we are washed clean and can live a blameless life, but really, it's by His Spirit we (I) can live a blameless life. Wow! Live LARGE in Christ!