Playoff is Over

Now the real work starts. Joe shot a 45 on day one and 44 on day two. That is a pretty wonderful total of 89.  Trout shot a 48 on day one and forfeited on day two.  That is rough.  So now Joe has to put his money where his mouth is and play golf! 

Tomorrow is a busy day beginning with the red eye, first Tee time is 11:00 at Avalon.

More golf scores soon.

Collage Table Display

Would you believe that when I got the table all done... I couldn't find the box of things I wanted to display inside???   I still have not found them.  They must be in that "Safe Place" right next to all the socks that disappear in the washing machine.  If you look close you can see tidbits of our life.

Friends, Brothers in Christ, Playoff

This is the scene on Hole #9 yesterday at the last match of the season. Next comes the League playoffs at Avalon Golf Course.  Yesterday was a gorgeous day to be golfing. Trout is seen to the left of the hole and Joe is strolling on the right.
Joe has just teed off of hole #7, feeling pretty good about his game.  At the end of the match coach Bobby Olmstead announced that Joe and Trout must play an 18 hole playoff on Tues and Wednesday to determine who goes to Tri-Districts as a player, and who will be the alternate.

Both guys are so nice that it seems a pity to make them playoff against eachother.  I pray they both have a great round of games and that they enjoy themselves.  May their friendship be the real winner.

Takes One to Know One

Following in Dad's footsteps, Joe is a geek in training.  He does many things with programming  but now will take a step into the internal workings.  Amazing, and I thought doing a blog would be a challenge.  You can tell which gene pool is working here.

Happy Earth Day Orcas Style!!

This is the parade that walked through town during their lunch break. Many local schools under one banner "Earth Day".

Just two days later!

We were so happy to see it clear up we declared a day of  yard work to celebrate!! Mowing, edging, trimming branches and even leveling a little brick.

Is it Winter or is it Spring???

Nugget has always loved the snow but I think she is confused.
When it started to accumulate on the car I began to wonder...
Will it last????
Last Friday and Saturday it decided to snow here. I mean really snow some of the fattest flakes I have ever seen. See for yourself.

Still more pictures

This is the class list from the Kindergarten class I worked with.  Wonder how long a block is?
This was a tremendous mural painted in downtown Camden showing the strength of their industry. Ferry boats, Cambell, Delmonte, trains... a city with a future.
Cara, Sydney, Maddy,and Anika working hard or hardly working in Seattle... We Worked Hard!
One of the panel discussions with our new friends Pooky, Josh, Albert, Tony and Cumran. (sp?)

Theses guys are the leadership of the outreaches that are making a difference in the after school programs etc... They grew up here, went to school and came back to make a difference.  They give out love, understanding and guidance regardless of the outcome.

More Pictures

sites Rick saw after dropping off a work crew
The truck donated 15 yrs ago by Ken Walker's brother
Debbie giving the 6th grade classroom a makeover
The Lovely Old public library waited for 20 yrs to be renovated, now is condemned.
Tate, Debbie's partner in painting. It was a dramatic change from the before picture.

Still Thinking on Camden

It's no surprise that my mind still wanders back to Camden.  The pictures you have seen so far are pictures that could have been taken anywhere.  There are sadder pictures... street after street of condemned buildings, closed down stores that successfully unplugged the future for the downtown shopping district, parks with so many needles that it is unsafe to be there....

But this was the saddest mark of history that I  photographed.  The graveyard of the crack babies. Like everything else, the graveyard is in pretty bad shape. 

I Saw God Today...

In our terrific youth...
In the Camden Forward School...
As we toured Camden and learned of it's needs...

Rick having some fun in Phillly after our week was done.

I saw God... was how we began our evening sharing time together. It was hard to keep to one "sighting" but it helped us hear reports of all the different ministry opportunities that were done that day.  It wasn't just in the work done in the community but the work done in us to understand Camden's needs, it's workings and learn to love with God's Love. 

We're Back!!

Our trip was incredible. Starting in Seattle and working in many homeless shelters/kitchens was eye opening. Everywhere we went the people were so appreciative... we want to go back.

Camden was so much more than we ever imagined.  We were able to help in classrooms, after school programs in four locations, physical plant needs on campus.  Some of our men that came along fixed vans, brakes, roofing projects, high ladder work, gardening and tidying yards.  Oh, the list could go on and on.  Some of the kids organized a huge room full of all kinds of donations, weight lifting room, even tearing a bad wall down so other construction could take place. 

We were initially given a tour of Camden and given an overview of the area and it's struggles.  Everyday we started with some unique exercises for our bodies and then exercises for our souls.  At night we often had speakers or panels come and discuss local issues. It was incredible. We were treated with great enthusiasm and respect and were given many opportunities to work out our faith.  

Would we go back....???  In a heartbeat.  My photos can only give a little glimpse of a terrific trip.

Definite New Tricks for this Old Dog

I have been packing and washing and squeezing things into luggage, and washing some more...  I am sitting here just about falling asleep... Yes, we leave for the mission trip at 6:00 tomorrow morning.  In my more awake moments I was sensing the excitement and thrill of embarking on a trip of this magnitude. Right now I am getting pretty thrilled at the prospect of sleeping in my bed for the last time for ten days.

Seriously, We are looking forward to doing whatever God sets before us in this grand adventure. The fact that we are going together, and along with some terrific people makes it all the more memorable.  

Thank you for your prayers, your financial contributions (you will get thank you's) and all your help in sending us on our way.  Thank you also to all of you that are filling our shoes so that we can go. 

We hope to have an exciting report for you about our work in Seattle and Camden, NJ. I think the real work will be in our hearts.

Talk with you all soon.

Orcas vs Lopez Golf

These action shots are almost too much to handle... Golf is a challenging sport, but not always action packed. What to notice in the picture of Joe shooting for the 9th green is the lovely backdrop of construction fencing climbing the hill. This will be the site of a house by the clubhouse.  
This is Joe teeing off of #1.  He had a good day, he seems to get stronger every week. He carried his bag this tournament instead of a pull cart. He is recovering.  He also shot a 49 which qualifies him !! Yeah, that is such a nice milestone to get out of the way. Trout is seen warming on the bench. 
In this shot Anthony Ghazel is crouching down, reading the green for his putt. He had an excellent day, shot a 39 and was the medallist for the Boy's golf team. Orcas boys won their match.  The girls medalist was Melissa Moran-Hodge shooting a 49.  The girl's team tied with Lopez.