Good neighbors

Since I have been staying in Upland for the past 6 months, I have really come to enjoy the neighborhood that we are in. Everyday after school and now all day since summer has begun, all of the kids in this neighborhood go in their front yards and play together, or swim in one an others pools. I have lived in so many neighborhoods in my adult life and have never had the experience with neighbors that I am having now. The boys all play baseball in the front yard or throw a Frisbee or have races on their bikes. The girls too, join in on the racing, or sit in the avocado tree in my parents front yard and play dolls, or house or color. One of the parents, including myself pulls out the slip n slide and all of the kids spend the afternoon having a ball. The neighbors with pools, share and all of the kids swim until they can't swim anymore. Even the parents chit chat. We all sit out front and watch our kids and exchange pleasantries. We all know each others names and we all take turns having the kids in our yards. It's been such a nice change. We have lived in places where no one ever talks to anyone or waves or smiles. Kids don't play outside and you would never feel comfortable letting your kids spend time in a neighbors house because you just don't know them. Here, kids are in and out and all around and I simply love it. It's how all of the world should be!

Denali hikers rescued!

Tears came to my eyes today as I watched the anchorage news. Erica Nelson and her friend were rescued today! I got to see her mom, Ellane from my small group giving her daughter a hug, safe and sound with no injuries. Thanks for all of your prayers. I know it meant a lot to the Nelson family.

PLEASE PRAY

I was contacted today regarding a friend of mine from my small group in Las Vegas. One of the ladies in our group, Ellane Nelson, has a daughter who has gone missing on a hike in Alaska. This has been on local Las Vegas news and on the national news, so some of you may have seen the story. Ellanes daughters name is Erica Nelson. Please keep Ellane and Erica and the rest of the family in your prayers to bring Erica home safely.

Here is the link to the story which includes a picture of Erica.
http://www.adn.com/outdoors/story/438758.html

So. Cal

I took my kids to Newport Beach yesterday. The weather was perfect and the water was pretty warm too. It was just beautiful. Beaches in So.Cal are one of the things that make me wish that I could live here. Unfortunately, the average price of a home is somewhere around 600,000 and rent is 2500 a month or more. Blast! I don't think we'll ever get to live down here!

Just a reminder of what America faces

This is 9 minutes long but a good reminder of what America faces.


If you know someone who doesn't understand why we have 180,000 brave U.S. troops honorably serving in Iraq & Afghanistan, then please share this video with them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lKZqqSI9-s

We are approaching the 7-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and since then Islamic jihadists have not been able to inflict another terrorist attack on American soil. And U.S. troops deserve a lot of praise for this fact. Our troops have al-Qaeda broken into pieces, and their affiliated terrorist groups largely decimated. This is the direct result of our troops' missions in Iraq & Afghanistan, and around the world (in conjunction with the dilligent work of law enforcement and intelligence agencies).

So please realize that while you are sitting at your chair reading this, a young man or woman is over in Iraq or Afghanistan, enduring temperatures over 115 degrees, and fighting violent radical jihadists who want to see you and I dead, and our society and values destroyed.

We should say thank you to our troops. In fact, we cannot begin to thank them enough.

It's funny because its true

This is for anyone who has lived in or near L.A. It made me laugh, so I'm passing it on to you! Enjoy.




You must first learn to pronounce the city name L.A. ; it is "L" "A" and not "la" like in the Sound of Music.

All freeways are referred to as "The 405" or "The 10" regardless of it being referred to as I-10 in other states.The morning rush hour is from 5:00 a.m. to noon. The evening rush hour is from noon to 7:00 p.m. and Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday, just after noon unless it is a three day weekend and then it begins sometime Wednesday evening.

The minimum acceptable speed on most freeways is 85 mph. except on the 91, the 105 or the 110, where your speed is expected to match the highway number. Anything less is considered "Wussy."

Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere, L.A. has its own version of traffic rules. For example, cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second. However, in Malibu , SUV-driving, cell-phone-talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55 - 65 mph zone, you are considered a road hazard and will be "flipped-off" accordingly. If you return the flip, you will be shot. If you actually stop at a yellow light you will be rear ended, cussed out, and probably shot. Never honk at anyone. EVER. Seriously, it's another offense that can get you shot.

Road construction is permanent and continuous in all of L.A. and Orange counties. Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment pleasure during the middle of the night to make the next day's driving a bit more exciting. Map Quest does not work here - none of the roads are where they say they are or go where they say they go, and the freeway off and on ramps are moved each night.

If someone actually has their turn signal on, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been "accidentally activated."Do not try to estimate travel time-- just leave Monday afternoon for Tuesday appointments, by noon Thursday for Friday and right after church on Sunday for anything on a Monday morning.

And finally, why is the L.A. Freeway called "the 405"? Because no matter where or when you are traveling on it, it takes 4 or 5 hours to reach your final destination from wherever you are. Make sure you have a small ice chest filled with snacks and drinks. L.A. is a desert and getting stuck on the 405 can result in dehydration or possible starvation if you are not prepared.

Timing part 2

God did miraculously provide for Joe to go to Kingman yesterday. In fact the whole family went! We loaded Zach and Katie in the car and drove the 4 hours to Kingman. Joe went to the interview and it went well, so we'll see if they give him a call. After the interview we went over to Needles and found our own private beach and spent the rest of the day in the river. It was really fun. On our way back, Joe had me laughing so hard almost the whole way home. I couldn't hardly see the road! We had such a fun family day out and who knows where this little trip will lead us. God is good.