...Toy Driving

This week has been crazy! As I'm sure many of your lives have been crazy too... Well, Jewelz and I returned from the snowy cold rainy Midwest late Sunday night. We went to Kentucky, as we were part of Jewelz mom's wedding... It was a very fast and full time.

This week we jumped right into Running, Staff work, and... 'tis the season, the Kairos annual Toy Drive! (With all of this going on, I haven't really captured, processed, or transitioned from all of our Europe experiences!... I hope to get time to journal and slow down...) Also, worth mentioning, I got sick this week, plus 3 others on our running team... We're resting. (Of Note, My mom got the LA 'bug' bad and is back in Indiana this week, resting...)

Have I mentioned how awesome our runners are this year!? Well, They Rock! We took 8 of South Centrals finest to Kairos on Tuesday to help get all the madness, that is the Toy Drive, in order. They worked hard, and had a great time. The Toy Drive is Saturday, the 22nd, and we're expecting 1000 kids will be served! It's an unreal site. If you're around, come by and help.

:Gabby, Richard (whose proud of the SpongeBob undies), and Katherine:

:Amarilas, Manny (Team Captain!), Chanel, Araceli:

:Jewelz and Sophia:

:THe Whole Posse:

Half Marathon

We had the Irvine Half Marathon on Saturday with our after-school mentoring program. Here is Jewelz on the last mile - Pressing Hard!

Christian, our Assistant Coach, Manny, team captain, and Richard cheering in the rest of the team! (with 'home-made' signs, none-the-less!)

On the Right is Luis, a Sophomore at Foshay - He looks so happy! This is right before the finish line. (the other runner is from another school)

We are really proud of our team. They all did so well with energy and encouraging attitudes. We really feel like God's Spirit is leading and blessing this team.

For us, its a whirlwind since we just got back from Europe. My parents just got into town, and next weekend we go to Julie's mom's wedding in Kentucky.

on Returning

Julie and I just returned to LA... its so warm!
(yes, we've been conditioned...)

We traveled for 18 hours yesterday. It was a long one.

Upon returning, I saw the San Gabriel Mountains, and Mt. Baldy covered in snow... and the LA basin... I thought, this place is really unique!

I do plan to update our blog with pictures... and keep it up through the year for family fun...

for now, here is a picture from amsterdam... Yes, thats real Leather, dyed black... I found it at a market for a friend of mine in San Diego... If there were two, i'd have my own, so I could resist sporting it... The natives thought I looked amazing and were all jealous...