Rainy Beach Day

Today Chris and I went to South Padre Island for a day at the beach with friends.  The men and the kids played in the water and then braved inevitable sand in every crevice of their bodies to build a sandcastle.

Sandcastle with mote detail.

Not pictured above were the grey skies that erupted into thunder, lightening, and rain.  All sandcastle construction halted, and we ran for the car.  Doug ran the fastest, as he is terrified by thunder and lightening even when safely hiding in a kitchen cabinet.

Doug during a thunderstorm in San Antonio.

Driving home in the thunderstorm turned out to be even more exciting than running from the thunderstorm on the beach.  Our friend, who drove us all to the beach in his minivan, was unphased by the heavy rains.  Overcoming minimal visibility, slowing traffic, and large amounts of water, he flipped on his hazard lights and plowed through the rain, wove through cars, and passed several vehicles stopped on the shoulder.  His driving was so confident that he turned his head from the road to converse with Chris several times and at one point, reached one of his arms behind the passenger seat to grab a trash bag barely within his reach.  I considered wearing two seat belts.

We made it home safe in the end, so perhaps I was needlessly nervous throughout the stunt-drive home; or, perhaps I will insist that Chris drive next time.            

Smart Phone Surgery

In January 2009, Chris replaced the screen in my old laptop.  A few months ago, he built his own computer.  This week, he began operations to save his phone.

Although the outcome for the phone is to-be-determined, I admire his tenacity for building and repairing electronics.  The only thing I consistently repair around the house is the dog's leash.

A Gala Evening

Last week Chris and I went to a Gala, also known as a fundraising banquet.  Although we sat at a table with only four other couples, the excessive number of glasses, plates, and utensils on the table made it appear as if at least four times as many people were present.  I understand that a fundraising banquet must achieve a certain level of opulence to earn the title "gala," but doing that by providing dinner guests with a glass for each hand and each foot is just ridiculous.

Luckily, the fundraising cause was in no way as ridiculous as the plethora of dishes littering our table.  After spending two hours learning about the Idea public schools, I have a new respect for education in the Valley.  And the yummy chocolate cake for dessert, with an edible Idea logo, almost made up for the  ridiculousness of the table arrangements.

Weekend Feasting

The theme this weekend was good food, and lots of it.  

Saturday lunch: fish with a Haitian tomato-base sauce; rice with bean sauce; mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, pasta, salad, fresh rolls, banana bread, sweet potato pie, and red velvet ice cream.  

Saturday evening: popcorn with yeast flakes, fruit smoothies, and bread with edamame hummus, black olive mock caviar, and artichoke and cashew cream dip.  

Sunday breakfast: walnut pancakes, strawberries and fresh pineapple, and hot-from-the-oven triple berry muffins. 

Sunday Dinner: Spanish rice, tostadas, and chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and a chocolate-chip cream cheese filling.  

Praise God for times of plenty.  

C.A.R.E. Group

Last Thursday was our final C.A.R.E. group meeting for a few weeks.  C.A.R.E. stands for Christ's Attitude Reflected in Everyone.  We learn how to reflect Christ's attitude the old fashioned way: by studying the bible.  Even Doug joined the group.

We spent the last ten weeks reading Hebrews 11 and the stories of Old Testament characters of faith.  In doing so, we learned the characteristics of faith.

• Faith is the foundation for pleasing God (Hebrews 11: 6, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him").
• Faith does not require perfection (Hebrews 11:31, "By faith the Harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe").
• Faith is an action (Hebrews 11:8, "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance).
• Faith is powerful (Hebrews 11: 39, "By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land); 
• Faith is your testimony (Hebrews 11: 39, "And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith).
• Faith is simple (Hebrews 11:6, "for he who comes to God must believe that He is), and at the same time, it is complex (Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen").
• Faith is rewarding (Hebrews 11:13, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were ensured of them").

And, on the note of rewards, C.A.R.E. group is also about feasting your stomach and making good friends.  Cheers!