this & that

I'll lump some random updates together today! Feeling like I need to "lighten up" my blog a little these days! :)

1) Departure Update:
I am super close to meeting my financial support goals! I long ago exceeded my love and prayer support goals! The overwhelming support, care, encouragement, and prayers of family and friends continue to bless my life! I am now very close to reaching some financial goals before purchasing my ticket to Buenos Aires! I am hoping and praying I can get the green light by next Friday, February 15! I would love to be in Argentina by Palm Sunday and Easter Week! Seems like a meaningful season to begin sharing life and ministry there! But, ultimately, I trust God’s best timing. His timing hasn’t let me down yet…nor will it! Please pray for the Dean Family who will be a month ahead of me in Buenos Aires….they leave February 14.

2) Movies:
I seem to be on a bit of a movie streak this 2008! 1) Juno - The whole package…funny sweet, thoughtful, etc. Ellen Paige deserves the Oscar nomination. 2) The Kite Runner – As usual the book went deeper, but the movie still captured the story and made me cry. 3) U23D – A lot of this was filmed in Buneos Aires…amazing! If you are a U2 fan….see it! Most of us will never get so close to Bono and you feel like you are rocking out with the crowd on floor level! 4) There Will Be Blood – If the trailor for this one freaked you out, the movie is even more chilling. Not for everyone….I’m sure I missed some symbolism in the story. Daniel Day Lewis’ performance will stick with me for awhile (hopefully not in nightmares). 5) Rambo – True confession time! Not sure what I was thinking in seeing this record breaking body count. (Sorry Rich & Ben!) I guess the opportunity to hang out with a good friend I haven’t seen for awhile got the best of me. Even the nostalgic memories of “Ramboing” in high school on the "hill" and "gum grove" in Seal Beach in didn’t justify my decision.

3) Ebay:
I have one last supply of collectible diecast cars to sell. See here. This batch also included old Matchbox pocket catalogs from the 60’s & 70’s. One 1965 catalog sold for $45! Not bad! Fun to see what more I can squeeze out of this before I go! Plus, the extra cash ain’t bad. The postal workers keep asking when I am leaving (I am at the post office at least 2-3 times a week). The other day one woman asked what exactly I would be doing. I told her working with at risk kids on the streets with a mission and answered her good questions. She replied something like this, "Wow, I see you in a different light…I thought you were just some “floater” dude waiting to earn enough to leave on your next trip." I said, "Well, that's not too far off these past couple years...I'm a little of that too!" HA! Classic.

4) Flip Flops:
I rarely wear shoes! I go through at least two pairs of sturdy Reef sandals every year. That includes rotating them with my Brasilian Havaianas. Just got my new pair of Reef Fannings with church keys in today’s mail! If I’m lucky maybe they will get me through Christmas 2008…I’m thinking winters in Buneos Aires may force me to wear shoes a little more.