Why I Love Rancho Vista Church Part 2

For the past two weekends a groups from our church in Chula Vista traveled to various parts of Baja to deliver Christmas to the children. There is no other time when I feel closer to Christ than when you and a cold child a warm meal and what will probably be the only Christmas present they will recieve!

My church has a great group of people who are passioante about serving the poor in Mexico. These trips are the highlight of my year - and are filled with laughter, joy, and a LOT of smack talking on the van.

Why I Love My Church

As December rolls along, I am reminded again of why I so passionately love Rancho Vista Church. Every year at this time we do a huge toy drive called "The Ninos De Natividad". Last Sunday we collected up all the toys that folks gathered from thier friends and neighbors. We had a "Fiesta" to wrap ALL the gifts, and John Oliver arranged for a genuine Taco Stand to be set up in the quad area of Otay Ranch High School.

There was so much laugter, fun, good food and general chaos that it reminded me of what church should really be like. Real people working together in the name of Jesus to change the world we live in. And we have not even got to the best part yet. On the next two Saturdays we will caravan down to various parts of Mexico (Tecate, Ensenada, Rosarito beach) and deliver the gifts. I can't wait! I love that my church is genuinely exciting and fun. God's has blessed us with a group of people that love to eat, laugh, get lost in Mexico, and "do all things" to God's glory!

Chargers Lose to Jags - But do not give up fans!

OK. Unilke most Charger fans - I am not going to give up on the Bolts - even though every other Charger fan I know in East Chula Vista is depressed right now. The following, written the third week in November, is my prediction of how the Chargers will go DEEP into the playoffs. BELIEVE!

#1 - The Chargers are one game up on the competition in what has to be the worst divsion in the NFL right now.

#2 -Assuming we go 9-7 (heck, even 8-8), we will win the division. To do that, the Chargers simply must a) Beat Baltimore at OUR HOUSE on 11/25, b) Beat Tennesse (who are lousy), c) Beat the Raiders (who are REAL LOUSY) and they will be 8-8 which should secure the division. If they beat awful Denver on December 24th - they will be 9-7 - which pretty much assures them the division.

#3 - OK - here is where things get interesting. As we learned last year - the point of the NFL is not to have a good regular season record - it is to get a slot in the playoffs! Once our Bolts get into the playoofs - they have as good a chance as anyone to get on a run. Think about it - with all that talent - they could be one of those teams (as the Rockies did in baseball) -that gets hot - and go deep into the playoffs.

#4 - Objectively - I predict the Chargers will go at least 2 games into the Playoffs...maybe more. Does anyone disagree?

Uncle Walt took my money

Jake and Steph on the way to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Florida.

The Rose family just returned from a week of fun and traveling to Florida. We signed up for one of those "see everything in Disneyworld while you eat all you want for $327,493" deals. I know with many people Walt Disney and Disneyland are almost sacred - but as for me - yuck! I told Stephannie that this was a great place to visit with our kids - ONCE! Allow me to share the good vs. the bad...

It is GOOD that Disneyworld is safe, clean, and obviously family friendly.

It is BAD to have so many families with so many kids crammed into so many areas at the same time. The sight of parents exploding at thier kids - or kids acting like kids -was almost constant. (Yes - I was one of the parents who lost my cool - once...or twice).

It is GOOD that there are so many diversions, so many things to do, so much entertainment.

It is BAD to spend too many days sitting on your behind - being entertained, eating, milling around like cows on a farm.

It is GOOD to be able to walk around Epcot center and have your picture taken in front of replicas of famous European monuments.



It is SAD to realize that as impressive as Epcot center is - it is all fake, smoke and mirrors.

It is GOOD to spend large amounts of time with the family.



It is BAD for a family to be passive, waiting for Uncle Walt to entertain you.

Maybe I am biased becasue I live in Cali - but for my money - The original Disneyland is far superior to the Magic Kingdom in Florida. Here in Anaheim - you go to one park - ok - maybe 2 - and you are done. In Florida - you need to go to FOUR PARKS to hit all the rides and sights. YUCK!

Fire Part 5 - Pictures From My Front Yard

Monday Night - Behind the edge of our cul-de-sac

Tuesday morning - coming up over the hill towards our house.

That helicopter was awesome - dropped water right on approaching fire. Note the little "floating pipe" coming out it's belly - thus the nicknake "Mosquito".

Fire Part 4 - From The Helped to Helping

Steph's Brother and his family are on thier way! The live up in Escondido - and have not been home since Sunday. The hotel they were staying in has booted them :( - so we are happy to help. We have found one portable "pack & play" crib - but still need another. Please call me 540.1221 if you can loan us one for a couple days.

The Fire Part 3- HOME!

The Smokey Moon from our home

We heard from our friends that people who lived in Rolling Hills Ranch were free to return at 5 PM today. The Rose family has returned to our home with a new appreciation for the "little" things. Much thanks to Mitch and Michelle Rosen - who a) allowed us to crash at Midnight, b) Allowed us to "Re-crash" at noon, C) Offered to set up a "Omelette Bar" for Breakfast if we stayed one more day.

I am - honestly - humbled by the many calls of care and concern from all of our friends from across the country. I do encourage you to pray powerfully for our community - and for the many people who continue go without housing - or who have lost thier homes. If you sleep tonight in your won bed - in your own place - you are better off then 500,000 residents of San Diego.

I am going to sleep...