Death Valley

Death Valley was a great trip. Even if I did plan it all last minute. I had a great time. I was able to see and do lots of stuff. I saw I did it all but no one can do it all there in 2 days. Here is a list of things I did get to see and do or partially do:
Badwater (lowest point in US)
Devil's Golfcourse
Natural Bridge
Golden Canyon
Artist Drive
Dante's Pointe
Tweny Mule team drive
Zebriskie Point
Borax Works
Devil's cornfield
Sand Dunes
Mosiac Canyon
Darwin Falls
and Scotty Castle.
U(something) crater

I think I left off a few things. I also got a neat night sky picture, and a few other good pictures. Will post later. I was able to do all this by going by myself. I know going to DV alone is risky but I needed to go. I slept in the bed of the truck... very nice option. Even when it rained on me (Sprinkled) but lasted a will, I was able to unroll the bed cover and sleep in the bed of the truck. It was s great trip. A much needed vacation that I was unaware I needed. It was great!!

June Recap

Free fishing day was fun. There were over 300 people that stopped by and tons of kids to play with. Everyone seemed to be in very good spirits. I think it was great way to promote people getting out side and doing things. We gave out tons of Junior Ranger Badges. Even the sand that was coating us from head to toe was not horrible just very dirty. Free exfoliation was included with the day.

Water Safety event will be coming up on July 18th. Very similar yet different.

Forever Earth mobile visitor center -- retro fitted houseboat that goes to the coves in the lake and from there we jump out and give people information. Did this last Saturday. Way fun. Only the second time I had been out on the lake. Really neat. Tons of people at the coves. Myself and Sky talked to about 225 people. Very sunny warm day. Great day to spend out on the lake. Next trip out will be July 11.

Interp Training -- oh my what a week. Don't think I really want a repeat of that week for quite some time. I basically was in charge of the 4 day training with little supervision. Not necessarily a bad thing just stressful. Got all the presenters lined up then on Sunday, I had to change 2 morning schedules due to meeting, Monday morning get a call from a 2 presenters that day that they could not show up when schedule. So I was changing all kinds of things on the fly. I basically spent each night back at the office trying to get ready for the next day. At least 2 hours of OT each night. Crazy.

Grad classes -- classes started last week-- on top of training going haywire. There were thoughts of oh great what have I got myself into. Actually many times those thoughts came into my head. I survived the first week and have a much better outlook now. Amazing how a little bit of time can help bring things back into balance.

Overall---June was a great month and Life is more than good

Yet another post promising more news later. Like in a week. Crazy life. This is what happens when I don't get to internet regulary.

Hope

After getting off work last Saturday I decided that, yes I really do want to go to church tonight. There were two Churches I was considering going to. Both of which I found the information online about when and where. Anyways, back in 2003, I came out to Vegas on a spring break mission trip. We worked with a church called Hope Baptist Church. Since this church had a Saturday service, I decided to go. I am SO glad that I did. Really words can not describe what I was feeling and what I thought. But i will try to do my best. When I arrived at the High School where they met, I was surprised to see so many cars. I figured there might be 100 people if that. Wrong there were probably 200 people there. While walking toward the school, I realized that I along with the team I came with had prayed for this school and I had been on campus here before. I go inside the school walls and see a few booths set up. Information for the youth camp, how to help out with local missions, and a general information table. I was shocked to see that all of this was going on. Not shocked in bad way but a good way. When I was here in 2003, the church had maybe 150ish members. This church has truly been blessed by God. It has grown so much from what I remembered. Anyways, I take a seat in the school gym and just looked around bewildered at all the changes. Of course they were meeting in a much smaller place in 03. When the service started, I loved their style of music and worship. (Think the WELL). When the pastor came up to pray and welcome visitors, I did remember him, but only slightly. Anyways, he was introducing to the church a couple who had been called to start a Filipino church in the Vegas area. Awesome! but it gets better, he said that this new church would be the 9th church plant to grow from the fellowship of people at Hope. I had tears in my eyes. I was simply overwhelmed by what the church had become through allowing God to use them. The rest of the service was right in line with what I was looking for and praying that it would be. The pastor, Vance Pittman, was teaching biblicaly based truths and I was simple in awe of what God had done. Afterwards, I talked to the pastor for a few minutes. He asked how I had heard about Hope and I told him of the long ago connection. He said he remembered the group and could see that I was amazed by what God had done there. When I left, my heart was racing and I am still so shocked about what mighty things God can do through people who are willing to be used by Him. My heart was so full that I just could help but keep tears in my eyes during the whole service. I remember sitting there shaking my head and thinking wow, what a long journey.

I can honestly say that I have seen the fruits of walking the streets of Henderson, going door to door putting out flyers about the church and inviting people to come worship the one true God.

Death Valley = Awesome
Free Fishing day = Good
Hope Baptist Church = Beyond words



More to come later this week.

Death Valley here I come

I am going to Death Valley this Wed and Thursday. 2 days is not near enough time. I will post pictures and write about it sometime next week. Probably around next Thursday.


Campfire program was a success. 22 people. No tears. All good things. Thanks for the support

Time goes on

Well another week has come and gone and I am still here. Sounds kinda depressing. Seriously. I am finally getting into the swing of things. I do think that it takes a while to be really settled in anywhere. My first program will be this coming Saturday night. First campfire program of the season!! I am very excited but as usual, I am not quite ready. I have pictures to laminate and facts to memorize and well the whole program to learn. Good thing I don't have any plans tomorrow. I also will be trailing the moonlight hike this Friday. Should be interesting. I have been talking with my mom today about how this park doesn't focus on formal programming and main focus is on roving (aka walking around talking to people). Roving is a great thing but... I don't think it really conveys park messages very well. And for sure doesn't convey park themes. At Hatteras we did fishing, bird watching, snorkeling, arts, and in the past they have done body boarding. Why can this park not get some of the programs going? I think I will have to suggest that very soon. Well, I am tired of sitting at the library so I am out of here.