Briam's Family Blog

This year has been a crazy year for missions.   With the economy being what it was, we were not sure if this mission trip was going to be able to happen.  But God was good ... but isnt he always?  For some time, Paola and I have been talking and praying abut taking our kids with us on a mission trip... and this was the trip.

Each mission trip tends to be so very different, and this one was no exception.  Tijuana is a place of very high poverty, and there are so many things that we get to assist in.  When we go, we get to do some construction and VBS.  Also we get a chance to go out and give food and water to the needy families.  At first we were wondering what our kids would or would not be able to help with... but in the end, they wanted to help in everything we did.

They were awesome.  They quickly made friends with the kids there and helped in every activity.  They helped prepare the crafts in VBS and also assisted with the snacks and sports and games and drawings and handing out water and handing out food and even the construction.....  (you get the idea)

Although we were able to help with a lot of different things, it was us that received so much more.  God showed us about so many families who have JOY in their lives without all the "stuff" that we think is so important.  God reminded us the importance of investing in relationships more and less on TV and video games.

It was such a blessing to go and share the Love of Christ with others... but it was also a blessing to receive the Love of Christ that they shared with us.  Our kids noticed it, and have brought it up several times.  I pray they never forget.   [Click HERE or on any of the pictures for more pics]

This past Saturday we got a chance to get out there an run the annual Fuzz run in Covington, GA.  A great little family run for a good cause [“Police Who Care Fund"].  The kids did great on the Fun Run... and the parents survived the 5k.

I was happy with my time compared to last year.  I did notice that once I get in to the 70+ age group, I will be able to dominate due to lack of participants!!  ... just a few more years to go.  Well on a furrier note, there was a special guest appearance by the famous Chick-Fil-A cow.

The cow was not fast enough to escape Sophia's crushing hug.  Better luck next time, Cow!!

This Summer we have been trying to stay more active.  What that usually means is that I end up carrying a lot more stuff and everyone is sweating. 

One of the places that we have hit a couple of times this summer was Stone Mountain.  I brisk climb for a nice family picnic.  The first thing we have to do is convince the kids that this is really a cool thing to do... even when it is really hot.  DON'T FORGET THE WATER...

We did make it up there... with not too much fuss.  The view up there was great, and the kids were proud of their accomplishment.  After a nice (hot) climb to the top, the hunger sets in.  We all gather under a little tree for some lunch.

The lunch was good... not just good, but also enhanced by the strong desire to eat after climbing that mountain.  As we sat under the tree and enjoyed the breeze and the lunch we started talking about Jonah... and his little tree.  Matthew pretended to be a worm and started eating our tree. 

Johan 4:9 ...But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant [tree]?”

As I was looking back at the backlog of pictures I have not had time to post about, I came across these photos.  While the kids and Paola where in Ecuador, I did get a chance to do some bike riding in Arabia mountain.  And a couple of my rides actually took me to Panola park and back.  There were some really nice places to ride through...

I had actually gotten to this bridge with the kids at some point in the past.  They did complain about how long it took to get up that hill... but they did love riding back down that hill.

There are some cool bridges and crosswalks on the path.  But I do recall that in this summer heat, I contemplated jumping off the bridge in to the creek below. 

 There were TONS of rabbits.  Well not actually a measurable ton, but rabbits seemed to be everywhere.  Every time I saw one I thought about how Sophia would love to see them.

And then there was this wall.  I am not sure what this place used to be... perhaps some storage while they mined the rocks.  Who knows.  But it reminds me of Matthew.  He swore this was a prison from a long time ago.  I think I have a picture somewhere with him behind the bars.

Oh, am I a little late with these? 

Well I guess it can't be helped.  I was doing some clean up and ran across some of these pictures.  Click on the picture to go to the gallery and live the past!  ... some things never change... some things change too quickly.

Enjoy!  ... I know that I did.