Mt. Sinai

I was tired after justing hiking up. Look at all my back sweat.














There she is.














Now, it's time to go back down.


This was from my trip summer '04. I saw some friend's pics of their travels and it inspired me to put these up. We saw the sun rise also. It was great.

The Big Rocket

So, I'm going to try and stay updated w/ my life for those who aren't here in Dallas. It has been
2 1/2 mos since I've been in the states. I will update. I have some good Egypt stories I want to share. I am no longer going to DBU. Since arriving back, it was make clear to me that was not the path to continue on. I am currently taking classes at Navarro, (community college in Midlothian, Waxahachie) in which everything is going fine. I am still working at the church being a janitor and a little bit of whatever the night requires. I am in the car hunt. I have something lined up which is looking good. Church is going well. I'm able to lead a small group w/i our college group on Sunday nights. Here's a funny story. I was sitting at church eating dinner on Wednesday night. Then, all of the sudden the 4 yr-old boy runs up to me and says, "Hey, it's you." I say, "Yeah, it is." I have never seen this kid in my life, nor his mother who wasn't too far away. He runs back to his mother and points at me saying, "Look! It's him." Well, she knows that I'm not him, but the boy thinks differently. He comes back running, "Hey, it's really you." We have some 4 yr-old small talk and then he tells me that my hair is different from the last time I saw him. I say, "Oh, really, well, when was the last time you saw me?" I thinking I have him stumped and he says, "Last weekend, we hung out." Okay, I was hanging out w/ a 4 yr-old kid last weekend w/ a different hair cut. I then ask him, "Hey, since you know me, what's my name?" He looks up for a moment, then back at me and says, "The Big Rocket!" After laughing for a second, I just say, "Yep, you're right." So, just call me,"The Big Rocket".

One Star on Our Flag

Yeah, I made it home Wednesday night about 8:30. I did miss all of the craziness at the airports that started the following day. I did go through NY which was crazy b/c I had to land in one airport, get all my luggage, find a way to Penn Station, take the train to the other airport, and then check everything in again. I was given just over 5 hours to do this. My plane landed late. The van driver was not the most pleasant guy on my way to Penn Station. There was heavy traffic, and it just took a long time. I walked on the plane ten minutes before we were to leave. I am great though to be home. I will see many people at church tomorrow which I am looking forward too. Thoughts off to all happening in the Middle East. There are obviously more than two countries being impacted by this war.

The Stars at Night are Big and Bright...

Clap (x4)

Deep in the Heart of TEXAS















I'm coming home. I leave for the airport in half an hour. I will arrive at DFW Wednesday about 8 pm. I took this pic here in country at a local alabaster shop. Thoughts off to my 24 hour trip back home.

No More Feluka Rides on the Nile

My time these past 10 days have been sweet. I have been able to see many of my friends before I leave here w/i the hour. All of my friends idea of fun in our last moments were different. Some wanted to sit and have tea. Some wanted to sit and talk about me getting them into America (which I really can't do). Some wanted me to ride their Vespa (like a small motorized scooter) on the main highway weaving around traffic knowing if we even get clipped I wouldn't be writing this post. But, hey I am and all is good. Some just wanted me to come to their home and eat w/ them and others showed up a little while ago at the bowling alley. I got to hang out w/ some of my closer friends tonight and was able to talk each of them for a little while. It was a sweet day to spend time w/ them. I will miss this country. I do not know what the future has for me and this area of the world. However, my time here or w/ people from here is far from over.

Pics from the Zoo

So I went to the local zoo sometime this summer. It was a good little experience. The price to get in equates to about 20 cents but they charge you 25 times that to bring in a video camera. Then they charge you a few pounds (less than a buck) to get pics w/ the animals that you're not supposed to be touching. This is where you go past the "NO ONE IS ALLOWED PAST THIS POINT" sign and get to touch the baby animals. Here are a few pics from my time there.

Cute Boa

My momma never let me have a snake.

Baby Croc

I really don't know why I was so happy, maybe he was tickling me.

Baby Lion

I'm ready to hold Simba up for Africa to see. "The Circle of Life"

Our time is short...

I have two weeks exactly until I'm back in the states. I have made good friends from all around the world. I had six good friends from the states that left this weekend. I'm going to be leaving a load of national friends and others from around the world soon. Our calling is simple, we just better be doing it wherever we are. This picture is from the school I was just teaching at. I've had opportunities to share a little about me w/ people here, it has been good. My heart seems to be so different that many of the nationals here, but we're all still people who need love. I am going to be saying goodbye w/ some of my national friends here soon. I encourage you to do the same w/ the people you know back home, for we are not guaranteed to see our friends tomorrow.

There is to be No Playing W/ the Soccer Ball

I saw this sign the other day next to a large church. Since, soccer fields and grass are scarce here, pretty much anything open is a soccer field. I made a huge number of friends these past two weeks. I am going to miss them greatly. That is part of life, you meet people to never see them again. We must take advantage of the time given to us. It is minute. I have 19 days to go until I'm back home. I must keep the mindset of my purpose here, and continue to love the people.