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| From South San Juan Hike July, 2009 |
Joshua
Landon
Devin
Monday, July 6, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The Story of Mexico, May 29, 2009
So, looking back on the last trip to Juarez, Mexico in May, it was a great time and a time of a lot of spiritual growth. God is faithful to teach us His ways AND to keep us safe in the midst of fears. So here is the story.
As it starts every time, Jessica called me and informed me of a potential trip to Mexico on May 29 through June 2. I told her I would love to go and started asking questions about what we will be doing and who would be going. She said that they should have some more sound equipment to take in order to help complete the job we started in March. I thought that would be great! You can look at my post, Mexico 12-08 Story, to see what happened with the sound system last. She also mentioned the Battered Women's Shelter. I haven't been to the shelter yet, but I have been wanting to go. Then she said that so far, just her and I were going. She had a friend who wanted to go, but wasn't sure yet. So it might have been a small group again. We got to talking and we figured it would be best (for image and accountability reasons) if someone else was to go. So we were really hoping someone else would chime in and be called to go too. So time was ticking down and still no one was going. Then Jessica told me that Ernesto wasn't going to be there! That was a real bad bummer. Then a motorcycle trip to Yellowstone with guys from West Main came up and I really wanted to go, so it seemed like I was going to go to Yellowstone instead. So I sought God, and really hard too. I didn't want to walk out of His will. If I was supposed to go to Mexico, I wanted to go and not do anything else. If I was to not go, I didn't want to venture into a place where God was telling me not to be. So I sought Him a lot. I had people tell me that I needed to just make a decision and God would be with me, but I knew there was more to it than that. He has a very specific and perfect will for us all. He has a SINGLE path for us to walk on that will serve Him best. I wanted to be on that path. So it was coming down to days. I started looking to get my motorcycle ready to go, and my time off from work. I had conflicts with events I had said I would be at, things I said I would do, and I was really wondering if I was doing what I was supposed to do. In the meantime, two other people (young ladies) had joined onto the team and were going. Jessica called me and said at one point that she wasn't going to go because Ernesto wasn't going, I wasn't going, and she didn't think that God was in it. But the last day, but final moment, God told me. I was driving home after a long day of getting motorcycle stuff, spending too much money, and running errands when God laid a burden on my heart. It was the feeling of sin. It was one of those things where you know you aren't doing what you ought to do, and nothing seems to matter anymore. I knew that I needed to go to Mexico, not Yellowstone. He had kept His voice soft to see if I would listen to Him closely until I came to the point where He decided to blatantly reveal His plan to me. I knew it all along. I knew I should go to Mexico, I knew that I was supposed to be in that van traveling, but I wasn't certain what God sounded like, so I went the other way. He was just teaching me what He sounds like. So the night before we left, I called Jessica and asked her if I could still go. She got irritated, I told her that she needs patience with me since I am still a little boy, we discussed it and I said I would call her tomorrow to be absolutely sure. So I went to bed that night with a very heavy burden lifted. The next day I didn't call early because I thought she might be in bed. She called me and I gave her my final O.K. I was going. So that afternoon the four of us, Jessica, Katie, Sarah, and I loaded into the van headed to Juarez.
And the trip was on. I was the only guy in the midst of three other ladies. I was scared to say the least. We had to stop in Las Cruces to pick up Sarah's birth certificate since she didn't have her certified copy. That was a mess. We got the the place, she filled out the papers, and then she discovered her driver's license was expired. No birth certificate. So maybe she can get her license renewed! We went to the DMV express with only minutes to spare before the other birth certificate office closed, and they said she can't renew her license without a valid birth certificate. So we were in a pickle. What to do?! We were about to leave her in Las Cruces with her brother when Jessica called Jim (I think), the pastor at Calvary of Roswell. He said that God had done so much more for the man in God's Smuggler, so why won't he do the same for us? Good point! So into Mexico we trek with a lady with no valid ID. Crazy. We make it in, meet with Maggie (pastor's wife) and drive the bumpy streets of Juarez to the church.
That evening we visited with the people who were there (Maggie, Jennet, Gonzalo, Joanna, and Genesis) and just kind of rested... and of course, ate food! I led a little study on Ephesians chapter 2 before we went to bed.
The next day, Saturday, May 30, we went to the Soriana to buy a boat load of groceries for the women's shelter. That was a blast! We made fools of ourselves by taking pictures in the store, but what do you expect from a bunch of crazy Americans?
As soon as we finished buying two baskets of groceries, we loaded up and went to the shelter to deliver all the goodies. It was a good time to be at the shelter. Everyone there was grateful for the supplies and just beaming. I ended up in a room, sitting at a booth, surrounded by a bunch of Mexican children, getting my arm painted with the name, "Josue." Yeah, I let them paint my arm. It didn't look too bad either. I made a fool of myself with my silly handle on Spanish, and soon had to leave. While I was messing around, Jessica was getting a list of everything else the shelter needed so we could take it down there on the next trip. We said goodbye and drove off into the dust. (I am not posting any photos from the shelter because the leaders and afraid of certain people finding them. But the kids were so cute!)
Alright, we got back to the church and the girls wanted to sleep, so they slept. I cruised on over to the sound board and got to work on installing the new used amp into their system.
I was about half-way finished when they came in and said that they were going across the street to paint. I stayed working on the sound system for a while longer until I finished it, then headed across the street to the apartment to help paint. It is a quaint little place, but for only $55 a month, who can complain? I got the job of painting the ceiling (it's my buffness) and it wasn't long before I found a good chunk of paint on my pants.
Did I accidentally put a roller to my own pair of jeans? Can it be? No, it was not. Jessica was the dirty culprit. But me, being the patient, kind soul I am, did nothing. The she attacked again, and again. After that I had had enough. She wanted a paint fight and since my black shirt and bluejeans were already bleeding out white, why not? It was insane. There was paint flinging everywhere! Not a person was spared. Not a face, not an outward article of clothing, NOTHING! Well, nothing but my hat. Yes, my hat made it through the action with no more than a splatter spot or two. The other three's hair was even covered, but my hat made it out alive.
Then came the cleanup. It was messy. I cleaned all the tools then took a shower. I thank the Lord for latex paint because it comes right off the skin! I was nice and clean before I could say Acetone. With that out of the way, the girls decided to go read and stuff upstairs while leaving me downstairs to entertain myself. In the afternoon, I decided we should really do another study. I coaxed them out of their books and onto the balcony to take a crack at Ephesians 3. We made it though. Then was the food, then the socializing, then the sleep.
Sunday was the Church meeting, as you can deduct. We went to the service, but as you know, Ernesto was not the preacher since he was gone on a road trip to a pastor's conference in California. So they had a guest pastor in his place. We didn't understand anything, but the sound was good! ;) After church, there was a lady selling chicharrones burritos and I ate one. I am not a big chicharrones fan. But we visited with the Church body for a while before they all departed to their homes.
That afternoon we went to the Mercado. It had been a while since we had been, so we took a look around. It was E-M-P-T-Y. Yes, empty. We asked Maggie why and she said that it was because it was Sunday. It was really weird being in there. Usually it is crazy packed with tons of people, but this time, it was only us. Us and some Asian guys. Every vendor would follow us chatting things like, "We have a low price just for you," or, "This is the best deal you will find." I ended up getting two blankets and a shirt. I had to replace the shirt that got covered in paint. I wanted a blanket for myself and I got another for the missions room at West Main in Artesia. The girls bought some stuff and we were out of there.
After that, we ran around looking for different things that we thought would be cheaper in Mexico like contact lenses and inhalers. We had luck with the inhalers but not the contacts. We made it back to the church and talked with everyone there for a while. We went around the corner with Jennet to a small store to buy some sweets for the girls.
We came back, hung out and talked outside for a long time, then just goofed around for the rest of the day. The next day we would leave.
Monday morning, June 1, 2009, we arose to our last day in Juarez this time around. It was time to go home. Early in my opinion. I could have used a few more days, but as it is, some people had jobs that care if you are gone. We ate a breakfast of red chili, shredded beef burritos before departing.
So we departed back to the border we came in on. We had to stop so I could get my passport stamped. I didn't know if I would end up in Mexico again, so I wanted to get my passport stamped this time. We did that with only a little trouble at the bank. Then it was off the the other border to get out of Mexico. This is were it gets interesting. You remember how I said we didn't have luck finding contacts? It is because the shops were closed. But as it is, it was now Monday. There was a shop right BEFORE the border. Well, Jessica jumped out of the van (I was driving) and decided to go see if they had contacts. Well, that caused some problems. We were already in a no-way-out line to get on the bridge to the USA. We payed at the toll booth and crossed over onto the bridge. Now Jessica was stuck on the Mexico side. We had her phone, passport, money, and just nearly everything else. Why she didn't take anything, I don't know, but it wasn't pretty. So I figured I would try and stop near the top of the bridge on the Mexico side and try to wait for her. There was no one on the bridge that time of day and there was no wait time like there usually is. I was stopped for maybe a minute before two Mexican officials started walking up to the van. Not cool. I waited for one guy who came up to the passenger side window and greeted him. He didn't know a lick of English so I had to somehow explain the predicament to him in my form of Spanish. I told him my sister was back in Mexico and we have her passport. I tried to tell him that we were waiting for her. She is my sister in Christ, so that is not at all a lie. He didn't seem to understand me so I said that I would just continue on. He wanted to talk to me, but I insisted I leave and he just kind of shrugged and let me though. So then I drove to the American side and had one of the girls get out to ask a border patrol guard if we could wait for her. They guy said, "Ten minutes." The two girls thanked him and hopped back in the van. Then we waited. And prayed, and prayed, and prayed, and waited. Then as soon as we finished praying again, after about seven minutes, here comes Jessica jogging up to the van, out of breath. We thank God for getting her back to us and we get in line. Then the prayers for us to cross the border back into the US with our incognito passenger commenced. A couple minutes later, I pulled up to the booth at which point the Guard asked for our IDs. We handed him three passports and one expired driver's license. Then he looked back at Ms. Incognito Passenger and asked her, "Do you know that you have to have a passport Ms. Marquez?" "Yes." "Well, do you think you are excluded from the law?" "No." Then he walks into his little booth for a moment and takes a glance at the IDs. He comes back with a paper and the IDs and says, "You all have a nice day." Wow! The paper said "Incompliant" and that is it! Isn't God so good?! Then we praised Him for the crossing. I mean really, so what if she had a driver's license. It was expired! But I don't know if the guy even looked. Surely he didn't see that. Then we asked Sarah if she know that day was the first day you had to have a passport to cross back into the US (it said on the paper he handed us) and she said yes! She didn't tell us because she didn't want us to worry, but that day was the first day you HAD to have a passport. Oh, God is good! Then it was the long drive back home. We stopped to eat lunch with Jessica's dad in El Paso. That was appreciated, but most of us weren't too hungry. I wasn't feeling to hot myself (morning burrito I think), but it was still much appreciated.
What God taught me...
1. Spiritual leadership- We need to look for the man that God is raising up to be the spiritual leader on every trip and in every occasion. That man should have been me on this last trip since I was the only man there. We weren't consistent in our prayer and Bible study times and we needed to be. We are there to serve God; we need to not forsake our time with him individually and as a group.
2. Sovereignty- God is completely sovereign. He knows all the events of the trip better than we do and before we do. He has already prepared a path for us to walk in and has gone before us to ready the saints. We have nothing to worry about or fear.
3. It's hard being the only guy in a van with three girls- It really is. I love you girls! They were great on the trip, but it is sure nice to have that masculine amigo who can stand beside you.
I hope you all enjoyed the story! Sorry that I am long winded. I just wanted to tell it all. I still left out details that I want to tell, but oh well. If God is calling you to serve in Mexico, don't hesitate going. He will go before you regardless of how violent the land may get.
In Christ,
Joshua Griffin
Full album of Mexico photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/JoshuaJayG/MexicoMay292009#
P.S. Border Patrol Guys, the lady who was with us was not really incognito. She is an American citizen and she traveled with us legally. Please don't arrest me for telling the story. Later!
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| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
As it starts every time, Jessica called me and informed me of a potential trip to Mexico on May 29 through June 2. I told her I would love to go and started asking questions about what we will be doing and who would be going. She said that they should have some more sound equipment to take in order to help complete the job we started in March. I thought that would be great! You can look at my post, Mexico 12-08 Story, to see what happened with the sound system last. She also mentioned the Battered Women's Shelter. I haven't been to the shelter yet, but I have been wanting to go. Then she said that so far, just her and I were going. She had a friend who wanted to go, but wasn't sure yet. So it might have been a small group again. We got to talking and we figured it would be best (for image and accountability reasons) if someone else was to go. So we were really hoping someone else would chime in and be called to go too. So time was ticking down and still no one was going. Then Jessica told me that Ernesto wasn't going to be there! That was a real bad bummer. Then a motorcycle trip to Yellowstone with guys from West Main came up and I really wanted to go, so it seemed like I was going to go to Yellowstone instead. So I sought God, and really hard too. I didn't want to walk out of His will. If I was supposed to go to Mexico, I wanted to go and not do anything else. If I was to not go, I didn't want to venture into a place where God was telling me not to be. So I sought Him a lot. I had people tell me that I needed to just make a decision and God would be with me, but I knew there was more to it than that. He has a very specific and perfect will for us all. He has a SINGLE path for us to walk on that will serve Him best. I wanted to be on that path. So it was coming down to days. I started looking to get my motorcycle ready to go, and my time off from work. I had conflicts with events I had said I would be at, things I said I would do, and I was really wondering if I was doing what I was supposed to do. In the meantime, two other people (young ladies) had joined onto the team and were going. Jessica called me and said at one point that she wasn't going to go because Ernesto wasn't going, I wasn't going, and she didn't think that God was in it. But the last day, but final moment, God told me. I was driving home after a long day of getting motorcycle stuff, spending too much money, and running errands when God laid a burden on my heart. It was the feeling of sin. It was one of those things where you know you aren't doing what you ought to do, and nothing seems to matter anymore. I knew that I needed to go to Mexico, not Yellowstone. He had kept His voice soft to see if I would listen to Him closely until I came to the point where He decided to blatantly reveal His plan to me. I knew it all along. I knew I should go to Mexico, I knew that I was supposed to be in that van traveling, but I wasn't certain what God sounded like, so I went the other way. He was just teaching me what He sounds like. So the night before we left, I called Jessica and asked her if I could still go. She got irritated, I told her that she needs patience with me since I am still a little boy, we discussed it and I said I would call her tomorrow to be absolutely sure. So I went to bed that night with a very heavy burden lifted. The next day I didn't call early because I thought she might be in bed. She called me and I gave her my final O.K. I was going. So that afternoon the four of us, Jessica, Katie, Sarah, and I loaded into the van headed to Juarez.
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
And the trip was on. I was the only guy in the midst of three other ladies. I was scared to say the least. We had to stop in Las Cruces to pick up Sarah's birth certificate since she didn't have her certified copy. That was a mess. We got the the place, she filled out the papers, and then she discovered her driver's license was expired. No birth certificate. So maybe she can get her license renewed! We went to the DMV express with only minutes to spare before the other birth certificate office closed, and they said she can't renew her license without a valid birth certificate. So we were in a pickle. What to do?! We were about to leave her in Las Cruces with her brother when Jessica called Jim (I think), the pastor at Calvary of Roswell. He said that God had done so much more for the man in God's Smuggler, so why won't he do the same for us? Good point! So into Mexico we trek with a lady with no valid ID. Crazy. We make it in, meet with Maggie (pastor's wife) and drive the bumpy streets of Juarez to the church.
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
That evening we visited with the people who were there (Maggie, Jennet, Gonzalo, Joanna, and Genesis) and just kind of rested... and of course, ate food! I led a little study on Ephesians chapter 2 before we went to bed.
The next day, Saturday, May 30, we went to the Soriana to buy a boat load of groceries for the women's shelter. That was a blast! We made fools of ourselves by taking pictures in the store, but what do you expect from a bunch of crazy Americans?
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
As soon as we finished buying two baskets of groceries, we loaded up and went to the shelter to deliver all the goodies. It was a good time to be at the shelter. Everyone there was grateful for the supplies and just beaming. I ended up in a room, sitting at a booth, surrounded by a bunch of Mexican children, getting my arm painted with the name, "Josue." Yeah, I let them paint my arm. It didn't look too bad either. I made a fool of myself with my silly handle on Spanish, and soon had to leave. While I was messing around, Jessica was getting a list of everything else the shelter needed so we could take it down there on the next trip. We said goodbye and drove off into the dust. (I am not posting any photos from the shelter because the leaders and afraid of certain people finding them. But the kids were so cute!)
Alright, we got back to the church and the girls wanted to sleep, so they slept. I cruised on over to the sound board and got to work on installing the new used amp into their system.
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
I was about half-way finished when they came in and said that they were going across the street to paint. I stayed working on the sound system for a while longer until I finished it, then headed across the street to the apartment to help paint. It is a quaint little place, but for only $55 a month, who can complain? I got the job of painting the ceiling (it's my buffness) and it wasn't long before I found a good chunk of paint on my pants.
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
Did I accidentally put a roller to my own pair of jeans? Can it be? No, it was not. Jessica was the dirty culprit. But me, being the patient, kind soul I am, did nothing. The she attacked again, and again. After that I had had enough. She wanted a paint fight and since my black shirt and bluejeans were already bleeding out white, why not? It was insane. There was paint flinging everywhere! Not a person was spared. Not a face, not an outward article of clothing, NOTHING! Well, nothing but my hat. Yes, my hat made it through the action with no more than a splatter spot or two. The other three's hair was even covered, but my hat made it out alive.
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
Then came the cleanup. It was messy. I cleaned all the tools then took a shower. I thank the Lord for latex paint because it comes right off the skin! I was nice and clean before I could say Acetone. With that out of the way, the girls decided to go read and stuff upstairs while leaving me downstairs to entertain myself. In the afternoon, I decided we should really do another study. I coaxed them out of their books and onto the balcony to take a crack at Ephesians 3. We made it though. Then was the food, then the socializing, then the sleep.
Sunday was the Church meeting, as you can deduct. We went to the service, but as you know, Ernesto was not the preacher since he was gone on a road trip to a pastor's conference in California. So they had a guest pastor in his place. We didn't understand anything, but the sound was good! ;) After church, there was a lady selling chicharrones burritos and I ate one. I am not a big chicharrones fan. But we visited with the Church body for a while before they all departed to their homes.
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
That afternoon we went to the Mercado. It had been a while since we had been, so we took a look around. It was E-M-P-T-Y. Yes, empty. We asked Maggie why and she said that it was because it was Sunday. It was really weird being in there. Usually it is crazy packed with tons of people, but this time, it was only us. Us and some Asian guys. Every vendor would follow us chatting things like, "We have a low price just for you," or, "This is the best deal you will find." I ended up getting two blankets and a shirt. I had to replace the shirt that got covered in paint. I wanted a blanket for myself and I got another for the missions room at West Main in Artesia. The girls bought some stuff and we were out of there.
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
After that, we ran around looking for different things that we thought would be cheaper in Mexico like contact lenses and inhalers. We had luck with the inhalers but not the contacts. We made it back to the church and talked with everyone there for a while. We went around the corner with Jennet to a small store to buy some sweets for the girls.
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
We came back, hung out and talked outside for a long time, then just goofed around for the rest of the day. The next day we would leave.
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
Monday morning, June 1, 2009, we arose to our last day in Juarez this time around. It was time to go home. Early in my opinion. I could have used a few more days, but as it is, some people had jobs that care if you are gone. We ate a breakfast of red chili, shredded beef burritos before departing.
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
So we departed back to the border we came in on. We had to stop so I could get my passport stamped. I didn't know if I would end up in Mexico again, so I wanted to get my passport stamped this time. We did that with only a little trouble at the bank. Then it was off the the other border to get out of Mexico. This is were it gets interesting. You remember how I said we didn't have luck finding contacts? It is because the shops were closed. But as it is, it was now Monday. There was a shop right BEFORE the border. Well, Jessica jumped out of the van (I was driving) and decided to go see if they had contacts. Well, that caused some problems. We were already in a no-way-out line to get on the bridge to the USA. We payed at the toll booth and crossed over onto the bridge. Now Jessica was stuck on the Mexico side. We had her phone, passport, money, and just nearly everything else. Why she didn't take anything, I don't know, but it wasn't pretty. So I figured I would try and stop near the top of the bridge on the Mexico side and try to wait for her. There was no one on the bridge that time of day and there was no wait time like there usually is. I was stopped for maybe a minute before two Mexican officials started walking up to the van. Not cool. I waited for one guy who came up to the passenger side window and greeted him. He didn't know a lick of English so I had to somehow explain the predicament to him in my form of Spanish. I told him my sister was back in Mexico and we have her passport. I tried to tell him that we were waiting for her. She is my sister in Christ, so that is not at all a lie. He didn't seem to understand me so I said that I would just continue on. He wanted to talk to me, but I insisted I leave and he just kind of shrugged and let me though. So then I drove to the American side and had one of the girls get out to ask a border patrol guard if we could wait for her. They guy said, "Ten minutes." The two girls thanked him and hopped back in the van. Then we waited. And prayed, and prayed, and prayed, and waited. Then as soon as we finished praying again, after about seven minutes, here comes Jessica jogging up to the van, out of breath. We thank God for getting her back to us and we get in line. Then the prayers for us to cross the border back into the US with our incognito passenger commenced. A couple minutes later, I pulled up to the booth at which point the Guard asked for our IDs. We handed him three passports and one expired driver's license. Then he looked back at Ms. Incognito Passenger and asked her, "Do you know that you have to have a passport Ms. Marquez?" "Yes." "Well, do you think you are excluded from the law?" "No." Then he walks into his little booth for a moment and takes a glance at the IDs. He comes back with a paper and the IDs and says, "You all have a nice day." Wow! The paper said "Incompliant" and that is it! Isn't God so good?! Then we praised Him for the crossing. I mean really, so what if she had a driver's license. It was expired! But I don't know if the guy even looked. Surely he didn't see that. Then we asked Sarah if she know that day was the first day you had to have a passport to cross back into the US (it said on the paper he handed us) and she said yes! She didn't tell us because she didn't want us to worry, but that day was the first day you HAD to have a passport. Oh, God is good! Then it was the long drive back home. We stopped to eat lunch with Jessica's dad in El Paso. That was appreciated, but most of us weren't too hungry. I wasn't feeling to hot myself (morning burrito I think), but it was still much appreciated.
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
What God taught me...
1. Spiritual leadership- We need to look for the man that God is raising up to be the spiritual leader on every trip and in every occasion. That man should have been me on this last trip since I was the only man there. We weren't consistent in our prayer and Bible study times and we needed to be. We are there to serve God; we need to not forsake our time with him individually and as a group.
2. Sovereignty- God is completely sovereign. He knows all the events of the trip better than we do and before we do. He has already prepared a path for us to walk in and has gone before us to ready the saints. We have nothing to worry about or fear.
3. It's hard being the only guy in a van with three girls- It really is. I love you girls! They were great on the trip, but it is sure nice to have that masculine amigo who can stand beside you.
I hope you all enjoyed the story! Sorry that I am long winded. I just wanted to tell it all. I still left out details that I want to tell, but oh well. If God is calling you to serve in Mexico, don't hesitate going. He will go before you regardless of how violent the land may get.
In Christ,
Joshua Griffin
Full album of Mexico photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/JoshuaJayG/MexicoMay292009#
 |
| From Mexico May 29, 2009 |
P.S. Border Patrol Guys, the lady who was with us was not really incognito. She is an American citizen and she traveled with us legally. Please don't arrest me for telling the story. Later!
Monday, June 15, 2009
She's Married!
Yes, my sister is officially married! Yay! My brother said he cried at the wedding. I am sorry to say that I did not. It is probably because I was hidden behind a lens taking pictures and didn't get the entire feel of the wedding, but it was still wonderful. It was out at Washington Ranch. Most of the guests commented on the wedding's location and how unexpected the scenery was. You see, when you drive out to Washington Ranch, all you see is desert for miles... and miles. Then you pull off the highway and go down a little worn patch of pavement and soon start to see some greenery. Then you end up in a big draw where the ranch is located. It has two lakes and numerous cottonwood trees. It is a great place for a wedding or just to visit. But anywho, Friday night, a few people went down there to spend the night. I did not because I wasn't a fan of the activities of that night. Sooooo, that night I chopped wood for an hour and a half, loaded up my dad's truck, and went to bed. My dad left terribly early in the morning to go start up his cooker that was at the ranch already. The people left at our house followed a while later, me being last. I took the camper trailer down there with some supplies in it. I made it to Washington Ranch before noon. Most of the wedding and reception stuff was already set up when I got there. I goofed off for a while, hung out at the cooker (also known as the stress free side of the parking lot ;) ), and fished. Yes, I... fished. And that first day, I caught seven or eight fish; bass and perch. Then people started showing up and I visited with them. At 5:30 the wedding commenced. Then at 5:45 the wedding was over! Yes, that is right. It was a fifteen minute wedding, maybe. About half of the wedding was my dad giving Jed a speech on him being the spiritual leader of the house. It was very good. After that, we started the great celebration time. There was alcohol, which I wasn't fond of, but it wasn't my wedding, now was it? I socialized and took picture so much that I didn't get a plate to eat until all the food was already put away, haha. Once people started getting intoxicated, I bugged out for a while. I went fishing, walking, talked with un-intoxicated people, and just sat and thunk. It was a really nice evening and a great day for a wedding. I danced with my cousin once. It had been a loooong time since I had danced. It was alright. She is taller than me, so it was a little weird. After everything was cleaned up, I helped with marking the path to the fire ring on the top of the hill with tiki torches and lighting the campfire. Then I did some night fishing to no avail. Then I set up my camping hammock under the wedding arch right next to the lake and crashed. The next morning, I got up and withing thirty seconds of being out of my abode, I had a fishing pole in my hands and was fishing again. We finally got everyone gathered together and the new husband and wife, Jessica and Jedediah Murphy opened their gifts. We cleaned up the rest of the stuff laying around, I caught three fish, and then we headed home! It really was a great wedding and just nearly everyone loved it. The weather and location were both beautiful. Now I just continue to pray that my sister and new brother will walk down God's path that is straight and narrow to a life of service in His name.
That is all I will post tonight. I need to get to bed in case I get called out to bail early in the morning. More photos and details on the wedding to come! Stay tuned!
Joshua
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| From Jessica's Wedding |
That is all I will post tonight. I need to get to bed in case I get called out to bail early in the morning. More photos and details on the wedding to come! Stay tuned!
Joshua
Friday, June 12, 2009
Is It Raining, Little Flower?
This is a little poem from Lucy Larcom. I found this poem in the devotional, "Streams in the Desert" on June 12th's message. It is talking about storms bringing us closer to God and the storm's spiritual effects remaining long after the storm has been forgotten itself. It goes:
Encouraging, isn't it? I hope you enjoyed it.
Joshua
Is it raining, little flower? Be glad of rain;
Too much sun would wither thee; 'Twill shine again.
The clouds are very black, 'tis true;
But just behind them shines the blue.
Art thou weary, tender heart? Be glad of pain:
In sorrow sweetest virtues grow, As flowers in rain.
God watches, and thou wilt have sun,
When clouds their perfect work have done.
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| From Rebel Practice |
Encouraging, isn't it? I hope you enjoyed it.
Joshua
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Lo, My Life Got Busy
Yes, I am back from Mexico. My computer's power cord decided to retire, so I haven't been very able to post about it. In a few days, you should see photos and hear a story. I will also talk more about Colorado, seeing as how I am leaving in nineteen days! Woo! I decided to take a little walk last night at 10:30 or so. I loaded up my pack to what it is going to have in it on the hike and walked from our house to an antenna a mile away then back. Two miles in all. I noticed that I these shoes aren't the greatest, but I will talk about that later. I also noticed that I really need to do a lot of walking with my pack before our excursion. But I am soooooo EXCITED! Last, before I log out and go back to work on my second to last day at Wal-Mart.... yeah.... my sister is getting married this weekend! Saturday, 5:00, and I am the photographer. That is what you call a burden. Let's hope that I know what I am doing. Until next time, take a look at Psalm 23. I will start posting veres from that chapter soon... and Ephesians, since I am kind of teaching from it on Sunday nights.
In Christ,
Joshua
In Christ,
Joshua
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Do Not Fear Them!
"Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings; so the Lord shall do to all the kingdoms into which you are about to cross. Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the one fighting for you."
Deuteronomy 3:21-22
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Just Capturing His Creation
So I am in a dilemma. How does one take super amazing photos? I have been wondering that. Really, all you have to do is capture a fraction of a second of light coming off of all God's creation, why is it so hard? Is it a state of mind? It quite possibly is. I think you have to have the right spirit in order to capture the kind of photos you are trying to find. But also, there is something else. I know plenty of people who have the best spirit to capture certain photos but will never be able to make a cent off their pictures. What is it that takes you from a picture to a work of art? Is it time a practice? Right place, right time? Is it just a gift and that is it? I wish I knew. But until I figure it out and my photos make it onto National Geographic, I will just have to share them with all of you.
Joshua
Joshua
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
I'm Still Here
I apologize to all my bloggy friends for not posting in an extended amount of time. I just... haven't.
So what do I have to blog about? Well, I am going to Mexico AGAIN! Friday there will be three of us (maybe four?) headed down to Juarez. I am really looking forward to it and do not fear because God is with us. He is going before us.
Also, I am plane shopping. If any of you know someone who is selling their two-seater taildragger, please let me know. I am in the market for one. I know that I have said that I will never get a loan again, but desperate times call for desperate measures. If anyone wants to donate to my flying fund, I will be accepting funds via paypal and cash. But until Mr. Yates wants to pay for me to learn to fly, I think I will have to get a loan. Maybe an Aeronca Champ. It's a pretty little plane that sips fuel.
It is only two and a half weeks until my sister is hitched! Amazing! I sure hope I can take good enough pictures during the wedding to please those two.
I will leave you with a photo. It is currently the photo at the top of my blog, but I like it still, so I will post it anyway. I took this picture at "The Derrick Floor" in Artesia, New Mexico. It's a picture of a roughneck hanging on the side of the derrick. I took it at night, that's how the lighting got to how it is.
Joshua
So what do I have to blog about? Well, I am going to Mexico AGAIN! Friday there will be three of us (maybe four?) headed down to Juarez. I am really looking forward to it and do not fear because God is with us. He is going before us.
Also, I am plane shopping. If any of you know someone who is selling their two-seater taildragger, please let me know. I am in the market for one. I know that I have said that I will never get a loan again, but desperate times call for desperate measures. If anyone wants to donate to my flying fund, I will be accepting funds via paypal and cash. But until Mr. Yates wants to pay for me to learn to fly, I think I will have to get a loan. Maybe an Aeronca Champ. It's a pretty little plane that sips fuel.
It is only two and a half weeks until my sister is hitched! Amazing! I sure hope I can take good enough pictures during the wedding to please those two.
I will leave you with a photo. It is currently the photo at the top of my blog, but I like it still, so I will post it anyway. I took this picture at "The Derrick Floor" in Artesia, New Mexico. It's a picture of a roughneck hanging on the side of the derrick. I took it at night, that's how the lighting got to how it is.
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| From Rebel Practice |
Joshua
Friday, May 8, 2009
Psalm 121
Psalm 121
Joshua
I lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade on your right hand.
They sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.
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| From Rebel Practice |
Joshua
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Psalm 120
Psalm 120
Joshua
In my trouble I cried to the Lord,
And He answered me.
Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips,
From a deceitful tongue.
What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you,
You deceitful tongue?
Sharp arrows of the warrior,
With the burning coals of the broom tree.
Woe is me, for I sojourn in Meshech,
For I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
Too long has my soul had its dwelling
With those who hate peace.
I am for peace, but when I speak,
They are for war.
Joshua
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Tweet, Tweet
I'm on twitter, peeps! For you... uneducated individuals, twitter is like a blog, just a lot shorter. It is pretty much just a place to put an update of your status or any small phrase you want in 140 characters or less. If you care to check it out, look at http://twitter.com/joshuajayg/
Joshua
Joshua
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Please be praying as we are planning another trip to Mexico at the end of May. This time we will be gone for six days and will go to the women's shelter in Juarez. I have not been there yet and we need God to go with us. If He isn't with us, we are going in vain.
Joshua
Joshua
Moved to Poetry (Or an Attempt)
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| From Rebel Practice |
I have a flower and she smells so good.
I have cared for her like I knew I should.
But in time, she will all but pass,
and I will be left with this photo though a glass.
Joshua
Friday, April 24, 2009
Tents
Not for this trip, but for future reference, what do you think?
The Tarptent "Contrail"
Or the Eureka "Spitfire"?
Joshua
The Tarptent "Contrail"
Or the Eureka "Spitfire"?
Joshua
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Short Nothing
Just to let you know I am here, I will post a short nothing.
Work is terribly slow. I mean, really. I have NOTHING to do.
Primers are very very hard to get right now. I picked some up here in Artesia today and some in Roswell Yesterday. Payed too much too.
I am very dreamy. Dreamy about what? ... Ice Cream? Almonds? Rain? Yes, but even more, Colorado! And Mexico! But right now it is mainly Colorado. I will be gone for ten days and hiking six of them. It will be amazing and I will let you know more when I have more time. But as of now, it is time to get back to the grind of Wally's and stand around for a while. Here's a set of photos I took and edited at work. Shhh... don't tell.
God's bond servant,
Joshua
Work is terribly slow. I mean, really. I have NOTHING to do.
Primers are very very hard to get right now. I picked some up here in Artesia today and some in Roswell Yesterday. Payed too much too.
I am very dreamy. Dreamy about what? ... Ice Cream? Almonds? Rain? Yes, but even more, Colorado! And Mexico! But right now it is mainly Colorado. I will be gone for ten days and hiking six of them. It will be amazing and I will let you know more when I have more time. But as of now, it is time to get back to the grind of Wally's and stand around for a while. Here's a set of photos I took and edited at work. Shhh... don't tell.
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| From Rebel Practice |
God's bond servant,
Joshua
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