:: the PAC blog ::

Cha-cha-cha!

BTW, during the break between Sunday School and the Worship Service this morning, a large group pf our youth sang an impromtu "Happy Birthday (Cha-cha-cha)" to me in the foyer area.  Oh, yeah, they were led by Erin Rothchild!

Our family always enjoys spending time with the "secret weapon" of the church...

Once again "EVERBODY" was at Fortune Village after church today.  Well, perhaps not really everybody, but certainly many FLAG folks.   We had invited Bro. & Sis. Whaley, along with Bro. Davidson to join us for lunch.  Our family always enjoys spending time with the "secret weapon" of the church, that is,our Primetimers.  Upon arriving at the restaurant, The Fosters, Greg Hubbard, his wife, Erin Rothchild and their grandson, Brendon, were waiting to be seated.   Already enjoying their meal was The Davis Family.  Nearby was Jennifer Boyd with a friend.   I felt like I was back at church when greeting our folks from table to table!  Oh, by the way, our favorite waiter, Alonso, was there today (with the "million dollar" smile!!!).

Chili powder on my salad

I guess that I am still in "Mexico Mode" after returning from our mini-missions trip to Monterrey this week.  Today I put chili powder on my salad.   Not bad.   Next?  Looking to buy a Mariachi Band Christmas CD!

This eatery only served tacos.....

My wife and I agree that the best food we ate during our mini-missions trip to Monterrey, Mexico was at a "hole-in-the-wall" eatery (not a restaurant...it was practically sitting on the sidewalk of a busy hghway!!). They probably only had 4 or 5 parking spots in front.  This eatery only served tacos, and oh my, they were spectacular!   Not all all like those in the States.  Very simple little things, only embellished with chopped cilantro leaves and onions.   Just reminded me how we so often comlicate the simple, enjoyable things of life.

We are now in Monterrey....

We are now in Monterrey Mexico, spending ministry & fellowship time with missionaries Roger & Debbie Audorff.  Yesterday we spent all day touring ministry sites around this huge metropolitan area.  We visited a makeshift village that exist on a garbage dump....filth everywhere...we had to breath through our mouths because of the horrible smell, children playing in debris while packs of hungry dogs hunt for food.   Yet in this sad place was the most precious thing in God's eyes....people.   Their souls are worth exactly the same as those of the aristocrats.    Rebekah and I met a pastor and wife that live in a very humble tiny, house with barely any furniture...wearing worn out clothes, looking years older than their real ages, yet full of JOY simply because they knew they were in God's will.  Their home was next door to the church made from rough cinder blocks and cement, wooden benches, 2 or 3 pieces of old carpet strewn together, yet full the God's presence.   They were definitely "poor but yet rich".......

Crunchy Peanut Butter

Tonight we've been packing for our missions trip to Monterrey, Mexico.   Clothes, passports, laptop, Bibles, etc.   We asked our host missionaries if they'd like us to bring something special from the States that perhaps is difficult to find there.  Their request?  "Crunchy Peanut Butter" and "Malt O' Meal"!

We are really looking forward to our short missions trip.....

We are really looking forward to our short missions trip to Monterrey, Mexico, next week and spending time with missionaries Roger & Debbi Audorff.  I will be ministering at one of the largest churches in the city on Wednesday, as well as to a special meeting with pastors and church leaders.  Also, I'm speaking to a group of YWAM leaders.  Rebekah will be ministering at a large meeting of wives of pastors and church leaders, and other women.   Today we're beginning to pack; evidenlty the weather in Monterrey is not much different than that of Houston (70's during the day, very brisk in the evenings).  None of the churches in the area have heat, and the cement walls are not insulated. BRRRRR!

When we lived in East Texas....

When we lived in East Texas, we ate BBQ all the time.   Restaurants (not many other options available!), private dinner parties at home, church functions, local fairs, etc.  It seemed that almost every other man in that region owned a custom-made smoker where REAL barbaque was made.   By the time the Lord moved us to Katy, we'd had it with BBQ.  Instead began to "expand our horizons" with the vast variety of cuisine in this area:  Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, French, Italian, Indian, etc.   But recently we've found ourselves missing slow, smoked-cooked brisket and sausage.   Now every so often you'll find me placing orders for a pound of each at Midway BBQ in Old Katy. Yum!

It just doesn't seem right....

We went to JCP today to pick up a few things.  They were playing Christmas music in the background!  It just doesn't seem right to be hearing Christmas carols before celebrating Thanksgiving. 

Set in stone?