Busy would be an understatement...

Summer Vacation, what is that? We are so, so busy it is unreal. Besides our normal routine of Summer school , Therapy's for LD each week, Dr Appts, church activities and spending time with family and friends, this week had been very busy and here is why...

Sunday July 2oth @ 12:20 pm

Drake: Dale (the Youth pastor at our church, he is Drakes age) I hope you have a good trip, I will pray for you and kids that are going with you on the mission trip.

Dale: Thanks man, I was thinking about you the other day. And wow, How are you?

Drake: I am doing good, good.

Dale: Hey Brother, can I talk to you for a minute in private.

Drake: Sure, Man what is up.

Dale: on of the chaperone's for our Youth Mission trip can not go next week. He has had a family emergency, I thought of You yesterday, and I would love to take you. You would be awesome and the kids would just love you!

Drake: Wow really?

Dale: Yes, Do you have a passport? I know you have spent a lot of time overseas while with the Marines.

Drake: Yes I have a passport, Dude I would love to go and do the Lords work and Minister to the the youth , but I have no leave from work, and I would never be able to go, or get off with such short notice.

Dale: I don't know Man, you came to my mind, talk to your Wife, Pray about it, ask you boss, the worst he can say is no.

Drake: OK, you got it. I would love to go and serve. Pray for me and I will call you tomorrow.

Dale: All expenses are paid, all you have to do is come and be ready to serve others.

Drake: This is crazy, I will call you.

Drake and I talked about it on the way home for a while. He was really excited that he was asked to go on the trip. He was really nervous about talking to his boss about it. I told him that I was OK (dinner anyone?) with him going for a week and if it was meant to be God would make it clear and it would work out.
Drake went in early Monday morning and spoke to his boss. He was surprised when his boss thought it was a great idea and wonderful opportunity for Drake. He told Drake he would talk to the Vice President for Ports America and get back to Drake later that day. Within an hour he got a phone call, telling that that he was approved off for the week, and that the Company was going to make a $500.00 donation to the Youth Group of our church. This still to us in unreal.
Drake still in shock called me, very excited, we had prayed about it. Then he called Dale.

Dale: Hello, Hey Drake I just got out of a staff meeting, what is up?

Drake: Brother, you are not going to believe this

Dale: Is everything OK? (Drake as you know has a sence of urgency when he speaks and people listen)

Drake: Yeah. I am off, I can go. I am going to serve and lead with you!

Dale: We were just praying about this in our staff meeting here at church. That God would make a way for you to go, and make it clear to you and all of us, if he wanted you to. Can we say CLEAR!!!

So... You can only imagine what I have been doing all week to prepare Drake for his week long spur of the moment trip. Almost everything is done, and he will leave tomorrow for the week.
He is going to Tijuana Mexico, with 18 High School students and 6 adults. They are going to be working with other churches to re-build schools, churches as well as lead Bible Clubs for local kids. The area has both beautiful beaches and a lot of poverty. The teams will be very busy this next week, working and sharing the good news of the Gospel while in the area. Pray for Drake as he makes his way tomorrow and all week that he will be used in great ways to serve others.
Cell phone reception is a maybe. Only Adults on the trip can take phones with them. I will keep you posted if I hear from him.
On another note, we are having some fun, despite how busy we are and have been and continue to be.

Caleb got a new pool for his B-day from the Ferg Grandparents, LD shows us how to use it.

I guess all of the water therapy at school is working

Caleb joins in on the action

Big news... Caleb can drink from an open cup. Thks G'ma Nancy for the
Cool Cups!!!

Do not get excited, this was a one time event. After all the tears and screaming, he sat quiet for a moment when I gave him a book. He looks cute, but is not ready for the potty just yet.