Friends

I've been blessed to visit and talk with some good friends this past week. I went up to Simpson University and took out 5 former Overflow kidz to In-N-Out burger (it made me feel like a youth pastor again!). I got to spend time with Holly Gilbreth (pictured here in Guatemala...she's the one in blue).

Tyler Ellis and Daniel Santo have been roomates at Simpson all four years! It was great to hang out in their room and talk about what God is doing in their lives.

I also got to hang out with Brittany Thomsen and Melissa Hart (not pictured). By the way, these pictures I posted are from four years ago...they're all older now and have bigger hair.

On the way home, I was able to talk to my buddy Ryan O. This picture best captures Ryan...caring for others whom the world has overlooked. This picture is from 2003 when he led a team of teenagers to work in an orphanage in Guatemala. When we came to join his team, the founder of the orphanage waited a few hours just to tell me what an AMAZING job Ryan and his team did...and he said they were welcome to come back anytime. It was so good to talk to my buddy, Ryan a few days ago. WE ARE BOTH WORKING AT JOBS THAT REQUIRE US TO WEAR AN APRON!!! I hear that aprons are like Hansel..."they're so HOT right now!".

I was also visited by Trevor White and his family on their way up to Seattle Pacific University. It was so encouraging to talk to him and his mom, Becky.

Trevor and Arden Christmas stopped by for a few nights, too. Trevor and I "boned out" one day and took our mountain bikes:

---through the woods

---across the river

---alongside the railroad tracks into Santa Cruz

---had lunch at Pizza My Heart

---took the city bus back to Felton.

...Normally, Trevor doesn't enjoy "outdoor" events, but I took him anyway. Arden and Trevor even watched the kids for us one night so I could take Annette out on a date! Thanks, guys. And Areden brought up some of her famous cookies...

Dan Lance is stopping by tomorrow night.

On Wednesday, I get to hang out with Micah Risinger. Micah and I are going to serve some lunch at the St. Francis Kitchen to about 150 friends who could really use a meal and some encouragement.

It has been a great week...