solid life

A Very Unpleasant Surprise

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DISCLAIMER: Please read before you watch the video.

It was a Friday afternoon and I was hanging out with some friends (Alex, Jarris, and Christina). We went to the driving range and afterward came up to my place where we bbq'd some steak and baked some potatoes. The night was fun... and young.

On the same evening, a little later, I had plans to hang out with Tammy, Francesca, Zach and few others. Tammy was going to be heading to Kalamazoo, Michigan the next day or so and won't be back in California until the first week of December. [Side note: she's has a Kalamazoo blog... and you can see it by clicking here]

When I left my house that evening... Alex, Jarris, and Christina stayed back at my place... and when I returned home that night... which was around 12:30am, I noticed the upstairs bathroom light was turned on. I thought to myself, "there is NO REASON that light should be on." So I went upstairs... and I couldn't believe what I saw in the bathroom. Someone had left a mess... and it was all over the place.

I am not kidding you!!! There was poop all over the toilet seat... and on the floor... with smear marks everywhere... and toilet paper flung on the floor. It was seriously the most disgusting thing I had ever seen... and I actually freaked out a little. I know that I know that my friends would never do something like that... because of how foul that is. My immediate conclusion was that they must have left the front door unlocked and someone broke in and made the mess. I know it sounds weird to think, but I didn't know what ELSE to think. Then another thought came to me... "what if I'm not alone in here?" So I grabbed one of my golf clubs, no lie, and walked around the house looking in every room. Maybe I'm a little paranoid, I dunno. All I know is that there is poop all over my bathroom. So I called my friend Jarris.

I called Jarris and asked him if he had been upstairs... and he responded by saying, "Why?" And I asked him, "Did you see anything upstairs? It looks like someone broke in and vandalized my home," and then Jarris started laughing hysterically... and said,"Dude, they're brownies!!! Seriously... its brownie mix." And it was! I couldn't believe it.

The next day, I saw the following video.
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Introducing Noah Jeffrey Reyes

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My very good friend Jeff Reyes and his wife Alex had a baby boy born on July 22, 2006.

Challenge @ In-N-Out

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Wow! I don't know how to begin the story... other than by telling you the bottom line. One of the guys in our youth group, Mark, was challenged to eat a 24x24 at In-N-Out Burger... and he took the challenge. This was going to be a great night.
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It started during one of our youth services that were held on Saturday evenings. The Saturday evening youth services were a lot of fun... and once a month the whole group of high schoolers and youth leaders would go to In-N-Out to eat and hang out. It was one of those nights and during the close of the service I "called Mark out" in front of the entire group and challenged him to eat a 24x24 at In-N-Out. He said "okay."
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I couldn't believe it! The burger was gigantic... 24 pieces of beef and 24 pieces of cheese... plus a bun, lettuce, tomato, and the "secret sauce" which we all know is Thousand Island. Mark ended up eating all but two patties, giving him the distinction of eating a 22x22. And He was not only able to hold it down, but he was "up and at'em" first thing in the morning and helped around the church the following day. I was impressed to say the least.
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Porcelain Heart - Tribute to G-Maw

Bonfire @ The Beach

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First of all, I have to tell you that I am having a great time with the high schoolers in our youth group at The Rock! I have the priviledge of being one of the assistant youth pastors under my senior Pastor, Jerry Dirmann. And I do have to say that I am truly enjoying being a part of what God is doing at this church!!!

A couple weeks ago, a group of us went on a spontaneous trip to the the beach on a Monday night. We brought just enough wood to keep a small fire going, brought some hot dogs, smores, water and soda. But I noticed something funny! All the leaders were drinking up the Dr. Peppers and all the youth were drinking water!!! What is up with THAT??? I would think it should be the other way around, but oh well... maybe the leaders need to follow the example :-)

Okay... so I have to show you something!!! We all know that the beach is very fun... and it allows you to get away and relax (for the most part). But take a look at the following picture...
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Okay... this picture is the epitome of Orange County. Hanging out at the beach with some friends, but of course you must still make some of very important phone calls!!! This cracks me up!

How To Put Out A Bonfire

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Fellowship & The Driving Range

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On April 23, Pastor Jerry invited the high school guys over to his home for a time of fellowship and worship. We had about 30 high school guys, plus about eight leaders, show up. We had a great time! It lasted for about two in-a-half hours and we had a time of worship and prayer. Many of our high school guys were prayed for and encouraged to "step it up" in their life concerning the things that the Bible teaches. The response was awesome. In fact, the high school guys are getting together again in June.

Then after the gathering at Pastor Jerry's home, a few of us went to the driving range. Yes, the driving range!! I'm telling you, I can't get it out of my system... and I am having a lot of fun attempting to look professional. So... a few of us went to the driving range, and... as you can see, we did a little horsing around!!!
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Too Much Fun

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What is all the commotion all about??? Well duh... it's Easter!!!

My family and I got together after church on Easter Sunday and went to my mom's house... and celebrated. We went on an Easter egg hunt in the front yard, took a lot of pictures, laughed a whole lot, and had a good time. We grilled some hamburgers, my mom had plenty of desserts (not to mention "candy") and we horsed around.

It's great to get together with the family. Everyone was able to be there except for my youngest sister Marta who lives in Santa Cruz... and of course baby Ezekiel was not yet born. But we all just hung around, looked at old family pictures and heirlooms that my mom put out for us to see, and... did I mention "desserts?"

But of course the most important part of Easter is remembering what the Lord did for us.... coming to the earth, dying in our place, and rising from the dead... giving us all the opportunity to live an eternal life with Him... if we take His offer!
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Baby Ezekiel

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On May 14, 2006, my sister Nissa gave birth to her very first baby, Ezekiel Jeremiah. He was born at 4:18am on Mother's Day!!! What a great Mother's Day surprise!!! He came in weighing at 6 pounds 4 ounces and measured 19.5 inches.

After church on Sunday, I drove down to my sister's apartment in Aliso Viejo, CA... to visit my new nephew. My mom was already there, and both my brothers were there as well. My older sister Shaye and her family came by a little later in the afternoon. So we all ended up hanging out at Nissa's for a few hours, held baby Ezekiel, and wished Nissa a Happy Mother's Day. I'm sure that this will be a Mother's Day that my sister will never forget.

Welcome to the family Ezekiel!!!!

Who'da Thought?

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Wait a minute!!! Is that Tristan golfing??? Yes it is!!!

I would have never guessed in a million years that I would ever be someone who would take up golfing, but here I am doing exactly that! I do have to say that this is actually very fun.

It all started when I was invited to go to a driving range with some friends after church on a Sunday. So I went... and much to my surprise, I really enjoyed myself. So I keep going to the driving range.

The range that we go to is called "The Islands Golf Center," and it is located in Anaheim. Since the first time I have gone, I have been a few dozen times... and I keep going. I am not very good, and to be honest... it can be frustrating at times. But the thing about golf is this: You can't blame anybody but yourself!!!

This particular trip was great. I went with about six others and we had a blast. Zach and Ryan are actually really good, and it was slightly embarassing to be hitting next to them... especially Ryan!!! On a few occasions, Ryan had to think fast as my golf balls were wizzing past him on accident!!! My bad!!! Anyway... here are some pics...