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...


Robbie.........................................Zach

Alex.............................................Ryan

Neil..............................................Alex

Sword Fighting

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This is just one of the crazy things that happens at our place! That's right!! Fighting with swords.
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Our neighbor, Bill, who also a good friend of ours who attends our church, has quite the sword collection. In the pictures above, Bill was horsin' around (aka fencing) with Alex. I do have to say that sword fighting with Bill is pretty scary. He kept trying to show me different moves and he told me that I kept "retreating." But don't laugh... you would too!!!
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By the way, no one was "seriously" injured!!!!
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Bill also brought some Japanese swords!!!!
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