Well, as I alluded to in my last, but oh-so-lamely-short post, I have been busy. Ask Melissa, Katie, Katie, or David and they shall agree.

So, where to start...the beginning would be a good place But a short preview would help. Lets see, I have videotaped an entire History Conference with Vision Forum, *ahem* goingtothedentist *ahem*, helping people move, and lastly but certainly not least, having a blast with Sarah.

So to start off, you shall need to know what I was doing that got me into videotaping with Vision Forum. Basically, Vision Forum Ministries - well known to us homeschool people - was putting together a "History of the World Mega Conference" that would cover 6, 000 years of earth history in a week. As you can imagine, it was a rush...from beginning to end. There was no possible way to attend all the lectures, even if you wanted to. So much information, but not enough time. Topics ranging from the keynote "Six Thousands Years of Earth History in One Hour" by Doug Phillips, to "The Rise of Islam" by George Grant. From "The Implications of the Genesis Flood on Earth History" by Dr. John Whitcomb, to "The History of the Ice Age" by Dr. John Morris.

After hearing these powerful, moving, and inspirational messages, you felt the need to go out and conquer the world for Christ. This was especially true after both "The Message of the Maya's," and "The Providential Meaning of America's 400th Birthday: Jamestowns Legacy of Law and Gospel," both by Doug Phillips. Hearing how the Mayan culture praised and sacrificed incesantly to their god, who surprisingly took on the nature and physical attributes of the Serpent, and the similarities between them and our present American culture were surprising in the least and angering at best. [Please understand when I use the word "anger," I do not mean wrath. I simply mean that the emotions being poured out during and after that message were quite akin to "intense frustration" at how our culture sacrifices children just like the Maya's did.] In any case, all these messages that were presented were so influential in how I see things now, that I find it hard to regress and take things as I used to. Take a look at the Vision Forum website and see if you can purchase the set of lectures. The money is most certainly worth it.

I really enjoyed videotaping during the conference, as you can imagine. Not only because it provided me with the opportunity to operate hi-tech video-camera's, but also because I was able to work alongside the Vision Forum staff. They were real men who really practiced what they preached. So often these days, we listen to our routine sermon on Sunday, then totally disregard it during the week. There at the conference, I was privelaged work with men who truly had good fruit. They were not perfect in the least, but their level of sanctification sure seemed pretty close

Well, after the conference, things kind of slowed down, but my brother and I still had to help finish painting the interior of a house for dear friends that were moving to the area from Spokane, Wa. [Little sidenote: these friends we've kept in contact with since I was 5.  Mr. Klein and Dad share a friendship that I would and am trying to model in my own life; its so amazing to see that...] Anyway, they were going to be there on the 21st and we had some time to finish, but we had to be diligent.

By the time they got there on the 21st, we were finished painting, all except a small portion in the gargantuan entry hall. The Kleins stayed with us for a weekend before they moved in, and it was almost like our families hadn't been apart. Alex and I are the best of friends, even though I hadn't seen him since I was 6.

The Sunday after they moved in, Chris and I went up to Sarah Harris's house for a few days to help them out with things they needed done. I ended up installing new deadbolts and doorhandles, while Chris worked on stuff in the wood-shop. [Another sidenote...hehe, I love these. - If any of you have seen Chris's handiwork in the knife/sword inventory, you would've loved to see what Chris produced in a little over an hour. Now that he had the power tools at his disposal, Chris turned out a masterfully designed Samurai short-sword stand. This is not something you would find at your local Walmart Its amazing what you can do with power tools, when you're used to doing things by hand.]

As for the "play" aspect of our time at the Harris's, Chris, Sarah and I spent an afternoon hiking around a little area called "Ramsey's Draft" that had a winding mountain stream and boulders of all assorted sizes and textures. If not for the stream, it would've easily passed for a rock quarry. We were all surprised by the amount of coal we found lying around, though not as much when we realized in what area we were excavating. At the end of the day, Chris managed to snag a nice sized Brook Trout. If you've ever seen one of these brightly apparalled underwater specimens, you will truly understand the awe in which we found ourselves. If you don't know what it looks like, Google it.

On Wednesday (we came up on Sunday, remember? That was the afternoon of the "Les Mis" play. Monday was Ramsey's Draft, Tuesday we worked) we canoed 7.5 miles on the Shenendoah. That was an experience that is not likely to be forgotten. All three of us enjoyed it so much, that I think in all of our minds we were pondering the next time we could do that. Through the course of the 5 hours on the river, we managed to catch 13 small, medium and nice-sized large and smallmouth bass. Of the ones we did not manage to keep, I shall refrain from going into great detail; but the number of them was in the range of around 40 =D Needless to say, Chris and I were the happiest of anglers. Unfortunately, the sun also had its angles. Most of them on our legs. Praise the Lord we only walked away with a slightly bad sunburn (I'm still feeling the effects.)

That night we watched "16 Blocks" and rather enjoyed it. (Do be careful to watch for the language, however.) We also shot Chris's .22. Imagine our surprise when we discovered how accurate a shot Sarah was. From approx. 30 or so feet, she managed to shoot 8 holes in a 1 in. pipe. Chris and I were both gawking, but Sarah assured us it was only beginners luck. Huh, some beginners luck.

Well, Thursday was sad, and that because we had to leave for home. With so much fun had, we hardly were ready for the return journey. Yet, isn't that always how it is with good times? Right now I am thinking of the weekend we'll have in San Antonio, and how fast that will fly.

That night was a meeting, though now thinking about it, I am annoyed by the fact that I can't remember what for...oh yes. Our second debate meeting. Thankfully, Jon, Katie, Melissa, John, and Luke were able to make it back from Kings Dominion in time The meeting went exceptionally well, and we all left satisfied that our club, the name still being decided, will be a worth competitor for this coming year.

Well, I could go on about how Alex the following night at family fun night injured his back, or describe all the nooks and crannies of my life for the past week-and-a-half, but I am tired, I'm getting up at 3:15 tomorrow morning *grown* and I need my sleep. In case you're wondering where I'm off to this time, I already alluded to a flight to San Antonio. This is for another Vision Forum conference; this one on how to start your own business, a.k.a. the "Entrepreneurial Boot Camp." In all mercy, God has yet again granted me the privelage to work with Vision Forum and man the camera's =D Yippee!!! I'll be back Sunday around 7 PM.

Blessings all around,

Tim