ARRIVED SAFELY HOME FROM EUROPE

Here's "Sunny" our wall fountain by our front door welcoming us back home. Kelsey figured our three flights with connections from Spain to home were 28 hours. We arrived back at LAX and the airlines lost our baggage! We had to make a claim and we eventually arrived home a little after midnight. The next morning we received a very warm reception from the flock of Calvary Chapel Norco and had three great services with the Spiriti moving in our midst. There's no place like home! Thanks again for all of your prayers. We are excited to dive right back into the ministry. This week is Vacation Bible School (VBS) and next week we start our six-week Mission Training School. The next mission trip outreach will be August 1-8 with the students from MTS in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where Cesar Rodriguez (missionary from CCN) and the Cathey family (GO! missionaries) serve. Jesus said to GO! so we keep going as the Lord opens the doors of opportunity. Let's go forward together as we seek to win our world to Jesus!

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Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “GO into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

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P.S. Our baggage was delivered last night to our home!

LAST DAY IN PARIS

Yesterday (THURS) was our last day in Paris. Our plans were ambitious but we always encourage ourselves with things like..."this is such a great opportunity, let's get as much out of it as we can."...or..."we can rest at home." This propels us on throughout the busy day and to lean on the strength of the Lord.

This is a common sight...a person carrying fresh bread home in a long loaf. (Deu 8:3) .. man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.
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Kelsey lost one of her sandals trying to get on the Metro. As she was stepping in it slipped right under the train! Our first destination was a shoe store!!

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How do you like the shoe store? This is the famous Galeries Lafayette mall in paris. We dug through the "discount" shoes and found a pair of sandals for 10 Euro (appr. 15.00 US dollars).
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Cheryl said it was time for a cappuccino!
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The famous Ave. Champs-Elysees (pronounced: shahn-zay-lee-ZAY)

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Cheryl needed a new purse so we ducked into a Louis Vutton store on the famous boulevard. $3,000! Back out on the street in thirty seconds flat! (Gen 22:14) And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, "In the Mount of The LORD it shall be provided."

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We made it all the way on the Ave. to the Arc de Triumph! The triumphal arch honors those who fought for France, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. On the inside and the top of the arc there are all of the names of generals and wars fought. Underneath is the tomb of the unknown soldier from World War I .

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You can climb the Arch and look down Ave. Champs-Elysees and basically have a great 360 degree view of Paris.

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My wonderful family having a "moment" as we call them. (Phil 4:4) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

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The eternal flame under the Arch. (Rev 6:9) When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.
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Time to sit and have another cappucinno! (Mark 6:31) And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.

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Uh-oh! A thunderstorm blows in unexpectedly. No worries with the canopy overhead. Have to finish the cup anyway. (Psa 61:3) For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.
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Boat ride at sunset. What a way to view Paris! Notre Dame in background. (Psa 113:3) From the rising of the sun to its going down The Lord's name is to be praised.

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Eiffel Tower from the boat at dusk. What a day it was! Metro back to hotel to pack for early morning flight back to Mallorca, Spain to pick up our return flight home. Paris...what a city! But now we have to say goodbye to Lindsay. She is flying to Chicago to attend a Christian music festival called Cornerstone. We won't see her for a whole month! Life is bitter sweet but with Jesus we know He sweetens the pot! (Rev 10:10) Then I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.

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We made it safely to Mallorca from France connecting in Madrid. Cheryl and Kelsey look happy to spend one more day in Europe. (2 Tim 4:7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
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We checked into our hotel and then walked to the center of town to get a bite to eat. We found these street performers having a great time and entertaining the people as they sat at the outside cafes. Time to rest back at the hotel before we go out and celebrate my birthday! We just found out Michael Jackson died. He was the same age as myself. (Phil 1:21) For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
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See you at home and at church this Sunday! (Psa 122:1) I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD."

SECOND FULL DAY IN PARIS

Today (WED) was a museum day. We went to the famous Lourve where we saw many famous paintings.

Outside view of the Lourve Museum

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Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. There were other paintings by the Italian masters, etc. And also the statue of Venus de Milo but that would be R-rated so let me skip that!

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Vincent van Gogh self portrait

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Claude Monet

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Pierre-Auguste Renoir

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Whistler's Mother by James McNeill Whistler. We thought this was funny when we downloaded this pic because with the frame it looks like you're watching TV!

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After visiting the museums it was time for a snack. So what would be the ticket? How about French crepes with cappuccino at a cafe with a view of the Lourve? Somebody pinch me!

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After walking further to the Opera House (built in the Napoleon era) we took the Metro to attend the midweek study of Calvary Chapel Paris. The meeting was in a home. We worshipped, watched a video entitled "Privileged Planet" on intelligent design and people made comments afterward. It was so great to be with believers who love the Lord in Paris!

To end another spectaculor day we took the Metro to see the Eiffel Tower lit up at night. We were told that an extra bonus would be to get there on the hour to see a light show that goes on for five minutes. We made it just in time! We then hopped on the Metro and made our way back to the hotel. This psalm sums up how we feel about our day.

(Psa 92:1-2) It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; {2} To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night,

We are having a fabulous time as a family. We want to thank you for your ongoing prayers. God bless you and we love you!

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FIRST DAY IN PARIS

Sorry there were no blogs yesterday (MON) but there wasn't much to share since all we did was fly from Barcelona to Paris.

Here's my three beauties with our last meal in Barcelona before we head out to the airport. We had fresh made empenadas of meat and veggies. Good! (Acts 14:17) ...He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."

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This is Spanish paella which is a famous Spanish dish of rice and usually fish.

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Our first sighting of Paris from the air! Somewhere in there is the Eiffel Tower that Kelsey spotted. (Psa 37:4) Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

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Walking from our hotel (now TUES) towards Notre Dame we came across a view of the Arc of Triumph.

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Kelsey goofing off on the bronze plague that says "Ground Zero." This marks the center of France just in front of the main doors of Notre Dame.

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Elderly woman praying at an altar inside Notre Dame. Does she know Jesus can be in her heart as well as this cathedral? I prayed for her...(Acts 26:18) 'to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'

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Deportation Museum. 200,000 were deported from France to Nazi camps for resisting the occupation. (Heb 12:4) You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

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Notre Dame from the south just off the Seine river.

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First sighting of the Eiffel Tower. We walked across this street and were blown away by the immensity of this imposing structure.

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There are three platforms to the Eiffel Tower. We walked up the first two and then took the elevator up to the top platform (a total of 674 steps!). Here you see the Arc of Triumph in the center background. (Heb 4:13) And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

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View after the fact. Notice the three platforms.

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Well, it looks like maybe we have our Christmas pic for this holiday season!

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We took the Metro back and then a long walk to our hotel. Our "dogs were barking" as they say of tired feet. But off we go tomorrow for another tour of more famous sites of the great city of Paris! (Hab 3:19) The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills...

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CHURCH AND FATHER'S DAY IN SPAIN

Today being Sunday we found a right-on church for the fellowship of the saints. It's called the International Church of Barcelona. It is an Assembly of God (AOG) church (pentecostal) that we found on the web. There is no Calvary Chapel yet in Barcelona or the captial city of Madrid (a point of prayer). We did a Google map with walking directions and found it was only about a mile and a half hike. The people were very friendly. The service was in English and was an hour and a half long. The time included worship with their praise band (most of the songs we knew). Then this sacred-dance team from Ohio did some praise dance to recorded music. (Heb 10:25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Then pastor Dan came up and shared the Word from the book of Acts. After that he had us break off into prayer groups. We met a lot of people and had a great time in the Lord. We missed being in a Calvary Chapel but it's good to be with God's people of different persuasions! (Eph 4:3) endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

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This is an advertisement on a window using Pau Gasol from the Los Angeles Lakers.

The day was also Father's Day. My family did not forget! I received cards and gifts. We capped off the fine day with going out to an Italian restaraunt and had yummy pizza and lasagne and even dessert! We felt stuffed so we took a short walk to the famous Plaza de Catalunya and took some pics. (Gal 4:6) And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"

Tomorrow we leave for Paris!

Buenos noches...

SATURDAY TOUR OF BARCELONA

Today we walked around Barcelona. There are so many streets like this but usually they are wider and busier. It was funny...my 3 girls were shopping and I was getting bored. I told them I'd meet them back at the hotel. I zigzagged back and forth through the streets and guess who I met? My family as you see here!

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Many street performers await the visitor when you walk into a plaza.
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See Columbus pointing out to the sea? This is his famous monument that depicts the event when he arrived back from his first trip to the Americas and King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella met him.

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Approching the monument

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Monument now in full view. Of course it is so tall I couldn't get it into a single frame. I like how this pic turned out almost heavenly. I thought of how Columbus knew the Lord and felt it was his destiny to explore the world by sea. Just think of how he discovered the Americas and where we live today! (Psa 107:23-24) Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters, {24} They see the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep.
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This is the base of the monument. There was so much detail all up and around it that now my family was getting bored waiting for me! (James 1:3-4) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. {4} But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

THOUGHTS FROM SPAIN

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THOUGHTS FROM SPAIN

(Rom 15:24) whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you…

Spain. Ancient and historical land of western Europe. Land of kings, dictators, and modern democracy. Ferdinand and Isabella. Christopher Columbus. Don Quixote. The Inquisition. Catholic. Lovely and romantic land and language. Mediterranean Sea and landscape. “The rain in Spain…” Glad I stayed awake in Spanish class. I’m on a mission trip with my family. We’re visiting missionaries and I am teaching the Word at a conference. Meeting beautiful members of the family of God who embrace you and sometimes kiss you on both cheeks.

Spain. A place to flee to when the going gets rough. Most scholars believe Tarshish is southern Spain.

Spain. A place to go to as a destination laid out by the Lord. (Rom 15:28) Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain.

Hmmm. A place to flee to and a place to go to. I wonder if sometimes in life we are fleeing to somewhere or going to somewhere.

Are you running from something or somebody in your life? Albeit there are good things to run from such as fornication (1 Cor 6:18) and idolatry (1 Cor 10:14) and youthful lusts (2 Tim 2:22). But to run away from the presence of the Lord? We are to run to Him when we are in trouble! (Prov 18:10) The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Sometimes we even run away from the devil but isn’t he supposed to run away from us as we stand our ground? (James 4:7) … Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

How much better to have a place to go. Like Paul on his journey. He had always wanted to go to Spain. That was always on his agenda. But then he got arrested for his faith in the Lord and thrown into prison. A few years later he was released and history states he did make it there. Paul’s prison epistles speak of his intentions to travel after he was released. And in 2 Timothy 4:7 it states he finished his race.

Tired of running? And tired of running your own life? Don’t flee to Spain. Go to Spain. Be like Paul and finish what the Lord has called you to do.

Oh well, time to go. Siesta is over. A brother from the church here invited us to come over for fish and prawns. You see…I am going to his house and not fleeing there. He’s even picking us up so we won’t get lost! Adios…Christo de bendiga!! Thanks for your prayers and see you soon!

Louie

LAST DAY OF SPAIN CONFERENCE

Today (THURS) is the last day of the conference. It's so hard to say goodbye to people that you enjoyed being with. (John 15:12) "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

I shared one more Bible study. I taught for almost an hour and everyone seemed be so hungry for the Word of God ! (Heb 5:14) But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Phil Twente shared again and had a great word from the Lord. He now travels to Hungary and then England both for Calvary Chapel conferences. He is in his seventies and is an inspiration to be to keep on the GO! for the Lord. (Exo 14:15) And the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.

Tomorrow we fly from Mallorca to Barcelona for some family vacation time. It's only 55 minutes by plane. They say it's a beautiful city. It will be great to spend some time together. We haven't seen Lindsay since January as she has been in York, England at Bible school. (Josh 24:15) ...But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."