Guatemala

Hi gang! I'm off to Guatemala this weekend. I'll be gone through next weekend. This is a trip with Compassion International. We'll be working on a radio special while we're in country. The focus of this radio special will be to gather the perspectives of American youth on global poverty. So we're taking three 12-14 year olds with us to meet kids their age, living in abject poverty. We'll visit their homes and the Compassion projects where the kids go for food, fun, fellowship, shelter and after-school tutoring. While I'm in Guatemala, my wife and son are traveling to Kansas to be with her folks. Please pray for safe travel. As I've said before, I absolutely hate having to leave my son for this long. And now is such a crucial time in his development. He's 13 months old. Just starting to walk. Already saying a few words. But he's also at the point where he loves to have daddy hold him. And, as you can imagine, daddy loves that! So I'll miss that for a full week. Ugh. This is my second trip to Guatemala. I went back in December of '04. It will be great to see some of the Compassion staff that I befriended on my first trip. I'll probably write a post or two while I'm in Guatemala, just to let you know how things are going.

Acclimation Affirmation

I grew up in south Texas. Heat. Humidity. I got the heck out of there as soon as I could and moved to Colorado. Cool. Dry. I love it. I don't know why I was born in Texas because I was obviously meant to be here. This morning, it was 37 degrees as I drove to work. I cracked open the window for some fresh air. No heater on. It was exhilirating. I've been known to put the top down in the upper 40's. I just love the cold. Not bitter cold...just cool. My wife on the other hand, is from Kansas. Not nearly as hot and humid as Texas. Not nearly as cool and dry as Colorado. We've lived in Colorado Springs for 13 years now. You'd think she would have adjusted to this climate. Au contraire mon ami! This morning, as it was 37 degrees outside, she had the fireplace blasting AND the thermostat set at 74. Ugh. I was melting! How is it that a south Texas boy can't stand the heat and a Kansas girl can't stand the cold? After 13 years in Colorado you'd think we'd both be well adjusted to our climate.