Dad's Travels Part II

After the ICAF study group finished in the Solomon Islands they headed for Australia. They were had briefings from high level people in government and military positions, but they did find sometime to snap some photos.

In the City of Brisbane there is a company that takes groups, for fun, up the Suspension Bridge across the river. Here is my dad and some friends from his ICAF study group.

One thing they learned about national security is that Australia has a police force that is deployed around the world, similar to how our Marine Corps Expeditionary Unit deploys. These Police are more about peace keeping and less battlefield fighting.







Australia values the U.S. so much that they
made a special place for our stained glass in their war museum -the right. The Åustralian window is on the left.
The Australians have fought with us in almost every war back to WWI.






Here is the ICAF study group having a meal with one of the Australian commanders.

The Australian salt water crocks are such a danger that the people call the military to kill them. These crocks are big enough that they could grab a pet or child, so the military is doing the right thing to get rid of them.

As cute as the Kangaroos are, they are a pest to the Australians and so the kangaroos are being killed, as are the crocks.

She is a courageous nurse.
The Australian Capital, reminds me of Washington D.C., but the greater amount of trees around it are beautiful.

Dad's Travels to Haiti and Soloman Islands

Recently my dad and his study group traveled from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) to Haiti, Solomon Islands, and Australia. They were studying reconstruction and nation building. How to take a country smashed by poverty, war, or natural disasters-typhoons... and help them rebuild. Below are some photos of his adventures.

The trip to Haiti was eye opening. The study group needed a armed escort to travel into Haiti. Before they left the states they needed a whole lot of immunizations. Once they got there the smell was awful all over the island because of trash littered everywhere. The people wore second hand clothes, while some children wore no clothes. The people were using oil barrels to make animals figurines to sell. The average wage in Haiti is two dollars a week.

You really want to do something to help after seeing the poverty. One of the reconstruction non governmental organizations was a Baptist mission group called Double Harvest."Double Harvest is a Christian ministry that desires to magnify Christ by ministering to the spiritual and physical needs of people in developing countries. “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” (1 John 3:17)

Double Harvest understands that people’s deepest need is a spiritual one, a changed life through faith in Jesus Christ. As a Christian ministry, Double Harvest also seeks to model Christ’s compassion by offering economic, educational and medical programs in difficult and impoverished situations. Double Harvest is about “Sowing Seeds of Life” for this life and the next. “Man does not live on bread alone.” (Luke 4:4)

In Haiti, these purposes are achieved through Operation Double Harvest, a project that includes a large agricultural project, an academic/vocational school, a medical/surgical clinic, and an associated but independent church." http://www.doubleharvest.org/

Here is a photo from double Harvest web site to show what they are accomplishing with agriculture. Prayer is needed for this mission.

The second trip was to the Solomons Islands. Here is the international airport which reminds me of the rural airports I saw in Truck and Yap.

The trip was pretty rushed with briefings with military and government officials. But while my dad and his team were traveling they saw some neat things. Here is a photo of a group of children playing in the river after school.

A woman in her garden. Her house in the background does not look like it could stand in a typhoon like Pongsongwa.

Here is one of two of the Solomon Island's police boats. The sunset is beautiful.

People of the Solomon Islands still tell the stories of the liberation from the Japanese in WWII like it was yesterday. The Marines landed at Red beach on Guadalcanal and pushed the Japanese back, clearing the mountains and the air field. The first WWII photo is a memorial. The tower in the second photo is a reconstruction of the WWII tower on the air strip that the Marines took from the Japanese. The third photo is a Chapel at Red Beach. The beach reminds me of Asan Beach on Guam.

Part two will come soon.

Beautiful Music Discovery - Jon Schmidt

Recently, my friend sent me this link of Jon Schmidt an amazing piano player, accompanied by his friend on the cello - Steven Sharp Nelson. This music is so beautifully arranged, I absolutely love it. It is the combination of country singer Taylor Swift's song "Love Story" and British band Coldplay's Viva La Vida. I had heard both songs separately, but put together it creates a breath-taking piece. *smiles!* I strongly recommend any music lover to listen to it below:



Enjoy! Be sure to let us know what you think!!

Let's play a little catch up...

As you may have noticed, it's been a couple of weeks since we have last posted. So let's play a little catch up here, and fill you in on what is happening since you last heard from us.
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First of all, my brother (the usual poster on the blog) and I have finished our spring semester. As many people know, the end of a semester comes with excitement, but also stressful exams. Thankfully, we got through those. But had only a week until our summer semester began. Rather hectic, but here we are a week into our summer semester. Both my brother and I are taking Biology 101. It is our first class together and I've rather enjoyed it so far...
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My brother is great with science and is a great study buddy. His favorite part is our lecture, while I enjoy getting my hands dirty in lab. I'd say we make a pretty good team. *smiles!*
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Stepping back now, the month of April closed with a bang. I turned 19 years old...
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I love my hat and boots... I guess I'm a Southern girl at heart!
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We also greatly enjoyed welcoming our church friend Cris home from deployment. Latoya and baby John were so excited to see him!! To help him find us among the masses of people we wore our Cat-and-the-Hat hats. We actually became a landmark on the dock, other family members stood near us and said "we're next to the Cat-and-the-Hat hats!"
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Can you say "patriotic baby?"

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Baby John was so good waiting for his daddy to come off... and it was so sweet, John fell asleep in his dad's arms almost immediately. It was perfect! We had a blast being part of that.
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We've been enjoying some beautiful warm weather lately. We actually had a chance to enjoy Sabbath afternoon at the beach. Although the water wasn't nearly as warm as Guam, it was more like walking in melted ice cubes, we still managed to have a blast.
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My mom enjoyed sitting on the beach and take care of my hat, while our friend Zach and I tried out the water. Let's just say it was rather shocking, I guess I'm use to the islands?
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Other than that, we've had a beautiful month of May with the excitement of new baby mice, a new summer class, and staying active with church and working. We are now on facebook. It is a website that is similar to a blog, but a lot more secure because it only allows your approved buddies to view it. Search us on www.facebook.com!
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Alright, I think that catches you all up on what is happening... God bless your Memorial Day weekend!!

Bible Trivia III

1."How many books are there in the standard Bible?

Choose Your Answer: A: 39, B: 54, C: 66, D: 72

2.At the time of the census which was conducted by Moses in the first chapter of Numbers, which of the twelve tribes of Israel was the largest?

Choose Your Answer: A: Judah, B: Gad, C: Asher, D: Reuben

3.Which of the following animals were the Israelites forbidden to eat by the Old Testament?

Choose Your Answer: A: Sheep, B: Goat, C: Rabbit, D: Antelope

4. When were Israelites required to free their servants?

Choose Your Answer: A: In the seventh year of service, B: In the twelfth year of service, C: When the servant produced offspring, D: Never"

Just post your answers on our blog, and I will give the correct answers on Sabbath, have fun.

References:
http://www.usefultrivia.com/bible_trivia/

Washington DC - Cherry Blossoms

We visited my dad in Washington D.C. He is doing well and learning a lot.

Below are some of the places we visited while we visited DC a few weeks ago:

Above is the front of the National Basilica. On the right, are the New Testament saints. On the left, are the Old Testament saints. Inside the Church there are smaller chapels for Christians around the world.

The worship there was uplifting! There is a huge pipe organ in the back balcony of the church that vibrates the Basilica. We attended a palm service on Saturday evening.

Above is a picture of my family and our friend Zach in front of the Lincoln Memorial. It was fun to spend time together and view the cherry blossoms.

The cherry blossoms near the tidal basin.

One of my favorite memorials, because of its classical style. The Jefferson Memorial reminds me of photos of the Pantheon in Rome

Great view of the Presidential Mansion as the British called it in the War of 1812.

Cherry blossom grove near the basin, near the Jefferson memorial.

The same God that created the universe also created the beautiful flowers. Amazing God.

Next to the Mall was a beautiful garden full of tulips. These tulips ranged in kinds, colors, and size. They were an amazing sight to behold.

Joe, here's a job for you out here. Haha! :} The D.C. Fire/ EMS were out because of a 10 mile run that was in Washington that day. The finish line was right on the Mall, in front of the Washington Monument. There sure were a lot of runners!

Family shot from the side of the National Basilica.

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Hope you enjoyed the pictures as much as we enjoyed the trip up there. Come visit our blog again sometime!

ASLville 2009

On March 21st, Emily and the American Sign Language Club she is involved with at the college put on an event called ASLville. Below is the video that was created.

Enjoy! :D