Worldly Holiness

I needed a break from the office today so I took a walk, and ride on the metro. The sky looked good, that is clear, for taking pictues so I scrambled up to Park Guell, a place where you get good views of the city as well as an up close look at Gaudi´s mosaic work. By the way, that is the Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family) cathedral behind me on the right. Click the picture for a larger version. They are still working on erecting the 12 spires, representing the 12 apostles. On the left is a modern office building they describe as an inverted cigar. We go to church close to these two sites and also have some emerging ministry contacts in that area as well. Anyway, after this little trip up the hill, I returned home refreshed and ready to go another 6 to 8 hours, after a short nap–grin!

I read in the news that rain is coming hard to Seattle, but that the Seahawks finally won a game! They are having record rainfall and experiencing the worst potential flooding in 10 years. Wow, could that really be? What is the difference between wet and soggy anyway? Well, think about it for a bit. The volume of water spilling over Snoqualmie Falls was reportedly flowing at a rate of 69,000 cubic feet per second, eclipsing the old record of 50,000 cubic feet per second. That is a lot of water. I was there this summer before we packed up to leave for Barcelona. I think the riverbed where I stood with my sister in June is probably 15 feet underwater, or more! I miss Seattle, really, but I´m not sure why. Go figure. I guess we are a little lonely in this new place, taking a while to develop new friendships. Pray for us in that regard.

Hey, I´m off to Turkey this week for an important conference. Pray for me, and the family in my absence. Pray for our kids in Ecuador and Chicago, whom we dearly miss as well. Pray that we all yield our lives to God´s will and direction. Pray for friends too.

I keep updating the photos in my flickr badge to the right so keep checking back. Click the moving parts with your mouse to get bigger versions of the pictures. These are just thumbnails. I have added some pictures from interesting visits in and around Barcelona, namely–the Montserrat monastery nestled in the hills above the city and the Boqueria market downtown which makes Pikes´ Place pale in comparison. The goat heads from the market are featured. Here´s looking at you. There are additional photos from the ordination service in La Coruña as well. Further down on the right sidebar, I´ve also posted a link to some of the books in my library, most of them I was able to bring with me. Then you will find a link to my wish list of books I hope to read in the next year. Enjoy!

Bendiciones,

Muchas Gracias! Hasta pronto. Andres

Thanks to my sister for the following. She is the funny one in the family and has helped keep us all laughing through life. Love to Signe! Warning to the more sophisticated among us–hope your sensitivies are not offended.

AMAZINGLY SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES

   1. If you are choking on an ice cube, don't panic. Simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat and presto, the blockage will be almost instantly removed.

   2. Clumsy? Avoid cutting yourself while slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold them while you chop away.

   3. You can avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat just by using the sink.

   4. For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use an egg timer.

   5. A mouse trap placed on top of your alarm clock will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

   6. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives. Then you will be afraid to cough.

   7. Have a bad toothache? Smash your thumb with a hammer and you will forget all about the toothache.

   8. Sometimes, we just need to remember what the rules of life really are:

      In life, you only need two tools – WD-40 and Duct Tape.

      If it doesn't move but should, use the WD-40.

      If it should not move and does, use the duct tape.

   9. Remember: Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

  10. Never pass up an opportunity to go to the bathroom.

My brother-in-law just sent me a very funny video clip that put me on the floor laughing. It is close to what I have wanted to do watching little league baseball sometimes. Keep this one. It is good therapy to laugh. Enjoy! 

http://www.honeywell.com/sites/portal?smap=aerospace&page=zing_video&theme=T8