A smorgasbord of western things

Wow. The states have been good to me. Arrived on 21 sept. Thanks to all who warmly greeted us at the airport. We love you all. I had a bunch of equipment to fix. Goal number one, and it was all fixed within a weeks time. Absolutely stunning… bordering on miraculous. I am continually undone by how efficient things are. It’s mind blowing. At the same time, things are very expensive, but the service you get when you buy a product, along with the product quality are very high. It was sweet reconnecting with all the G-Shep folks and our team here who supports our work, Jonathan, Thurmans, Allen, T and Christi, Beth, Sara, Pietzolds, Lundeens, Lenny, Tanya, Brose’s the list keeps going, everyone who showed up a few Sundays back, friends and family: A sincere and grateful thank you to all.
I visited my esteemed colleagues in Vancouver. Becky and Jonathan, and the noobies, Annie and Robby. Jonathan helped me finish a video on a rape rehabilitation clinic, for doctors without borders. And we connected on future projects, and items of business, as well as the ever popular topic of emerging churches, and modern churches, in the post modern matrix.
I then returned to Portland for a little stint, went to Bend to see the Brose’s and attend a world relief meeting, then we were off to the coast, where I did a lot of reading, and watched some flicks. Then it was off to Montana, to see my fam. Dad has a sweet new victory motor cycle. Jesse’s new house with the land bridge, hot tub, and sauna are all par excellence. I didn’t fully test the sauna, so I’ll have to check it out next time, but the hot tube… superb. Montana is my favorite hot tub state. I’m keen to take my buddy Brando over to my brothers place to fully experience the sauna hot tub combo, in the middle of winter, no less than 3 feet of snow base on the ground. You’ll love it Brando.
Jaime my sister is now in Montana, working as a translator for deaf students, and I’m proud of her and her work as an advocate in Montana. I also like her new Toyota Scion. And her cool Indi rock that she plays. Jaime, I really need to get that music. It’s down right funky: and I must have it. It should be mandatory in most peoples ipods, and while I’m at it I should go ahead and make hot tubs mandatory for all Montanans. There, I’ve taken that far enough.
Now I’m back in Portland, and I’m in cahoots with Simon G buying obnoxiously cool equipment to make really challenging videos, that have never been made before in a country that nobody has ever heard of. Should be one of those really cool and challenging experiences I have in my brief lifetime.
I’ve been eating like a King. The food and drinks are nothing short of mind blowing at times. The flavors, the zest, the everything. I’ve gained weight. That’s all I’ll say. So many people have been graceful to us. We can’t thank you all enough for how you’ve blessed us. It’s been great reconnecting face to face with so many friends. All the new babies, and pregnant moms. It’s not even close to Africa in terms of baby to mom rations, but it’s still quite productive…everything seems to be working, procreation full steam ahead.
The micro brews in the North West continue to be the best in the world. There is nothing the rest of the world can do, and there is nothing the other states in America can do, to surpass the excellence of what Portlanders and Oregonians have achieved and continue to achieve in the micro brewing realms. They are so advanced, and I simply say: Well done Oregon brewing folk. Your work is tasty and full of calories, and I’m sorry about that hops crisis created by Bud’s move to domestic hops. Way to hang in there though. Andy is now a home brewer, and I will say your IPA is fantastic. The Brewed Awakening begun in the late 1800’s continues on, and can only fully realize itself at some sort of “Brewed Enlightenment” which isn’t for another hundred years or so. My only critique is that nobody seems to be using the banana in their brewing. It’s the forgotten fruit of the micro brew world, and I won’t even get into pomegranates in this post, but come on… it just makes sense. But to neglect the banana: to me this seems to be a grave mistake. Africans have been utilizing the banana since the earliest days, and I don’t think it’s unrealistic to have a banana hefeweizen at the very least, and I’m not even being that creative. What about a raspberry banana pale ale. Filter it if you like. There are at least 5 varieties of bananas that I can think of off the top of my head right now, and I’m not even trying that hard. This potassium charged fruit must be utilized along with the pomegranate before the micro brew enlightenment… I know that much. (what about a banana pomegranate pale ale…Oh my! It might be too delicious.)
Enough already. Our trip back to the states which I liken to a pit stop at the Indi 500, has been joyous, and everyone has been more than accommodating. We feel loved. Humbled and we’re simply blown away. I need to see some more of you out there. Dan, next week, Let’s do it. Whatever “it” is. Also, I want you to write my statement of beliefs, but only in regard to the Trinity. I’ve got everything else figured out…
Sorry it’s been so long. I’ve been too busy enjoying this trip. Much love to all.