• Spark of Love for Kids
The Long Beach Fire Department sponsors an annual Toy Drive, called Spark of Love, for underprivileged children in Long Beach. This successful Toy Drive has been going on for fifteen years. However this year, The Daily Grill co-sponsored the December Kick-Off Night for the Toy Drive by providing free appetizers for all and a $10 gift card, if patrons brought in an unwrapped toy valued over $20 for the cause.
• My Floral Bouquet #7
This floral specimen is one of my favorites…a rose. I did not have to travel far to find this one, I found it in my own backyard. I call this one my “Sunny Rose.” The center of the rose is yellow, and the ends of the pedals are red…a pretty rose by most standards and fragrant too. However, one day, I noticed this rose had an brighter yellow center. Upon closer examination I noticed that the Sun was hitting the rose bud from behind. It was just the right position. The Sun shone brightly right through the yellow center, radiating a Sun bright yellow presence.
This rose is just like the Christian…
• My History with FCM
In the late 60’s I found out about a group of gospel magicians who were meeting monthly in Long Beach. I was a Children’s Pastor at the time at Torrance First Baptist Church and started attending this monthly group. Then I found out they were a Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians, so I joined. Every month the senior members of the group, mostly retired, took turns in bringing a free gospel-magic trick that they made, giving them away to members of the club. They also had a teach time where these tricks were featured. They were a very friendly group, everyone was welcome, even kids came. Everybody brought something to share that they were working on. We taught each other. They also maintained a Library of gospel books and resources for the members. So every month I would get a new magic trick and a new library book to work on. That’s how my magic repertoire began to grow. I continued doing this until the group dissolved, some moved, some died and some just lost their way through too much going on.
• Meet Farley, the Firefly
I would like to introduce you to Farley, the Firefly. This was one of my puppet creations for a customer. She wanted a firefly that would light up, but be able to be used as a vent figure. Having the head mold already completed, I created the molds for the hands, feet and tail. Then I added a large white plastic light fixture for the belly. The fixture came with one hole, but I had to cut another hole to accommodate the insertion of the arm and hand.
The creative surprise feature of this puppet/vent figure was…
• An Evening with Ray Comfort
On Nov. 19th our Los Angeles Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians featured the ministry of Ray Comfort. Here is a photo of the Board with Ray Comfort. Ray brought to us a challenging message about the passion of his own heart, soul winning.
What a thought provoking time…
• Kevin’s Announcement
We decided to have an impromptu family dinner Saturday night, because we had a turkey donated to our family that needed to be cooked. So we announced that all the family could come over for dinner. It was like a Thanksgiving Dinner. They all came. We were enjoying the turkey will all the trimmings. when Kevin asked, so what are you thankful for? So each one took turns sharing their thankfulness. All participated.
Finally, it was Kevin’s turn…
• Benjamin’s Second Birthday
This photo of our was taken on April 18th, 2006, when our grandson, Benjamin, prayed with his parents to invite Jesus into his life. My son, Ken, expressed to me that he was wondering about a salvation decision of a three year old.
So we had this discussion, that went something like this…
• Our Kristen Turns Thirty
Well, it is true! Would you believe it, our youngest daughter, Kristen, just turned thirty on Nov. 28th. It seems like yesterday that we brought this darling little bundle home from the hospital. We have been celebrating this milestone for over a week. While in Palm Springs last week she wanted to go to PF Chang’s for her birthday dinner, nothing is to good for her, so off we went for the evening.
What a wonderful time we had there…
• Kid Mission Gone Tribal
Another Kid Mission, this Short-Term Mission trip was to Panama. This trip was sponsored by Bread of Life Church in Torrance and the 4 Christ Mission out of San Diego. This July a team of 70 of us flew to Panama, then we went down the Pan American Highway in three buses. There were several stops, but one was going tribal…
• It’s Time to Decorate
Another Funny Fun Foto that I call It’s Time to Decorate. On second thought, I should have called this one, You Light Up My Life. This is our son Ken, who is being decorated by his wife Jennifer.
