Bolivia

I leave for Bolivia in 4 days! I can't believe it is so close. I haven't even begun to pack, but I'm not that worried 'cause I have everything I need and just have to throw it into a suit case.
I've got to tie up some stuff around here before I leave, that's what I'm doing today and the rest of the week. I can't wait till the trip it's going to be great!

HAPPY 4TH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday U.S.A.!!!!!!!!!!!

DEEP DARK HOLE

My dad says "DJ, would u help me get the well pump going?"

Of course I said "Sure."

Little did I know that after we got the pump going he would have me help clean it out too; which involves pulling bucket load after bucket load of water out of the 20ft deep well and climbing down into it too. Now this wouldn't be that bad normally, but in our case it was, because the former owner of the house decided to use it as a grave for his deer!!! But it was OK 'cause there were plenty of giant cave crickets to keep me company. (can u hear the sarcasm in my voice?)
But really it wasn't that bad. If u ever want to go spelunking come on over.

PHILMONT

Wow! Philmont has come and gone all to fast. The trip was an amazing experience to say the least.

My crew of 8 boys and 4 dads hiked over 80 miles during the 14 day trip to New Mexico. This brave and tireless crew tread upon the faces of mighty mountains, ventured into deep valleys, and forded the great Cemoron River; we attempted blacksmithing, scaled and repelled down great peaces of sand stone, we learned team work and practised patience with each other. We saw the sun rise from atop towering boulders, and heard the birds wake up the world.

We did all this and a hole lot more.

It would take way to much time to wright about what we did each day, so I'll give u a brief overview.

On June 14th we flew into the Denver airport and drove to Philmont New Mexico arriving on the 16th. We met our ranger who taught us mostly things we already new about backpacking but he had to cause that's his job. He did a good job though and taught us some things we didn't know. We set off on the 17th at 8:30 am. Over the 11 days we hiked 80 miles, and did all sorts fun activities like gold panning, branding, farm working, COPE, and burrow racing. The trip was a blast and I really enjoyed getting to know the guys in the crew better, and meeting scouts from all over the US.

I want to thank every one who helped me get there, so THANK YOU!!!!!!

dj

"It's all good!"

my first set of weels!

This is "my" truck! i say "my" truck cause my grandpa is letting me "use it until i go where ever i'm going." those are his words not mine. that's just my Papa for ya.

Any way i'm real excited. but i'm still trying to get the hang of a stick.

it sounds like a 18-wheeler when i make a slow turn in 2nd. and it sounds like Subolba's pod-racer when i hit 30 mph.

dj

Summer Time!!!

i'm enjoying summer, i like school but it's nice not to have to do it.

i'm getting ready for 2 big trips this summer; the first is to Philmont scout ranch in New Mexico we leave 1 week from this Sat. The other trip is a mission trip to Ixiamas Bolivia with my church, (Christ Community Church).

i'm gathering up a few last things i need for Philmont, (it's a 78 mi. backing trip in the Rockies) and am having an all-day meeting this Sat. for the Bolivia trip.

In Ixiamas we work with the children at the internado (a christian boarding home run by SIFAT). The kids are so wonderful, I love working with them. That is the road we sometimes take to ixiamas, but if it is God's will we will fly down, (the plane is much faster, the bus takes about 26 hr and the plain takes about 45min. You can see why we want to fly.)

We leave July 9. Please keep us in your prayers.

JisL!!!

dj