BroAm X, Switchfoot, Stand Up For Kids and Supporting Good THings

Hello!
As some of you know, I (Chris) have been involved in 'Christian music' for decades. Everything from playing in bands to booking agent to tech to crew, "been there-got another TShirt".
A national-level band+crew I have been friends with for the last 10 years is Switchfoot. Based in San Diego, I've supported their amazing efforts over the years, especially the annual fund-raiser for 'Stand Up For Kids', a group that provides a real home for kids found to be homeless.
Yesterday, the TENTH (X) annual BroAm was held. My seventh year of working 'crew', we were at Moonlight beach Encinitis at dawn to load-in the gear, tech-up the stage, host 4 regional bands and then SWITCHFOOT at 4pm. Over 9,000 people jammed the beach and lot's of support for Stand Up For Kids was gained.
The 'after-party' was pretty awesome for the 400 people in La Paloma theatre Encinitis to watch the Switchfoot (mostly surfing)

movie 'Fading West' and then a 'BareBones' acoustic gig, which was more the guys leading the crowd in 6 familiar SF songs.
This year, I grabbed some pics with the band and crew, 'cuz Lori keeps on saying 'you work hard with those guys, but never get any pics..."
There are few bands that are making a positive social impact on the hearts and minds of the existing generations... Switchfoot is one of those few, and I'm blessed to be a part of the extended SF family, AND the annual BroAm supporting an amazing group working with at-risk kids.
(Just because people ask, 'switchfoot' is a surf term meaning mounting your board on a wave using your non-dominant stance!)

Creating Thank You Cards for Teachers

Spent a recent morning fellowshipping with Pastor Martha and church leader, Silvia, at our home in San Vicente. I pulled my crafting stash and we created Thank You cards for all those who serve as teachers at the Nazarene Church in celebration of "Teachers' Day". Oh, and Martha shared some yummy homemade cheesecake with us. Mmmmm!

Young Moms Celebrating Mothers' Day

Our house was filled with young moms and their kids in celebration of Mothers' Day. There were little gifts, snacks, and crafts for the kids. Several are new students from the community wide sewing classes and it was a time to get to know them and their families better. It was a opportunity to further disciple the "Stars" about friendship evangelism while planting seeds. I tasked one of the "Stars" with listening to the Holy Spirit to find an open door which she could use to share the "Good News".  When several of the ladies shared struggles they were having she gently opened the door to share about God's love. Later in the week, a couple of us met with one of the young moms to minister to her more in her home. We can hear the Lord knocking on the door of her heart. Please pray for her and her husband to turn their hearts toward Him.

Mothers' Day in Mexico 2014

Mothers' Day, always May 10th in Mexico, has a different flavor. First one can expect to be awaken in the wee hours of the am by a serenade outside of the home. It's a wonderful blessing to have the young people of the church come by to pay me a tribute as "Mother" although at bit startling to be jolted from a sound sleep at 2:30 am. They traveled to about 30 homes during more than three hours of visiting, where they would sing two or three songs before moving on to the next Mom.

The church in San Vicente distinguishes the Mom with a handmade corsage and many of the moms enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant. Because of tight finances, it usually is only the moms and it is a special gift from their families. Being most guys avoid the kitchen as much as possible it would be very unusual to have dad make a special meal at home for mom. In fact, I heard many of the women state that they needed to prepare a meal for the rest of the family before going out. Does that count as a real day off?

Door-to-door Blessings

Over 900 handmade hats were given out in San Vicente during the winter months. This year I've been discipling several in "Friendship Evangelism". It was exciting to see how several people caught the vision to reach out to their neighbors in a new way armed with handmade hats and big smiles. Several days were spent wondering the streets with bags and backpacks filled with all sizes of hats. Everyone, from infant to old man, was happy to receive their own head cover. Okay, so there were a few teenage boys who passed, but those were few and far between. Sometimes we were chased down the street by hat seekers who heard about "the gift". Church members came by the house asking for more hats to give out during other outreaches they were participating in until there were only a few baby hats. Thanks for all of you who knit and crochet all year to be a blessing.

changes

Trying to keep up with the ever changing internet and computer stuff.

and... saw this the other night from the telescope