Sheesh. What a crazy few weeks it has been. But before I get into the whole surgery stuff, wanted to share some pics from our retreats. I should've done this right after but was caught up with extreme busyness. Well here it is. beSTILL. 2007. 
Retreat Groups Bodyguards 
Team Rock 
Ice Cubes 
San Sans 
Homies 
Homies Jr. 
Sophomore sisters 
Group pic 
Earl and Kevin (Alanzo and Karlos) 
Awesome staff 
Johnny's bodyguard 
Sisters sarah, andrea and susan at the swimming poo 
Ash 
Sarah and Animal 
91West Crew minus Allan and Connie 
Telemundo and Johnny 
Crazy girls in my car 
beSTILL was simply beAWESOME. Everything from the journal/meditation time to the games to our amazing worship times led by Facedown, to the bible studies and food and fellowship and super fun. I was amazingly blessed. I've been to close to 80 retreats in my lifetime. It never grows old. But there was something so different and refreshing about this one. Thank you Lord. Next I went to the Oaks near Magic Mt. to speak for Santa Barbara Presbyterian Church. It was short but I had a great time. It was also real nice catching up with the Chong family. Group Pic 
The Chongs 
Then it was off to Thousand Pines to speak at TFPC. I really had a great time here. I spoke 6 times- 3 for the elementary kids and 3 for the youth. My heart goes out to TFPC. Going throug a lot but even in the midst of it all they are growing in Him. THanks for the invite TFPC! Johnny eating lunch with the little kids 
Group Pic with elementary kids 
Alright so 12 days ago I finally had my surgery for my left ACL. It was a trip. I remember going into the OR and the nurses and doctors talking to me and comforting me. Then i remember the nurse telling me to relax and that she'll see me when its all done. Next thing I know its done. God bless them anesthesiologists. So here's what my life has been like the past 12 days. Days 1-4 (Saturday-Tuesday): Pain pain and more pain with of course vicodin. Good God I had no idea it would hurt this much. To go to the bathroom was painstaking. Standing up hurt like no other cuz all the blood rushes to my knee. I can only move from couch to bathroom which is about 10ft. No shower taken. I can't sit up. Threw up like mad on Saturday cuz all the painlkiller wore off from surgery. Can barely flex my knees to 30degrees on machine. Days 5-8 (Wed-Saturday): Little better. Dont need vicodin as much. Watch dodgers lose three times- once to cubs and another to stinking Giants because furcal couldnt turn double play and broxton gives up huge homer. adds insult to my injury. Still hurts to go bathroom. Took first "shower" on wednesday. More like wiping myself with towel soaked in soap. But i did wash my hair. My mom had to help me. And thank God for my parents. They have been amazing. Took first #2 on Wednesday also. That was an ordeal to say the leat. Still cant eat much. Went to see Doctor on Thursday. That was terrible day. Getting in and out of the house was torture and in and out of car. Was dying while waiting for doctor to call me in. Flexing my knee to 70degrees now. But everything going according to plan. Knee still real swollen so taking anti-biotics now. Starting to eat a little more. FInally can sit up now without being in too much pain. Sad to miss broomballing with the kids. But thank God for visitors! Days 9-12 (Sat-Tuesday): Pain is still there but getting better. Nice visit from earl, glenn and susan. Missed church on Sunday. Watched football. Got real sick of watching football. Starting to feel less foggy and queasy. Mind feels sharper. Being preparing for sermon for Sunday and working on ministry stuff and emailing. Feels good to get back to work. I can finally flex my knee to 90degress on this knee-flexing machine i have to prevent stiffness. Good sign. Doctors on tuesday. Not nearly as painful as last visit. knee is looking good. I can start rehab/therapy next week. Now i'm getting very restless mentally. Want to get out of house. My mom's bday today. Feel bad that I can't do much. I can move a lot more freely now. Took 2nd "shower" on monday. I went upstairs for first time today on crutches. Was quite scary but was fun. Still need crutches but getting better. DVD's I've seen so far: Tombstone, Gladiator and Garden State. For some reason, i dont have this desire to watch movies. But I liked Garden State a lot. First time watching it. Thanks biggie. Books I've read or reading now: Weight of GLory C.S. Lewis. Read In THe Name of Jesus Henri Nouwen again. Great book. Reading Spiritual Leadership J. Oswald Sanders. Good way to start the new school year for ministry. The Bible. Finished Psalm 119. TV shows i watch: I dont have cable. My tv is super old. Only channels 7-13 come out. Watch channel 7 news a lot. I like David Ono and Dallas Raines and Rob Fuguzaki and Michelle Tuzee and Ellen Leyva and Lisa Hernandez. Watched Oprah. Almost cried. Saw the one where Bill Clinton was on and talking about his book. Watched some All My Children and General Hospital. But not too much tv watching. Time has gone by relatively fast. Besides the last few days of feeling very restless it's been good. Good to rest. Good to catch up. Good to beSTILL. But I'm ready to get out. Thanks for all the phone calls, txts, emails, comments and prayers. I know that they are with me. A verse that I have been meditating over and over again. "My soul clings to Thee. Thy right hand upholds me." - Psalm 63:8. God has been with me every step of the way. Well I will be at church this Sunday thank God! Can't wait to see everyone. Have a great rest of the week and I leave you with my junglelicious beard.  
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