I spent most of today with the last minute travel details for my trip to Peru.

Went through my packing. Weighs about 24 lbs. Everything seems to fit.

This afternoon I went to the mission to work with the kids.

I got a calling card to call Peru. Contacted my host in Cusco. She was the only one that hadn’t confirmed my stay.

I heard from my hosts that I’ve arranged taxis from the airport to my hotels. This trip has been the most thoroughly researched and prepared of any I’ve ever taken. There may be details I haven’t thought of, but the vast majority should be taken care of.

I received my boarding pass for my Delta flight Thursday afternoon from Lima as well as my boarding pass for Friday morning for my flight from Lima to Iquitos.

I will be leaving Atlanta around 6pm Thursday night, getting to Lima around midnight. I’ll be in the Amazon for a week, then the Andes in Cusco/Machu Pichu for a week. I’ll be back on October 8th around 6am.

I appreciate your prayers for my safety in travels and that I’ll have a productive trip! I look forward to working on my Spanish fluency as well as enjoying the archaeological and natural wonders!

I enjoyed a fun evening with Jesse and Kathy!

Admin duties now.

Monday morning, Ashley and I went on safari to Birmingham, AL!

Our good friend Ben Birdsong from Meadowbrook Baptist Church helped organize a group of Youth Directors, seminary students and a choir director to come to a lunch to hear Ashley and I promote coming to Atlanta!

We always have fun!

Ashley did her usual fabulous job of creating a slide show for the presentation and goody bags for each of the participants.

We also gave one lucky winner and Ben a $50 gift card for Amazon. The BBQ and the gift resulted in 17 people coming to hear us do our thing.

We traveled nearly 400 miles yesterday. I’m glad it was cheap gas!

Got in late, but still enjoyed supper with Kathy and Jesse.

J’s car battery was acting up, so I went by Azalea after dropping Ashley off to go get his car started. It’s at our mechanics now. Hopefully, it’ll be done today.

It was great to see Miles last night!

Tuesday morning I worked on producing my newsletter.

About half way through the job, the uninterrupted power supply interrupted me with an incessant beeping. That indicates that the battery is dead. Sadly, I just bought the device about three months ago.

I had to go Walmart to get a new one. I’m sure Amazon will take care of me somehow, although it’s hard to mail those back–it has lithium ion batteries and those can’t be shipped by air.

Also printed up the labels. Had to go back by Walmart and Office Depot to pick up more supplies.

Mailed the dvds I burned to the teams from this weekend.

And to the Post Office for, you guessed it, stamps!

Cleaned the fish tank and sorted out my bird feeders this afternoon.


Trying to get everything together as best as possible for the two weeks I’m gone to Peru.

Normally, Jesse and my friend Anthony Jacquin do a recording on Tuesdays, but it didn’t work out today.

Worked on the newsletters with the kids at the mission and helped them with their homework.

Gas went under $2.00 at my QT.

We saw this on the back of truck on the way back to the ATL.

The clouds were phenomenal.

I wonder what rides on these?

I planned on going to church this morning. K went to Sunday School then came home so I stayed home with her.

Worked on social media.

Finished editing and uploading the video I shot yesterday. Also burned DVDs for both churches.

Ate lunch and went to Walmart to get some baby diapers for the party.

Enjoyed playing Far Cry 4.

Went to the Baby Shower!

Women come up with some pretty gross games.

Ashley and her friends did a wonderful job of hosting the party.

Admin duties now.

I thought the colors of the clouds were fantastic.

Ashley and I had fun briefing our teams from Briarcliff Baptist Church and a choir from Pennsylvania this morning.

We took them on safari to the Buford Highway Farmers Market.

The PA choir sang at the market. They did a fabulous job!

Our team from Briarcliff BC then went to Audubon at Briarcliff apartments.

The team did a great job. Fantastic time, especially for our first time there!

We finally packed up around 5pm. The kids loved the team!

Home now to work on admin duties.

Kathy and I will probably continue watching House of Cards!

This morning I enjoyed recording a new podcast!

It’s one of my fun things.

This is a really interesting edition on the similarities between men and animals! Listen to “Manimal!”

Just click on the title and GROOVE!

Last week, Ashley told me that a brake light was out in my car.

I got it repaired today!

K and I have enjoyed binge watching House of Cards on Netflix. Wish I could say it made me feel better about our government!

Spent time this afternoon contacting all my lodging and transportation situations in Peru. Everything looks good! Still have to hear from one more person.

The crows are enjoying my picture!

This is their version of “dinner and a show.”

Back to House of Cards with K. I think there’s over 24 to watch. Oh, my.

Admin duties now.

I had a great morning! I always love recording!

This is an especially interesting episode because I work almost entirely from the first person perspective. I think it’s one of my best efforts! Check out “I AM!”

Just click on the title and GROOVE!

Enjoyed working with the children at the mission!

I fancy myself a math guy. Ever heard of these words before?

I cleaned the mission before I left.

Had fun watching House of Cards with K this evening.

Admin duties now.

Worked on confirming all my details for my Peru trip starting a week from today! WOW! Emailed all my lodging (Lima, El Triunfo–near the Amazon, Iquito, Cusco and Ollantaytambo. I also checked on getting my tickets for the train to Machu Pichu and with my travel agent to make sure that my in country airline tickets are good to go when I get there. I reserved most of these things in July!

I thought these geese were funny walking down the street.

I’ve added a picture to my feeding station. I’ve read that crows can recognize faces. I’m doing a test to see how they react to the picture and to me once I’ve fed them regularly.

Crows are the smartest birds by far. Their brain/body mass ratio is closest to monkeys.

Why would this lady have her top down and still wear that huge hat?

Tuesday night I had problems with my photo servers. Wasn’t able to blog or upload pictures. Working ok today.

Ashley and I worked on our big promotion in Birmingham, AL next week. We talked with our friend Ben Birdsong who is a Youth Director in the area who helped us contact his friends. Amen!

Worked at the mission. Lots of homework. Ashley and Mr. Tony came to help.

Wednesday, was a relaxed day for me. Did some banking. Worked on admin duties.

Helped the kids with their homework. Had two families with home schoolers who came to help. That was great!

Back home now working on admin duties.

We may watch some of the Presidential debates. We also been enjoying House of Cards which is a TV show produced by Netflix.

I liked this new succulent. It’s from Madagascar!

Somebody has a sweet tooth!

Got gas this morning! Love these prices!

Chill in the air. Started wearing shoes again.

Enjoyed recording a new podcast! Woot!

This episode will help you win in life! Get into the “IN Zone!”

Just click on the title and GROOVE!

Uploaded to Facebook.

Worked on putting the labels on the DVDs for our promo packets.

I got in contact with my friend Ben Birdsong in Birmingham, AL. Ashley and I will go up there next Monday and host a group of Youth Directors and Directors of Missions. We’re having BBQ, so I hope people will show up!

Did the shopping at Walmart.

Started my final pack for my trip to Peru next week. I’ve been working on this for nearly three months. It’s hard to take very little.

I’m putting it in a backpack for my trip into the Amazon jungle.

Figured a rolling suitcase might not be that great.

Enjoyed working with the kids at the mission.

Ate supper with Kathy and Jesse. Always good!

Hungry?

Say what?!

Always nice to be appreciated.

This morning, Kathy and I met up with Ashley and Miles at Rockbridge Baptist Church.

It was fun to see our friends there.

Good service on doing good works!

We invited Carl and Pat Barrington out to eat. GREAT to spend time with them!

Rest this afternoon.

Admin duties now.

I like this.

Ashley and I enjoyed briefing our team from One Heart Church today!

We went on safari to the Buford Highway Farmer’s Market.

Then to the missions!

Good times!

Admin duties now.

Baylor football on TV. Yeah, baby!