Serenity, Ships and Sea creatures in San Diego

We have just spent a weekend in San Diego - our first trip past LA city limits since arriving here 2 months ago. Although it was only for 2 days, we tried to pack in as much as possible to see and do. First stop was SeaWorld -wow! We saw so many fantastic animal shows and exhibits but the killer whale performance was probably the highlight (but then again, those sealions were very good too)

We were dazzled by their intelligence and showmanship, some people were just soaked by them! Francois and Marise were brave enough to go sit in the Soak Zone, but the rest of us stayed a safe dry distance.

The trainer has the most amazing relationship of trust and communication with Shamu.

D getting some navigational help from older brother. He wouldn't give up that map all day long, a real explorer!

What a privilege to get so close to these beautiful creatures.

D had the best time ever running around the water park

Playing Top Gun on an aircraft carrier in San Diego Harbour. The Midway Museum was very interesting, we met a WW2 veteran and a pilot who flew in Desert Storm. Ryk and Francois enrolled in a short course to fly in a flight simulator - F's many hours of gaming ensured that he came out top of his class!

It's behind you...

The SeaKing helicopter that picked up all the Apollo landing capsules

On the flight deck of the USS Midway, 5 Botes airplanes coming in to land!

This mission was founded in 1769 by Father Junipero Serra, a spanish priest who had the vision to establish a chain of mission stations along the Californian coast. There are 21 in all, this being the first one: Mission San Diego de Alcala . They are one day's journey (on foot/donkey) apart and provided food, water and shelter to weary travellers as well as education to the native American Indians. This one is still a working congregation and school. It provided us with calm and shade on a hot day.

We came home exhausted from walking many many miles but felt refreshed and ready to tackle the remaining two-thirds of the semester. God has been good to us throughout our very difficult first weeks and we keep trusting Him for all that we are, and have , and do.

Happy Birthday Marise!

Marise had her first American birthday on Friday 18th. She was in school all day and had basketball training until 5 pm. Only then could she relax a bit and blow out candles with Abi (new aquaintance) and Hannah ( sweet friend since age 2) .The shirt she's wearing is their school sportswear with a Hawk (not a chicken) on.

Choc-Fudge cupcakes and Coconut cupcakes, all went to school.

My baby-girl is a teenager now - I still cannot believe she's grown up so fast.

On Saturday we went to Burbank Town Centre to watch "Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs" in 3D. Don't we all look ultra-cool with our special movie glasses??

After movie, it was Birthday lunch at Panda Express. Unfortunately we're all addicted to Orange Chicken now!

Busy week

Marise did most of the painting in her room which is now thankfully no longer a dirty grey-white but a beautiful, calm bluey-green

Francois took a break between classes to continue the very important work of researching the hamburger industry of America

Daniel and I attend a pre-school program for Mums and 4 year-olds on a Tuesday morning. We have a great time with singing, learning letters, snacktime and crafts. This week we did fish painting! He slopped paint on a real (dead) fish and then pressed paper over it to produce a lovely fragrant work of art.

Ryk and I had an early morning breakfast on the beach. He cooked and I watched the day dawning around us. Lovely...

The shock nearly killed me!

Have you ever been 80 miles away from a spaceshuttle that has re-entered the atmosphere and delivered a double sonic boom before landing? Well, I have just had that unenviable experience. No, we did not have any warning and yes, one does fall off your patio-chair if you hear that freaking loud unexplained bang when you're in America on September 11th. I'm still shaking.

Student Picnic

We've just had a wonderful day of sunshine, beach fun and sweet fellowship with all the seminary families and members of faculty at Oxnard State Beach. A whole day devoted to eating and having fun with new friends (and some old ones too)

Dr.Busenitz tried... Ray Mehringer tried ...but in the end there was only one winner! Ryk emerged victorious from the Annual Staff vs Students Watermelon Pip Spit competition! He won a sought after set of books as first prize.

Then we went to the beach for the Sandcastle Building Competition where Marise, Joshua and Hannah secured second prize.

Christa and I were not so successful in the balloon-tossing , but Frans and Joshua did quite well. Francois and his 3-man sling was an even bigger hit and he had many willing hands to help fling waterballoons into the sand dunes