Our family went camping in the Trinity Alps on Tangle Blue Creek. On the Fourth of July, I shot two rattle snakes very close to our camp. This one was about three and a half feet long before I blew his tail off. He was alive in this picture, but he was in very bad shape. We heard one rattling after dark about fifteen feet from the campfire in the brush. Couldn't find him to shoot him.





























We had a French exchange student with our family for a short summer program. His name is Dimitri,and he was a joy to have in our home. Here he is with my son Augustine. He took this cool picture of some of my kids. After the incodent with the rattle snales, we were at burney falls when Dimitri saw a water snake. He looked at me and querried, It has no F T T T T (rattling sound) - it's OK?

We also had an imprompt party for father Avram that lasted till about 3:00AM. (Thats crazy talk) He brought some very fine cigars with him and we huffed stogies all night. (Good times.......Good times)

Raising kids as head strong as myself. The apple does not fall far from the tree

Yesterday I tried to get my son to see the reality of anti christian associations. We were at the airport waiting for a foreign exchange student to arrive while another family was also waiting. When I was doing work for the other family a few months earlier large amounts of personal belongings were in the way of the work each day. When I was moving some papers to do some drywall work I saw a well done hand drawn picture of satan. Some might say something like you don't know what he meant it to be, but when something has the appearance of a ripped manlike creature with characteristics of a goat with horns and a tail with a point like an arrow...................... I think I'm safe in saying it was satan. My son was following this kid all over the place, so I got him away from the kid and told him that he should let some people come to him rather than him going to them. My reason for this is complicated. What you must know is I only have my son's salvation in mind. I was trying to make him think of the reality that when someone seeks another, the other person can be one of three things. A better person which will help us be better people, A person about even with our spirituality which almost always is good, or a person who is potentially bad for our spirituality.

I am not trying to get him to judge any one's soul, but we must make judgements wisely about those we want to associate with. Anyone who draws pictures like the one I saw in that young mans room will not be able to do or say anything to lead one closer to Christ.

Now the problem with this story is my son handled it poorly. He told the kid that I said I did not want him talking to the "goth " kids. His description of my words were much different than reality. He went on to say much more, none of which was even intended by my speech. Furthermore, it got to the kids mother who I may not have much respect for, but I in no way intend to hurt or offend. When I learned of this I asked him if he was doing this in an effort to get me to shut up about things, and stop trying to guide him in his growth. He said "It would be nice." I then told him "If you notice me not trying to guide your growth, you will know I stopped caring."

I know my son has no idea how much I contemplate his eternity. I know he does not know the feeling of love a father can have for his kids. Without this knowledge he will make decisions based on undeveloped principles. My problem is surviving these actions stemming from undeveloped principles.

This is a deeply personal matter, but I need to talk and the computer seems to be listening.

If anyone has any Christian words of wisdom please post them for me to read.

Thank you