Clayton is home from Mexico

We picked up Clayton at the high school last night. Apparently they only took like 45 seconds at the border (amazing) and caught the 4 pm boat to the island. We are very thankful that he is home safe and sound and that the trip was a success.
They built two wooden houses and one out of brick. The group broke out into 3 teams, each team to build a house. Clayton's team built one of the wooden ones.
He still has a week's worth of Spring Break to relax! Lucky guy!

Removing the stump

This took about another 5 hours

Rueben and I applying the finishing touches to release it from the ground

My little chainsaw could not handle the task. The chain is stretched and now a bit dull.

UsedVictoria.com is GREAT!

Debra took a few pictures of the pile, we put a "Free" ad on usedvictoria.com and within 2 hours the pile was gone. We have placed "Free" ad's for a few things on usedvictoria and it works very well.

Finishing taking down the tree

Thank you Gordon for the looooong ladder. I was safely tied off with harness and rope.
Still, it is a long way up with a chainsaw in your hand.

All the branches down and now the large limbs and the trunk to go.

Debra was at a safe distance and took these action shots. She also worked tirelessly with me so that we could have the tree down completely.

The tree had cracked a few years ago between the large limb and the other two. Recently it cracked between the two smaller limbs. See picture below

This would have come down in a heavy wind storm when all the leaves were out.
Last week took about 2 hours and today about 4 hours.

Mexico Update #1

We have arrived in Vicente Guerrero. The highlite of the day was the mayhem at the border crossing (keeping the convoy together). We have felt very safe and secure throughout our trip and we'll begin building houses early tomorrow morning. We've had inspiring messages from David (Principal) who encourages us to write the 29th chapter of Acts and by Pastor Brian, chaperon, about taking a step closer to God. We'll update again as our adventure continues (and as time allows!).

In Christ,

Missions Mexico Team 2009

Mexico Mission Trip

One of the families the Mission trip will help

The family are standing at what will be the four corners of the house.

Clayton left this morning on a Mission Trip to Mexico to build a few houses. The trip is organized by Pacific Christian School and the participants are all in Grade 12.
Please pray for safety as Mexico is a bit dicey right now with the violence involving the drug cartels.

Lower Mainland and the Island hit with snow again

Updated as of 9:30 am. Not letting up too much

From my office - 8:10 am

Nanaimo

Richmond heading to Vancouver - Hwy 99

Job that will take a few Saturday's

Our Robinia tree cracked a few years ago. We had it lashed together to allow it to heal. Today we looked at it and now it is cracking down a foot between two branches in the other direction.

We are taking it down before it breaks in a heavy wind. I need a longer ladder!

Sunday walk into downtown Victoria

The Rail Yards Cafe closed last fall. There seems to be work going on inside, but we do not know what will open in its place. It was a nice spot along the galloping goose for a bite to eat.

Nice spot to sit along the way. Notice the old propeller. The bridge on the left is the Bay Street Bridge.
Point Hope Shipyard drydock right across from the new Dockside Green development.

HMCS Oriole in drydock. It launches on Tuesday after undergoing a $300K replacement of the steel plates of the hull. It has been here since November.

Public Art in Bastion Square

Very interesting, very old tree in Bastion Square

It was too awful to contemplate a picture

It snowed overnight here in Victoria!! I could not bring myself to take a picture for all the world to see. It is hard enough admitting it here on our family blog.
Have a nice day! :)