My Life At Crossroads - 1 of 2

It all started my senior year in High School. My family just left FBC...now COTH...because of some stuff at the church. I stayed for a couple more months to help the new youth pastor with some transition stuff. But had to leave and join my family at CBC. So January 1998, I made the scary move. I knew Pritam and that's about it.

Ben Pitney, FBC's old youth pastor was the new youth pastor at CBC. SO it was a little easier to move on into the group. I knew I had to jump in feet first to start well. The HS Group was going to Mexico and me being kinda Mexican, I thought I should go. But yeah I knew that God had planned this perfectly. SO I had a couple months with the group before we went to Mexico. Matt Carver remembered me cause I was the guy that came onto his VCHS football bus, crying, and thanking them for beating us??? And for being good Christians:) (little did I know at that time)

SO, April of 1998 we went to Mexico to get my first taste of the mission field. We had a good team and we were going to put on a VBS, play soccer, and preach! This is where all the memories of CBC started. "Peaches" yeah, that was my nick name given to me but some "hot chick" while I was serving her peaches. "Strawberries", if you were there you know what I'm talking about:) "Coco Lima's" very good tacos! Camping, cold showers, the guys NOT taking showers, the BUS and so much more. God grabbed a hold of my heart and stuck it right in the middle of the lost and CBC!

That was it! CBC was my home. Another 'hot chick...Betsey", hired me as an Intern for the Childrens department. It was the best summer intern staff and we had so much fun! Bamboola was probably the best. All the interns painted each others faces and we had a great time. PS...kids really do pee and poo in the BALLS at Bamboola.

I have to say that our College Group starting that summer was amazing! Ben did a great job at bringing us together and making us a family seeking God more and more. We actually loved coming to the group on a Friday night and just being with each other. I thank God for that time in the college group.

POLAND!!! I think I have been to Poland 5 times! Yeah crazy! I can honestly say that the Summer of 1999 is where my ministry started. I had a chance to use my story to lead someone to Christ. I got to see that relationships built on trust and Christ makes for a great foundation. We did English Camps for Polish Students and in that built relationships. We ate, drank, slept, showered, played, learned, worshiped and grew closer to Christ! Each trip was awesome but I have to say that our first trip was the most memorable.

Africa was another beautiful country that I had a chance to go to and see how God is working there. Again we were the first from CBC to step foot in Africa. (It seems like, I'm always on the teams that go first???) The children of Africa...well...what can I say...they...umm...you really have to go there and see it for yourself. The children that we ministered to loved life because Jesus loves them. They have nothing but they have smiles on their faces because they have Jesus. AMAZING is all I can say.

In the middle of all this I was volunteering with the children's department with teaching, leading and even leading WORSHIP! Yeah you heard me right! I was also volunteering in the Jr. High Group. I served with Ben, Sean and Brian in the Student Ministry Department. But I had to quit when Brian was the head. I was starting a new chapter in my crazy life...

Betsey Alford came into my life like an Angel floating on a cloud. Beautiful, WHITE, perfect and everything that I wanted. But I didn't even know it:) Yes, she was my boss when I came to CBC. I dated other people. She dated other people:) We were on the first trip to Africa together and serving right along side each other. We worked well together and were becoming friends. Nanda was trying to rekindle the flame between my ex-girlfriend but God had another agenda. We came back to the U.S. of A. and Betsey and I were on another team to Poland. And that's where Betsey fell in love with me!!! We stayed a few extra days in Krakow, we had to share a room in a youth hostile, watch A.I....the worst movie EVER, and we had a Corona! Good times. We again came back home and that's when I started the magic. For the next couple weeks, we went out on dates but they weren't dates. Finally, at the FRENZY...so good by the way...we went on a drive all night talking about us. If we would last? When she would kill me? And just everything under the moon. We ended the next morning in front of my house with a kiss to seal the deal. It was perfect!

SO, I was dating an older woman. I WAS THE MAN! We spent the next year with each other and letting our families try to figure us out. I had the talk with her parents. I thought that I was going to walk in and Mike was going to be cleaning his guns and knives, but it was Jan that gave me all the trouble. She grilled me for hours! But I won them over in the end with my charm and good looks.

I took Betsey to Disneyland in November of 2002 and asked her if she would marry me and be with me for the rest of her life. And she said YES! It's been 5 years now and she hasn't killed me...yet.

I was involved with the non-church plant "church plant" at CBC called Crossings. I was involved with the Cafe and had a great time. There came a time where this "church plant" actually planted but we didn't go. Betsey was working and getting paid big bucks at CBC...lol...and we both felt God keeping us there. We got back from our honeymoon in Hawaii and Nanda asked us to help with another non-church plant "church plant" called Crosspoint...yeah that's what I said...and we said yes? (not to self: DO NOT start or get involved with a ministry your 1st year of marriage...no matter who asks you) That kinda flopped...really flopped!

Betsey and I had a chance to go to the Czech Republic and lead a team to do a VBS for Missionary Kids. Really good trip! The kids were amazing and we had a great time. I still remember this little girl who didn't speak any english and did not like anyone...except me:) She would cry and ask for me and give me this big ol hug, while patting my back. It was the best. But Chris Coggins was on the trip teaching all the kids how to write viruses for Macs and that's where we started our love relationship. How can't you love that big sexy head. He was the Youth Pastor at CBC that time. He was in charge of the College and HS. As we talked about everything I was telling him that I wanted to get back into youth ministry somehow in anyway. He told me to go back home, pray and we would talk 2 weeks later and see what God was saying...

We sat down at Togo's in June of 2004 and Chris offered me the JOB as the Jr. High guy. I didn't eat my lunch, that's how much it took me by surprise. I started August 1, 2004. I had some big shoes to fill and I had no clue what I was doing. But, I read a couple books and put my head down and made it work only by God's grace! We had a crazy fun year!!! I was working at Adobe as a building engineer at the same time so it made it even crazier!

In the next couple years we bought a condo, had a crazy kid named Dylan, and we were loving life and our little family was growing. I was loving ministry and having a bunch of fun! We went to YS in Dallas. I was learning a ton from Chris, myself and God was teaching me more that I was expecting to learn.

Chirs came to me in January 2006 and said he was going back to the Motherland...Texas...to plant a church. He was going to be gone in May and wanted to get me prepared. I don't think that was enough time to prepare me for the next 2 years of my life:) But that how God planned this crazy life and I just had to hold on! I didn't know I had the job until Chris recommended me as the next Youth Minister of CBC. The elders saw my heart and where I wanted to take the group. They said YES and told me to hold on...

As I started, there was a whole new team starting at CBC. Kyle, Brandon and I were the new guys and we were looking to the future. There was new and exciting things happening.

Student Ministries was taking new steps. Every major leadership change is big, weird and it takes some time to get comfortable. I stepped in and started running. Chris had some big shoes to fill but most of the kids were my old Jr. Highers and I was in a good place. Ministry was good. We were doing new things and making some mistakes. We were in Hume again, we started going back to Mexico, taking families to New Orleans, All-Nighers got bigger and better, leaders were getting BIGGER and better, and the ministry that was happening outside of church was even better. Jordan and I were running the Student Ministry and killin it! We worked well together and I love that guy!

Ryan came in August of 2007. He was the new Family Pastor and the old Youth Pastor of South Hills. I knew that he was going to be a great addition to our team. He was my new boss and I finally had someone that was going to be walking through ministry with me daily. He was the reason why Student Ministries grew and with his leadership and knowledge I looked good.

By the summer of 2008, there were major changes in CBC. Brandon was gone. Kyle was gone. I was wanting leadership and someone to step up in CBC and take us to a new place. By September of 2008, I had the whole school year of 08-09 planned and I was totally excited for the school year. This class that is graduating in 09 was my 1st class that I had as the Jr. High guy. I was excited to complete them as a class and pass them on. But CBC was in chaos and money wasn't showing up every Sunday.

God is good and his plan is always the best! God's timing will always rise above your timing!

Oct. 08 - Nov. 08 in the next blog...

Who's that person you want to slap?

SO, I like to play this game. Whenever we are on a trip or out somewhere with a group, I ask, who would you kill. Yes very extreme so over the years I have toned it down to who would you hurt:)

As I saw this video, I want to know, WHO WOULD YOU SLAP?

I have my list of people. I know that Jesus wouldn't approve of this but just for giggles. And yes, this post is way to close to His birthday but this video is great!

Happy Holidays!

Pandora - Internet Radio

www.pandora.com

If you haven't checked this website out yet...GO NOW! This site allows you to create your own radio station. FREE! You're not stealing anything but using the song within the website. Totally legit.

So you type in your favorite artist and the site makes a playlist based on your pick. You can sit on your computer and listen to your own radio station, without commercials, without DJ's you can't stand. Just music!

Go check it out and thank me later!

Give More Presence

More to come when I find my notes:)

Friends from Japan

LOL...so all day we were walking around CA. Adventure, I would turn around and see this group of girls wearing these hats. I told Betsey that I wanted to take a picture with them.

Earlier that we were at a India Team dinner and I was telling Elton, David, Kalam and Tom that we usually find people dressed weird and try and take pics with them. Usually they are of the Asian decent...I'm not RACIST!

LOL...so I went walking with my brother-in-laws and saw them! I said, we have to take a picture with them! As we got closer, there were some other people taking pics with them, as I looked around, there was a line to take pics with them! I'm telling the truth here people!!! SO we waited in line to take these pics...

Thank you friends from Japan!

Morales Family in Disneyland

Disneyland is the Happiest and the Craziest place on Earth! Betsey's family is NUTS about The Land and will go everyday if they could. SO, I have to show some excitement too:)

We went down there with her whole family. Jan, Mike, Tim, Sarah, Abby, Kate, Brandon, Livers and us 4! Yeah crazy but good. This was the best trip that we have been on in awhile.

Most of you know that I am without a job right now and money is tight. But God has totally blessed me and us with a family that takes care of our needs.

So let me walk you through our trip...



This is my favorite pic from the trip. Dylan can make himself go crosseyed...it's really funny. SO we were getting on this new ride in CA. Adventure...really good ride by the way...and he had his gloves and make this funny face. Killing me Dylan!



Jakey LOVES Mickey! So when we walked in his house and then took a pic with him, Jake bit his nose! If you haven't experienced a kiss from Jake yet, it's with a wide mouth and it's pretty wet, so this might be a kiss.



Our Family with Mickey!



The guys with Minnie!



The boys with Chip! If you can't tell the difference, Dale has a brown nose and Chip has a nose that looks like a Chocolate Chip, hence the Chip:)



Another one of his dorky faces...



Watch the boys!



Goofy!



SO...these pics are always fun! Put your camera on night vision, start spinning where there are lights in the back ground, press the button and SMILE! They are always good times!



My wife puts DOG LEASHES on the boys:( Yes she is that lady!



Another family pic!



The Morales Boys waiting for the new Toy Story ride in CA. Adventure



Another exciting trip to the Craziest Place on Earff!

Good Dylan + Beans = Disneyland!

Tonight was the night! Dylan has been trying to earn beans by being a good boy. We told him awhile back when we found out that we were going to Disneyland...with the whole Alford Klan...and so it was just something we were doing. So when he was good, we put some beans in, but when he was bad, we took some out. At one point we didn't know if he was gonna make it.

But tonight, tonight was the night that he got all of his beans! He has no clue that we are going to Disneyland tomorrow. I don't have a clue how we have kept it from him but we have:) Abby didn't even say anything to Dylan...yeah baby!

So tomorrow morning we are waking him up and telling him we are going to Disneyland with the Crazy Alford Family! Seriously...they are crazy when they smell Disneyland!

Anyways...I think we are cool parents and Dylans going to crap himself tomorrow:)

Comfort Food is so Comforting

Yeah, I know, FOOD again!

Anyways, I have to eat lunch!

Betsey made grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken noodle soup. I think this is one of the best comfort foods around. It makes me feel all warm inside and gives me all the sodium I need for a year.

The grilled cheese was American Cheese placed gracefully between 2 perfectly buttered & grilled sourdough bread slices! They were served to me not too hot and not too cold! Cheese was melted perfectly and just enough butter. The soup was good ol' Campbells Chicken Noodle Soup...salty as all can be! The soup was perfect for dippin the grilled cheese in!

Well, I just had to share that with you! Betsey is the best wife I have!

The Scale:(

So, after a LONG Thanksgiving and a week of eating, I was expecting to gain 20 pounds...at least...because I had to eat all the good food. When you put good food in front of me, expect me to get down! Thank you to everyone that has cooked for me:)

Anyways, last night I was just about to go to bed right after my last post. I was walking around the house turning all the lights that my lovely leaves on? Why does she leave ALL the lights on? I was locking all the doors...you know she leaves ALL the doors unlocked too...WHY???...back to the task at hand, my wife leaves the scale in the kitchen? (side note: I'll have a talk with Betsey later about out house) I jumped on the scale...not jumped cause I would kill it...and it said that I was 40 pounds lighter!!! It was 1am and I was a little tired so I tried it again. And YES, I lost 40 pounds.

So, I went to bed so happy! Betsey was snoring and I was watching Top Chef. As I started thinking about it, how could I have lost that weight? SO, I weighed myself again, and yes, I lost 40 pounds! Went back to be skipping:) Still didn't believe it, I repeated the process and yes, I lost the weight. I wanted Betsey to test it cause I didn't believe the weight was gone. I was buggin her and she finally said bring it in our bathroom and she would try it.

I walked into the kitchen and picked the scale up. Started walking towards the bedroom and I noticed there was a toy under the scale. I wondered if it was throwin the scale off. So I placed it nicely on the ground and placed both feet on the scale. And yes, I only lost a couple pounds. Stinkin toys! I'm going to throw them all away!

Who wants nuggets?

So...my love for chicken nuggets is unstoppable at times. McDonalds has nuggets that make my mouth water!!! (you have to eat them with their BBQ Sauce cause dark and creamy) I don't know if my mouth waters cause they are delicious or cause they are only 40% chicken? What's the other 60%?

Anyways...I saw this commercial and was crackin up! Nuggets do make me want to sing R&B Songs:)

Next time you are there pick me up a 10 piece!

Good Times

So...here is my late night with Jordan:)



Jordan text me earlier in the day just asking for prayer. Jordan and I have been doing life and ministry for over 5 years now. CRAZY! I love him like a brother and he is a close friend. As I have been leaving CBC, we haven't spent that much time together. So here was our chance. We talked about everything and had a nice meal.



We ate Pho...it's pronounced Fuh...white people say pho noodle. It's a delicious Vietnamese Noodle Soup. My wife hates it cause I smell like it when I get home but its really good. Just like any good food...you smell like it for hours after you have eaten it:)



As we sat at Pho, they were playing Dolly Parton Christmas music. So funny! I can't count how many times I have been in an Asian resturant and some silly music comes on. I was was wait for 2Pac's Christmas Album to come on next.



As we were jammin to Dolly, Asian church came in singing, playing music and asking for money for a missions trip. Which is pretty cool but they started the set off with Feliz Navidad! Yeah it was the best! Pure goodness! They were happy to serve Jesus so it was all good:)



We spent some time just talking then I got a bug to have some Krispy Kreme Glazed Donuts! If you have not had a fresh hot one, you have not lived life to the fullest as Jesus came to give us! John 10:10:) Anyways...Jordan said you won't! So we did! Yeah drove 20 miles to get there and have A donut. As my mouth started to water, we pulled off 101 and I saw that it was closed. CRAP! We talked about breaking in but there was a guy looking at porn in front of the store...weird. But the next big thing...



In N Out! A shake and fries...you can't go wrong. As we waited I counted all my pennies to have exact change. Rolled up to the window. Said something sarcastic to the youngster working at the window and she didn't think it was funny. A lot of people don't get me??? But the shake and fries we crazy good!




My song that I have been listening to right now is Fix You by Coldplay. Check it out!

All in all, I had a great time with Jordan. Late night dates with him are one of my most favorite things in ministry. Doing ministry with J-Money has been a total blessing. If you have had any contact with this man, you are truely blessed...take it all in! Thanks buddy...I love you!

ps...yes I still love my wife and kids! If you have watched Guy Love on Scrubs, you totally understand this blog.