The days of summer have not been kind.  This has not been a hot summer, but strange summer.  As Sacramento is choking on the thick smoke of various fires caused by lightening, the smoke seems to make the days cooler and the sun red.  It is strange days to have days before a mission trip.  The apocalyptic sun makes one remember that days given are not guaranteed.  It has been a difficult June for me for various reasons.  I don't want to get into to all of it, but I do know there is spiritual warfare and the warfare with my flesh.  What I seem to take upon my own I ruin.  I give up and give it to God.  Then I want to take it back again.

On June 17th I arrive in Albuquerque.  I have a friend pick me up and go visit mi familia.  My brother was doing better and it was good to see the house full of friends and family.  I got to talk with everyone. I am  staying with my sister and get to see my sister's beautiful new house. 

June 18th.  That morning I sneak out early and go to Garcia's Kitchen right down the street to indulge my need for red chili. :)  I find out I'll be a pallbearer.  I use the day to get a jacket for the funeral, visit my brother, and meet up with a few friends.  I finally make it to the wake.  My brother has an hour alone with his deceased wife before others file in.  My brother leaves after that hour alone because he is overwhelmed.  I have never had someone I knew really well die before.  It was a very unusual and sad experience.  I got to see relatives I rarely ever see or talk to.  I give my Mom a hug and take the opportunities to tell those I love that I love them.

June 19th.  I go that morning to pick up my niece from the airport.  However, her flight is delayed.  I go to Starbucks, have a black coffee, and Robert Frost's first book of poetry "A Boys Will" on an ebook downloaded on my phone (I didn't take a book or Bible with me dang it).  I have a blessed time reading  and praying there that morning. 

Revelation (Part II)
            He resolves to become intelligible, at least to himself, since there
            is no help else;
        The Trial by Existence
            and to know definitely what he thinks about the soul;
        In Equal Sacrifice
            about love;
        The Tuft of Flowers
            about fellowship;
        Spoils of the Dead
            about death;
        Pan with Us
            about art (his own);
        The Demiurge's Laugh
            about science.

-Robert Frost

It is a very hot day and a difficult day to wear black.  My brother gets limos to take the family and eventually a police escort to take the casket.  The funeral is beautiful, happy and sad.  There are times of tears, times of reflection, times of laughter (from fond memories of friends and family), and times of Worship???  Yes, thats right. Singing Amazing grace, reading scripture, and listening to Mercy Me's "I can only Imagine."  From listening to Mary's (My sister in law's family) and friends I can assume Mary was probably a believer.  I hope. I know my brother wants to see his wife again in Heaven.  I comfort my brother and I pray that He will now think more about who God is and the afterlife.

June 20th  I am physically, emotional, and spiritually tired this day.  I hang out with my brother for a while.  Then I go to a bookstore with my niece and buy Billy Corgan's book of poems "Blinking With Fists" and Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray."  I go and read at a coffee shop for a while.  Then go to my Mom's house for some late night chili and beans.  My two brothers are there with a friend.  My other brother (the one who didn't lose his wife) and I have this dramatic and heated (eventually) discussion about politics.  I usually don't debate my brother about politics, but I was in a strange mood.  I still told my brother I love him. 

June 21st.  It is a mostly uneventful day that I eventually flew back home.  There is much I have left out of the story.  Like the fact that when I first flew down I brought with me in my carry on bag 5 In-N-Out Hamburgers for a friend of my roommates who was desiring for them back in 'burque. 

It has been a difficult June for many reasons, but I have seen many glimpses of God and God has let me see my family do some great things.  Thank you all for your prayers. They did have an impact on my brother, me and the rest of mi familia.