They have a canon, big deal. I have a TANK! a Sheridan. 2010-08-01

They made the first bell in California for mission San Antonio 2010-08-01

This is 3rd mission that Father Serra established. He brought the people presents and the natives loved him unlike at San Luis Obispo when the natives SHOT AT THEM WITH FIERY ARROWS!
2010-08-01

At first, we thought the mission was going for a little realism with the soap-suds in the laudaraium...but a local express extreme displeasure when he viewed what vandals had done to the public fountain! ME? I was all for taking a bath. 2010-08-01

This millstone was made up of many stones and banded together with an iron band. I don't know if it was because they couldn't find a large enough stone to quarry or because this made for a better milling stone. Does anyone know the answer? 2010-08-01

The only wooden mission bell in California! 2010-08-01

This the 9th mission in order by Father Serra. It was one of the most prosperous because great climate and extensive irrigation. 2010-08-01

Here's something that I thought was really sad. After secularization, a rumor was started that the padres had been secretly mining gold for years. People swarmed the mission property and started to dig up the grounds looking for the buried treasure! It wasn't long before the entire property was taken over by squatters and destroyed. Gold was never found and it took years to rebuild the foundation. 2010-07-30

Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana was noted for its leather workmanship. Behind me are some of their preserved saddles. Because iron fixings were rare, they used leather strapings for building structures and support. 2010-07-30

There are two big years that affected all the southern missions in Ulta (upper) California. The first was 1812 when a major earthquake caused damage (some suffered minor and some major) to the missions. The second big date was 1832 when under the leadership of Mexico the process of "secularization" took place. The mission property and land was sold off to private owners to raise funds for the Mexican government. This lead to the collapse of the mission (the Cross and the Sword) system. 2010-07-30

Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana was founded in 1797 by Father Lasuen. It was named after a King of Spain. It was the 17th in order. 2010-07-30

Here's a model of the mission. After the Catholic church regained the Mission, the Franciscan Friars returned in 1892 to begin restoration under the guidance of one Father O'Keefe. Today, it is one of the few Missions that still has Franciscan Friars living on site! They even wear the habits like Father Serra did; only they are now brown instead of gray. 2010-07-29

Dad is standing by a copy of the signed document from President Abraham Lincoln in 1865 that gives the Catholic Church back the original Mission sites. 2010-07-29

This was the mission's open air laundry located in the sunken garden that the mission was noted for. The water flowed from the mouth of a stone gargoyle. YUCK! Father Peyri was a scholar and architect that really helped the mission grow. He deserted the mission when it was announced that Mexico would "secularize" it. 2010-07-29

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, named after the King of France (a pious man of faith), is known as the "King of Missions" because of its sheer size. 2010-07-29

Mission San Diego is undergoing some pretty great archeological digs. They've found awesome pottery and other artifacts from different periods of the Mission's history -- Spanish, Mexican, Secularization (even when the US Soldiers occupied the property.) The items they've found are on display in the museum part of the tour. 2010-07-29

Here are the five bells for Mission San Diego behind me just for you Jennifer! LOL! They call the bell tower a, "Campanario". 2010-07-29

This room was the Casa Del Padre Serra. This is now senior Casa del Benjowme since my parents are threatening to leave me here. Gulp! 2010-07-29

Here we are at the first of the Missions. In 1769, it was founded by Father Serra. Padre Jayme was the first Christian martyr in California at this mission.2010-07-29

At the end of the tour, what really stuck out wasn't how "Father this One" saved the mission by appealing to President Lincoln or "Father that One" saved it by renovating the mission for all the tourist. What stuck with me was how never once did I hear the name of Jesus mentioned; not once. I wonder how Father Serra would have felt about that? I bet he would have been really sad. I know the Holy Spirit is very grieved. Mom is still moping around. 2010-07-28

Two things that San Juan Capistrano Mission is famous for are the "Cliff Swallows" and the "Ringing Bells". The Cliff Swallows no longer return to the mission. The Bells, that use to ring for many occasions, rarely ring anymore but are still there. They are pictured behind me here posing. 2010-07-28

ENOUGH playing!....THEY had a Zorro exhibit that we got to enjoy.
2010-07-28

We are listening to an audio listening device and learning about the history of the mission. So that mom can take a break from talking. 2010-07-28

I'm at Mission San Juan Capistrano and I'm going to tell you about this mission.
OK here we go. 2010-07-28

An exact replica of the Liberty Bell. "What price liberty?!" I'm going to have a big, dizzy headache. 2010-07-27

Sometimes, understanding time-lines comes in handy. It's like understanding that as your dad is growing up in New York...your mom is growing up in California. They're living totally different lives, in totally different states, on totally different sides of the continent. That's what the history of our country is like. While our "founding fathers" were framing the Constitution of the United States and English colonies declared their independence in 1776, the presidio was built in San Francisco. By 1781, the fighting had ended on the east coast as the Americans won their independence from Great Britain. At the same time, many Spaniards lost their lives in the Yuma Massacre. (The Yuma Massacre happened when the Spaniards were trying to establish an overland route for their Missions.) In would be less than 100 years and the paths of these two lands would cross! 2010-07-27

The replica of San Gabriel behind me is quiet elaborate. It's found in the Mission's museum. "I am a giant among God's building." 2010-07-27

The open fireplaces and kettles were used for cooking. The California natives were the Gabrielino. I'm stirring atole...morning porridge made from barley. The nice meaty parts were at the bottom and the young Indian boys and girls who learned their memory verses were rewarded with these tasty morsels. Hmmmm...I better get busy or it's the watery part for me in the morning!! 2010-07-27

I'd like to think that Father Serra and I have come to understand one another at least a little bit. But...though I wouldn't walk quite as far in a dress I still pose better. 2010-07-27

This is Mission San Gabriel Arcangel it's Moorish influence can be in the walls, roof,and fortress
like appearance. It's kind of amazing when you think about it. This mission was built 5 years before the Revolutionary War! 2010-07-27

Pen Picture: An RV

A wagon equipped with 300 horses
A creaking, groaning Galleon Ship
A house that rocks, a house that rolls, a house that moves, a house that goes!

In case you think "repairs" means a break from school...I thought I'd treat you all to some examples of poetry from my language class. Before I'm allowed to "hit the waves", I have to hit the books. These are in keeping with our Missions theme.

A Rhymed Couplet: Matthew 28:19-20

Gently taking to all creation
Never forgetting the Lord's true mission

The crew (mom) hasn't been feeling well, so the Captain of the vessel (dad) decided to put into shore for some repairs on both man and machine. I decided to check out the natives and the wildlife. What better way to appreciate God's creation than to enjoy it for all I'm worth? 2010-07-25&26

Each Mission has a unique story. Here at Santa Ines is Pasquala, the young Chumash Indian girl who saved the mission from attack by non-mission Indians. Pasquala died from fever in her race to save the mission and she is buried here in the mission garden. 2010-07-24

I guess I'm still young enough to ask for directions. LOL!

This mission is used today as a retreat. 2010-07-24

This is one of the many bells that line the King's Highway. Santa Ines had one near the entrance. 2010-07-24

Moving right along the King's Highway, we arrive at Mission Santa Ines. 2010-07-24

"In 1769, the El Camino Real was just a footpath begun by the Franciscans and lead by Father Junipero Serra who was a deciding influence in establishing the Missions north from San Diego to Sonoma."

The road pictured in front of mom, is the one that Bautista de Anza traveled and it originally began from Guatemala to Mexico and then in the 18th century to San Diego and then on to Sonoma. These men felt it was God's calling on their lives to bring Y'shua -- Jesus -- and His gift of salvation to "all the world." "Spain" (the government) might not have financed it if there wasn't financial benefit (what earthly government is free from corruption?) However, many of the men (and women) who came...walked this road because their Lord called them to do so. In a way, El Camino Real -- the King's Highway -- is actually the road of sanctification. It's our day by day...moment by moment...willingness to obey God's calling and voice. To go when He says , "Go." To come when He says, "Come." To stay when He says, "Stay." The "King's Highway" is hard and lonely if we're looking for "familiar" to keep us company. However, if we're looking for the company of the King...and His Royal Children...we will dance the road with others who have walked it before us! 2010-07-24

This is a blacksmith. He is making nails but he also makes other important metal things. I asked him if he could hammer out a Mustang. He asked, "The shoes for a mustang?" I said, "No. The car!" He laughed and said his "to do" list was already three months out. LOL! 2010-07-24

The Chumash Indians did not now how to make pottery. The missionaries taught them.2010-07-24

From shearing the sheep -- carding the wool -- spinning to weaving -- the missions were self-sufficient with clothing and fabric. Mission La Purisima sold/traded blankets for goods. The woman on the weaver's loom is making a blanket from churro sheep's wool that is raised on the Mission. 2010-07-24

Julia Childs agrees with the Spaniards..."butter is better"! 2010-07-24

Step #4: One tortilla, ready to be enjoyed! 2010-07-24

Step #3: Frying it!

TA DAH!

Step 2: Then you have to roll it and squish it to a certain size.

Step 1: First you've got to crush the corn

This stuff makes the soap for cleaning clothes and such. The Chumash Indians used natural plants to clean their bodies. It takes a very long time to make the soap. It needs to be stirred and stirred and stirred...until thickened. Then you put it into molds. It takes two weeks to solidify. Today, the Mission sells the soap at the gift shop! 2010-07-24

This is all the candle-making stuff. They cut pieces of string...the wick and they secure it in the mold. Then they put wax into the mold. They'll wait until it cools and solidifies...this causes some shrinkage making it necessary to add more wax. When the candle finally cools, the candle is ready for use or sale. 2010-07-24.