Kids
September 22, 2009
Rene taking the wheel
I couldn’t imagine how much work it is to take care of a kid until my baby cousin and god-daughter Rene came into this world eight months ago. I take care of her every once in a while. She’s adorable; especially, especially, especially when she’s asleep, has not pooped and when awake, not crying. I love the little munchkin.
“It kills you to see them grow up. But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn’t.” Barbara Kingsolver
Niagra Falls Road Trip
September 15, 2009
My cousin Jonathan at Niagara Falls, NY
Two weekends ago, I drove longer than I’ve ever driven before, close to 1000 miles (back and forth), that is to Niagara Falls, NY.
The GPS Navigator literally took my family, friends and I along the scenic route, that is through the mountains, even a few valleys and quaint old towns of Pennsylvania and upstate New York.
Whilst I was excited about the trip (and it was great!), nerd that I am, I was more excited about using my new Canon Powershot G9 camera which has been taking some impressive pictures as of late (thanks to that I’ve read the 200 page manual).
Akhenaton
Wedding Day
September 6, 2009
Last month, my cousin Aminta walked down the aisle in what was a beautiful wedding, well suited for a beautiful and spiritually-minded couple.
As she and her new husband embark on the journey that God has set out for them, I could wish nothing but blessings and mercies every morning in their lives.
Congratulations Minty and Cisco!
Click here to view some of the pictures.
Miss being a kid!
July 31, 2008
Earlier this month, I celebrated my 27th birthday. At the present time, three weeks later, it is yet to sink in that I am 27. In three years I will hit the 30-year marker! (SCARY) It’s fast approaching the time when I will start balding and my knee joints would not work as well as they used to; well, that’s what I’ve been told anyway.
It seems as though it was just yesteryear that I was celebrating my entry into adulthood at what was a surprise Birthday Party in Washington, DC. Now I am even closer to the 30-year marker. I am almost 3 decades old and my younger friends seem to enjoy reminding me of that; that I am now ‘old’.
As I look back at my life, I am often tempted to be envious of the years I’ve spent as a child where I had little responsibility but to eat, sleep and go to school (if you want to call those responsibilities). Food, clothes, airplane tickets and everything else all seemed to appear out of thin air. Bills? What bills? Work? What is work? All I knew is that my dad and mom went away for a couple hours every day and every material thing was there when I needed it. I miss being a kid!
Akhenaton
mail@pharaohsprotege.com
In Loving Memory
March 14, 2008
Seems like only yesterday that her laughter filled the air…
Dedicated in loving memory of my grandmother
Amy Diana Bindoo-Marcano
June 9, 1925 – March 14, 2000
Birthday Party
December 23, 2007
To view in FULL SCREEN, check out my YouTube Channel here 
…’till we meet again…
November 26, 2007
May the good Lord bless and keep you (dad), ’till we meet again…
If only I could think like a child (California Fires)
October 25, 2007
This morning I wished I was a child again. That was after watching a special feature on ABC’s Good Morning America on the smallest victims of the California fires: children.
I was humbled by the resilience of these kids and their contentment with the little that they had after having lost almost everything to the fires.
Their faces beamed with delight when asked about the “precious items” they were able to save. One spoke about her favorite blanket, another his stuffed animal. I smiled when another (no more than 4 years old) pointed to his brother.
The gratitude of these kids for life and family was unmistakable. With wisdom beyond her years, one of them commented that a home is “more than a structure, it is something that will always be in your heart. A home is family”. Another made a prophetic declaration: “we will rebuild!”
I am encouraged that in the midst of the ashes, unrelenting hope, contentment and resilience lives in the hearts of these children.
Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18: 3-4
Let us keep the families affected by the California Fires and other disasters in our prayers. More so, let us pray for the same measure of resilience that these kids have.
Want to help? Here are some resources:
Like early Spring…
October 11, 2007
Now that she’s out of the hospital and resting at home, my mom, like flowers in early Spring, is sprou
ting up again.
Though she is not completely out of the woods, prayers to the Almighty, hugs from loved ones and every other act of kindness are helping her along the way as she recovers.
To you my readers, I express the same sentiments. Permit me to add a thousand…no, a million thank yous for your words of comfort and prayers.
From my heart, to yours,
um…hello….God?
October 10, 2007
On the other end of the telephone yesterday afternoon was a relative of mine with some not so pleasant news. “Your mom is in the hospital” she said….”mild heart attack” she continued, after I briefly interrupted her.
On her account, she (my mom) “will be fine” and will remain hospitalized for observation for a couple days. Yet, I remain troubled. Troubled, mostly because she is my mom- even after she reassured me that she is “feeling good” when I spoke with her (from her hospital bed) last night.
Intuitively, I opened my mouth and started to pray. Started, then stopped. I did not know where to start, I did not know what to say. This was the case for quite a while. That was until I stopped trying to ‘pray’ and started to simply tell God what was on my heart:
“God, I’m scared and I’m at a loss for words. I need you to make her well. Please. I want to say ‘let Your will be done’ because that’s what I was taught, but (sigh) I rather MY will be done. I want to trust you… I really do! But that you can be such a mystery man when you’re ready…so unpredictable at times… I’m scared that Your will may not be my (or my family’s) will. Please increase my (our) faith in you as I (we) yield to that which you have planned for her life…our lives”
From my heart, to yours,
Akhenaton
Father-son bonding in Washington, DC
September 3, 2007
My dad and I at the National Geographic Museum
View of the Washington Monument from the Abraham Lincoln Memorial with the Reflecting Pool in the foreground
White House 
World War II Memorial
View of the Washington Monument from the steps of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Child sponsorship
August 17, 2007
Meet my new sponsored child- UPDATED 6/29/07
June 26, 2007
I learned today that one of the children that I sponsor from Honduras (Josselyn) cannot be located. It appears as though her family, without notice, moved to a new area.
The sad truth in Honduras is that in a community like the one she lived in, poverty often dictates that families move frequently to find better employment or even the smallest opportunity to improve life.
Because efforts to find her and her family have been unsuccessful, I was given the opportunity to sponsor another precious child from the same community.
Meet Obeth (pictured), she is 5 and loves to sing, dance and play with dolls. She lives with her mother who makes $137 a month as a factory worker in a city called San Pedro Sula in Honduras.
It brings me great joy to sponsor Obeth, however this is still a bitter-sweet moment. Please keep Josselyn and her family in your prayers.
From my heart, to yours,
Akhenaton 
Find out how you can sponsor a child here
UPDATE: JUNE 29, 2007. I spoke with one of the field workers yesterday and it was her understanding that Josselyn was abandoned by her family. As of today, there is no word as to where she is. Please keep her in your prayers. To the right is her picture.
Family
June 18, 2007
