It is with great humility and pride that I am writing this article. As I am getting the handle on the many duties of being the Junior Warden. My hat goes off to all the past Junior Wardens and the great work they have done. I am thankful of the fact that there is many brothers in the lodge that I can count on for guidance in the performance of my duties. The one thing I have learned about Masonry is that it is a journey of continuous learning and exploring. On our indivuial journeys we are lead to several doors that we are able to choose to knock and have the door open unto us or continue on to the next one. This has been my experience as a Mason. In the attending of lodge meetings and other functions. In the form of learning the rituals, reading, and most importantly talking to the more experience brothers of the lodge. I have learned so much (and continue to learn) and have had may questions come up that lead to reading books to research the questions I had. I was told a while ago by our Worshipful that Masonry is a craft that will provide each brother with an itch. That will lead each of us on our individual journeys of discovery. Where that journey will lead is completely up to us as Masons. For me that itch is leading me on a learning experience of our history. In the months leading up to the installation qualifying in the opening, conferring, closing of lodge, and the proficiencies was a learning experience for me. Not just the memory work more important was discovering the why of what we do. Realizing that everything we do has a specific reason, purpose, and history. Learning these things has helped me understand the importance of the lodge doing the work. I understand why our more experience brothers are adamant about the work being exact, the importance of the proficiency (long form).

As we begin this New Year our Worshipful has planned an exciting and busy year for us. We have begun our weekly practice sessions on Fridays starting at 3:00pm. These sessions will be used to, not only for maintaining a high level of proficiency for the officers, but to also get our Apprentices, and Fellow crafts ready for their advancement. I would like to mention two of our brothers who are already taking advantage of this opportunity brother Joseph Afally, and Oscar Sanchez. These two brothers are really learning the work and will soon be ready for advancement.

Also the lodge is starting our Saturday fellowship. Our new grill is ready for use, the burgers and steaks with the all the fixin's are ready for consumption. The pool tables have been dusted off and ready for all you pool sharks. This is just the beginning the Lodge is planning some renovations that are going to make this area even more inviting for the brothers and our families. Just this past Saturday 01/09/2010 there were at least 15 brothers that came by and everyone had a great time. This is an excellent opportunity for the brothers to meet and relax and have great conversations. I can’t tell the number of great talks I have had with the brothers not to mention how much I have learned from these talks.

 I encourage you to come out and join us on Saturdays, so you too can join in these discussions, enjoy the fellowship, and good "eats" with you Masonic Family. Brethren, I would like to thank you for the honor and privilege of serving you as Junior Warden for this Masonic year, and look forward to seeing each of you at Lodge!