Recital, hayride...

All right, I don't have too much time, but I'm going to post anyway. :)

The piano recital that I had yesterday went great, even though I stumbled a little bit in the middle part, I was amazingly able to keep going! Even with that mess up, that was probably one of the best times I've played that piece - Chopin Waltz in D flat, Op. 64 #1.

After the recital, we (my family, Jaclyn Ames - friend from work and neighbor, and I) came home and got ready for our church hayride. When we got to the farm that was holding the hayride, we were just in time for dinner. After a nice meal, we sat by the fire and talked for a while until there was space on a hay wagon. After going on two wonderful rides, we decided that was enough. Since it was somewhat cold out, we figured one good way to warm up was to play some games. We played link tag, sharks and minnows, and cat and mouse. Well that was about the end of that and poeple started going home. There was a homeschool family that we know that was there and after talking to them for about a half an hour, we came home.
I had a lot of fun and I'm especially thankful that the Koss family was willing to host it!

Driving

OK, since you all started the debate, what are your opinions about driving and avoiding getting cought by the cops?
Do you drive the speed limit?
Do you go as fast as you want and slow down when you see a cop?
Do you get caught and just manage to make it out with only a warning?
What about radar dectors?

So, what are the differing opinions?


Also, though it's hard to believe, I only need 150 more hits to my blog and I'll have a thousand since September 10! Amazing!

Annother interesting fact, I'll be 20 a week from tomorrow!!

A cool thing that my brother found

Well it's a website/plugin for iTunes so that what you play gets posted to the web, it's kind cool. The home page of the site is here.
My page that shows what I've played is here.

Let me know what you think, I think its really cool!
I'd tell you more about it, but I have to go to work.
~later

I don't have much to say....

Hm, I guess I'll start with what I did yesterday.
I somehow managed to sleep in until about noon, when I got up, and madly got ready to go. I showered, ate breakfast/lunch, packed a dinner, and got all my stuff ready for class this afternoon and work tonight.
At class (Ancient Church History) Mr. Pulliam gave a really neat presentation about the kings of Judah in the Old Testament times. They are great examples and can be redily compared to the people in politics today. Their lives have a lot of ideas and examples that we would be ashamed to admit we don't do. That was a great challenge to me and I'm very glad he shared. For the next hour or so, Mr. Calkins gave an overview of how to do research on the internet for information needed for biographies, reports etc. Since I'm by no means computer iliterate, I followed him all the way through. After class, I got in the car and drove to work. Somehow I managed to drive a standard transmission and eat at the same time. It wasn't easly done. :-)
I worked from 6-10 p.m. and as always on a Saturday night, it was slow. I hate it when it's slow, especially when I'm working as a cashier. There's nothing to do and you can't go home, so you kind of just stand around and wait for customers. Oh, and the time drags on and on and on.... If it's busy, the time flys by, and in no time, it's time to go home! Oh well!

Today, we had an interesting run-in with the authorities on the way to church.... Dad was driving, there's this big hill we drive down, and there was a "friendly" trooper sitting right at the bottom. He clocked us at 62 in a 45 mph zone. Yes, we were speeding, but comon! We were going downhill, in a 12 passenger van, and no sooner do you go down, then you have to go back up the other side, so you would slow down then... Oh well, at least I wasn't driving! (But if I was, I wouldn't have been going 62 either.)
The sermon by James Faris was great. He began a new series on Mark, starting with chapter 1 (duh) and he explained the basics of the book, for example: Mark focuses on 2 main questions throughout the whole book: Who is Jesus? What did he come to do? He also talked about how John the Baptist was sent to proclaim the comming of Jesus Christ.
Well I gotta go to choir practice...so I guess I'll stop there.

For all you with high speed internet

I just finished uploading a whole bunch of pictures to my picture gallery. There are pictures from all sorts of events over the last year or so. Everything from ECHO, Covfamikoi, and Nicaragua to ALERT pictures. Too bad everyone can't see them. :-(
(I guess everyone can see them, if they have the patience!)

So have fun looking at them, and let me know what you think!

Cramming is so much fun....

Ok, so I'm like the expert in procrastination. I have this writing class that meets every other Thursday. Class was this morning, and I really didnt start working on the assignments until Monday...
So with a lot of stuff to do, how do you get it done? You stay up till it's done - so much fun. The result of all this is that I went to bed this morning at about 6 a.m. and had to be up in time to be at class at 11!
Oh, well I'll get over it...

Oh well.

Sorry guys. I just got a little post happy. :-)

But since you are all faithful readers, I know you will read every single word (right?). Some of the posts are even hidden down a ways (hint the first one is on October 7th). Have fun finding and reading all of them!

Just in case you were wondering, I didn't just type all this up for the fun of it, most of it's for a writing class that I'm in. Posting it here simply makes a second use out of the same words!

A challenge to us all

Proverbs 10:9

“The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.”

This verse walks hand in hand with Proverbs 3:5-6 “5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.”

If a man expects to be secure on his path of life, he must put all his trust on the Lord. By living a life of dependence on the Lord, that man will become one of integrity, bringing glory to God in all that he does. Matthew 5:16 says: “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” The man who walks uprightly brings honor to God by his godly actions. By reading and knowing the Scripture, God will direct the steps to take in life, and even illuminate the path as Psalm 119:105 tells us, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

The man of malice and evil will surely be punished for his sin against men. A theme in Deuteronomy is to “purge the evil from among you.” As a man’s sins are found out, there will be people looking for his life. Proverbs 12:13 “An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble.” The more lies and sins the man weaves, the easier and sooner the righteous will catch him for what he has said or done. God punishes those who take crooked paths, for he is a just God and they have walked on the path of the sinner.

This is a very convicting passage that really makes me think about what I do. Is it pleasing to God? Am I walking as one of integrity on the straight path? God alone knows. I am constantly working to make sure that my actions display Godly character so that others may be impacted by my example to them. I pray that God will use me in teaching people to walk in integrity, both in my family and at work.

10-19-04 Tuesday

In the mail yesterday, I received some information that I had intended to give to Belcezar at the meeting last night. Unfortunately the mail had not yet arrived when I had to leave. Since Belcezar left to go back home today, I was left with the only option of getting up early. I took the information to him at 7:30 a.m., gave a brief description of what it was, and said one final goodbye. I was immediately off to work, since I had to be there at 8. I did get there right on time, which is amazing considering the drive that I had to take to get back to work. I was working an 8 to 2 shift in Customer service. Like most mornings, it was very slow. I was able to get everything done in the first hour or so that I was there. After that, I was limited to standing around waiting for customers to come, needing assistance. I did a lot of returns today, in addition to selling many lottery tickets. When I got off at 2, I came home and started to work on the multitude of assignments that I have not as yet finished for Thursday writing class. The biggest project was to find a fellow classmate to write a profile about. After calling almost everyone in the class, I was finally able to get a hold of Savanna Edwards. No one was previously going to write on her, but now I am. I just have to get together with her and get all the information that I need.

10-18-04 Monday

Oh how much work I have to do! If only we could sleep while we were doing something else! I got up sometime late in the morning, I’m not sure exactly when, and worked on a few assignments. Then it was time to pick Kevin up from school because the weather was bad. I brought him home where he changed his clothes and got ready to leave. We then drove to his 1:30 p.m. class at BRANCH, the home school group in which most of our family is involved. I came home, took my shower, and ate my lunch. For the rest of the afternoon I worked on some of the many assignments for class on Thursday. At about 6 p.m., I left for the monthly NRN (Nicaragua Resource Network) Belcezar Committee meeting. NRN is the organization that I have gone to Nicaragua with four times in the past. They have a commitment to supporting four different pastors and their various ministries in Nicaragua. The Belcezar Committee oversees the needs of Pastor Belcezar who has eighteen daughter churches mostly in the western end of Nicaragua. Tonight was a very special time because Belcezar was here in Indiana for the week and came to the meeting! He started by going over needs of most of his churches. Some need as much as the land purchased and the building built, others need as little as windows or doors on the existing building. Next he gave an overview of the needs of the pastors at the churches. Some of the pastors are so poverty stricken that their children are not even able to go to school. There are so many needs, but we must look to God for guidance. The meeting ended with a wonderful time of prayer for Belcezar, his family, and the ministry in Nicaragua.

40th Anniversary!

Today is a unique day in the life of the church. It is the 40th anniversary of the beginning of this congregation. To start off the day, during the Bible School hour, there was a slideshow featuring the ministry of the church in its young days. Next we held a time to honor the 5 elder Elders serving the church. These five men were Dr. Blackwood, Bob Heimberger, Ken Thompson (no longer living), Carl Stoicheff, and Don Fulk. They have been serving the church from anywhere near 30 years all the way up to 40 years!

In the morning worship service, Ken Smith, a guest preacher, spoke on “The Next 40 Years in Christ at 2nd RPC … Together.” His main focus was how as a church, we must work together as a body to remain strong for the next 40 years to be successful.

The evening service contained Ken Smith preaching again. This time his topic was “The Next 40 years in Christ at 2nd RPC … Alone.” The subject of this sermon was that each of us makes choices individually that affect the church. Choices that I make today and tonight will affect the path my life takes in the future. I must take control of my life, under Jesus Christ. What will be the testimony of my life in 40 years?

Following the evening service there was a wonderful reception downstairs including a “museum” of old pictures and memories. These pictures cover the whole of the 40 years of the ministry of Second Reformed Presbyterian Church – 1964 to today.

The memorial services....

I really should try to have something a little bit more interesting and uplifting on here, but I'm going to say one more thing about Elder Thompson.
The Memorial service was held at the church where I go, the same as the one Elder Ken Thompson served. It began about 11 a.m. on Thursday the 14th of October. To start it off, we sang a few Psalms - 90, 91, and 23. Then Pastor Johnston gave a breif biography - Born 1924, served in the navy during WW2, married and had 3 children, had sucess in buisness, became an active member of the church - elder and later moderator of the presbytery, died 2004 october 11. He was an avid fisherman and Master Gardener and used these talents to God's glory and to build lasting relationships with many around him. He frequently worked on the church grounds helping it become beautiful, eye-pleasing and most importantly glorifying to God. "Ken's Crew" to this day still maintains the church grounds. Next the grandchildren came up and shared a bunch of their best memories of Grandpa. After singing Psalm 127, my Grandfather, who was Mr. Thompson's personal best friend read a poem and shared memories of their wonderful times togeter. Pastor Johnston and Blackwood respectively then shared the testimony from the church and Scripture of Ken's Life, Death, and Eternal Life. Lastly we sang from Psalm 84 and 72 as a doxology.
The graveside service was even more touching, and led to realization that it's over. After a few comments from the pastors, a couple Navy guys played the bugle song that they play to honor those who have died, then they folded and presented to Mrs. Thompson the flag that had been on the casket. That was the most dificult part, realizing he really was gone. Then it was over, we all left.
He will be missed by a great many people, and I'm no exception. God greatly used him in my life to develop a love for gardening, fishing, and the LORD. He was a great example to all of us of what a Godly man can accomplish. It's hard to see him go, but that was God's providence, and now I have one more great reason to look forward to going to Heaven.

Will I have people that say the same things about me when I die? I sure hope so!

Give it some thought, what will people say about you when you die? Will it be good things? How will you have impacted other people's lives for good?

More info regarding Elder Ken Thompson

Details about the arrangements:

Elder Ken Thompson went home to be with his Lord, Monday morning October 11, 2004. We praise God for Ken's life, witness and service in the church. He will be deeply missed. Please pray for Christ's comfort for the family. The viewing will be Wednesday, October 13. The funeral will be Thursday, October 14.


Feel free to contact me for any more information...

Sabbath Morning Service

Dr. Blackwood - "For Whom Will You Vote?"

There are 6 essential qualities that we must look for in any candidate that is running for public office – Jesus Christ is the perfect example of all these.

1. Respectability / Dignity
We need men in office that we can be proud and not embarrassed by.

2. Near Relationship

3. Wisdom
Have a good grasp on current events, and on history.

4. Power
Daniel 2:20 “…Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:” Operate on a minimum of organizations, but gets things done.

5. High moral excellence
He must be morally pure. Wise laws, good motives and just dealings can not make up for unmoral conduct. A nation with a corrupt leader will soon destroy itself.

6. A person who genuinely loves people.


Commit to evaluate the character of anyone that you vote for, comparing him to God’s standards in the Bible.
God’s standards are the absolutes.
How can you believe a book of physics / politics / any school book, but not believe every word of the Scriptures the same?



What do you think? Let me know.

Sabbath Evening Sermon

“Now concerning the Collection for the Saints” – 1 Corinthians 16 – Pastor Johnston

Be concerned for the wellbeing of Christians. Not only RP Christians, but all Christians around the world. This should deeply concern me and be a part of my prayer time. Have a heightened concern for the rest of the Christian community. There are things we can do, even though there is a limit.
1 Corinthians 16:1 “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him …”


Be ready to go to help, and at least sending help, and at the very least, pray for them.
1 Corinthians 16:12 “As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.”


Verse 13 is a very good description of elders and masculinity – what it is to be a man.
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”


Verses 22-24 are probably one of the most passionate, loving ends to any one of Paul’s Epistles.
22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.


In your daily and weekly walk, consider how to help those in the church – financially, by encouragement, through prayer...

10-11-04 Monday

It came as a shock to me, but I should have been expecting it any day. Elder Kenneth Thompson died this morning at about 9:15 a.m. He went home to be with his Lord in Heaven. He has been in the hospital for the last month or two fighting infection and stomach cancer. It seemed to those who were present that Mr. Thompson was waiting for his family to gather around him and say goodbye. Pastor Johnston prayed and quoted from Psalm 23 as Mr. Thompson breathed his last. Dr. Blackwood was also present and he reminded the family to “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” – John 14:1-2. We praise God greatly for all that Ken accomplished throughout his life. The long list of his ministries include his witness and service to the Church, to young people, and to his own family. Ken Thompson will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Continue to pray for strength for the family.

To the memory of Ken Thompson...

This is an email I just received this morning concerning one of the elders in the church. He has been in the hospital for at least a month and I / we will dearly miss him. :(

~Brian~
------------------------------
Dear Friends,

The Psalms tell us, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

At about 9:15 a.m. the Lord took our friend, Elder Ken Thompson, home to be with Himself. It was as if Ken waited for his dear wife, Ann, and the children to gather at his bedside to say good-bye. Pastor Johnston prayed and quoted Psalm 23, as Ken breathed his last and quietly went home to be with His Lord. Later, Dr. Blackwood reminded the family of Jesus' promise, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:1-2. Pastor Johnston read II Peter 1, which Ken often quoted and was recently on his mind. His son, Joe prayed a closing prayer.

We all praise God for Ken’s life, witness and service in the church. He will be deeply missed. Please pray for Christ’s comfort for the family and that the Lord would be exalted in Ken’s funeral. Arrangements are pending. We will let you know when details become available.

Thank you for praying.

Sincerely,

Pastor Rich Johnston

One Month

So, its been one month since I put a counter on my page......and I have over 500 visits! That just goes to prove that people really do read my blog! That's cool!

10-9-04 Saturday

Even though I have a lot of homework to do, I decided it was worth my time to go to workday at the church. Michael (my older brother) and I arrived about 1 p.m. Michael went right to work trying to repair and adjust several problems on the sanctuary sound system. I decided to go outside and help Carrie, the main person who has taken over caring for the church property. I helped with several odd jobs that included pruning several trees, bushes and flowers. After about 3 hours, Michael and I left to go to Josh Bright’s house for a time of fellowship, dinner and to watch a few movies. Initially we had planned on going to his house in Lafayette, but earlier this week he broke his ankle in an accident. He was riding his bicycle and ran into a car. God protected him and all that was injured was his ankle. After surgery, his parents decided he should come home for the rest of the week. Josh was very glad to have some of his friends over to visit. Dinner was great and then we watched two wonderful movies – Behind Enemy Lines and The Italian Job. Josh appreciated us taking our time to visit with him, especially because of his injured ankle, which is rapidly getting better.

10-7-04 Thursday

Originally I was somehow scheduled to work this morning, but I had other things I had to do. First of all I had an appointment with Dr. Jay Hughes, my orthodontist. He examined the progress on the movement of my teeth and changed a few things on the wire. There was not much he had to do today and he said to make the next three appointments. At the third appointment, December 22, I will get my braces off! I’ve had them for more than two years now and I will be very glad to have them removed! The other big thing I had this morning was writing class with Mr. Pulliam. It was one of the better classes I have had because I did amazingly well on the tests today. I got 105% on the Dante: The Inferno test! Also I got 100% on the spelling test! When class was over, he gave an assignment that will take a lot of time. We have the usual journals, reading, report on the book, and memory verse. In addition, we have a profile on a fellow student and a profile of a political race in Indiana! All those assignments will take quite a bit of time over the next two weeks! After class, I came home and began working on some of the new assignments in addition to some of the other homework I have.

Annother lovely assignment

Dante – The Divine Comedy: Hell

“Midway this way of life we’re bound upon, / I woke to find myself in a dark wood, / Where the right road was wholly lost and gone.”
This expertly written book begins with the author, a character in the story, walking along a road. The time period is 1300 on the morning of Good Friday. A leopard, lion and she-wolf each prevent him from traveling the road any further. Virgil, who has been brought out of limbo at the request of Beatrice, meets Dante along the road. Virgil becomes his guide, and they begin the path on a different road toward Hell. This allegory says in part, that human reason can guide him back to faith – up to a point.

When they arrive at the gates of Hell, they read the inscription on its lintel. “Through me the road to the city of desolation, / Through me the road to sorrows diuturnal, / Through me the road among the lost creation. … Lay down all hope, you that go in by me.” This is, in short, a description of the whole of Hell. After the two poets pass through the first circle, they are now at the feet of Minos who sits as judge, sentencing each spirit to a different circle for their different sins. Once they are in the second circle, they are in Hell proper. As they continue through each of the nine circles in hell, they come across many people that Dante recognizes from Florence, his home.

Through out the whole of this masterpiece, Dante fills it with the minutest of details. Canto 13 is one of the most detailed and is thus a great example of the many facets of Dante’s work. In the midst of circle VII are those who acted violently against themselves, primarily in committing suicide. The spirits who “are turned to trees were human once,” but due to their violence to themselves, they are forever confined to grow as a tree in this forest. Virgil goes as far as to have Dante break off a small branch to get the tree to talk. The tree, which is much personified, tells Dante the story of how he came to be growing here. Each spirit is like a seed that “Minos dispatches … down to the seventh ditch.” “It falls in the wood; … and where it falls, it sprouts like a corn of wheat…” All spirits who are confined to the forest are “Borne on the thorn of its own self-slaughtering shade” and remains there forever.

Though I started reading this book with the idea that it would be boring, I have amazingly come to enjoy and learn from it. Dante was such a great writer, even though his life was over 700 years ago. His brilliant description of Hell was so enlightening that I now have the desire to read the rest of his Divine Comedy. Dante clearly had a wonderful insight into the topic of Hell. It is a mind-enlightening tale that I never would have read under normal circumstances. Once Dante and Virgil in their travel through Hell get to the center, “He first, I following; till my straining sense / Glimpsed the bright burden of the heavenly cars / Through a round hole; by this we climbed, and thence / Came forth, to look once more upon the stars.” They had reached the end of Hell and now began their ascent up towards Heaven.

The most life changing experience over the summer

Sorry this is so long... but its an assignment I decided to post. Not that I'm any good at writing or anything. :)


To pick one single event that occurred over the course of the summer that was the most life changing is a difficult task. I could start with my time in Basic Training at ALERT (Air Land Emergency Resource Team) from February to April, my first car accident on June 24^th or the many hours I have worked over the summer. Or I could begin with the bike trip from Indianapolis to Calvin, the Reformed Presbyterian International conference and Ted Donnelly’s wonderful sermons or Matthew Toppers challenge to young men. I have grown so much during this year. God has certainly used this year to help to mature me into the man he desires me to be.

Making it a little simpler, I will keep it to the RP International Conference in July. It began for me with a 300 mile bicycle ride over the course of four days. God graciously allowed all 35 riders to make it to the end, but not without plenty of sore muscles. The conference began on Saturday night, July 24^th, and continued until the morning of Friday the 30^th. This week long conference was packed full of wonderful things to learn and do. The most influential activities were the daily sermons on the Callings of Christ given by Ted Donnelly of Ireland.

The topics ranged from Called by Grace to Living out our Calling and Called to Glory. Each of these great sermons went directly to the heart and demanded application into my life. Many of the applications include self examination and require continual recollection to entirely sink in. I need to understand that no matter what I do; God is always working to make me holy. How often do I look for chips in the armor of my brothers in Christ? The weaker I become, the more clearly I will see Christ holding my hand; leading me to the end and closer to Heaven. When I get to Heaven will I be able to honestly say that I fulfilled my calling?

Now as I go on in life since that wonderful conference, I realize that it is hard to apply these great principles to daily life. I must rely on Christ to do it in me. 1 Peter 5:10 says “after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” I am thankful that God does not expect me to do it on my own, but I must constantly remember these truths that I have learned. As a result, my life will be more full and better pleasing to God.

Proverbs 15:13

Proverbs 15:13 “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”

Luke 6:45 – a good parallel verse – “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”

The meanings of these verses are very obvious. If you have peace in your heart, your life will give evidence to that. If your heart is in an uproar, you will have conflicts with others and God.

The attitude of one person is contagious. Many times, I have been around people with a gloomy outlook on the future. I am a Christian so I have the hope of going to Heaven when I die. People see that hope in my smile and character and they wonder what is different about me. If only it was that easy to explain to them!

As a side note to everything else....

Somehow it feels weird knowing that in one month from today, I will no longer be a teenager. It's not that anything will really change, it never does. But I'll be 20, what a weird thought. I wonder what this next year holds for me?
Also the president for the next 4 years will have been elected. Wow it's all coming up fast! Next is Thanksgiving and Christmas!

10-5-04 Tuesday

To continue a trend that I started last week, I got up at about 7 this morning. Not only did I get up because I had to be at work at 8, but also because I have seen that I get more accomplished in the morning. After a quick shower, I uncovered the zucchini plants that I had covered last night to protect them from the frost. They seemed to be doing just fine. I also uncovered the chrysanthemum that I had sheltered just in case. By that time I had to eat my breakfast really fast and run out the door to get to work. As scheduled, I worked from 8 until noon in Customer Service. Afterwards Mr. Kiser, the grocery manager, asked me to help him stock some things with him. Staying another 2 hours, I stocked a lot of 6 ounce yoghurt and filled the milk and eggs. I usually call when I am just about ready to leave to see if I need to get anything, but today the phone was busy. When I got home, I found out that I needed to go back and buy some carrots and potatoes for dinner. Finally when I got home again, I was able to start on my school assignments for the day, especially that which is due on Thursday.

10-3-04 Sabbath

Today was another one of those rare days when we actually got to Sabbath school on time! For one thing, it was because I was responsible to run the sound system. Pastor Ed Blackwood from Southside Reformed Presbyterian church led the class on the topic of “what is a church?” The most interesting thing I learned is how the church is not the building, but the people who meet there.

For the morning service, James Faris spoke using the topic “Of Him they will ask the more” from Luke 12:35-48. He gave many convicting points, but the biggest thing that hit me was to contemplate what kind of return I am giving for the investment God has made in my life. Am I living up to my name as a Christian? Here in the United States, I have been blessed with much more than many people in other countries. How am I using the abilities I have been given? I pray that as I go about my daily responsibilities that God’s glory will shine brightly through me. This is one way that I can bring a good return for God’s vast investment in me.

10-2-04 Saturday

Even though I went to bed pretty early last night, I slept in quite late today as well. Getting up at about 11 a.m, I ate some breakfast and showered before I left for Dr. Blackwood’s Ancient Church History class. Kevin and I got to class on time at 1:30 p.m. and then started on the quiz. The quiz covered the material that was taught in class last week. I am sad to say it, but I did not do too well on the quiz. Next time I think I will spend a bit more time studying. After class, Kevin and I drove home and then ate dinner. After a while, Michael, Kevin and I watched Mission Impossible: 2, a movie that Michael had checked out from the library. I do not think I will watch it again. The main character, Ethan Hunt, who was played by Tom Cruise, made a great use of technology. The antagonist also used a lot of high-tech gear and they managed to confront each other quite a bit through out the duration of the movie. Towards the end, Ethan is required to make a decision between what he knows is right and protecting the heroine. In the end he is able to save the heroine’s life, as a result of his self sacrifice.

10-1-04 Friday

When I finally got up between 11 and noon, I had somehow contracted a cold. Colds somehow manage to make you more sleepy than normal. Considering I had planned on being up at about 8, I blew a majority of my day sleeping. Unfortunately sleeping is not an optional commodity. The best thing you can do to recover from a cold, even though I don’t have extra time, is to sleep. After I ate some breakfast or lunch, I had about an hour to work on my piano. After a rewarding practice time, I got ready for work. I was able to work even though I had a stuffy nose. Towards the end of my shift at about 8 p.m, I started to feel pretty bad. I knew I was the only one available to close the front office, so I was able to stick it out until I got off at 10. When I finally got home, I went to bed very quickly.

9-30-04 Thursday

After working a long shift from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m, I came home and ate dinner. In a little while, I decided it would be a great idea to watch the presidential debate. So at 8 p.m. when it started, I turned on the TV, a rare occurrence in our house. By the time the hour and a half debate had finished, I had a new perspective on Kerry. Though many people say that he won the debate, I now know why I disagree with him on so many points. And to make it worse, during the debate he changed his views on multiple important issues. I do not understand how anyone could vote for a candidate with such unreliable positions. President Bush did look tired, but the content of what they each said was drastically different. Bush stayed very strongly on what he has said in the past and is a man of integrity. I do not have to think very long to decide who to vote for in the Presidential race. However, the gubernatorial race is not so clear cut.

9-29-04 Wednesday

So far this week, I have tried my best to get up about 7 a.m. I find that by doing this I can start the day off with my quiet time and then go on to other things. Going to bed earlier at night is not easy, but getting up in the morning is even harder. I still get about the same amount of sleep, but I find that I am much more productive.

After lunch, I took Kevin to the Davies house for his math class. While I was waiting, I went just down the street to our church building and worked for about 2 hours cleaning up the property. I trimmed two trees, picked up trash along the street and blew leaves off the parking lot. By that time, I had to go pick him up and we went home.

From 6 to 8 p.m. I was at the Marion County Master Gardener Associations’ monthly meeting. This was the first evening meeting they had and it was a trial to see how great the interest was. There was a very good turn out and it will likely be done again. After getting some nibble food, I looked at the many displays that were set up detailing the numerous volunteer opportunities available to Master Gardeners. For the last hour, they had a speaker who talked about pleasure gardening. He described the many different landscaping plants he uses; almost all are tropical and do not live through the winter. Since he has to replant every year, he has the chance to have a new design every year. The many pictures that he showed were very helpful for giving ideas that I may use in my own landscaping. I hope to be able to go to the next meeting in October, since this one was as helpful as it was.

For what this is worth...

Heart of Gold


What is Your Heart REALLY Made of?
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