Preaching Conference

This has been one long week...

It all started with the trip to Chicago on Saturday to go pick-up the boys from the Airport... Things were going according to schedule until the airplane decided to do a few extra circles around the airport and the luggage guys were having issues and the van overheated... But the worst part was the fact these boys were physically 2 hours behind the rest of us... Meaning we were tired and they slept on the plane... (in theory)

Sunday was pretty much a normal day, except for the new buddy Kirk made... Him and Seth are now pals... (Seth asked about you, not by name but by size...) That afternoon, they found Kelso and their week was pretty much set...

Monday, I got to go out to George's ("Any excuse is a good excuse to go t o George's." -- Steve Brady) with Mr. Kris Brandenburg... I enjoyed the afternoon with that branch of the family... Kirk did do the double take when he saw Dan Corey (Fairhaven's miniture version of him) and Glenn, Marlowe and I agreed that he looks like Pastor with a goatee... Glenn also made the observation that Brooke looks exactly the same only taller...

Tuesday was the competition day... Every one did a great job from what I understand... I only listened to the Preaching Competition and the Bible Stories... The sermon that night by Doctor Green on the Historicity of the Holy Spirit seemed to solidify the tone and theme of the conference as was pointed out by Pastor Whitecar on Thursday...

Wednesday was the Trip to the Cubs game... Unfortunately they were winning when we left, so the attitude was as dreary as the sky was... The key event of the day for me was the message from Pastor Unger that night... He preached on trials and the necessity of them... whether or not that was the point of the message that was what I got out of that besides getting to sit next to Melanie and Elizabeth... (smile)

Thursday, We, the California guys (-Sean, his choice, too good for us or something like that) went to go eat at a chinese buffet, was good like usual. Then came awards... Everyone did a good job like I stated earlier... Just a note of a couple of things... I usually do not like to judge judges, but I think there might have been some bias on a particular judge that allowed Kiandy to beat out Kirk for grand prize, maybe just an idea, throwing it out to munch on... (kidding of course)... 2nd was the unfortunate tactical, logistical error that cost James his placing... He did do a phenomenal job on the violin...

I even played a good game of basketball on Thursday night... It ended pretty late or early in the morning depending as you look at it... Kirk waited until Thursday night/Friday morning to pack... The alarm went off at 3:30 AM, we were on our way to the airport t 4AM with no major events, except some road construciton... Joseph and I tried to pay tolls for cars behind us, do a good deed, but none would follow us... Too bad for them...

Saturday was a return to normal day... Well almost, I got to play in the mud most of the evening that day... Woohoo, I think I did get something productive acomplished though... I better go check on it after the rain last night...

In conclusion, 10 good things from this week...

10. I got to see people from back home.

9. I got to shake Doctor Corkish's hand every service.

8. I got to be the only snorer in the room.

7. I did not have to march around the walls of Jericho like David.

6. Pastor Mallinack remembered me by name. (I hope that is a good thing.)

5. There was a tremendous amount of preaching on the simple subject of the power of God.

4. I scared Trevor.

3. Joseph has a new younger brother.

2. I got all my math homework for the rest of the year done.

1. I can do two laps in the pool now without stopping both crawl and on the back.

Looking just 17 days ahead (Glenn only 16),

Christopher Myers

Heroes of my Faith (pt. 2)

Sometimes in life people do really stupid things... I am one of those people... Sometimes you hafta make up for those really stupid things... So I am here to apologize for offending 1/2 of my second Hero. Mrs. Voegtlin. I sorrow over the fact that I have not properly praised the perfection of the meals you have prepared for me. I lament over the fact that you had to make the bed that I should have made, but did not. I fret over the times that I have rolled the window down and thereby got the seat wet. But nothing gives me more grief, than the pain that I caused you by calling you ugly. So, in an open public forum, I am sorry, apologetical, and other words the Thesaurus could come up with for it. I would be graveling on my feet for forgiveness if it would not have been to awkard to type at the same time, although the people in the Library are laughing at me... I guess that what I am trying to say is that I bit the hand that literally fed me and I will make it a conscientious effort not to do it again...

Now on to the Voegtlins together. One of the biggest blessings to me this year was right at the begining back in August when I went into Pastor Whitecar's session on ministry placement and he asked me why I was there. I said something to the effect of because I am supposed to be getting signed up for a ministry and he said that I did not have an option, Pastor Voegtlin already said that I was his. I had a little swelling of pride at that moment. I figured that I must have been some use to him, or that he liked to pick my brain, or something, but for that time I felt special. (But that is another blog -- inside joke) Now I know that I am just everybody's favorite picker-oner. But that is okay. They pick on me because they love me. Seriously though, I have enjoyed the verbal sparing with Mrs. Voegtlin, she is a quick thinker, has a lively attitude and her drive to do the best has and is an inspiration and blessing to me. I also enjoy diving into the shallow end of the conversation pool with the new Doctor every other Saturday. I know that my faith has been more thought through, I know that Speedway has the best Hot Cocoa, but dirty bathrooms, but above all else, you never fail to simply make me think slower and more thouroughly...

So in conclusion, to the people who have fed me, gave me a place to sleep, trusted me, did my laundry, given me rides, challenged me mentally, spiritually and physcially, and allow me to tease those two girls... I thank you, Heroes of my Faith...

Looking Forward to Next Week and May,

Christopher Myers

Heroes of My Faith (pt. 1)

I probably should finish my other series first before I start this one... But due to circumstances beyond my control (in otherwords it is my fault), I am starting it now...

A lesson I learned recently is that Heros come in pairs... And the first hero I would like to brag about are these two... Here's a dichotomy... My Pastor and his wife... One is really smart and the other blogs... Or rather one is smart and the other cooks... Or rather they are both at the top of the list of people who have influenced my life... I have always appreciated (sometimes not expressedly enough) all the things and opportunities and encouragements and food and clothes and lectures and knowledge/education and reprimands and on and on that he and she have given me over the many years...

I am thankful for the many things that they have done, just to be redundant... They have helped me grow, shapen me, given me opportunites, forgiven me, lifted me up in times of sadness and have always been there to help me...

I look forward to going home and getting yelled at on the basketball court, for not having my clothes ironed, but above all else... I look forward to being with two of the top heroes of my faith...

P.S. Don't worry I can drive well, and I will take good care of Kirk (and those other kids...)

Looking forward to less than a week and little more that a month...

ChrisTopher Myers

Candy Sale

I believe that this picture pretty much sums up the Candy Sale for me... I know that this picture was taken on the way back from the rally but I still believe it is fitting... Tired, too much sugar and a McDonald's cup...

Just some review... I went out Candy Selling several times this last month... Sabrina, Elijah, Barak, Chris, Travis, Christian, Diego, Cesar, Seth and Jessica... Phew... I am happy to say that all the goals were met, many miles were travelled, and the lady at the McDoanlds in Burns Harbor is really nice... Free Breakfast... MMmmm...

Secondly the rally, it went well. We filled the historic rotunda at the Indianapolis capitol building... Lots of people were there in support of the admendment... There were two crabby ladies who did not know that God loved them were there in opposition of the admendment... A few days later though, we all received an e-mail and it was in the newspaper... the admendment was denied access to the floor to be voted on... So now it looks like we will have to wait another year... Seriously though... It needs to be prayed for...

Lastly, White Glove is upon us here at Fairhaven... I get to cleanse the shower stalls... I am going to try and get the most toxic substance I can to cleanse them... Getting everything ready for the big Preaching Confrence next week... I am looking forward to having friends out here... You know who you are... even if they are making me get up at 4 am to take them to the airport... Grr... Seriously, pray for the Confrence as well... We cannot have success without God...

Looking forward to Preaching Confrence and May...

Christopher Myers