May Diary

 May in Colorado

 Oregon's SDA Men's Choir on the beach

 Canoeing to Folsom Prison on the American River with Rob. Didn't see Johnny Cash.

Siberia in Colorado in May 

New Idea: Since my wife left for Africa I’ve been writing her almost daily. Not long, but just informing her about my day. In my mind, my days are pretty boring, but everybody wants me to write so here is what I am condensing from my communiqués with my lover.

May 1, 2013

We've got eight inches of snow on the ground and it is still snowing. This is more snow than we’ve had in the other snow storms. I prayed all winter for more snow, too bad the answer to my prayers has to come in the summer. Well, almost summer.

Steven Grabiner is asking me to change my ticket to Riverside so I can be there on time for the board. OCI will pay up to $500 to change the ticket. I'm truly grateful. I really didn't want to miss this board meeting. There are issues that need to be address while I am there. (Sorry, can’t tell you what they are.)

May 2, 2013.

I'm sitting at the airport on my way to Portland for the North Pacific ASI Convention. I get to preach on Friday. I aim to use the sermon I preached at the Southern ASI Convention. Today it is sunny. It snowed nearly a foot yesterday, but I assume it will be gone before tomorrow, except for the mud, of course.

Yesterday, Albert, our big lifestyle guest ended up in the hospital, today it is Harold’s turn. They both have heart conditions and I guess it is pretty serious with the two of them. (By the end of the 18-day session, they were both feeling great. Albert, who says he never cries, caught himself crying twice because, in his word, we saved his life.

Some of you know Laura McNeilus. She spent two years with us at Riverside. Now she needs our prayers. Unless the Lord works a miracle, her cancer will claim her life.

The Past Presidents of ASI and I had a meeting yesterday. The meeting went well, but I am somewhat frustrated because we didn't come to a conclusive plan of action. We will meet every second week until we have something concrete to present to the board. (We met again yesterday, and I am totally encouraged. It looks like we'll have a concrete, practical, workable plan to re-energize ASI by Tuesday, May 21.)

Deniece Van Order's new husband, Barry, called me yesterday. He wrote a book on the Godhead and wants me to critique it. He talked to me for 20 minutes about the book. I am very impressed with his intelligence. Whether he is balanced or not, I do not know, but he definitely is smart. (I now have the manuscript and reading it. Well written, intelligent, I am learning some things, but I will have some things to suggest when I’m done.

May 3, 2013

Slow start to the ASI North Pacific Convention. Lots of people to talk to. I heard a really good presentation on leadership by a man named Will Roche. He didn’t do as well with a sermon he preached. The one weakness with this convention is that the crowds attend the meals very well, but not the meetings. I guess sunshine in Oregon is kind of a novelty.

I hear Tim Riesenberger has attracted a good crowd (about 100) Friday night at EVI. He will be back to EVI in November.

May 5, 2013

The North Pacific ASI Convention finished this morning. I had a good time. It was nice to spend time with Harold Lance and Henry Martin and many others. Everyone is so surprised at the weather. Apparently, this never happens on the Oregon coast. It has been sunny for three days in a row, and there is no sign that it will rain before I go home tomorrow. Praise the Lord.

Seaside is a tourist trap like Estes Park in Colorado. Only, it is a big beach and everyone in Oregon is on the beach. (Slight exaggeration.) It is still in the 80's Fahrenheit.

I was given 30 minutes to speak about ASI National. I took fifteen minutes, gave Harold and Ramon five minutes each and called it a day. The Lord blessed.

I was suppose to go visit Norm McDougal today, but Leasa couldn't get those guys to respond. She did speak with Mel, but no appointment was organized. So, I am here for a day of vacation. Except that instead of vacationing, I have already prepared three sermons for Maine. I only need four. It is only twenty to twelve-- noon. So, I believe I have time to get the last sermon done.

May 7,2013

I believe I missed a day or writing. I had little time, yesterday, I had to get traveling immediately. The travel was inconsequential. All went well. It took me three hours to get from hotel to airport. My time in Oregon was beautiful from beginning to end, but kind of boring, however, being alone. I prepared four sermons. Actually, I re-worked three sermons for Maine, but prepared a new one for EVi. Still it took me all day.

Today, I was up at 3:40am. Less than six hours sleep. I had to preach three sermons today and I didn't feel like I did a good job of it. Oh well. I'll be preaching a Copper Mountain this weekend. I suppose David Katsma will come with me since both our wives are missing.

I chaired a Search Committee today to find someone to take Ramon Chow's place at ASI. We settled on three names. Tomorrow, I will call the three to see if they are interested, If they can travel, if they are accountants, if they know who ASI is, and if they would send me their resumes—CV’s. (I contacted them, they are all interested.)

Julie found a special price on a flight from Kelowna to Whitehorse for $260 return and wants me to come. Well, I'm going to try for one week in June. I hope this works. (It worked. PTL.)

May 8, 2013

I had to change my ticket from Maine to Denver because I leave for Zambia on the day I leave Maine. I am creating a huge mess for them over there because I was suppose to preach on the day I left also, and now I leave too early. Oh, I wish I didn't do that to them, but no choice.

We have two little girls from Southern University for one month. One of them is Jeremy Grabiner's girl friend--very pretty and very smart.

May 9, 2013

It's been raining a lot this week. I thank God for it. Bring it on, the land needs it. (Mud everywhere.)

Not much happening. We gave a couple an 18-day session today. They could only afford 10 days and they were leaving. We had talked about giving them an 18-day session a couple of days ago, but no one communicated it to them. So they were leaving. I intercepted them and told them what we had decided. He cried.

Dan, Karen and Jamie Houghton were here today. They brought me some avocados and oranges off their California trees. We had a great visit.

I've got a ticket to Whitehorse for June 16-23. Julie is pretty excited. She says we'll have a spiritual feast. I'd better gear up to that expectation.

Angie has the little boys for at least another 60 days.

May 10, 2013

I was three quarters of the way to the airport , headed for Sacramento, when I remembered that I had put my teeth in another bag.(On my way to the dentist) I had to call David to have him deliver the teeth to me. Now I owe him one--Hu Hot here we come.

May 14, 2013

In Sacramento, I ended up at Rob’s place. He lives only six miles from the dentist’s office. We had a great time together. We went canoeing, took long walks, worked in Helen’s gardens, and met my dentist appointments. 

Blessings to all