Today began at 7:30 AM with breakfast and prayer as a team. Today's events are why we're in Charlotte, and the team took their participation very seriously. No one was late, and although nervous, everyone seemed ready to go.
Garbonics was to begin today at 10:06 AM, so we needed to arrive early enough to get all of the equipment to the room, as well as hopefully get some rehearsal time. We were able to accomplish both. The students did an amazing job! Actually, today's performance had to be the best one I've seen them do yet. Of course, I captured it on video, so check it out!Immediately after Garbonics, I helped JoLyn get over to another location so she could perform her drama solo at 11:06 AM. (That may not seem like such a big deal, but we had to walk about 7 blocks to find the other location, and it had to be 90+ degrees outside. Then we had to get her mentally focused and ready to go!) Pastor Doug & Susan Sayers even came to see her and pray with her before she went up to perform. She was thrilled! JoLyn did such an incredible job, and I was so proud of her! After that, we all broke for lunch and enjoyed all that was going on at the convention center. So much to do! There's always the opportunity to watch other people perform their talents, and to dream up new ideas for next year. There's also an exhibit area where students can find out all about our Assembly of God colleges and Master's Commission programs. Also, there's the Art Gallery, where you can check out the MANY EXCELLENT artistic entries. (That's also where Stacy's photography entry is on display, and being evaluated!)Now for the information you've been waiting for so patiently...DID WE ADVANCE???We do not as of yet have all of the information returned. What we do know is that our Garbonics team did receive the rating of "SUPERIOR WITH HONORS." That means that they have received the highest rating possible to achieve, short of claiming the "National Award of Merit" which only the top entery in each category will receive. Out of the 35 teams that competed with Garbonics, we are one of 12 that will be considered for the Award of Merit. Additionally, they may need to perform one more time in a call-back round on Thursday.JoLyn's drama solo received a "Superior." Matt Sabella's poetry also was awarded a "Superior" rating.Stacy's photography (digital) entry has not been posted as of yet. Also, Brittany will perform her songwriting event on Thursday.I guess that's it for now. Check back and we'll give you more updates. Also, you can check the Fine Arts Festival website for results, as well.
Monday was a HOT day to be at Kennywood! The temp was about 94 degrees, and it was easy to get dehydrated. I had a great time hanging out with Doug Sayers, Nate Rancatore, Shawn Galla, and with Bobby Heasley most of the day. Later in the afternoon, we rode the Exterminator as a group...good times!
Another highlight of the day was seeing a couple of my former students who are now youth pastors! John Hutchingson is the youth pastor at Crossway Church in Valencia, PA, and Shawn Galla is the new youth pastor at First A/G in New Castle, PA. It was cool to see them interacting with their students and really making a positive impact on their lives! Check out htis picture of Shawn and one of his students!
On the way home, we were on the PA Turnpike headed west, and off in the distance, we could see lightning as it lit up some cloud banks from the inside. It was beautiful to see! As I mentioned it to our students, we began talking about the fact that soon Jesus would be coming back on clouds just like that, and that it could happen at any moment. The frivolity of the day turned very serious as students conversation began to turn and discuss the return of Christ, and wheter they thought their loved ones were ready. When I asked what they thought about the fact that Jesus could come back at any moment, one girl said she was sad because she would miss her family. Wow...what an opening I had to teach on the ride home about the importance of sharing our faith with our loved ones!What about you? Is your family ready? Are you ready? As Pastor Leake used to say to me, "Jesus could return today...I expect Him before lunch!"
This has been a cool week. I've been traveling with Doug Sayers on his "Speed-The-Light Tour" in Western PA. Monday we left at 8 AM to head to Bentleyville for the Southwest Suburban Section, and then traveled to Dubois, PA for the Northcentral West Section. After arriving in Dubois, we went to dinner at a place called Luigi's, and then to the famed, "Dubois Mall" for something to do. Tuesday, we did the Dubois area luncheon, but the real fun came Tuesday night. That's when we introduced Randle and Joyce Peterson (Missionaries to the Philippines - Global Builders) to the 
fine eating establishment known as Quaker Steak & Lube. Most people might see to it that they take the missionary to some fancy-schmancy place to let them think we have some type of culture, but not us. We loves us some wings! Randle and Joyce enjoyed the famous "all-you-can-eat wing Tuesday" and I have the picture to prove it! Great times with great friends!In case you haven't figured it out yet, the Peterson's are a couple of my favorite people. I can't help but admire the way they have pursued their call to missions, even facing incredible hardship. They're heroes to me. However, thanks to Jamie Cunard, Randle is always afraid that I'm going to pull some kind of "prank" on him, so he is always on edge around me. Kind of funny.Overall, it was a great week! Hanging with Pastor Doug, and talking missions: a couple of my favorite things.
