weekly post from November 5, 2006

Hey my friends & loved ones,

We've just returned from 3 1/2 days in Pittsburgh (actually we were in Monroeville, just outside of Pittsburgh) for the regional conference of our denomination. It's always a thrilling and spiritual experience but it was especially so this time because we had 15 people (my spouse and me included) and 9 of those people had never been to a conference before. The two regions that were there included people from the Northeast, Bahamas, Jamaica, Virgin Islands, Croatia, Eastern Canada, Turkey, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Kentucky, and Indiana (just to name a few). The messages were powerful, the music uplifting and the fellowship was priceless. Another plus to the event was that my spouse got to preach and (biases aside; yes, I can be objective) he was spot on and set the bar for other preachers. He didn't use the podium (the only non-elder preacher who preached to not use the podium) and he didn't preach with a script (he never does) and there was only one other preacher that didn't use a script (an elder) and people really responded to his message. I think everyone had a great time and will each bring something back to our church.

In other news, driving back from PA, we saw a substantial amount of snow on the ground and Jim and I both moaned that we just aren't ready. However, it is November and the white will be flying fast and furious fairly soon (poor Buffalo has already been socked once).

paul