You know what the church needs?

Class was great today. Dr. Hasel taught the first section, and to be honest I learned a lot; probably more then I have learned prior to this point here in Portland. Not to discredit what I have learned from others, but nearly everything that I have had in the other lectures, I have already had in greater detail this past summer in my evangelism courses. But class was great! I’m thinking of actually posting my notes online. We’ll see how I feel about that idea later on in the next few months.

For the second section, Dr. Finley was supposed to teach the course, but we had some things to get done before the opening of the Archeology series tonight. It was good though, I got to catch up with Dr. Hasel, and then I got things worked out for my MA courses at Southern. Probably one of the most remarkable things that happened was that I finally figured out the things that I need to do to get my credits for the Southern program. Thank you Dr. Hasel and Dr. Finley.

Independent Study Course Title: Urban Ministry & Evangelism
The content and method of the study undertaken will be: (The following is in the actual handwriting of Dr. Finley) A synopsis of the Church Growth Principles in the Book of Acts in the light of first century culture with application to the Post-modern Mind. Malcolm is immersed in all facets of the Discoveries Series in Portland, Maine – evangelistic outreach.
Instructor: Mark Finley – Adjunct Professor of Evangelism for Graduate Studies.

How exciting does that sound?
Dr. Finley was like, “Malcolm, you know what the church needs? You know what I need? I need someone to figure out how the church in the book of Acts was able to grow; because the first century Christians faced the same things we are facing today. They were post-modern. That’s what the church needs.” So that is going to be my research paper for the time that I am here in Portland. My Bible work will be minimized to 8 hours a week, but I will still be very busy. I think I may use this paper as a pre-work to a Master’s thesis paper.

We had a good prayer session after class, and then we had a good lunch; but I forgot that I was supposed to meet with this Filipino lady. She wanted to take me around Portland for a little bit. It was nice. I had some good Pancit (a Filipino noodle dish). We went to some park, but I don’t remember what it was called, but I got some pictures.



























Afterwards I quickly got dressed for tonight’s Archeology program. The program was great! I think it went very well, and I actually learned quite a bit. I hope that I can podcast it later. We’ll see. I also got some good shots of that took.








































Thank God for the Sabbath! Oh, I’m preaching in the morning, pray for me!

Free Wireless Internet

Today was pretty busy, but not so much.

Hanif and I were at the kiosk at the Maine Mall for quite a few hours. One good thing is that Hanif is really good at working at the kiosk. He could get things into people’s hands easily. But it was funny, he would say, “Do you know where USM is?” And they would say, “Yeah;” thinking that he was asking for directions, but then he would say, “I just wanted to invite you to an event that’s coming up…” It was funny. We seriously need to get the video up, but one cool thing that I found out at the end of our time there, there is free wireless internet in the Maine Mall. Remember that people. FREE WIRELESS INTERNET! That’s important to a person who doesn’t have internet where they live now.

But afterwards Hanif and I went to the gym. Man, my abs really hurt. But I can tell that I’m loosing weight around my stomach, but I’ve gained weight somewhere else, because I checked my weight when I first got here and I’ve already got a few more pounds.

Then we went to the Cooking class. It was pretty good, good breakfasts. Dr. Hasel was there, so we got to do some catching up. Ah, good times…

Signs of the Second Coming

Class got out and Chris and I had to really rush to get to the Bible study. We went over the signs of the second coming, and it went really well. He was actually really excited about the study. It went really well, until we got to the destruction of Jerusalem and the questions over Matthew 24:1,2. We eventually got past that, and had totaled our Bible study to over an hour. It was good. Maybe eventually I will post the studies online. They are done by Mark Finley, and are really well done.

Afterwards Chris and I did some visitations. We were inviting those who had media interests to go out to the archeology series that starts soon.

Then we picked up Don and came to the church. And went to the Daniel seminar. Well we stopped to a get some good Boba at the Thanh Thanh place on Forest Ave. Things are good.

E-mail

Today was pretty packed. Devotions have been quite good. Class was interesting. Lunch was good, as always. But I guess the big things that happened today were that we went to the Abramson Community Center, that is the location for the upcoming meetings. The location is really cool. It is very up-to-date. It seats about 500, and now I have been assigned to be in charge of the audio-visual equipment during the meetings. The first one is going to be this Friday night at 7:30 PM. "Amazing Discoveries in Archeology." I will have to put pictures up later. Dr. Hasel and Dr. Finley will be the presenters, how exciting.

Afterwards, we went to the Maine Mall, and set up our kiosk. It's pretty cool. Nathan and I were there for a few hours. It was actually pretty tiring, and pretty disappointing. But the set up had to be in the rain. Well, we had to bring everything in through the rain. It was just really poring down today. But the kiosk looked pretty good. Were going to get some flat screen on the sides play archeology and health DVD's.

When we finally got really tired, Nathan and I went to Lens Crafters so that I could get my glasses fixed. I think I'm going to have to get a new pair of prescriptions and contacts or glasses pretty soon. Maybe I'm reading too much?

Then Nathan and I went to the gym, came back. Had devotions, and then got too tired for anything else.














A little note: one of my friends drove me around today, and I guess it just wasn't his day. I'll leave it at that.

Cooking Courses Kickoff

Were back in class. It was Jerman's birthday today. So we had some vegan carrot cake, it was really good. For those of you who didn't know this about me, my favorite cake, and really the only one that I like to eat is carrot cake. But most of the day was in serious preparation for the vegetarian cooking classes that start tonight. It was exciting, because the person, who actually said that they would come, came. We spent about two hours going around downtown handing out flyer's and inviting people to the meeting tonight. It was really exciting, but the people that told me that they would come, didn’t come, unless they actually signed up.One interesting note, for those of you who don’t know, I have a really hard time doing this. But somehow about half way through I was just getting a lot of flyers into people’s hand. Initially I was the person who was replacing posters that got taken down or covered up. After about an hour and a half we went to the Boba place, but it was probably the worst Boba that I’ve ever had. I was so excited too.

It was pretty cool to see Dr. Finley again. He flew from Africa, and had been awake for over 22 hours, but he helped out the cooking school. It was really good. We learned how to make whole wheat good bread. The samples were really good too.



























After we dropped off the girl who came, we went to get food because we are really lacking some food. But we should be good for a little longer now. We eventually got back at about 10:30. Time for sleep; I’m exhausted.

"Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday..."

Today was convicting. There are some thing in my life that the Lord has made so plain that I need to work on – really just having more dependence on Him and more real faith. I spent a great amount of the day in personal prayer and a lot of reading.

In order to have a holistic fulfillment of the day I also did a good work out. I really need to spend some more time at the gym. I’m going to make that a serious commitment. I would also feel really guilty knowing that I paid $100 something dollars for and not work out.

About 7:00 we went to a birthday party of one of my neighbors. It was really fun. But when it got a little haywire, it was time to go. I’m am definitely not into the whole hard beat and dancing scene, I’m an Adventist, so what can I say? It was fun to just spend time with friends who are not Adventist. They even asked my friend Chris to pray over the meal.

After that I just read some more and went to sleep.

Happy Sabbath!

Today was pretty exciting. I got to Sabbath School; I don’t plan on missing again. It was over David and Bathsheba. When I got there, the teacher wasn’t there, so I was getting ready teach. The sermon was on Ezekiel 37, which is one of my favorite chapters – I remember preaching on that. There is a lot of good stuff in that chapter.

In the afternoon Chris and I went door-to-door with Lance, Michael, and Jerman. It was good; we went to the “ghetto.” Not that Portland really has a ghetto, but we went into the not so good parts of Portland. It was cool. I actually got to meet quite a few Asians. They were either Vietnamese or Cambodian. I knew the Vietnamese one’s, but it’s hard for me to tell the Cambodians. It was good though, we really got to converse with them, and they also told me where there is a Boba Tea place around here.

The best part that really made my day is that we got someone signed up for the cooking classes that we are starting on Monday. I said that I would pay for her, cause I really wanted to leave all doubt of why they shouldn’t attend. She’s a 14-year-old Sudanese girl. I expect her to go, because we actually pre-registered her.

Afterwards, we went to Lance’s house. It was nice. The original plan was for me to go to Chris’ house to watch the Revive, Here We Stand, series that is happening in Lansing, MI. We had sundown worship and had everything hooked up to the Internet, through the computer, and then to the TV. It was pretty cool. The food was great. Mrs. Wilbur is a great cook, she’s also very well educated about some parts of Asian culture.

Afterwards, we basically came back and went to sleep.

Sometimes I feel like certain days I may have just wasted away. Today was my day off and I was just so exhausted, I thing one of the biggest things is the heat though. I really slept in, but this morning I met with the Pastor and we went to the Maine Mall, because we have been able to get a Kiosk for the things that are going to be happening here in Portland. What a PRAISE!!!

I was so excited, it really reminded me of those days when I worked at J. Crew. I was so quick to volunteer; I was like “oh, I want to do that.” But we decided to set up on Tuesday because we were not able to get all the material from Hope Channel. This is just so exciting.

Afterwards, I really felt bored; it was just so hot so I didn’t want to study. But nearly the whole group went home, so one of them is letting me use their car, so I kind of drove around a little bit.

Initially, Chris and I were planning on going rock climbing, but that didn’t fall though, because it was $27 for just a one-time kind of thing. I think I’m going to try to get a membership in my last month here, because then my 3 months at the gym will expire. But then we thought about kayaking, but then that was $45. It seems like everything around here is really expensive. Maybe another time…

Eventually I just went to Chris’ house and we watch 3ABN. It was really good. David Asscherick was speaking, and it gave me so many ideas for the evangelistic series that I am planning on speaking in Africa next year. I am so excited. I’m going to use Keynote. I really need to start working on that. I think that this Bible working will really help out.

In the afternoon we were trying to figure things out about the Revival Meetings that are supposed to be happening. I was really wondering why they are not having them at the church, because it was pretty well advertised.

I basically spent the rest of the evening reading. There is just so much that I want to read. There is just so much out there. But one sentence at a time will eventually become one paragraph, which will become one chapter, which will eventually become one book, which will become a library of material.

Today we had a pretty good class. Dr. Derose taught us on health evangelism, he’s going to be teaching some of the lessons. It was good though, but so much of the things that are being presented to me, I already know because of the graduate level. Its been good though, I’ve been able to learn a lot in just the short time that I’ve been here. Today I also made plans to go with Chelsea to a study on Sunday.

We didn’t really go out much this afternoon. But I was invited to visit with one of Chris’ contacts that is only a few houses down from mine. It went really well. She actually invited us to her birthday party on Sunday, so I’m pretty excited, I want to get her a good Spirit of Prophecy book. She wants to become a translator for the US Embassy, or something like that. But I’m sure that she can do it, she speaks five languages. The study on the other hand went pretty well, but I could tell that it may have been overbearing for her, we went over Daniel 7 and 9 and the various prophecies within them.

Afterwards I went to do laundry, and I didn’t realize that they closed at 8 and I started at about 7:30. I felt so bad, because I wasn’t done until nearly 9; but I think I gained the respect of her son and eventually the owner, which is a huge thing in Asian culture, because I told them that I was doing my masters. We just seemed to connect. I would really like to go back there. They were Vietnamese. Something that I have learned is that there are a lot of Vietnamese around here.

After laundry I basically came back and that was it. I’ve been trying to get in touch with one of my friends from Brazil. I hope that I do.

Today was just amazing. Devotions have really been good.

Nathan and I started memorizing scripture again. Were in 1 Peter 3:8ff. I'm really excited. But for devotions last night we read something really amazing in Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings. But this morning was also an amazing devotion, we decided to read Gospel Workers for our morning devotions together. But even before that...

I woke up at about 4. And I had difficulty going back to sleep. But eventually I did. I was just tired. Then I woke up at about 5 something and decided that I wasn't going to go back to sleep, so I started praying. And prayer was just extraordinary. I was just really excited. I just knew that today would be a good day.

I was able to read a good portion of Great Controversy and Nehemiah, so now I'm reading about the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem. It was just powerful. I think tomorrow I'm going to start waking up at 4 and working out because I'm not going to go anymore days without working out.

But we went to class, and then afterwards they had prayer time. I believe it went well. It was hard for me to get a good picture of it, but I tried. Afterwards though we ate a really good meal, thank God for Lance's wife. We also had a good desert too.














At about 1:45 Chris and I left because we had to give a study. It was a great study, Daniel 2. Its probably one of my favorite studies to give, because it is basically irrefutable. I think it went pretty well. The guy had a few questions, but it still went well. We told him to keep studying it, and if he still has questions next well, we'll go over them.

Afterwards we went to Whole Foods to talk to the person in charge of advertising. Were trying to get a kiosk at Whole Foods, because we just found out that we got permission to have one at the Maine Mall. How exciting?

After we could find the director we decided to go door to door, basically we survey the community and then invite them to one of the meetings that they are most interested in - Health, Archeology, or Bible Prophecy.

First it was Chris and I, then it was Hanif and I and we finished one street and then had to rush to the meeting this evening. We are supposed to log about 15 hours of Bible work a week. But we are really getting into this Bible work thing, its been a few years for me, but its like working out a muscle that you haven't worked out in a while, its hard at first but then it gets easier.

On the way back we stopped by an Asian market, so now I have a few more ingredients to make my Asian food. But the meeting tonight is on the longest time prophecy in the Bible, Daniel 8:14 - I just preached this sermon three months ago. Oh, and now I have wireless connection at the church, so I'll be able to check my e-mail a few days of the week in the morning.

Oh, I finally read an article from a while back, but I highly recommend it. Click here for the article.

Till tomorrow...

Portland Lighthouse

Today was quite interesting. It is really good to have Nathan back. He is actually a very good brother to watch my back. Now I also don’t have to feel like I have to take charge of everything. I finished another chapter in Great Controversy and now I’m about half way through Nehemiah. So devotions were quite good this morning.

Got to class on time; but class today was great, it was called “Launching Out Into the Deep.” I think I am going to try to post my notes online. It was just a great class. We had some really inspiring quotes such as these:

Evangelism, p. 389
• “I know of no place where there is a greater need for a rebuilding of the first works than in Boston and in Portland, Maine, where the first messages were given in power, but where now there is but a little handful of our people.”
• “Now the time has come when the message of the third angel is to be proclaimed
Letter 28, 1910
• “Portland, Maine, a city that has been foremost in temperance reform, is to be worked without delay.”
• There are towns in Maine, like Brunswick and Bangor, that must be worked faithfully. All through the cities and towns of the East, the truth is to shine
Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 13, pp. 12-16
• “The Lord will work with power, as we strive to do our part faithfully. He will cause Boston (Portland) to hear the message of present truth.”
• Who in the East have been burdened to take up the work of going over the ground that in the early days of the message was baptized with the truth of the Lord’s soon coming.”
• “The light has been given that the truth should go again to the Eastern States where we first began our work, and where we had our fist experiences. We must make every effort to spread a knowledge of the truth to all who will hear, and there are many who will listen…”
• “Repeat the message, repeat the message…

It was just a powerful class. After class Lance’s wife made some really good vegan food. It was really good. I would get so fat if I ate that kind of food everyday, it just tasted so good, but it wasn’t overbearing.

At about 3 we met to go door to door, but it took some time, so we didn’t leave until about 4:30 and we only were out for about an hour and half. When we pulled over I took a quick picture and noticed that some of the places didn’t have really brick. Look at the picture closely below. We had some interesting experiences – such as we met someone who probably had too much to drink. He was yelling at us nearly the whole time. But his friend seemed to be quite interested in the information, he actually asked me to write the date and information about the topics. So I hope to see him there.














Afterwards, we went to the Portland Lighthouse, thanks to Karen. I also got to talk to her father on the phone. It was great. It was actually really inspiring. I really enjoyed it. There’s just something about Lighthouses for me. I just like to see them though. I guess the area that we went to used to be a Fort.













When we got back I was so exhausted, but I really wanted to sleep at a good time and not wake up in the middle of the night and have some issues in regard to waking up the next morning, so I read as much as I could. Nathan and I were both getting really hungry. It was good we go to talk in the afternoon, so we were both able to get to bed earlier.

Evening devotions were good. We read more from Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings. I realized later that I had been telling everyone that we had been reading another book. But it was good.

Anyway, now it’s about 9:30 or 10:00 time for bed. I’m exhausted.

Postered Portland

There was so much to do today.

I woke up around 9 something. I think I slept a good 10 hours or so. But when I got up, I thought someone was in the bathroom so I prayed and did devotions for a while. Then I was really wondering to myself, "This person is really taking their time." Then I realized that no one was in there and I took a shower.

When I got out I ate breakfast and read a chapter from Messages to Young People, entitled "Perfecting Christian Character." It was very good, and I highly recommend this to any Christian. When I was done I went to read some of China Awakes, but then Chris came and we postered as much of Portland as we could. We went downtown; down Forest Ave.; to Maine Mall; and all around other streets, especially up and down Allen Ave. (where the church is located). Probably the best one that we got was in a bus stop right in downtown.










































At last, after a few hours of putting up posters we ate at Macroni Grill, and I got my usual Pennie Whole Wheat. But I only realized afterwards that I didn't even get my mushrooms, and my friends order had ham in it so we had to get it replaced. I was a bit disappointed in the service.














Afterwards we went to Borders and I got some books on apologetics. I hope they are good. They have been recommended to me by a few friends. We'll see. I was also looking for a book on the Korean War, but they didn't have the one that I was looking for. I guess next time.

We were revived and put up some more posters for about another hour, maybe another hour and a half. This time we ran. We just finished putting them up a few minutes ago. Then we went to get a smoothie, but the place was closed so we went to the Thanh Thanh Vietnamese Restaurant and were able to get a fruit juice to go. Thank you Lord.

If any of you are in the Portland area, I highly recommend the cooking school that the Finley's will be starting September 10 at the Adventist Community Center on Allen Ave.

China Awakes & The Hauerwas Reader

Aw, a fresh new week. It was a truly beautiful day, so I went walking around and took a few pictures. I often get busy with where I am that I forget to take pictures even though I have a camera. So I need to put it to good use. It was nice though, because as I was walking around I noticed someone in the church cleaning, so I asked him if I could use the Internet upstairs. He approved, and I ran to get my computer. I finally got to check my e-mail and post all the updates for blogger.

Around 12:45 Lance and I went to work out. We did ellipticals for 30 minutes, the rowing machine for as long as we could go (I think I only did about 1500 meters, maybe 2000), and then we worked on ab’s and I jumped on the bike and did 2½ miles.

Afterwards, Lance invited me along to Borders. I have discovered that the closest Barnes and Nobles is 48 miles away, so that’s not happening. I was going to get a book on some history in Korea, but I wasn’t sure what to get. Lance recommended China Wakes: The Struggle for the Soul of a Rising Power, so I got that book. And then I was looking for some theologically philosophical books, but I only found The Hauerwas Reader, so I picked that up. Those will keep me busy for a while.

I learned that Lance’s wife is from North Hollywood and I was like, “oh, I used to live in Hollywood.” So we were able to communicate on that regard. It was interesting, we seemed to be taking all the wrong ways to get back, but eventually we got back, and I got dropped off. I tried to read as much as I could of the two books, but The Hauerwas Reader was just too much for me at the time. I was trying to read the other, but I was too tired, so I called for devotions, and we read and prayed over Eric. We laid hands on him and then broke up and prayed over the house. I was so tired, but then I tried to sleep and it was hard again. I need to talk to the Shepard more.

PS
Since I was able to walk around, I figured that I would show you guys where I live. We live right across the street from the church. Right there on the same corner even. More like diagonal from it.

Revive us, oh God

I did not realize this morning what time church services began, so I got ready quite slow and took my little indulgence again this morning. But I was actually ready a bit early. Yet even though I was ready by the time that I wanted to leave for church the other guys began to get ready and all I had to do was my hair. It was somewhat nice though; as I was getting ready I was listening to some stories from CAMPUS.

Eventually, I got to church around 10:30. I later found out that services began at 9:30. I felt so lazy because we live right across the street. I took a few observations as I entered church though.














The sermon title was, “Revive us, oh God.” There was one section of the sermon that really got to everyone though. When the Pastor made mention of the history of things that happened here in Portland it seemed as if every person was fixed to the message. You could have heard a pin drop. For those few moments the Spirit of God was truly present.

The church was quite full and many people were present. Unlike most of our churches, the conference office is right next to the church.














One really amazing thing happened at the church, there was a baptism.














After church there was potluck, and there seemed to be nothing to eat. Oh, how I miss eating at the Hasel’s or at the Korean churches. As I was deciding what to eat those words from the Spirit of Prophecy flashed into my memory and I remembered once again what to choose. There is truly a change happening to me here.

After potluck we organized into different teams and went to hand out flyers. Chris and I went together and Lance and the other AUC boys followed along. We decided to hit up the higher-class neighborhoods. Talk about houses that I will never own in this lifetime. The place was really nice, but I don’t believe I could say the same for the people. It is sad to see the lack of interest among the wealthy.

We came back to the church about 5:10 and they discussed a few things. Chris came over and we closed the Sabbath together. A little while later we went to Wild Burrito and got a burrito. Came back and watch a documentary. It was long so we are probably going to finish it next week or some other time.

Now I can’t sleep, and I need too.

11:00 PM

Don't forget the Sabbath, the Sabbath, the Sabbath...

Since we did not have class this morning, I decided to take the luxury of sleeping in. I was a little refreshing since I had some trouble sleeping early last night. I wasn't all to sure what to do today. So I read quite a bit. I'm still reading Great Controversy and I also decided to pick up readying Testimonies to the Church Vol. 2, and begin reading where I left off two years ago. On top of that I read some of the biography that I have on James White. I am actually over half way done with the book and should probably just finish it off this weekend.

Today I took my suit to the dry cleaners. It was $11.90. Way too much for me. Hopefully that's the only time that I am going to be taking clothes to the dry cleaners. Well, except for a few more suits to take in next week. But they said that they would have it done by 4 in the afternoon if I brought things in before 9. So I did.

I figured that I would go out to eat at Wok In. I am so limited to everything because I have to walk everywhere. I am so not used to this anymore, but I think I'm making a good adjustment. I actually finished the food much quicker than I expected and decided to text a friend. The only thing is that I didn't expect them to respond so quick. After they told me that they were driving I decided to call. And we talked for nearly the next hour. Good convo. It was nice though, I walked around this neighborhood that's just near where I live and by these railroad tracks.




























It was interesting. We actually got cut off, because her phone died, but mine was about to die at the same time. Afterwards, Lance came over and we went to the gym to work out. We biked nearly 8 miles and then we basically split up in our exercises after that.

Lance told me his testimony. It's amazing how the Lord works. The church didn't have vespers, so we had our own. We have decided to read Mount of Blessings for our evening devotions. This will work out perfectly.

Either way, its getting late, and I want to be ready for church tomorrow.

Beep... Beep... Beep...

Since Nathan and I stayed up so late last night we had some serious troubles getting up this morning; so did everyone else I guess. We were the only ones up an hour before class.

Nathan made breakfast this morning, really he just fried tofu and made scrambled tofu, but I guess the smoke alarms are very sensitive here and they went off. First the alarm went off in the kitchen, and then the one in one of the other rooms. I think it woke everyone up. But that’s good because we only had an hour till class.














After Nathan and I ate we went to class. We have our classes in the basement area of White Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church. It’s really convenient because it is right across the street. But for our class we went over the power of prayer and for the last few minutes of the class period we went upstairs and prayed over Portland and the church here. It was really cool. It was seriously, probably, one of the best prayer sessions that I have ever had in a group setting.

After our second class went out, Nathan and I decided to go out for lunch and get me a pillow and some shoes. We went to some Italian restaurant near the Maine Mall. It was pretty good, especially their bread. I got some shoes in the clearance section and found a pillow in the clearance section too. Thank God because this is probably the poorest I’ve been since Southwestern days.

After than Nathan dropped me off at the house because he was leaving for MA, so this meant that I would be able to get some sleep for that which I lacked last night. I discover this only now, that may not have been the best idea. I slept for nearly two hours, and then I got a call and I feel bad because every time I seem to talk to this person I am so tired or out of it. But I didn’t want to let them go because I really did want to talk. Who knows, maybe next time I’ll be awake and all there.

After that I couldn’t sleep so I went to the gym to get in some exercise. I can tell that I’m loosing my summer fat already. I think next week I’m going to start to really work out. I’ve just been doing cardio until I got my weight down enough to loose my little belly. God’s servants must be fit.

Something interesting happened. When I came back the people who live above us approached me. We live in this apartment/house complex. They asked me what the age ranges of the people were in our section and if we were missionaries and I said we weren’t Mormon. Then they asked if we believed in premarital sex and I said no. It was truly odd.

That’s the basic part of the day. Jerman gave devotions this evening. Afterwards we did sentence prayers and I think that I’m going to inform the group that if we are going to have devotions we have to end at 9:30, not start, because I need to get to sleep earlier. Past that I wake up all over again. I was able to really get tired until about 2 AM. So no more of this late nonsense.

The one birthday present that I wanted

It was a complete day. I got up pretty early, but I had a really hard time sleeping; the beds here and just unrighteous. Tonight I am actually going to sleep on the floor. Probably I’ll just put the mattress on the floor. I actually woke up a bit later then usual, but I was not late for class.

Throughout the night I was continually getting calls, it was nice. There are some people that I have not had the opportunity to get in touch with for a while. Good to know that they remembered.

I got a few texts throughout the day, but like usual my mom didn’t mention anything. Neither did my dad, and my dad usually remembers. I’m not sure what’s up with that.

It was interesting though, when we finished class the church made food for us. And it was then that Nathan realized that it was my birthday. By this time I just put my phone on silent so I didn’t get the other texts until later. Nathan than made sure that everyone else knew that it was my birthday. It’s a bit odd that Tennie Finley started to sing me “Happy Birthday…”

It was nice though, during lunch, I was able to talk with Karen Hamilton. So we got to do some catching up, since we haven’t seen each other in a few years. I told her to give my regards to her parents.














After lunch Chris, one of the other Bible workers here, invited me to go to a Bible study with him in South Portland. I told him to just meet me at the house we are staying at; it’s right across the street from the church. I wanted to brush my teeth and such, so I came back and it was then that I got the one birthday present that I wanted. Some may not consider it that special. I mean it was not something that one would have paid a lot of money for, but it was a very special answer to prayer. Thank you, Lord, so much.

Sometimes we don’t get the answer to prayer that we would like, and this is one that I truly had to leave in the Lord’s hand; but the Bible says that…

Afterwards Chris and I went to the Bible study. It was there that I met Robert. We are the same age and he works at a printing press. The study was about an hour, and he had many questions, but one could tell that he was genuinely interested in the Bible. He wants to continue the studies. So we will meet again with him next week. I am quite excited for him.

After the study we went to the bank, and then over to where Chris is staying. It was there that I was able to talk with a friend while Chris was trying to figure out something with TimeWarner Cable.

Afterwards we went out to eat at Whole Foods. We couldn’t really think of another place that would have some good vegan food. The food was all right, but not the best Whole Foods meal that I’ve had.

Afterwards Chris took me back to my place and we talked for a bit, then he had to go to pick up a contact for the Daniel Prophecy studies this evening. The study went well and Nathan and I got to do a lot of catching up. When we came back I gave a little devotional, I believe it went well. After the devotional we called a prayer hotline thing, which took an hour. So it was already late. Nathan was one the phone with Stacey and I was getting really tired. It was good though. I told someone who was going to call to just call me tomorrow because I thought that I was going to go directly to sleep, but that was not the case. I think that Nathan and I stayed up until 1 AM or so. We had a good conversation.

This was a good birthday. Thank you Lord, once again for the sweet peace and another chance at living this year for you.

Can I get a fitting room?

Classes here are great. I am very excited. We started at 9:30 AM, and that’s how its going to be. We are personally be taught by Tennie Finley. Mark will be coming in a few weeks, and so will Dr. Hasel. I am quite excited. This is going to be a good time for me. Nathan and I keep talking to over, how we both really need this.

I think that I may need it more because I have not had this joy or opportunity before. I am still a relatively young person compared to those who have worked in the field. I believe that this will be the time to prepare for the rest of my future work for the Lord. Something is going to happen to me during this time. I just need to stay faithful to the Lord. Often Nathan and I refer to our wonderful experience while at SWAU, but we both admitted that it would be nothing compared to this.

This opportunity has truly been handed down to me. I am the only one who is truly from a foreign land. I am not from here and its almost like I don’t belong here, but I am meant to be here. Some people have seemed to share some special interest in this guy from Arizona.

I was able to meet an old friend, Karen Hamilton. I haven’t seen her in years, and have wondered in a sense what happened to her. It was interesting, today one of the local pastor was trying to get information about us and asking us if we could speak, and when it came to me I tried to avoid the answer and Karen spoke up saying, “he spoke at my church five years ago and it was really good.” Five years ago, man, and she remembered that? I seriously thought that that was one of my worst sermons.

Today and tomorrow though will be our days to really get settled and adjusted. So to get settled Nathan and I went to the Outlets, because they are supposed to be famous up here. I finally got to go to an L.L. Bean story. But at the Outlets I was asked twice about questions pertaining to workers, the first one at Banana Republic I was asked, “Can I get a fitting room?” And then at Polo I was asked again whether or not I worked there. And I informed them that I didn’t and they said that I looked like I would, what does that mean? It reminded me of those days when I used to work at J. Crew. Good times.

Today was also the last day that I could use my military discount for anything. Tomorrow is my birthday and so I will be 23 and no longer eligible to use it. So what did I do? I signed up for a local gym. It’s only about ¾’s a mile so I can walk there, cause I don’t have a car here. I honestly feel a little helpless. But now I am signed up for the next three months at Lifestyle Fitness Center. I am hoping to be in tiptop shape by the time that I leave this place.

Well, now it is another late night (nearly 10:30), but I’m adjusting to the time zone, so that I can wake up early. Did you know that Maine has the earliest of all sunrises in America?

Remember Portland Continued...

It was only a few months ago when I arrived here in Portland, yet now I get to work here with the Finley’s. I am quite excited. For some reason I seem so distant from everything. I believe that this may be the longest that I will be in one place for quite some time. I do not have a car here so I will not be traveling anywhere that is outside of walking distance unless I am driven there.

Today was an early rise. To tell you the truth since I have arrived in the Northeast I haven’t been able to sleep well. I will get up in the middle of the night for no reason. Yet when I was at home I was sleeping just fine. But I woke up eventually and got ready quickly.

We arrived in Clinton, MA where my friend had to go to small claims court. After that we went to South Lancaster. Today was the registration for AUC – school is starting. It almost feels out of place for me not to be in school. But I will be studying directly under the Finley’s.

Tomorrow I am going to be asking Mrs. Finley if I can have one weekend off in October so that I can go to the Q.O.D. conference in Michigan.

We arrived in Portland, Maine around 6 something. We got settled in. The place that we are staying at is pretty nice. Nathan and I are roommate’s for the next four months. But I think that he is going to be going home as often as he can, so I will most likely be alone for the weekends.

Some time in the early evening we got to eat at a Vietnamese restaurant. It was good; I got the usual – Pho, vegetarian of course. But Nathan has officially informed the group that it is my birthday in a few days. So we’ll see what happens.














Things are so different out here in the Northeast. I guess that I have one the admiration of one man. He said, “I really admire you, you are so far from home. That shows true dedication right there.” But everyone here seems dedicated. I truly thank God for them.

I really need to start to sleep early. I need to follow the Lord more closely while I am here. This is going to be my refreshing time. This will be the time that I draw close to Him.

Lord, guide me now. Please Lord; I need your forgiveness before I can move forward. You alone can change my heart, and I ask for it now. As you have promise you will take out my old heart of stone and give me a new heart of flesh. I need you now to change me, to prepare me for what lies before me. Consecrate me Lord to do thy will.

May I be more like you…

Goodbye New York, Hello Rhode Island

This morning was my last time in NY until only God knows when. I hope to return sometime, maybe take a stroll through central park.

I arrive an hour and half before my flight, but I thought that I was going to miss it, because I thought that it was an hour earlier then I expected, but I was just getting that mixed up with my flight out to NY. It was okay. On my second flight from Philli, I actually met a Methodist. She was very interesting. It was cool though, because for the first time in my life I was actually able to recommend the book The Great Controversy and tell her about it pretty well. I am actually currently reading it, and am in about page 350 something. Its really good. I recommend it to anyone reading this right now.

I arrived safely to Providence. Nathan picked me up and we went directly to Providence Place, a mall in Providence, Rhode Island, to eat. We went to the Cheesecake Factory to meet with Stacey, Nathan fiancé, and her family. The food was good. I got a Portobello mushroom burger without the mayo. It was really filling. When I went to the bathroom though they told them about my birthday, and everyone sang for me and I got a Key Lime Cheesecake. It was pretty good too. They actually thought that it was Nathan’s birthday, so they were singing like it was to him, lol. It was funny. Good times.



























Currently I am staying at Stacey’s house. Tomorrow morning: Hello Portland!