Happy June 21!  Hope you're having a great day.  I got home today from Wichita, and figured it's high time to post some pictures of Eugene and Heidi's wedding.  I was running a camera during the wedding so I didn't get very many pictures myself.  Some of these I stole from Sveta.  Thank you!!

I was just about to take a picture during the ceremony, carefully reaching around in front of the video I was operating, trying to make sure I didn't bump the camera, when all of a sudden the maid of honor collapsed across the stage!  I was so confused.  I didn't know what to do.  And, in the shock of the moment, I didn't take my picture.

It was especially great to see everyone who went to the wedding: old friends, former students, graduates - even the students who are here at OHA this summer!  Coming from California even though I saw lots of friends out there (I hate traveling by myself!!!!) it was just good to see so many familiar and friendly faces.

Ah well.  Enjoy.

The happy couple at the reception. 

Michelle Boykin playing the harp.  I can't wait until heaven, when I'll be able to really play a harp too!  I love listening to the harp.

My wonderful sis and me.

Careful!  The Prewitt's first job together - they made the cut!

Here's a picture with the almost-all-grown-up Jonny and Janae Teall!  They reminded me of how I used to terrify them by chasing them while making gorilla sounds.  I reminded them of how after they stopped screaming, I was fitted with a hearing aid, and the broken glass was fixed they would say "Do it again! Do it again!"

Dad and Amy in front of the Three Angel's Church in Wichita.

Sveta and Amy enjoying decorations and the beautiful roses (or rose petals by this point!).

Hi!  I'm going to upload some more pictures of the last week.    Enjoy!

This was when I thought I had finally succeeded in throwing my brother Jon off the tube! 

This is the shocked look on his face when he actually landed successfully.  I was equally surprised.

Now on to Sacramento, where Jason Williams is speaking at the ASI Youth for Jesus Rally in the Sacramento Central Church.

Jay Rosario giving a testimony at the Rally.

Jay and Brandon giving special music on the guitar and violin.

Cristy Allen sharing a testimony.

The Slavic Church (Russian speaking) choir!

OK, so I think I might have finally fixed my pictures so they actually appear.  Thank for letting me know!  I'd love to hear more from you!

I know, I know, I've made like a million postings and revisions today.... Sorry!

Surprise! 

OK, for all of you who have left comments on my until-today-still-empty xanga site - I've done a little work on it in the last few hours.  It's mostly pictures, since I haven't given a lot of thought to writing text.  Hopefully in the future I'll be able to add postings that are more meaningful and uplifting.  But for many of you the pics will bring back good memories - I trust!

Today's posting may seem like a bit of a travelogue.  Sorry!  It's sorta been my life though.  I just want to thank the Lord for His goodness to me in 2005 so far - and to give a big thank you to each who have helped me understand Him better. 

Since graduation I've mostly a) rested, b) edited and duplicated audio and video of OHA grad 2005, c) tried to catch up on my office work, especially the YFJ program, d) cleaned my house and office, e) made a trip to Minnesota for a few days, f) went camping with my sister and OHA students/friends, g) went skiing and spent time with my brother who was visiting from Boston, h) spent three hours learning how to xanga, and i) rested some more.  Actually, though I've been busy, I've slept more in the past three weeks than I have since.... I think it was sometime in 2002 or 2003.

The Reynolds brothers in camping mode.

Camping with Amy is the ultimate!

OHA Graduations are the greatest most awfully wonderful events of the year.  Such a bitter-sweet weekend!  One of the highlights (there are many) of course is the baptism on Sabbath.  This year five students were baptized and three rebaptized.  Praise the Lord!

David Gates was the main graduation speaker this year, and his messages were definitely a blessing!  I also spoke on Friday night. 

Memories..... One of the very best parts of grad weekend is seeing the alumni again!  I didn't have a chance to get a lot of pictures this year since I was busy with tape and video orders, but I'll post up some which I did take (hope you don't mind!).  Sorry I got so few of you!  I miss all of you!!

My mom and me. 

Sergey.  I miss you!

Joshua.  The new Mister Kim.

My graders!! More like my two right hands.

Josh and my mom.

Tati!  Class of 2002.

William - the fellow Arky.

Maria and "Mr. Van"

The Chicago duo - Joe and Lisa.

With Sveta Joy.

Judyth!!!! (!!!!!)

Why do I look so short?  :s  With Michael.

Catherine - Class of 2002 (That's C-A-T....)

Mr. Erick

With Luke, assistant dean.  I miss you already!

Leilana (a.k.a. Larry!!!)

The Smith sisters.

The Lindsay

Abby, my Romanian niece. 

 

The honorable Jonathan Chai - Class of 2002.

Mr. Strosa, my sidekick since... nevermind, it was a long time ago.

Dear Me! Stephanie, the one and only!  Class of 2004.

Yikes!  By the time I got back from the Czech Republic it was only a couple of weeks before OHC grad!  I had to finish teaching a Hermeneutics class (which, by the way, I thoroughly enjoyed) and head over to Sacramento for YFJ planning.  We also put up the new OHA boys' dormitory frame!  Here's a picture.

Then there was the incredible task of finishing the OHA yearbook.  Thankfully I had the best yearbook crew in the world!  I don't know how they survived the year so patiently.  I also don't know how in the world I survived the week before grad with so little sleep!

 

OK, I'm tired already, and the school year's not over!  Did I mention that I came back to the States for four days in the middle of the India trip?  Yup.  That's 50+ hours traveling each way.  PTL I had good meetings with the NAD and GYC.

I was actually home two days - long enough to participate in the Ouachita Ministries, Inc., board meeting at OHA - and then I headed back across the "puddle" to Norway for a week of teaching at the European Bible School.  It was not exactly restful - I spoke and taught and visited nearly 20 hours a day while there - but it was refreshing!  The Hogganviks are such delightful people, and I was blessed to be able to fellowship with them, the other staff, the students and the Witness for Life youth. I was there April 22-28, 2005.

Then it was back to Loma Linda where I spoke for Dunamis 2005.  It was great to stay with Al and his family again, meet many of my Loma Linda friends, and simply see the Lord working in people's lives.

I was home for a few hours May 2 before heading to 3ABN where we filmed a Today program on the ASI Youth for Jesus program and also one on OHA and its missions program. 

After a few more hours home on May 5 I headed out to the Czech Republic where I helped organize a Youth for Jesus program being planned for 2006.  Upon arrival I attended the dedication of new ASI offices in Prague.  I spoke at the Seminary Friday night and Sabbath morning, then in Prague Sabbath afternoon.  It was a busy weekend: I spoke a total of five times, held two question and answer sessions, attended three hours of committee, and was guest at one ceremony - all in less than two days! Sunday morning the YFJ committee met and Sunday afternoon I was treated to four hours or so of sight seeing.  Prague is such a beautiful city!

Mr. Passer, ASI-Czech President, speaks at the dedication of the new ASI offices.

Some pictures (above and below) of the Seminary campus outside of Prague.

A few pictures of me speaking (above and below).

Meeting with the Youth for Jesus committee Sunday.

Some of our wonderful Ouachita Hills College graduates!  Kamilla and the Hybl family are doing a wonderful work leading out in literature evangelism and personal evangelism in their home country!

Two of the cutest kids in the world!!!!

This is the Charles bridge - built in 1357!!!!

Inside the Prague Cathedral.

Seeing the Old Town in a 1924 Praga!

A monument to John Huss.

Below are some of my favorite pictures of Prague.  Not bad for a point-and-shoot camera!!

Thanks to all my wonderful hosts in Czech for a truly delightful weekend! 

After India we had a one-week stab at R&R in the wonderful country of Italy (my favorite place away from home!).  To save money - this was a big project in India - we went directly to Italy instead of taking the longer tour that some classes have had.  It was so much more restful!

I had found cheap tickets on Ryan Air from Frankfurt to Rome for only about $35 each, so we went Frankfurt-Rome, stayed in Rome for a day, then drove to the Waldensian Valleys (through Pisa) where we spent the rest of our time.  The Light Shines in the Darkness!!!

We stayed in a rustic and fairly primitive lodge in the Angrogna Valley, just below the Pra del Torno.  It was inexpensive and oh, so relaxing!

In front of the Frankfurt Main train station.

St. Peter's Square from the top of the Cupola. This was the Tuesday after John Paul II's Friday funeral.  Good thing we got there early!

Inside St. Peter's Basilica.

Wondering where our lunch would come from?  Rome is so expensive!  Good thing we were only there for one day. 

"Pilate's" Staircase.  The faithful "earning" forgiveness for their sins.  "The just shall live by faith"!!!!!

Class of 2005 at the Colosseo.  It rained!

The solution for bad hair days.

Lindsay demonstrates her incredible powers.  I think I heard her say, just before she flexxed, "Get a Pisa this!"

At Castelluzo, where many Waldensians lost their lives in order to be faithful to Jesus who alone could save their souls.

In front of the Waldensian church at Torre Pellice.

At the College of the Barbes.

At Siestierre there was loads of snow!  We actually could not navigate to some of the sites because of the late snow storm. 

Coming from India we really didn't have much winter gear.  Good thing I had this sweatshirt!

Snow makes everything seem so peaceful.

Parallel parking - smart car style - in Milan.

 

Between the time I got home from Michigan on February 20 and left for India on March 14 I made two trips to Sacramento for ASI and one to Chatanooga for GYC.  This has been the year for non-stop, exhausting travel for me!  I hope next year is better.

 

Now I have to show you some pictures of India.   It was a terrific trip, although the un-airconditioned hotel rooms were sweltering and the smells were accosting.  God really blessed, and we learned to love not only the wonderful Maranatha India team, but many of the local people as well.

The aftermath of twenty-six hours and forty-five minutes - on the very same aircraft!!!

Global Pioneers (Bible workers) from each of the villages, plus translators and Sam, praying before the meeting began.

One (two?) of the 300,000+ gods the Hindus worship.

It's CHILI time!!

C.D. and Beth Carter - our wonderful construction superintendents and class sponsors!

Lindsay and me laying block - the heaviest block in the world!

William preaching with the local conference president translating.

An attentive crowd listening to the health talk.

The new church - as it was when we arrived.

These two ladies came all the way from another village because they heard we would be visiting and wanted prayer.

People were so happy to see us - even happier to have their pictures taken!

The traditional garland greeting - the Indian way of honoring visitors.

Getting pummeled with Marigold petals.

Praying for a family.

So excited to get a copy of the Desire of Ages (excerpts) in the Telegu language!

Our second Sabbath we had services in a fisherman's hut near the beach.

Chilikapuret at night.

Praying before preaching.

Allergies?  Who cares!

Mr. Neall was with us for ten days.

One of the few decent crowd shots.  Not enough light!

One of the last evenings.

You can see a few of the many bicycles!

Hundreds always wanted prayer after the meeting.  We usually got home after 11 p.m.

William, the tribal chieftan.

What's wrong with this picture?

Our Indian ladies in their punjabis.

Was this an accident?

I want one!

Christina visited us for a few days.  YAY!!!

Class of 2005 at a Hindu temple.

A face only a mother could love.

With my wonderful translator!

Gypsy children.

This family (above) really lives in that hut (below).

Can you believe it?  We have so much to be thankful for!

Why am I having a bad hair life?

I played king of the mountain with this monkey (and nearly lost!).

Class of 2005.

People arriving on trucks at night.

Up to 4000 attended our meetings.

Lindsay and translator.

The newly built church, with members, at the dedication.