Mín Englisc Blog

Saddam has officially been turned over to the new Iraqi government as their prisoner. He will appear for his first court hearing tomorrow.
Yesterday went pretty well: two lawns mown, 4½ miles cycled, decent troop meeting even though only seven boys were there. I plan to leave at 9:00 for a 25.8-mile-long bike ride. According to Luke Dinkledine, the first day of the bike trip will be 95 miles long, so I'd best prepare more. I'd also best make this post short!

Washington RP in southeastern Iowa is an older congregation served by Pastor John Monger. From the sixty-something people, they have average attendance of forty-five. RP have been in Washington since (I think) 1841.

Sad news out of Iraq: Cincinnati-area Army Specialist Matt Maupin likely has been killed. Terrorists have released a video showing a soldier being shot in the back of the head — and they call him Matt Maupin. The family's support network (Maupin was kidnapped in April) has been preparing for the worst even as they continue to organize large prayer services for his safety.
For me, yesterday was pretty good. But then you saw that already. Today I get back into the swing of things, with one or two lawns to mow and my normal troop meeting tonight. By the end of next month, I will have missed five of six straight meetings.

Winchester RP is another of the congregations formed in the late 1800s by RP farmers who moved to eastern Kansas. Although about 100 people are members, only about 65 people attend the services. Pastor Paul Finley has served the congregation for eleven years.

Right now I'm at my grandmother's condo in her north-Cincinnati retirement village. We're here for most of the day to visit, since we've not been here in a couple of months and won't be able to again for a couple of months. Really nothing else has happened besides our uneventful trip. Dad and Mom went out to buy a new suit for him with money we at church gave him as a birthday present. Dad took Isaac and me to the local Scout store where they got some new patches and papers. And we're going to go visit my grandfather at the nursing home across the campus. It's good that he's been doing rather well in the past few days — once he looked at my cousin and, out of the blue, asked about her father by name!
In Iraq, the new government has undertaken full sovereignty two days early. US and Iraqi officials had planned this to stem the tide of attacks intended to prevent the transfer. Without a doubt, today is a great day in the history of Iraq.
Trinity Reformed Church in Wichita, Kansas, is a new congregation under the leadership of Pastor Charles Carroll. This Midwest Presbytery church of about fifty people was only organized about a couple or three years ago.

Last week of the month means lunch at church followed by afternoon worship. Mom had me speak during lunch about ECHO, so I mentioned things like the daily schedule, where we went in the evenings, the square dancing, what types of work we did, etc. I did NOT mention things like the drinking contest (see Charity for the details) or the lizards with names on their bellies. Dad preached from parts of Exodus just after the Red Sea and from Psalm 94. I didn't get much out of the afternoon sermon because I'm still tired. Funny, I'm also still used to the Florida climate — I wore a jacket almost all the time at church, while everybody else is in short- or no-sleeve shirts!
Nothing much to say except that since I'm tired, I'm not going to post any church today. I'll try to get back into the swing of things tomorrow or Tuesday, since we're supposed to be going to my grandparents in Cincinnati tomorrow.

Ic eom æt mín húse. I'm home. Whenever I return from any CYPU event, I feel as if I'm awaking from the dream called friends, back into the real world of loneliness. After Dad picked me up from Fulks', I still dreamed much of the way; however, when I awoke from my half-hour nap, I knew reality again. Psalm 139:
"When I awake, I'm still with Thee.
What a time. Never have I known a better two days than yesterday and the day before. Hour upon hour of talking with Laurie and Stephen (and Flo, on Thursday) interspersed with Psalms. I still need to email the text of Carmen Ohio to Mr Edwards, and I need to find some text for Civil War songs for Laurie.

I survived the ECHO trip! Right now I'm at Blackwoods', attending the gathering of the ECHO #1 team. Great trip, but no time to tell it now. If you want, I'll tell in more detail.

I'm at ECHO until Thursday morning. So far it's been decent, except we've been busy every night. Tuesday was Wal-Mart, Wednesday was a beach, Thursday was a place called the Shell Factory, and yesterday was an ice cream stand. Ice cream stand had no sherbet, so I ordered a regular Pepsi and chips. No chips! After getting back, we had two times of square dancing.
Today was surveying in the morning; after that, we went to a mall. After supper, we're going to another beach.

Zzzzz. That's what I want to do. Somebody had the great idea of putting on a 133-minute movie at 11:20 EDT, so I didn't get to bed until after 2:00. Strange bed and house meant that I lost an hour of sleep. And here I am typing at 6:00.
President Reagan forþférde seofon dæge [ago]. His body was committed to earth yesterday at his presidential library in Simi Valley, CA.
Topeka RP is another Kansas congregation, served by Pastor Joe Griffo. I'm going to try to have Dad edit this post to include membership and remove this sentence. FINAL church!

Now I am at the Jim Long house as Mrs. Long is attempting to put the younger children to bed. I'm informed that we will leave for SSide at 5:45 — early, but I woke up 45 minutes earlier this morning. At least I'm used to being on Standard Time 8^D

Photo is of Washington National Cathedral today. The funeral was really good, with eulogies by, among others, Margaret Thatcher, both Presidents Bush, and the former PM of Canada. The service was led by former Senator John Danforth (R-MO), an Anglican priest.

Well, I'm here at Pulliams. Decent trip, although I fell asleep part of the way.

I'm about to leave for Indianapolis where (I think) I'll be staying at the Jim Long house. I'll try to post tonight, maybe a quick bit tomorrow, and I'm trying to have Dad post what I tell him while I'm gone. No churches or photos until I get back.

TODAY is Dad's fiftieth birthday.

Rain. I was hoping to mow today.

President Reagan has been lying in state under the Capitol rotunda yesterday; the casket will be moved today to the National Cathedral for the 11:30 state funeral. By 5:00 yesterday morning, over 100,000 people had already passed by, and I'm sure at least as many have passed since then. Beside Mrs. Reagan, major dignitaries attending during normal hours include the current President and Mrs. Bush, the former President and Mrs. Bush, Mikhail Gorbechev, and Lech Walesa.
I leave this afternoon for Indianapolis. We packed last night, and it's now all ready to go. Hopefully I don't become ill on the way, as both of the Soma children are somewhat ill.
Kavan Reames from church and his fiancée are having their wedding rehearsal today, with the wedding coming tomorrow. I guess I'll miss everything 8^(

Stillwater RP in that Oklahoma city is a congregation of about ninety people. Pastor R. Bruce Parnell's congregation currently meets at the Stillwater Community Center, as they have no building.

President Reagan's casket arrived yesterday in Maryland from California. A procession carried the casket to the Capitol, where it has been lying in state since the end of a short service yesterday evening. The photo shows the horse-drawn caisson that took the casket for the last three miles. A service today precedes the state funeral tomorrow.
Last night was supposed to be a normal prayer meeting. However, the Somas and others had been planning since May to have a surprise birthday party for Dad instead of prayer meeting. Isaac and I knew, but Mom and Dad didn't, so it was a total surprise for them. We had some faraway people from church, including the Mortons from Defiance — 90 minutes away!
Tomorrow I leave for ECHO. Paul and Dana plan to leave as soon as 2-year-old Ethan awakes from his nap, around 4 or 5 PM. Three hours' journey means we should arrive at Pulliams around 6 to 7. (Remember the time difference!) Today is time for preparation.

Sterling RP in Kansas is another older congregation. Pastor Derek Miller serves about ninety people; however, unlike many of these older, larger congregations, nearly all come to worship. They have a website, but I can't figure out how to get there.

I'm sorry about the comments; Haloscan seems to be down right now.

Zzzzz. That's what I want to do. I haven't been sleeping well recently, and today was worst — I awoke before 6:00. In past years, I have slept decently in summer, but this year has been horrible. HWÆT cunne ic dó?
Today I go in to have my senior pictures taken, starting at 10:00. Hopefully I'll be awake enough to do well.
Last night's troop meeting was good; we had ten boys there for the first time since April. We also had our first Patrol Leaders' Council, a leaders' planning group that all troops are supposed to have. I just wish we'd have more order. The Senior Patrol Leader is supposed to lead meetings of the Council; I, as Assistant SPL, am only supposed to lead when the SPL isn't there. Not only did I have to lead in the presence of the SPL, he was causing most of the disorder that kept us way too long. AAAAARGH!
President Reagan's body will be lying in state at the Capitol today. Over 100,000 people passed by the casket at the Reagan Presidential Library, and planners expect a similar number at the Capitol. Tomorrow is the state funeral.
In Georgia, the G-8 summit begins today. The leaders of all eight countries are applauding the unanimous approval of a UN Security Council resolution supporting the sovereignty process in Iraq. This does NOT mean that France and Russia support the war — they just want something getting us out.
Jim O'Brian, the Ohio State men's basketball coach, was fired by university athletic director Andy Geiger yesterday. Geiger did this upon discovering that O'Brian gave $6,000 to a recruit in 1999. Even though he never came to Ohio State, this is a recruiting violation. Don't people know that they'll get caught?

Pastor David Reese is on the left.
Springs Reformed Church in Colorado Springs is a flourishing church under the pastoral leadership of David Reese. Over 100 people now are members, and (unlike many Midwest Presbytery churches) nearly everyone attends. The session are looking into the possibility of starting a new congregation in the Pueblo area.

Ic scule beon fæst forþæmþe ic wille ridende mín twáhweole twentigfíf mílum to dæg. I must be fast because I will be riding my bike 25 miles today.
As I expected, I mowed twice yesterday and not much else happened. We went out to Fazoli's for supper before going shopping. I was looking for fabric paint for a flag I need to make, but they were out of both colors. They'll probably get some in on Friday, just as I'm about to leave 8^(

President Reagan's casket is currently at his presidential library in Calfiornia. Tomorrow, the body will lie in state under the Capitol rotunda. Friday is the state funeral at Washington National Cathedral, after which the body will be flown back to California for a sunset burial.

Shawnee RP in the Kansas City area is an older congregation with a beautiful new building. Pastor Wade Mann serves something like ninety people, many of whom, unfortunately, don't attend often.

Monday means time to mow. I have (probably) two lawns to mow today, and they're just the beginning to a busy week. A total of five lawns to mow this week, plus I hope to take a 25-mile bike ride. Senior photos 10 AM Wednesday. And leave for ECHO on Friday, so we have to prepare for that.
Now that Reagan has been dead a couple of days, the hate has begun to return. Lots of people saying: "He didn't really do much to end the Cold War" "He committed impeachable offences in Iran-Contra" "He set himself up as compassionate but did little for the poor". I read all three of these in one story just this morning! Why don't these people care that they besmear one of our top five presidents?
I can't think of much more to post, except remember to keep praying for the Reagan family and giving thanks that we had such a great president.
Sharon RP near Morning Sun, Iowa, is a fusion of Sharon RP and Morning Sun RP. Pastor Ron Good serves (1) nearly ninety members, and (2) somewhat over fifty attenders. Besides Belle Center, Dad candidated at Sharon in early 1985 after the New Castle congregation died.

Sixty years ago, the Normandy landings began. Thousands upon thousands of US Army soldiers hit the beaches to begin their liberation of France. Praise the LORD that our country has had great soldiers and leaders in the past, especially the 5000 or so who never left the beaches.
For the first time in my memory, I attended two worship services this morning. Isaac and I went over to the Huntsville Presbyterian Church in that nearby village around 8:15, where we ate breakfast. After that, we stayed for class and most of worship before returning here for our service. We were at Huntsville for our Scoutmaster, who attends there, to receive his God and Service award — an extremely high honor. The atmosphere was somewhat different. For one thing: a female deacon led much of worship. As well, one part of the service was a teenage praise band composed of one from Huntsville PC, one from St. Mary of the Woods (Catholic) and three from Lewistown-Trinity United Methodist. Not to mention the Hawaii-style decorations for their Bible school this week!
The sermon was pretty good, and longer than I expected: twenty minutes on the last five verses of Hebrews 12. We left with the Scoutmaster's adult son as soon as the sermon was over, arriving at Belle Center RP about fifteen minutes late. Dad's sermon on the Passover and plague #10 was good as normal.
I have heard that Reagan's funeral will be on Friday. Do watch it if you can.
Quinter RP is a small congregation in far western Kansas. Pastor Steven Work serves a group nominally of fifty people, but only about twenty attend each week.

Ronald Reagan, former President of the United States, died this afternoon at around 4:00 EDT. The Associated Press has a good story.
In my opinion, Reagan was the greatest president of the 20th Century. Supportive of good domestic policy, he sought to build a strong œconomy and society; yet he fought for military strength to keep our country strong. It was Reagan, more than any other American, who won the Cold War. Well did he deserve the mighty aircraft carrier named for him.
I have heard some things of his faith; he was a professed Christian, from what I have heard, and I hope that he was truly in heart. If not: what a sad story, that such a great man should have never trusted the LORD for salvation. If so: what a grand life, to be crowned with glory at his crossing the river of Death!
Please, by all means, comment on what you think of my post and what you think of Ronald Reagan.

Pray for Mrs. Reagan and the rest of his family.

Forgot to mention earlier that today is the Belmont. Can Smarty Jones pull it out, or will he be like five of the last seven Derby winners — win the Preakness and fail at the Belmont? I don't think he'll make it, but check it out on ESPN or one of the broadcast channels. Post time is 6:38.

Bad news: A source from the White House has told the media that former President Reagan's health has taken a turn for the worse. Apparently, his family are gathering at his California home. According to what I've heard, he might last for weeks or even months — but the obvious implication is that he can't last too much longer. What a sad ending for such a great life. No other president has lived so long.
Yesterday was normal: mow once and see Isaac do schoolwork. He is now done with his normal coursework, and the only thing left are state-mandated achievement tests. Right now he's with two other boys from the troop, going on a ten-mile hike for the Hiking merit badge. I'll be leaving shortly for a fifteen-mile bike ride for Cycling merit badge. Once that's done, I'll be two-thirds done with the preparatory rides for my fifty that I'll be doing on the way to Calvin.
President Bush is meeting today with Jacques Chirac in France; presumably they'll discuss Iraq. A major part of Mr. Bush's trip will be commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Normandy landings tomorrow.
Longmont RP is the newest church in Midwest Presbytery. Pastor Marty Wilsey serves forty-something people in this Colorado city north of Denver. Westminster RP in the Denver area still provides some oversight.

Go here.
Another bike ride, another mowing, and a homeschool group pizza party pretty much sum up yesterday. Two more lawns to mow for the week, and I need to make one fifteen-mile ride and two twenty-five-mile rides for my Cycling merit badge before a fifty-mile ride, which I'll do on the way to Calvin.
George Tenet, the CIA director, resigned unexpectedly yesterday, citing personal reasons. Despite his (and the president's) statements otherwise, the media are already openly wondering if he were forced out as a result of Abu Ghrayb.
President Bush, meanwhile, was at the Vatican yesterday to meet with the Pope. I heard this morning part of the pope's response; it was in English. How many languages does he speak? It was hard to tell, though, if it were English or not, because he doubtless has a Polish accent and his Parkinson's can't help.
Minneola RP in far southwestern Kansas is a small (about 30 people) and isolated congregation, served by Pastor Tony Cowley. As they say, they are "The only self-consciously Reformed church in a 100 mile radius." This church, along with (I think) the Washington, IA congregation, came into the RPCNA in the Associate Presbyterian merger of 1969.

I decided to add the profile on the side. After all, you could already see it whenever I commented on other people's blogs.

We had a great time at the troop Court of Honor. Isaac and I received ten merit badges and five rank cards put together. I had to lead because I'm effectively the vice president and the "president" wasn't there. One of Dad's brothers and his wife came up from south of Columbus.
Other than that, nothing much happened. I took a bike ride into 25mph winds on Tuesday; hopefully, I can do another before the week is out. Forgot to mention that we had a tornado warning a few days ago. It was bad enough that we were on the verge of heading into the basement.
Hebron RP in Clay Center, Kansas, is another of the eastern Kansas churches founded by nineteenth-century RP migrating in groups. The church of sixty-something people has only about forty-five people at worship, unfortunately. Their pastor, Ron Graham, we know well because he was the last pastor here before Dad.

I thought that since David isn't going to post best blogs this week, I might as well do so. These are all the blogs I link to, together with all that they link to.

1: Daniel
2: David
3: Charity
4: Brian
5: Nathan
6: Anna
7: Luke
8: Hannah
9: Jeremiah
10: Mary
11: Shannon
12: Katie
13: Ashley
14: Eleni
15: Amber
16: Sarah
17: Allen

Becca is exempt for reasons stated below.

Allen Blackwood: 0. Absolutely nothing.
Amber Wheeler: 5. All from Monday and Tuesday; three are verseoftheday or quoteoftheday. One on work, one on gas prices. Short posts.
Anna Pulliam: 31, 3 polls. On various subjects; mostly sports with a bit of school and summer sports. Short posts.
Ashley Broscoe: 4, poll. She says she's busy and I can well imagine. Various personal stuff. Long posts.
Becca Long: Exempt because my computer won't let me look at it.
Brian Fulk: 4. All of them in the last few days; he hadn't posted in two weeks. Good log of personal activities. Long posts.
Charity Blackwood: 16, poll. Nothing since Saturday but I'm told she can't log in. Lots of personal. 1 IM. Short posts.
Daniel Pulliam: 15, poll. Nothing for three days. Nearly all political with a little sports. Lots of straightforward thinking. Long posts.
David Pulliam: 17, 4 polls. Reduced posting because he's despondent that the Pacers lost. Mostly personal and sports. Regular quoteoftheday. Long posts.
Eleni Elder: 2. Both posts last week. Personal and movies; interesting lunar thing at top. Long posts.
Hannah Ray: 4. Personal; tells some about days without posts. Very nice post about visit to DC. Long posts.
Jeremiah Ragsdale: 4, 2 pictures. Posted about days he wasn't there. Regular with verseoftheday. Long posts.
Katie Bussell: 4. Personal with literary commentary. Long posts.
Luke Long: 16, 3 polls. As David says, somewhat "random". Mix of personal, sports, movies. Short posts.
Mary Ray: 12, quiz, picture. Not the best spelling. Nothing last Monday or since Saturday. Lots of personal. 2 IM. Short posts.
Nathan Hart: 21, 2 polls, quiz. Personal, sports, funny topten lists. Short posts.
Sarah Pulliam: 2. Funny and politically good but too few posts. Long posts.
Shannon Koons: 7. Apparently she's been posting LOTS more often than before. Funny, mostly personal with long thing about cicadas. Short posts.

Ic næbbe ongytene nú forþæmþe ic ne rædende mín Englisce.
Really very little has happened of interest since yesterday's post. Cincinnati won 9-7 last night on the strength of Griffey home run #494. Oil prices are going up on the strength of the al-Qaida attack at Khobar last week. The Iraqi Governing Council has now selected a president of Iraq frmo among their own number after the US-backed favorite declined. Can you add anything?
Tonight is our troop's Court of Honor. Since the last one, in October, everyone in the troop has gotten several awards. I've reached three new ranks since then! During the parade yesterday, Mr. Stoner was inviting every Scout-age boy he could find to come tonight. I just hope this will produce fruit.
Will David ever post again? It's Tuesday morning and he hasn't yet gotten the blogoftheweek done.
Denison RP is a church of about ninety people in eastern Kansas. Unfortunately, Pastor J. Edward Hindman, who has served there for nearly thirty years, only sees about sixty people at worship on an average week.