Mín Englisc Blog

Yesterday, at the Republican National Convention, delegates saw a two-part presentation about "Courage of a Nation". While some speakers noted the President's capability and qualification to be reëlected, others looked at Kerry's incapability and disqualification. Today's speakers, including Mrs. Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger, will focus on "Compassion of the American People".
In the meantime, I need to get working on my room. Yesterday, we bought the wood for the shelving and had it cut to the right lengths. Today, hopefully, we can buy the supports to attach the shelves to the wall. I also need to build a wooden box, which I need for Personal Fitness. Besides that, I have tonight's troop meeting and at least one yard to mow today! The meeting, moreover, will be more important than normal, as the patrol leaders' council will need to assign a date for our next Court of Honor.

One major thing I forgot to mention happened on Friday. We returned from the Kickoff Picnic late (a bit after 9 PM), by which point it was fully dark. Once we turned on the dining room light, Mom fled into the study, for there was a bat on the dining room wall. Dad beat it around enough that it couldn't resist his sweeping it out the door. We found it dead in the grass the next morning.

This morning sees the beginning of the Republican National Convention. Although it runs Monday through Thursday, President Bush isn't scheduled to arrive until Wednesday. I plan to cover the convention (more or less) over the next four days.
Today I expect is another day of room work and stamp sorting. It's cool and cloudy with rather high humidity and a chance of rain, so lawn mowing is unlikely. By the way, Mrs. Miller stayed until 9:30; she had expected to go home mid-afternoon!
I'm looking for a "_____ of the day" subject to start soon. Any ideas?

I forgot to include a blog rating yesterday. Thus its inclusion today.
Dad preached this morning from chapter twelve of Numbers, where Miriam and Aaron rebel and try to set themselves up above Moses. Because this was the last week of the month, we had our monthly lunch-at-church followed by afternoon worship. Another family from northwest Ohio, the Alexanders, came; they visited once before, a few years ago. Paul Soma's parents and his two youngest siblings were there too, in town for a surprise visit.
After church, I got several more pictures for the photo directory. Everyone is now photographed except for us — Mr. Bump took our picture, but Mom is wanting another shot. After church, Mrs. Miller and Katy came over; she just bought a house over by Indian Lake, so we went over there to look at it. Fortunately, they are still here; maybe we can persuade her to stay for supper.
Tonight is the Olympic closing ceremony.
Final USA medal count: 35G, 39S, 29B, 103T

1. Katie: 6 posts.
2. Charity: 5 posts.
3. Daniel: 6 posts.
4. Nathan: 7 posts.
5. David: 5 posts, 3 pictures.
6. Becca: 4 posts.
7. Joseph: 5 posts.
8. Reba: 4 posts.
9. Anna: 2 posts.
10. Abby: 2 posts.
11. Jill: 1 post.
12. Allen: 1 post.
13. Grace: 0 posts. Last post 15 August.
14. Brian: 0 posts. Last post 19 August.

I hope all of you ECHO people had/are having a good time at the party tonight. At least today has not been useless — I've gotten more work done today than in any of the past several. I typed up a major thing for First Aid merit badge, arranged for a meeting to start work on Personal Fitness (required for Eagle) and Genealogy merit badges, continued work on my stamps, and planned more on my room rearrangement. Not to mention going to Bellefontaine twice and watching some of the Olympics.
Isaac and three others from the troop went on a 5.5 mile hike this morning. After leaving our house around 9:15, they went to Bumps' (from church) in 2½ hours, ate lunch, and carried out a first-aid drill.
Forgot to mention that last night was our homeschool group's annual Kickoff Picnic, held at the nearby Marmon Valley Farms. There seems to have been about three times as many people there as were for last year's. One of the new families live in southern Illinois, about an hour from Sparta; the husband is in the Air Force, and they are being moved to this area. We talked with them most of the evening. They have six kids, ranging from Emily (15) to one whose name I can't remember (22months); the two boys, 13 and 10, are both in Scouts, and might join our troop. So I guess I did get to attend a group get-together party, although I know far more people at Pulliams' than at Marmon Valley Farms.
USA medal count: 34G, 38S, 28B, 100T

Since I'm done with mowing for the week, I have two full days in which to work on my room and on the First Aid merit badge. Unfortunately. I would only have one full day were I going to the ECHO party. At least I'll be going to Mr. Keddie's installation and to the Fall Ministry Project.
On the plus side, my being home lets me concentrate far more on my Old English. Right now I'm working with parts of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle concerning "þá folcgefeohtes Ælfrædes cyninges wiþ þæm Denisc here", King Alfred's wars with the Danish Vikings.

Finally the al-Mahdi Army has left the Imam Ali Shrine. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, newly returned from his angioplasty in London, negotiated with al-Sadr somehow, resulting in al-Sadr's ordering his troops to lay down their arms. Since then, the rebeles have been seen piling weapons, obviously giving them up. While al-Sadr has reneged on cease-fires before, this one will probably be harder for him to break.
USA medal count: 28G, 32S, 25B, 85T

Today is time for work on my room rearrangement. Because I have way more books than can fit on my bookcase, I have decided to add new, permanent shelves. However, the way my room is arranged, I will have a hard time fitting everything into place. Thus the work.
In the Iraqi city of Kufa, a peace march was planned to start from the main mosque. Rebels fired a mortar at it, killing dozens and wounding (perhaps) over 100. According to this story, many supporters of al-Sadr blame the government. Why in the WORLD would the government do such a thing? There is no reason to help these people, except for the fact that hostility toward them will anger others. "They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, Not one of them does good."
In an-Najaf, the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has returned from his heart treatment in London to try to mediate a peace. We'll see how he does. I doubt that he can work it out; if he do, I'll be surprised but happy.
USA medal count: 25G, 29S, 23B, 77T

No mowing yesterday means probably two lawns today. Last night's troop meeting was quite different from the previous several — record high attendance! The Scoutmaster, who has been involved with the troop since the mid-1960s, says that it's possibly been forty years since we had 13 boys at a meeting.
When does someone have too much money? This story should qualify.

In Russia, two passenger aircraft crashed yesterday. Both planes left the Domodedovo Airport in Moscow and crashed nearly simultaneously. Moreover, the crew of one craft signalled a hijacking. Although officials in Russia downplay the idea of a terrorist act, many people (including me) beg to differ. What is the likelihood of this happening, especially since Chechnya's presidential election is just four days away?
USA medal count: 25G, 28S, 20B, 73T

Time to get back to the normal routine. Today will probably see at least one lawnmowing. At least I am paying off my debt; I only have $200 to go.

So much for the surrender of the Imam Ali Shrine. Muqtada al-Sadr is, as normal, equivocating when he says that he will negotiate. Once again, rebel soldiers are stationed around the shrine and defending it.
This is always what you get with orthodox Islam. Orthodox Islam DEMANDS death to all non-Muslims and continual warfare with non-Islamic countries. Jihad recognizes no difference between the soldier and the individual, and it shows no concern for collateral damage — if a Muslim avoids jihad when he could perform it, it's fine to hurt or kill him in pursuit of jihad. Moreover, it is perfectly fine to use houses of worship for fighting, but if non-Muslims attack such places it is sacrilege. Exclusive religion (including Christianity) bears no inherent threat to good government; however, when you have an exclusive religion which denies the right to live to all non-believers, a government should have nothing to do with that religion. This war we are fighting is, in truth, a war on true Islam; most Muslims around the world are religiously liberal enough that they renounce jihad.
USA medal count: 23G, 26S, 17B, 66T

Today's return trip was rather long because we spent over two hours at an outlet mall, eating lunch and selecting new table settings. As a result, I've had very little time. Thus the dinky post.
USA medal count: 23G, 26S, 17B, 66 T

Right now I'm at my aunt and uncle's house in western Pennsylvania. We had a decent trip out here, with little eventful except for long, enjoyable discussions. Last night there was heavy rain. Today we visit the Lawrence County Fair — fun, fun, fun, in the mud. Sorry this is really boring but I slept badly and shortly last night and am feeling rather tired.
Not much time to post, so I'll have to skip the best blogs. In the future, I will be keeping my notes but not posting them; if you want them you must request them by email. Be forewarned: they will include things like "bad spelling" or "rather random" if applicable to one or more of the reviewed blogs.

USA medal count: 17G, 12S, 12S, 41T

Possibly a peaceful ending to one part of the Battle of Najaf: al-Sadr is saying that he will hand over the Imam Ali Shrine to the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the top Shi'a cleric in Iraq. al-Sistani, who is currently in London for medical reasons, is disapproving of the US troops in Iraq but advocates non-resistance and has spoken out against al-Sadr's style of disapproval.
We leave in a little bit for my grandparents' in Pennsylvania, hopefully returning on Monday. They have no computer, so I'm not likely to post much. I might be able to use my aunt and uncle's computer occasionally.
USA medal count: 15G, 11S, 10B, 36T

Must be quick because I need to go off to bed. Today has seen Iraqi troops preparing for a final assault on the Imam Ali mosque in an-Najaf. I was gone all evening over in Rushsylvania, seven miles away, helping with a fundraiser for the troop. We sold $19.50 of ice cream, nothing more.
USA medal count: 14G, 11S, 10B, 35T

One of the greatest comebacks in US sport.

Clear skies in Pockrasville this morning, as I should get a couple more lawns mown today in the best weather all week 8^D Decent troop meeting last night; we are already planning forward to next summer.
Last night was typical for the Reds: Starter Brandon Claussen left with a lead after six innings, having given up a run and five hits. The 2-1 score stayed until the eighth, when closer Danny Graves gave up a run, walked in a second, and then allowed a grand slam.
In an-Najaf, a negotiating team sent in by the Iraqi government has nearly failed. Unless something extremely unlikely happen, PM Allawi will pull out the team. They will be replaced by Iraqi soldiers, and the negotiating table by a military assault.
United States medal count: 7G, 9S, 6B, 22T

Mowing and more mowing is in the forecast for today. With that, I'll have to make the post short.
Although the US Olympic team has done well and medalled in some events — including men's team gymnastics, their first in an unboycotted Olympics in 72 years — they have not been doing well in several events. Even in swimming races like the 100 freestyle, where Americans have won 28 medals in the past, we did poorly, having no swimmers in the final for the first time ever in an unboycotted Olympics.
United States medal count: 3G, 3S, 5B, 13T

The US basketball team lost their Olympic opener to Puerto Rico — by nineteen points! What a way to start. At least the swimmers have already won some medals, including at least one gold.
John Kerry is proclaiming his support for the intelligence community. Isn't this the same guy that (after September 11) voted to cut six billion (with a B) dollars from the intelligence budget? But, oops, I was on the wrong track; our all-knowing, all-seeing, all-feeling, all-concerned, all-impartial mainstream media reminds us that Bush is a horrible liar but Kerry is an honorable man (who by the way was in Vietnam). My apologies for this heretical error.
Only about eight photos are left for the congregational photo directory. This includes both elders' families — the Bumps because they are ill and weren't at church, and the Pockrases because Mom didn't want to be photographed after the evening service.

Overall a very good visit down to Cincinnati. Nearly all of Dad's family were at the party for my grandfather's birthday and my graduation. The only ones missing were my uncle Joe (at work due to a major car crash, which caused him to miss work earlier in the week), my cousin Kevin (at college in New Jersey), and my cousin Tim (at a Madden 2005 video game competition).
Today's morning sermon discussed Numbers 11. The chapter tells of the Israelites having quail coming out of their nostrils (verse 11) and follows by telling of a plague.
More pictures are done and ready; hopefully, I'll soon be able to have everyone. The Bump family were not at church at all today, as they all have a cold. I guess there's always two or three weeks from now...
We'll be gone next week at my mom's parents' in Pennsylvania. I think we leave Friday and return Monday. They have no computer; hopefully, I'll be able to go to my aunt and uncle's house 0.1 miles up the road and blog on theirs.
The next weekend I'll probably be home again, although I hope to go to the joint ECHO party. My parents have agreed to my going, but they will be to busy to drive me. Consequently, they say I must get transportation. Anyone willing?

ECHO has gotten its website back up and running.
Best blogs of the week was somewhat of a problem. Of my twelve people, only three posted five or more times. Anna and Charity only put up five posts between them. At least everyone did something.
1. Joseph: 13. 13 Various scenes from movies recounted in extreme detail. Some personal stuff. Only blog I read to post every day.
2. Nathan: 8 Changed his profile from something nice to something ugly. Long informative posts, but just one before Wednesday.
3. Jill: 5 Personal and movie reviews, together with some pet peeves.
4. Allen: 4, 2 pictures Decently long posts, but somewhat random. All posts Tuesday-Thursday.
5. Anna: 4 Mostly short posts, but one long one. Very random.
6. Abby: 4 Nice long posts, but only one post since Tuesday.
7. Reba: 3 Gives updates on personal news; one long update, one short, and one Olympic comment.
8. Brian: 2 One long, one extremely long. Both give much personal information.
9. Daniel: 4 He's gone, and a liberal is posting for him.
10. David: 2 He's gone. There's an extremely long set of random notes.
11. Grace: 2 Posted Thursday and Friday. Both interesting, telling of recent personal events.
12. Becca: 2 One post by her brother. Her sister was just born this week.
13. Charity: 1. She's gone.

Here are both local perspective and national perspective on Hurricane Charley.
The hurricane landed on Captiva Island off Fort Myers (where at least my ECHO team went), its 145 mph winds causing heavy damage to at LEAST 50% of the homes. Practically all of the Fort Myers area is without power right now. Not far to the north, in Port Charlotte, the hurricane did the most damage, destroying or heavily damaging over thirty mobile home parks and perhaps killing dozens. Hundreds are still missing. Earlier today, the Weather Channel showed a picture of a boat on the sand at Port Charlotte Beach, at the very spot where my team visited. ECHO's website is down right now, but doubtless they were hardly hit. Pray for the recovery!

Greece, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, San Marino, Angola, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Haiti, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Afghanistan, Vanuatu, Belgium, Venezuela, Bermuda, Viet Nam, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, France, Germany, Georgia, Gambia, Gabon, Ghana, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Grenada, Denmark, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Switzerland, Eritrea, Estonia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Japan, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Ireland, Equatorial Guinea, Ecuador, Iceland, Spain, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Cameroon, Cambodia, Canada, Qatar, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Qatar, Kenya, People’s Republic of China, Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Colombia, Comores, Congo, Koreas, Costa Rica, Cuba, Kuwait, Cook Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Belarus, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Morocco, Mauritius, Mauritania, Great Britain, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Mozambique, Moldova, Monaco, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Bhutan, Brunei, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Norway, South Africa, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Oman, Honduras, Hungary, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Uruguay, Pakistan, Palestine, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Virgin Islands, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Rwanda, Romania, Russia, St. Kitts & Nevis, Samoa, Sao Tome & Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia & Montenegro, Seychelles, Singapore, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Swaziland, Sudan, Suriname, Sri Lanka, Syrian Arab Republic, Chinese Taipei, United Republic of Tanzania, Tadjikistan, Thailand, Jamaica, Djibouti, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Togo, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Trinidad & Tobago, Chad, Czech Republic, Tunisia, Yemen, Philippines, Finland, Fiji, Chile, Hong Kong, Greece.

Let the Games begin!

Our computer is fixed! We got it back too late last night for me to post, and I had no time this morning before we left. Before we took it in, it had been restarting without warning or reason; apparently, the problem was the video card. Its fan and another fan had malfunctioned, and the whole computer was overheating. Fortunately, there was no permanent damage.

Hurricane Charley, newly upgraded to Category 4, is about to hit the Florida coast with winds of over 125 miles per hour. As Governor Jeb Bush warned people to evacuate, meteorologists are predicting that the storm will make landfall at Tampa, creating a storm surge of up to 16 feet.
Remember to pray for those at ECHO, as they doubtless are seeing heavy storms too!

Major news continues to come out of Iraq. In an-Najaf, our soldiers have taken the city cemetery, a former hideout for al-Sadr's forces, and are preparing to root out the rebels altogether. The Shrine of the Imam Ali, of all places most sacred to Shi'a Muslims, may be the final battleground in the city. Contrary to international law, many hundreds of rebels are barricaded in the mosque; however, if we touch it, on our heads be the blood. Consequently, Iraqi soldiers will lead the assault.
By the way, check here.
Tomorrow we leave for my grandmother's in Cincinnati, where we plan to stay overnight. On Saturday, my family are having a party to celebrate two events: my grandfather's 77th birthday and my graduation. Hopefully I will be able to watch the opening ceremony for the Olympics.
We are done with RP churches. I'll think of another "_____ of the day" to post soon. If we see any more new congregations started or any other major news in the denomination, I'll post that when I hear of it.

Everyone else has been gone since about 10:00 down to Delaware, OH, to look at a used lawnmower. I can't understand why they've been gone 3½ hours already; it's only an hour's drive.

In an-Najaf, our soldiers saw continued battle today against the al-Mahdi Army of Muqtada al-Sadr. As in previous days, fighting has centered in the vast ancient cemetery. Until I read this story, I had never realized the vastness of the area — two million people are buried there! Let's add al-Sadr and his forces to the two million.

Syracuse North Mission Church in Syracuse, New York, is a work of the Syracuse congregation. Pastor Brian Coombs serves here as the church planter.

Dad has been gone all day at Grand Jury again. This is his last time; after this, he'll be able to tell a stupid criminal story he saw in May but hasn't been allowed to tell until now.
President Bush has now nominated Porter Goss to be the CIA director. Goss has a long history of intelligence dealings, having served as a CIA agent before becoming a US Representative. He's chaired the House Intelligence Committee for the last eight years. Aristocrats, predictably, are criticizing the choice as "too political". I seriously doubt there's anyone Bush could choose except an Aristocrat who would be acceptable to them.

The 2004 Olympics begin on Friday in Athens, Greece. I just hope I can watch the opening ceremony, as we'll be going down to my grandparents' in Cincinnati on Friday morning.
Russell Mission Church in Ontario is yet another of the Ottawa-sponsored church plants. E. Matthew Kingswood, another Ottawa associate, is the pastor.

Late last week we had computer problems — it kept restarting without reason and without warning. Dad did a system restore, and it began to work almost correctly. Since this morning, however, it won't even get into Windows. Am I thankful for library computers!
This morning warnings were issued by the DHS and FBI about the possibility of more airborne terrorist attacks. Using intelligence captured from the guy in Pakistan, the government believe that al-Qaida may be looking into hijacking tourist helicopters and using them like the September 11 airliners. Limousines are also possibly in al-Qaida's sights to deliver bombs.
New Creation Mission Church in Kitchener, ON, is another new work sponsored by Ottawa RP. Scott Wilkinson, who officially is an associate at Ottawa, is the church planter.

This morning I took some photos at church, the first for our church’s photo directory. After worship, the Mortons (who live 90 minutes away) came over to eat lunch before going home around 3:00. Since then, I’ve been sending the 5 megs of pictures to Mr. Bump, our ruling elder. It would be a lot easier if our connection weren’t dialup and subject to sudden disconnecting.
Living Hope Mission Church in Toronto, ON, is one of the new works started by Ottawa RP. Pastor Kiernan Stringer ministers to a small but growing group of people. In 1998, when our family stayed with my aunt and uncle in Toronto, we visited Living Hope; at that point, the church was just starting.

Forgot to do a best blogs list. Þissum wice ic gecyðe ánlíce þá webbéames þe ic to geþéode. This week I'm only showing the blogs I link to. As well, I'm not going to show my comments, so as not to offend some people.
12. Grace Posts: 0
11. Daniel Posts: 1
10. Abby Posts: 2
9. Anna Posts: 5
8. Becca Posts: 6
7. Jill Posts: 7
6. Brian Posts: 8
5. David Posts: 3
4. Charity Posts: 7
3. Reba Posts: 6
2. Joseph Posts: 12
1. Nathan Posts: 10

You all know how I like to be orderly. When I started working on cleaning my room, I discovered I was missing my perforation gauge — a tool for measuring the holes on the edge of a stamp. As a result, I have been using my American Philatelic Society membership card because it has a perforation gauge on the back. Now that too is missing. I feel so helpless for this is completely out of character for me and I know not what to do.
After the beheading of Nicholas Berg, Iraqi rebels have been using that tactic to unnerve supporters of the President's policies. Now, we see tapes coming from everywhere. Can we charge this man with treason? Without a doubt, he is giving comfort and attempting to give aid to foreign and domestic enemies of the United States — and we have more than two witnesses to his actions!

Walton RP in New York is another small congregation in a small town. Although they have been without a pastor for a while, Brad Johnston is soon to be ordained and installed there.

You should see my room. I had a hard time making room on the floor to clear my bed to sleep in it. As a result, I need to do more work and need to do less posting. Mr. and Mrs. Posvar arrived safely yesterday. They're visiting here because they want to meet our congregation.

The church building is the lower picture.
Syracuse RP is one of the largest congregations in St. Lawrence Presbytery. Although it has well over 200 members, only about 170 attend worship on average. Their pastor, Andrew Schep, is new, having moved from Columbus just a year or two ago. The congregation is currently involved in starting a new congregation on the city's north side.

Another night of camping was okay. Despite no rain last night, the tent is wetter than yesterday. Plus, I have to take it several blocks up town, to the library, for a Scouting demonstration for their summer reading program.
Travellers are coming and going today: Dad takes Isaac to Jackson Center in the next county to meet my uncle and his family. They are headed up to Lake Erie for a weekend, including a daylong visit tomorrow to Cedar Point. I could have gone, but I didn't feel like going. As well, a couple named Ron and Judy Posvar arrive today for the weekend.
Mr. Bush and Kerry were both in Davenport, IA, yesterday, making simultaneous speeches just a couple of blocks away. Because of all the police at the campaign events, some people decided to take advantage of the opportunity.

Rochester RP is another relatively new congregation in St. Lawrence Presbytery. Unlike Oswego, they're rather small. Pastor William Chellis was ordained and installed here a couple of years ago.

Camping last night outside was okay. I need to sleep outside for several more nights as part of the Eagle-required Camping merit badge. Tonight I hope to be outside again, but it depends on the weather; storms are possible tonight.
Come ON! Sometimes the war on drugs is helpful, but these narcotics officers are doing nothing but harm. The man should be able to sue, because the warrant most definitely was NOT issued upon probable cause.

Ottawa RP, with over 250 members, is one of the two largest churches in St. Lawrence Presbytery. Dr. Richard Ganz, a converted Jew, is the pastor. The congregation supports several new church plants in Ontario as well as the Ottawa Theological Hall.

Ic þurfe dón máre geweorce on mín Englisce.
Two more yards mean that I've done a lot of work today. I shouldn't even be here (troop meetings are 6:30 Tuesday evenings) but the Scoutmaster is ill, so no meeting. This is now five straight weeks when I have not attended a troop meeting, and I've only been to one in the last eight weeks.
After the orange alerts issued a couple of days ago for New York, New Jersey, and DC, Howard Dean and other Aristocrats criticized Homeland Security for being political. Now, with reports that some of the emails seized were written in 2000, tons of anti-Bush people are screaming that they acted on bad intelligence. Never mind two facts: (1) You're attacking the government for doing the exact opposite of what you said they were doing yesterday. (2) We first heard about flying planes into buildings back in 1995. al-Qaida takes years to plan any sophisticated attacks, and they've not necessarily dumped this idea. Anyway, many of the plans were updated in January, just seven months ago.

Oswego RP on the shore of Lake Ontario is another larger congregation in New York. Founded about 25 years ago, the church contains over 100 members served by Rev. Walter "Kit" Swartz.

Sorry that I didn't do anything more, but I've been busy today. Between cleaning my room and a FOUR-hour-long mowing job, there just wasn't much time.

Mr. Bump, our ruling elder, presided over worship today, because Dad’s voice was too weak for him to do more than preach. That part Dad did fine, looking at Leviticus 10, where we read of Nadab and Abihu.
Today I am working on redoing the congregational directory and birthday list. Due to delays, our 2004 edition is still not produced.

Lisbon RP along the St. Lawrence River in upstate New York is another older congregation. Unlike many of our rural congregations, Lisbon is rather large, containing over seventy people. Pastor Steve Rockhill, a rather younger man, has only been at the congregation for a couple of years.