Miami to Chicago!

  Sorry I don't have any pictures, the camera is in another room!  I've got to tell you that the ministry in Miami was AWESOME!    While there I spoke 9 times at 3 different places.  The highlight was speaking to over 800 middle and high school students for 4 days!  There were some great conversations as well during the day.  Zach, the young man who took a month off from college to volunteer where I work, went with me on this trip.  He brought a camera and taped a number of the young folks who were asking questions and making comments about the meetings.  He's compiling all of this and making a short video.  I'll share it ASAP.  We would just hangout at the lunch area so the students could speak with us.  It was really very encouraging to be there and have these conversations.

  On Friday I spoke to the youth and then took off for the airport with Zach.  We made the flight, arrived in Cincy where my beautiful wife picked us up.  We went straight to where I work and picked up a truck and drove to Chicago!  It turned out to be an excellent commute.  We couldn't believe it, no traffic all the way to the hotel.  We made it in record time.

  Saturday I went to the church at 8 am to attend a men's breakfast.  It was really nice to fellowship with the men there and be fed spiritually as well as physically.  I met a coupld of guys, Lou and Scott, who was a LOT of fun.  They were so encouraging.  Got set up to speak there the next day after the breakfast.  We then took off to have lunch with some friends that we don't get to see often enough.  After lunch we took off to go to church at James MacDonald's church.  Great teaching!

  Sunday, got to the church at 8 amto set up.  Spoke there from 9 to 9:40 am.  Got in the car and ran to the next church to speak at 10 am.  Finished there and had lunch with some friends.  Got in the car went to the hotel.  Got there at 3 pm but, had to leave at 3:30 pm to go to the church.  Left and got to the church to set up for the evening.  They had a really good turn out, probably about 400!  Comments afterwards were very encouraging.  Got back to the hotel just in time to watch overtime of the Vikings/Saints game.  I don' want to talk about it!

  Monday, spoke to a college and high school in the morning then had lunch with the pastor and his wife.  They were so kind!  Took off and did some shopping with my wife at the Japanese grocery store.  Got in the truck and took off for home.  Got halfway to Indianapolis before we had to call it quits and get a hotel.  We passed 5 jack-knifed, flipped etc. trucks.  Very scary.

  Sitting here at the hotel room trying to catch up on everything.  Hoping that the weather clears up.  Please pray for a friends family.  Sheila was a dear, dear lady.  Whenever I was around her she would light up a room with her smile.  She was one of the hardest working people I have ever met.  She came to the Creation Museum and worked in the garden many times.  Today she went to be with the Lord.  She was ready but, it's still hard.  She loved the Lord and served Him with all of her heart.  Her greatest prayer was for her children to come to know the Lord as Savior.  Please pray this will happen.  Sheila was looking forward to a homecoming when she passed away.  I'm praying that her children will come to the Lord so that they will have a homecoming as well.  Not only with their mother but, with their heavenly father!  Thank you for praying.

Carl k.