So here's the week starting from last Saturday.
Sat., August 5: Drove 5 hours to Burlington, WI to stay overnight at a friend's house.
Sun., August 6: Spent the day at Menomonee Falls, WI. attending church services at Falls Baptist Church.
I spent the day there because I was aiming at going through Chicago in the middle of the night to avoid traffic. It did work out for me. It didn't work out so well for a friend of mine I was spending the evening with in IN, who had to wait till 1:30 am for me to arrive at his house. I guess I need to figure out this time zone thing (from Central to Eastern).
Mon. August 7: Drove from IN to Ann Arbor, MI. After lunch and a workout at Title Boxing Club in Ann Arbor, went to Ann Arbor Baptist Church to attend to register and attend the evening session of the conference. The centerpiece of this session was John Van Gelderen's message introducing the theme for his messages for the week, When the Spirit Comes. In short, through faith the Almighty can lead and enable a new relationship, which will outflow His love through believers that will abound with fruit and help us overcome life's trials and persecution.
Tues-Thurs, Aug 8-10: Each day I woke up early, reviewed my daily Scripture and drove about 35 minutes to Title Boxing Club to go through an hour workout.
As you can see, I'm not necessarily jolly after I throw punches to the heavy bag. But I have to say since I've started these boxing workouts 14 months ago I've not only been in better shape, but have much better structure to my day and have gained more discipline in adhering to that structure.
After my workout, I go back to Ann Arbor Baptist for a day full of sessions
Otto Koning presents the addendum to his well-known "Pineapple Story." The addendum is one of the most powerful live testimonies I've ever heard. I have to say whenever he spoke, I certainly felt His presence near me.
John Van Gelderen delivering his message "The New Persecution." An encouraging message that links the trials of being a Christians as a privilege in relying on him and providing strength in testimony.
Quite the lineup
In all, the CLC was quite fulfilling experience. The fellowship and messages influenced me not just now, but hopefully for years to come.
Fri. August 11: I left Ann Arbor at 5:30 Eastern time to drive back to Minnesota. I took the route through Chicago where I didn't have to pay tolls. It only added 20 minutes onto my route, sweet.
Sat. August 12: After running a 5K in the morning and running a few errands, I walked up to the Capitol to tour the place as part of it's Grand Opening celebration of it's recent renovation.
My view of the Capitol as I was walking up to it
It was a long line to go upstairs to see the horses
As you can see, it was a nice day
Got an introduction of the MN court system and the MN Supreme Court from Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea. Gildea is the lady speaking from the front side of the podium.
This is Governor Dayton's desk. Yes, he really does look out towards the Capitol Mall.
End of the evening they shot some fireworks. It was a good show.
It was quite the full week. But I have to say I learned much through it, both about myself and those things around me. Can't ask for much more than that.
