It's our last day in Indy. We're headed back to Dayton in just a few minutes. As I sit here, enjoying the last of my almond croissant I'm thinking over the past few days and I don't think I have enjoyed a week this much in a very long time. It was so great to get away from life for a few days, to enjoy just being me. I rediscovered the city of Indianapolis which was so great. I realized that I love this city. Downtown in unlike any other city I've been too. There is so much to do, so much shopping, so many great restaurants to choose from. It's definitely going to be a place I will come back to for a weekend. I know that may sound crazy to you east-coasters, but for this mid-western girl, Indy is a great little getaway!
I loved being with Pastor as he became a Yo-pa. That was a precious time for him and I am so honored to have shared it with him. I think I've seen at least 75 pictures of little Samantha in the 3 days she's been with us. Ok, so maybe not that many, but it was alot, as is to be expected.
What can I say about General Council. It was a historic council to be my first. We elected a new Superintendant. It was a bit like electing a pope. I kept waiting for some sort of smoke signal, but one never came. Next council is in Orlando. Scott and I are already making plans in our heads. I highly recommend going to Council if the opportunity ever presents itself. You don't have to be a minister to go. The evening sessions are always open to the public as are the exhibit halls. And let me tell you, those exhibit halls were the highlight of my whole GC experience!
Seeing old friends was priceless. Everyday meant new surprises. Every time the elevator opened I expected to see a familiar face and wasn't often disappointed.
What a great treasure this fellowship of believers is. The Assemblies of God has been good to me all these years and seeing the broad picture encouraged me that I am right where God wants me to be and right where I want to be.
We serve a big God and He is above all fellowships and denominations. He is above superintendants and presidents, kings and prime ministers. He is the Alpha and Omega, the One and Only. To Him be all glory, honor, and praise!
I have to close this diary of my first General Council now. My croissant is done and my latte is cold. Pastor is waiting for us in the lobby. Scott said something about a go-cart place he wants to check out on our way home. I guess they go upwards of 60 mph. Hmmm... I think I'll be the photographer on that one.
Next week we will be in Dayton, so I will not see you until the outdoor service and BBQ. Don't forget to bring a neighbor.
Love to you all!
Sooo..... where did I leave off?... Oh yeah!!! We love you, AG Financial!!! Thanks for the iPod Nano!!!!
The service last night was the missions service and it was pretty good. I think it could have been a whole lot cooler, but they didn't ask me for my opinion. But it really was good.
They recognized all the missionaries here from all over the world. They stood and waved the flags of their nation. That was very cool...
This was a combined satellite service with the youth at the RCA Dome, as well as televised live on INSP. From time to time throughout the service they would cut to the RCA Dome.
Worship was great. J. Daniel Smith of Fort Worth, TX led with his choir.
John Bueno, the Executive Director for World Missions, spoke an encouraging message. He shared many facts and highlights that were eye-opening to say the least. A challenge to support our missionaries was given. 
After the message they presented the missionary candidates to the congregation. There 100+ world missionaries headed to over 50 nations around the world. There were 50+ US missionaries representing a couple dozen ministries. The missionaries gather at the center of the floor and were joined by their local pastors for prayer.
After the service we said goodbye to our dear friends, Dennis and Linda Romine. It was so wonderful to be able to see them again and spend some time with them. They are so special to Scott and me and we are so very blessed to have them in our lives!
We also said goodnight to Pastor Alan and then headed to the Marriot for my NCU Alumni Reception. On the way over, I told Scott that if I didn't see anyone I knew within the first 5 minutes, we were leaving. Well, what do you know! The very first people I see are some of my oldest and dearest friends. We didn't even know they were here!
I met Joe at the beginning of my sophomore year at NCU. We were in the same circle of friends and hung out alot. When I think back to those times a smile always comes to my face. Those were some of the most precious memories of my life. A couple years later, Terese came into the picture and we became fast friends. Joe is the Director of Admissions at NCU and so was all over GC, but I never saw him. As it turned out, we'd been staying at the same hotel on the same floor all week and never knew it! What are the odds of that one?
We had a great time over delicious carrot cake talking and laughing. (You see, Joe is the funniest guy I've ever known.) Then we decided to go to dinner together. Off we went to the Weber Grill Restaurant that just opened in July. Mmmm... Over dinner we discussed everything under the sun. Joe is leaving NCU this fall to travel with a youth organisation. I can't remember the name just now. He's always travel and spoke and I guess has been doing a whole lot more. He's even done a few women's conferences. Hmmm...
Anyway.... It was so great to see them again. The last time we go together was when I was pregnant with Natalie. They came to WI for my baby shower. Joe's from Philly so we plan on getting together soon.
Well, we went to au bon pain again this morning for breakfast. What can I say...I'm hooked. Plus it's the closest place for breakfast. Mmmm... more almond croissant and yogurt. They have some of the best lattes I think I've ever had. From there the guys headed to their meetings. There were a few more positions to be elected and some other business they needed to do.
So Linda and I went back to the exhibits. We got in line for the Eurasia Experience right away. The line was already pretty long by the time we got there. (You can see the tent were it was held behind the line.)
After experiencing Eurasia, I headed over to the henna tent. I've never had it done, never been presented with an opportunity to do it, but I have always admired it. I know that it's done in celebration of special events, weddings and such in India, very similar to the way girlfriends get together for manicures and pedicures before weddings here. Linda decided to pass so I ventured into the tent alone. I brought the average age of those inside up by a couple of year, but I didn't care. I was going to be henna-ed!
I waited for about 45 minutes while every teenager at GC had their name written in Arabic on their wrist. Finally it was my turn and so I sat down and away she went. As it turned out the girl doing my henna was an MK from Turkey. She had been born and raised in country and was about to graduate high school. She told me that she couldn't imagine settling down in America for life, because she's been raised overseas. That's her life. She is an American citizen. Her parents chose to not give their kids dual citizenship so as to avoid mandatory military time fore her brothers.
She got all excited when she found out that I had gone to NCU. (I'm telling you, it really is the place to be in all of the AG!) She was even more excited when I told her I was a missions major. We talked as she free-handed my henna.
I think it turned out beautifully! (It's deepened into a much darker rust color than even this now. I'll try to remember to take another picture of it tomorrow after it darkens completely.)This morning Scott and I had breakfast together alone (can you believe it!) at au bon pain... mmm... Almond Croissant! (Scott thinks that au bon pain means house of pain in French... it really means a good bread. That's ok, he took four years of Spanish.) We then met up with Pastor Alan and walked over to the Convention Center. We walked around the exhibits for a while and I got to see friends from college that I haven't seen in years! It was awesome!!! (That's the part when I felt like a kid in the candy store!
Linda and I walked the exhibits more. She's my kindred sister with a missions calling on her life as well, so we got all giddy over the amazingly elaborate mission displays. It was unbelievable. We got our picture taken in a rickshaw---SO COOL!!
Tomorrow morning we're going to get henna tattoos and go on this thing called the Eurasian Experience. I'm so excited!!!
We visited the NCU booth!!! I will recommend no other school to anyone as much as I will my beloved alma-mater. It is by far and above the best college the AG has to offer!!! I saw my old friend Jon and finally met his beautiful wife, Elissa. (I found out that she has finally broken him of the disgusting habit of blowing his nose in his shirts. Thank you Jesus!) Jon and I worked together for 3 years in Student leadership at NCU.
We visited a whole bunch more booths that I want to mention by name and give links too, but Scott has my bag with all my info at his meeting, so it will have to wait till later.
LATER: Here are a few of the vendors I talked with:
Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (My brother and sister-in-law are students here.)
A Thank You From the Louisiana District
AG Financial (Where we entered to win an iPod or an iPhone!!!!)
The Eurasia Experience (We're going on that tomorrow.)
iQuestions (This idea is awesome!!!)
TGM (Teen Girls Club of the AG)
Valley Forge Christian College
Around noon, we met our guys again for lunch at Champps. My friend Josh joined us too. It was so great to see him again. We went to high school together and it was because of him that my husband and I met. (Thanks Josh!) His wife is one of my very dearest and best friends in all the world. (Oh, girlfriend! I am missing you soooo very much right now!!! I wish you were here!!!) The guys had to go back into meeting for the Big Vote, so Linda and I did what we do best... We went shopping! Now I am back here typing to you...
I can not tell you what a fantastic time I have been having. I SOOOO needed this break and vacation!!! I love my life, my family, and my friends, but I needed a change of scenery badly! I feel like I am in the middle of a huge deep breath!!! I have laughed, cried, made a fool of myself, laughed some more, cried some more, hugged so much, been hugged so much, smiled, talked, been giddy, cried again and laughed even more... And I get to do it all again tomorrow!!! Did I already say I am having so much fun!
LATER: After much deliberation and voting, our fellowship has elected a new Superindentant. George Wood. He has served for years as the General Secretary. What a surprise!
Early this morning, Pastor Alan and Scott went golfing at the Mound. It was built on top of an old nuclear research facility used by the government until just a few years ago. Doesn't that just say, "Come play golf with us!"
Scott's best friend met them there for 9 holes. It's supposed to be another scorcher today, so I hope they enjoy the cool morning.
When they get back we're going to head into town for some Penn Station (a truly amazing culinary experience!!!) and more Scott Ball History Tour before we leave for Indianapolis.
LATER: We got here (to Indy) this afternoon around 4. We checked into the hotel, and promptly found out that Pastor's whole floor was without adequate air conditioning. So he came to our room to cool a bit before we left to register. As he walked in our room, he recieved the best news of his life... He was the proud Yo-pa of a healthy, screaming baby girl. Weighing in at 7lbs, 8oz, Samantha Hope was letting everyone know she was finally here. I could here her screaming through the phone all the way across the room.
After some tearful phone calls and shouts of jubilee, we headed over to register for General Council. We met up with Pastor and Linda Romine, our former senior pastors in WI and dearest friends! That was fantastic!!! They are like second parents to me after having grown up with them since I was 13.
Service was awesome as was the altar time following. (The whole time Pastor sent his phone down the aisle with new pictures of his grand-baby. She is soooo cute and smooshed!) Our soon-to-be former General Superintendent, Thomas Trask spoke. It was a good message.
What an exciting time! I felt like I was at youth convention, only I'm older and there were no young people there. Hmmm... The youth were at the RCA dome. I think there are something like 14,000 of them. Crazy! There are 30,000+ people here for GC. Close to 4,000 of them are registered ministers here for the Big Vote.
After service, we ate a late supper with the Romines. We had such fun catching up and reminiscing about the good 'ol days. They have a few stories about me that would really be embarrassing for you to know.
Oh and we ran into Sue Duffield... not Jeff... just Sue. She had lost Jeff while trying to find us. It was so funny because just before we saw her I spotted Carolyn Tennant (scroll all the way to the bottom), a woman that Sue and I both know. I told Sue that I had just seen her and off ran Sue. A few minutes later, she comes running back to us. And then a few minutes after that she ran off to find Jeff. Ahhh.... Sue... you always make me smile! (Don't miss our Bible study on Tuesday mornings this fall. Sign up sheets should be out.)
What a great day... I have to go to bed now! Between this heat and all this walking in cute shoes... I'm ready to collapse!
Scott and I picked up Pastor at the airport around 1 today. We took him on the Scott Ball History Tour (a must do before you die!). He saw Scott's elementary school, his high school, the church where he got saved, and lots of other historical places. We stopped off at Skyline Chili for a Cincinnati delicacy. (Or a rock-in-your-stomach kind of place, if you ask me. ) Pastor seemed to like it... I think he was just being polite.
Next we headed to the Air Force Museum. That is truly a must-do if you ever find yourself near Dayton, OH. I couldn't even tell you how many times I've been there, but it never gets old. It is one of my favorite places to go when I'm at my in-laws. Scott always wanted to be a fighter pilot when he was a kid, so whenever we go there he re-lives his childhood.
After the AFM, we took Pastor back to Scott's parents house. There my mother-in-law made her famous Chicken Marsala and Scott's brother and his family came over. During dinner Pastor was entertained with wonderful stories of Scott's childhood and family. I'm sure he would tell you all about it if you just asked.
It was a good day. The guys are going golfing in the morning with Chad, Scott's best friend since the first day of Kindergarten.
Oh and we're on baby-watch... Jean is having contractions.... Soon....
