My partner in crime from the GC Readathon website, Sandra, came for a couple days of taping at 3ABN this week. Although we had met at 3ABN once before, this time we actually knew each other, and it was fun to hang out a bit and get better acquainted. Her friend Kendol also came, who has played the piano to accompany her on previous occasions as well, and it was great to get to know him.
The first evening Sandra and Kendol were here, the three of us went for a walk at West Frankfort Lake. There was a beautiful sunset, which made a great backdrop for photos.
West Frankfort Lake Sunset
Sandra and Me
We were swarmed by mosquitos!
All day Monday Sandra taped music. I got in a few photos; but most of these were taken by someone else (courtesy of Sandra).
Sandra singing
A beautiful smile
Having fun
Sandra and Kendol
Kendol and Mary, 3ABN's receptionist ... awww, they match!
On Tuesday Sandra was interviewed for a taped 3ABN Today program. I’m not sure when this will air.
Later that day we had lunch together at the Manna Restaurant here in Thompsonville. The restaurant was serving pizza (huge slices!), as well as a cold vegetable pizza-like thing that was really, really good. We had a great meal. After lunch we met briefly to discuss plans for the GC Readathon website. You can see a preview of the redesign I am working on here:
The rest of the day went all too quickly, and we didn’t see much of each other until the end. It just so happened that I caught Sandra as she was loading up her car to leave, having missed her call to let me know that she was heading out. It was sad to say goodbye, but great to have some time with a new and dear friend.
The end of my Verizon contract is coming up in November. Verizon has good coverage in this area, and nearly every place I’ve gone, but they cripple their cell phones so much and put so much junk on them that I’m ready to look at other options.
I would like to go with AT&T, so that I can use an iPhone. But unfortunately AT&T is only available through third party providers in my area:
The area marked light orange with diagonal lines through it is AT&T “Partner” coverage; according to their website: “Excessive use of Partner coverage may subject your service to early termination….” Obviously living in such a region will quickly amount to “excessive use.” That’s what happened to a coworker in this area. So AT&T is out.
I am looking at some other options, such as Sprint or T-mobile. I would love to hear anyone’s input on which services besides Verizon and AT&T have worked well for them.
I recently read an opinion piece about the “Slow Food” movement (in opposition to fast food and excesses of the food industry). While I am always leery of trendy movements, with their tendency to become political on the one end or to become profiteering tools on the other, I do like the idea of buying fresh, local produce.
Here are a couple resources mentioned in the article:
NRDC: Eat Local: Enter your country and the time of year, and the website will return a list of local produce available in your state. (I was disappointed that it did not distinguish between northern and southern Illinois, since there are so many differences between the two regions in terms of climate, weather, land use, economy, and population. But I suppose it’s a starting point.)
100-Mile Diet (Map Search): The site encourages people to buy only what is locally grown within a 100-mile radius of their home. How strictly you adhere to that is up to you. Enter your location, and you get a map view with a circle showing what is in your zone. That’s interesting in itself. While I personally have not decided to limit myself to local produce, I think I would like to buy more of it. This site gives you a wider view of your options.
LocalHarvest: Find local farmers. I tried it, and it turned up some local suppliers I’d never heard of before.
USDA Farmers Market search: Find farmers’ markets in your area.
Reasons to buy local produce: It tastes better since it’s picked fresh. You support your local economy. It helps keep food prices down for people in foreign economies. You help the environment by reducing food transportation and processing. You can build bridges with people in your area. You can get to know the growers firsthand. You can try new foods/varieties that may not be available at the supermarket. In case of emergency, you have alternate food suppliers; the major chains may be closed or sold out.
Of course, there are some things you may enjoy that may not be available locally. Example: We’re a bit short on pineapple, mangoes, and avocado here in southern Illinois.
I enjoy rereading things that I wrote long ago. It’s an enlightening exercise. Sometimes it’s clear that my understanding of a particular subject has greatly expanded since I last wrote on it. At other times I realize I may have once felt more strongly about something than I now do.
Some people may believe it doesn’t matter all that much what they once thought. It is true that our current thinking defines who we are. But a blessing comes when we can identify patterns: Do we tend to get excited about things for short periods of time and then lose interest? (Matthew 13:20-21.) Do we focus on trivial things? (1 Corinthians 3:12-15.) Is our consecration slipping? (Hebrews 2:1—I’ve been told the original Greek for “let them slip” suggests “leaking out,” as with bag with holes in it.) Are we now kinder than we once were? (2 Peter 3:18.) These kinds of observations can help keep us on course towards improvement.
When we recognize patterns or trends in our thoughts, we are better equipped to deal with them. Of course, if we see mostly positive changes it would be foolish to let our guard down; better, we should resolve to continue on to new heights.
Just recently I was going back through old “Friends and Family” emails that I’ve written. I noted changes in length, style, and quality of writing. But more than that I saw how God led and how He provided for my needs, my need of understanding in particular, at just the right time. It is such a blessing to go back and see what things God revealed to you in the past. More often that not, I’ve found that the things God showed me long ago are the very things that I need to be reminded of now. God is always ahead of the game. (Example: Most of what you are now reading in this post was written about eight years ago, but never published. I just found it in my files.)
I have both a private personal blog, where I record both spiritual insights and general events, and obviously I also have this public blog that you are now reading. Both serve a useful place. Of course, someone doesn’t need a computer to journal; many people get along just fine with ink and paper, or a traditional diary.
It seems that just about every eminent person over the last four or five centuries, including powerful religious figures, has kept a journal or diary. It is a time tested method, one used by the brightest and best. I highly recommend it.
Logo designed by my coworker Adam Dean.
3ABN Homecoming is this weekend, September 25-27. We’re looking forward to great messages and spending time with visitors who are joining us from all over. All the details are on 3ABN’s Camp Meeting website. This year’s featured speakers are T. Marshall Kelly, Jim Gilley, and C. A. Murray.
If you aren’t able to attend in person, you can also watch the live events on 3ABN. If 3ABN is not available on TV in your home, you can watch on 3ABN’s website.
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