Kenny

Dr. Mitchell has said several times that he believes here at Champion are some of America's finest young people. I think Kenny falls into that category.

Kenny is a freshman here at Champion. He didn't let the fact that he has cerebal palsy keep him from coming. He's been a blessing to me already - he's so quick to smile any time of day.

This past week during OT Survey, Kenny had a seizure in his legs. Later the same day, he had another one. His pain is probably far more intense than anything most of us have ever experienced.

Needless to say, he didn't make it to classes on Thursday, and I believe after resting for a day he's feeling some better. Of course, this is an ongoing thing for him, so please keep him in your prayers.

Here is what convicts me - the morning after his seizures, Kenny was singing and thanking God for his disease. Thanking God. Did ya'll catch that? THANKING God for his cerebal palsy.

"The finest young people in America..."

What a testimony.

We had our first OT Survey quiz last week. I didn't think it was too bad.

Today was kind of a long day. I don't think Tuesday is my favorite class day. :D

We had a sub in OTS the last two classes, but Brother Blunkall will be back in tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it.

Pastor Capaci and his family are in Hawaii right now, preaching at his brother-in-law's church. Brother Brett Capaci preached here Sunday AM, on "Let's Get Back to the Book."

Bro. Tony Smith preached in the evening about "The Real Raiders of the Lost Ark." I never thought so much about the story when the Philistines captured the Ark and placed it next to their god Dagon, and Dagon was basically destroyed. Bro. Smith brought out how there can only be one God in our life - He will knock down and cut off all imposters.

Well, it's dinner time, and I'm hungry! Love Ya'll!

Out or In?

I don't know how I forgot to mention this - at NYWC we had the awesome privilege of hearing Brother John Bishop speak. He was hospitalized the week of the conference, and from the continued results of his meningitis lost his sight. We were all praying for him, and that he would be released to come to NYWC.

Well, he was there. It was incredible. He spoke for about thirty minutes about the goodness of God, and then said, "I tired, is it ok if I done? I not want disappoint anyone." Wow.

A couple things he said that stuck with me:

"As long as you have an out, you're not in."
"God is always good, and God is always right."

What a testimony!

Prayer Meeting

Last night the dorm girls had a prayer meeting at 10:30. It wasn't mandantory, and I was surprised to see that pretty much all the girls were there. We were specifically praying for two things.

Ashley Unruh was a freshman here last year. During the summer, she started to have severe headaches. They were so bad she was unable to return to Champion this fall. Well, they found out that the headaches are a result of a spot on her brain. She's having more tests run today, and we're praying that the spot is gone. Ashley's brother Craig and sister Heather are Champion students also. Please pray for all of them.

And also, a student named Amber found out last week that her mom has breast cancer. Please pray for Mrs. McDonald, and for Amber too.

"God is always good, and God is always right." - Bro. John Bishop

I just have a few minutes before the computer lab closes to girls for the day. But the good news is, I'm completely caught up on typing OT Survey notes! PTL!

Brother Fredericks preached in chapel today about the Name of Jesus. His excitement about that topic reminded me of Dad, especially when he got to his lists of many names of Jesus.

His climax, after preaching for thirty minutes on the wonderful Name of Jesus, was Ps. 138:2 - "thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name."

His point was that so many college students will stand and shout about the power of Jesus' name, and go to class, and study for tests, yet neglect personal Bible study. It was a convicting message, for sure!

Well, I think I might go to the Gospel Light Lady Lions' volleyball match tonight. It would be fun. They played the #1 team in the state last week, and won. Go Lions!

See ya!

Class Schedule

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday -
8:45 - English Grammar
9:40 - Old Testament Survey
10:35 - College Algebra
11:30 - Chapel
12:30(theoretically - chapel usually goes a little longer) - Lunch
1:05 - Choir

Tuesday
7:50 - Fundamentals of Music
9:35 - Semi-Private Music Lessons
11:30 - Chapel
Lunch
1:05 - Champion Chorale

Thursday
7:50 - Christian Womanhood
9:35 - Winning Life Strategies
11:30 - Chapel
Lunch
1:05 - Champion Chorale

Saturday
8:05 - Personal Evangelism

There you have it. That's how my week goes. I've been to at least one of every class, and I'm enjoying them all immensely. I think OT Survey is my favorite.

One reason I like each class is the instructors. They make sure everyone understands the material, and gets all the notes down, and all that good stuff. :D And none of them are stuffy and serious, which is nice too. :D

Well, I need to go catch up on some letters. G'bye for now!

NYWC 2007

WOW! National Youth Workers' Conference was the most amazing conference I have EVER been to. I'm a little overwhelmed by everything I heard and experienced these last three days. I don't know that I've ever been in a meeting where God's presence was more visible.

Bro. Reno Likins preached Wednesday night from the story of Jonathan and David. Only, it wasn't your typical message about friendship. It was called, "A Servant's Love for a Soon Coming King." I never thought before about the specific gifts Jonathan gave to David when their "hearts were knit."

Jonathan gave David everything. And the passage says, "even to his bow." Jonathan was the mighty archer of Israel, yet he gave to David the key of his greatest strength. What a surrendur.

I'm really enjoying Gospel Light Baptist Church. There is SO much music in every service. I mean, at the very least, three or four specials every service. And the Champion Choir is awesome! We just started working on our song for Sunday - "Here I Am." Last Sunday we sang "Empower Me." That is definitely in my top 200 favorites!

Well, I need to type some notes, so I've gotta sign off for now. I'll try to write more later. Hope ya'll have a great day!

Don't Be Afraid

Yesterday was AWESOME! I think church is the highlight of the week, for sure. I got to visit with Bus 90 on Saturday, and ride Sunday morning too. It's great. I'm starting to get all the kids' names and faces together, and learning their stories. It's hard to be discouraged about your own circumstances when you work on a bus route.

Mrs. Carly (sp?) Likins taught the college ladies' Sunday School. She told us alot of practical things she learned and practiced when she was in college.

Preacher's message Sunday night was exactly what I needed - and from what I've heard today, it was what alot of people needed! He preached from the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, "Do Not Fear!"

I'm volunteering in the kitchen during NYWC. We won't be having classes, so I'll be free pretty much all afternoon (no homework).

Thanks for your prayers!

Oh, and for those who were wondering, the Third Most Spiritual Event in Buddy Blunkall's Life was his commitment to read three chapters of the Bible EVERY day, no matter what. :D

Have a great day!

Sign the Book

Today in Old Testament Survey, Brother Blunkall announced that someone had taken his stack of books for class - including his notes and Bible. So, our class today was about "The Three Most Spiritual Events in the Life of Buddy Blunkall."

The first was, of course, his salvation. The second was when he surrendured his life to God. He used this illustration:

During World War II, the Japanese absolutely WOULD NOT surrendur. Every Japanese soldier on Iwo Jima was killed, the Allies eventually gained control of the Pacific islands, and still mainland Japan would not give in. So instead of a battle that would've cost a million Allied soldiers and many more Japanese (soldiers and civilians), the US dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Then Japan was ready to talk! They realized that the Allies were a force they could not resist without being destroyed. When the leaders of Japan met to officially surrendur, one general reached to open the cover of the book containing the agreement. General MacArthur placed his hand on the cover and closed the book, saying these words. "It's unconditional. Sign the book."

What those Japanese men didn't realize was that General MacArthur had a great love for the Oriental people. The book containing the terms of surrendur (unconditional) was written by that man who loved them.

I could elaborate more, but I think ya'll understand from here. And I need to go drop off my books before getting on the bus to go to Little Rock for the IMAX theatre activity. God is good - I'm reminded every day.

Love Ya'll!

Howdy from Arkansas!

Howdy friends! I hope this blog will be a good way to keep ya'll posted on what's going on in my life.

Champion Baptist College has begun its third year of existence, and I'm thankful God has allowed me to be here and be a part of all that He is doing. I feel like my head is spinning, and at the same time I'm delirious with excitement at all the opportunities God is giving.

Although I miss my home and parents VERY much, I'm confident that God has brought me here at this time on purpose. If I wasn't absolutely sure of that, I would never have even applied for this fall.

Shortly before I came up here, a friend reminded me of the verse in II Timothy chapter one, "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have commited unto him against that day." Knowing that better young people than me have fallen, and that Bible college is not a place free of temptation, this verse has been a tremendous blessing. I'm reminded every day of the commitments I've made to the Lord in the last eight years of my life, since I've been saved; principally, the committment to serve Him every day of my life, all my life. I am persuaded, for sure, that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him!

Thank you so much for your prayers. My #1 desire for this year is that I will walk closer with my Saviour every day.

Have a great day!