It's All Good!

Greetings!

Do you hesitate to open your news source for fear of what the day's headlines might bring? As Gordon Retzer, our SU President, commented this week, "It's all good. Really! If this is the end of the world, then Jesus is coming. And if it isn't, we'll pull ourselves together, the economy will recover (eventually), and we'll continue with our mission until He does."

The Week Past

• Last Sabbath Marilyn and I worshiped in Statesboro with Bobby & Candis Weldy. [I would have enjoyed the afternoon so much more if I hadn't had that conversation with one of South Carolina's finest, who cited me for 69 MPH in a 60! Then again, there have been other times when I have deserved worse.]
  
• This week I've been in frigid Myrtle Beach for SU Departmental Meetings, where we:
• Discussed the '09 Year of Evangelism and how we can collaborate and plan for greater effectiveness. We are targeting 2 dates to begin ShareHim or other meetings: April 24-25 and Sept. 11-12. Mass advertising is planned to coincide with those start dates. You are not tied to those dates, but your impact will be maximized if you can.
• Wrestled with financial implications of our economy and how it effects our employees (0% cost of living adjustment (COLA), travel budgets, medical, retirement, etc.)
• Celebrated the 2nd year results of CognitiveGenesis, showing continued improvement in academic testing across the NAD. And Adventist EDGE in the SU is leading the way!
  
• Rejoiced at cost savings negotiated by SU Communications for an improved Tidings.
  
• Were richly blessed through devotional messages by Dr. Dick Tibbets, author of Forgive to Live. (He is one of our speakers for Collegedale Campmeeting next year.)
• Marilyn is again driving as we approach Washington, DC, where we will celebrate a family wedding Sunday. Great news! Daughter Emily and her boyfriend, Jeremiah Smith, are flying in from AU. Isn't it great when the family gets together?
  

News

• Jeremy Arnall reports a positive conclusion to the meetings in Crossville. One lady has made a decision to be baptized and another is preparing to be baptized soon. 6 individuals qualified to receive a free HOPE TV satellite dish. Jeremy paid 8 evaluators to come and listen to the meetings. One responded by saying, "Initially, I participated for the money, but then the message changed my heart." The money for the dishes of HOPE and the evaluator program were raised by pledges from the local church leaving the evangelism funds
  to defray the other costs of the series. Small groups and a pastors class will be ongoing so that the other interests have follow up.
• Are you looking for a way to connect with your community and help pre-teen girls build positive self-identity through running? Perhaps you have heard of Girls On The Run. If not, here's the link: www.girlsontherun.org. (Paull Dixon has a member in Johnson City that is involved, if you'd like more information.)
• Four PUC students were tragically killed in an automobile accident last Saturday night. Here's the full story.
• The VOP has adapted their Discover Bible Studies for mobile devices. Here's a link to more information. I'd encourage you to advertise this to your members and students, place links on your web sites and FaceBook pages, etc.
  

Prayer

• Alyse Ipsaro, Youth Ministries secretary, learned yesterday that her step-son, Chris, took his own life. Please pray for Alyse, her husband Robert, daughter Nicole and Chris's brother, mother and other family members affected by this enormous personal tragedy.
  
• The PUC family during a difficult time.
  

Just for Fun

• Goog411 is a free nation-wide information service from Google. Watch a quick demonstration here.
  

Have a great Sabbath, a great weekend, and a great Thanksgiving! With the holiday in mind, I'll be taking a vacation from Ed Writes next week.

Yours...and His,

Ed