I feel prompted to post, which is cool... in a way, because I am actually on here and I have time (sort of - honestly I should be in bed) to post and I feel like writing some things! Well, I suppose really the cool thing is that I am writing some things... I'm actually like doing what I feel like doing... y'know? Heh - I bet not, but that's okay - I'm rambling - here goes:
So, the week of last was Covfamikoi (COVanent families from Florida, Alabama, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois *note* It should be Covfamikoin or something like that, because of the Triangle, NC congregation - correct?), our presbytery's yearly (or rather, to be technical, every year that is not divisible by 4, so we have it 3 years, then skip a year because of our denomination's international conference, then 3 years again, etc) curch family conference. 'Twas a truly oisome (possibly even awesome) experience for me (and many others). It was a time where I really felt God's presense and really was convicted about some important things in my life, times of absolutely great conversations with others, a time to meet new people and also to get to know ones already known better, times to participate in some very good and fun athletic and 'academic' contests, a time to so some things of the more stupid variety, a time to just share together with other believers in many things, among other things which I won't add at the moment.

For me, there were verrrry few low points whatsoever during the entire conference, and I am sooo glad that I decided to stay for the entire time (I was considering staying only Sat-Mon), even though it was a somewhat hefty fee to go ($160 - although from others I've heard that that's not bad for an almost week long conference like this). Also, another cool thing about this conference was that it actually didn't seem to pass too quickly (at least for me). I mean, obviously, at any gathering of friends, it seems to be over just barely after its started, BUT, I mean, afterwards I could just think of all the things that I'd done (hehe - reminds me of a song... anyone know which song?) there and all the times spent doing things... and 'twas just a great time and a heck of a lot smushed (in a good way) into 6 or so days.

Going into the conference, I was honestly just a little bit hesitant about the whole thing, but after just a few hours, all houghts like that had faded and I was having an amazing time... There are advantages and disadvantages of a smaller (350? people) conference like this compared to a much bigger conference like Calvin - or International Conference (1300? people). Some advantages to a larger conference is simply more people and more new faces, etc, as well as seeing people you're not able to see too often, but that also can be a DISadvantage, as it may not be as personal. Also, at Calvin the Psalm singing of 1,300 or so people altogether is just... truly AWESOME. Always one of the biggest highlights for me about Calvin. And, there are many other things I could say comparing the two, but I'll stop. However, I think that I would like to add in that I definitely think that Covfamikoi's high school program is muchly superior to Calvin's (tho both are good). I would I think say that out of all the (14 I think) Covfamikois I have been to, this was definitely my favorite, for reasons afforementioned. However, I think that out of all the church family conferences I've been to, Calvin 2000 was tops. That was just a great time for me, mainly just in getting to know some Indy people better, because we had just moved up here that a couple of weeks previous.
Let's see, I remember starting to get to know and hanging out with: Ross, Rory, Christy, Eleni, Kevin, John M., Ashley, Sarah P., Katie L. (from Lafayette, but still, the central Indiana area), Alyssa (my cousin, so I already knew her pretty well, but still), and others... but those are the main ones I remember... it was really cool starting to get to know them all, and since for all of us it was before we were in the high school program, we could pretty much hang out whenever we wanted, which was great. For any of the afforementioned people who may read this, I am so glad that I've had the privelege of getting to know you and being able to consider you friends (even just to consider you peers!)... I sincerely think that had God not had us move to Indy and I hadn't gotten to know you all and been influenced by you all, I would be a very different person (and not in a good way) than I am today. God has used you all (and other friends/peers from here and that I've met since moving here - I most certainly do not forget you all, I'm just like focusing on those people from Calvin, I guess) in a huge way in my life. I sincerely thank Him for you!!! I love you guys.

Golly I could say so much more, but I know that if I do, most won't really get around to reading this, and even at the length it is a lot won't read most of it... Ah well. (Plus I need to get to bed)


God Bless,
-Edwin Allen

song of the post: Weezer: "My Best Friend"

quote of the post: Inneractions by Stephen C. Paul and Gary Max Collins: "Remove the rock from your shoe rather than learn to limp comfortably."

verse of the post: Psalm 31: 1 "To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness. 2 Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me. 3 For You [are] my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me. 4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You [are] my strength. 5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. 6 I have d those who regard useless idols; But I trust in the LORD. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, For You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities, 8 And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place. 9 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; My eye wastes away with grief, [Yes,] my soul and my body! 10 For my life is spent with grief, And my years with sighing; My strength fails because of my iniquity, And my bones waste away. 11 I am a reproach among all my enemies, But especially among my neighbors, And [am] repulsive to my acquaintances; Those who see me outside flee from me. 12 I am forgotten like a man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel. 13 For I hear the slander of many; Fear [is] on every side; While they take counsel together against me, They scheme to take away my life. 14 But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, "You [are] my God." 15 My times [are] in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me. 16 Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies' sake. 17 Do not let me be ashamed, O LORD, for I have called upon You; Let the wicked be ashamed; Let them be silent in the grave. 18 Let the lying lips be put to silence, Which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. 19 Oh, how great [is] Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, [Which] You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! 20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues. 21 Blessed [be] the LORD, For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city! 22 For I said in my haste, "I am cut off from before Your eyes"; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried out to You. 23 Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! [For] the LORD preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person. 24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD."