AHQ at BMA Update #1
1/21/03
Written by AHQ
Tom --
Ok, so here we are finally. I've been getting irate emails asking me where is an update?!! I've been busy! I hate to leave faithful subscribers in the lurch, but I've been overwhelmed here. Between homework, operating a recording studio, becoming engaged, more homework, socializing, dealing with my fiancé breaking off our engagement, assistant-directing the chorus, even more homework, singing, and dealing with emotional anguish, I've had my hands full this last couple of weeks!
We're here in the arctic Utica, Ohio, attending the BMA Bible School. There are about 45 or so students here, of which we are four. It is freezing cold.
It is very frigid here in Utica, OH.
We've also been singing some as a quartet. The first Sunday evening here we gave the program at the host church (pictured above), Mt. Zion House of Prayer. Last Sunday we drove about an hour to sing during the morning service at United Bethel Mennonite Church in Plain City.
There is one thing you can all do to help me be more punctual with the updates. Email my instructors and petition them to excuse me from the assigned homework. This would be enormously helpful, I would be eternally grateful if you all would be so kind. Thank you so much.
Norrell and I solving a choir music problem. Norrell is the choir director, I'm the assistant.
I mentioned a recording studio. There are a lot of stringed instruments here, and we've set up a recording studio at the house where five of us guys are staying. Actually, Ripchord Studios (click on the link to visit their website) is the outfit that has been doing the work. They've branched out into on-location recording.
The beginnings of the band during our first recording session.
The Band has recorded several songs by now, I'm going to put up a website for us and post the songs so you can all download them. No, they won't be a cappella, I know that's a huge drawback. But some people just haven't been enlightened yet! One thing we need before I can put up the website is a name. Email me your suggestions. We were thinking along the lines of something like "Five Fatty Acid Radicals."
Ripchord Studio's main engineer at the controls.
For one of the evening activities last week we went to a retirement home and sang and stuff. The band played there too.
By --
I'm so thankful to God for experiences that allow me to grow and learn. I've only been here for less than two weeks, and already I see ahead of me so much potential for growth, especially in the area of relationships. How many superficial relationships have I formed in the last year, or my whole life? Relationships that never dip below the surface, and thus never make an impact on the other person's life or my own. We're discussing many wonderful, scary things in Practical Counseling, and it's making me realize how much I've fallen short.
When I went to Bible School two years ago, it was only for 3 weeks. If that
would be the case this term would be over half over. This is hard to believe.
But happily, that is not the case this year. And I'm really thankful. If
teasing, practical joking, towel-whipping, and ice-throwing down backs are any
indication, people are becoming comfortable with each other.
David --
Hello to all from David. In case the other guys haven't said this, I'm
taking Genesis, taught by John Mullett, and Introduction to Biblical Prophecy,
taught by Walter Beachy. I rode out from Illinois with my cousin Megan Ulrich to
Ohio. It's kind of hard not having my own car here, but I'm managing so far. The
classes are awesome, and so are my teachers. They really make class time quite
interesting. I think I've got everyone's names down now, it didn't take me as
long as I thought it would. So now I can start building friendships. I'm staying
with 10 other guys in an empty house that a family from here graciously opened
up for us. I'm hoping God blesses them immensely.
Kon --
"When is the last time that you've heard the creation/evolution issue preached at your church?" Thus began the first day of classes a couple of weeks ago, with much homework, reading, and papers to follow (some, of course, that have been better than others). For the most part, I have been enjoying my time here at Bible School; all the while studying and trying to get others to study by whatever means seems the most appropriate at the given time.
I'm also in the midst of scheduling our next tour, due to start a couple of days after we are finished here at Bible School. We are planning to head East to Pennsylvania and then spend some time in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, some Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and whatever other states we happen to hit on our way home. I am definitely looking forward to it! Keep praying for us here, we surely need it!
Me and Kon cutting some vocals in the studio.
Tom again --
I mentioned being engaged. Last week a beautiful woman came up to me with a carnation and a question--will you marry me? I answered her with an unequivocal "sure!"
Judging by her behavior immediately following, I came to suspect that she may have expected me to give a different answer.
Bliss and happiness reigned for approximately five minutes, and then she annulled our engagement.
I valiantly press on.
Memories from a happier time.