1,999.2 miles, 27 hours of drive time, and one thunderstorm out of hell that dropped as much rain as you can possibly imagine on Lincoln, Nebraska were all that stood between myself and Springfield, Missouri two days ago.

Well, I overcame all three of those obstacles in only TWO days. I drove from Hillsboro, Oregon to Rawlins, Wyoming yesterday; and today I drove from Rawlins to Republic, Missouri.

The drive today was largely uneventful. It was mostly mile by tedious mile, until I saw a gray wall of clouds about 50 miles east of Lincoln, Nebraska. Then it started to rain, and I thought ah, well, I’ve been through this crap before…it always rains in Oregon.

But oh no, brothers and sisters, this was RAIN. Rain coming down so fast and hard cars were taking shelter under overpasses. Couple that rain with lightning and thunder that was too close for comfort and it made me honestly think about pulling over and waiting it out. The speed limit on that stretch of I-80 is 75 and here we were, going no faster than 45.

At one point it became really scary as everyone slowed to about 5 or so MPH, and ambulances and fire trucks zoomed past on the right side. In the span of a half mile there was a four-car pileup, a fender bender on the right shoulder, and a semi truck that had flipped on its side and pinned a car underneath. It looked somewhat like Armageddon on a freeway for a split second.

The skies parted once I got to Lincoln and it was smooth sailing from there.

My basic point is, thank you guys for praying for my safety on the trip…I could have been involved in any of those accidents.

So since I’ve been here at my parents’ house for all of an hour, I chatted with them briefly, showered up and here I am typing this to you.

I’m gonna go to bed, and tomorrow we’re gonna get this party started here in Springfield, Missouri, as I open the book of my life once again to write a completely new section.

…sucks. At least the bottom part of it does. Traveling through here on I-80 makes me realize that whoever called the United States crowded must be either (1) misinformed, or (2) live on the East Coast.

Anyway, I’ve got about another 11-12 hours of driving today.

I apologize for lying in my last post…I said I’d be there already when I talked to you guys again. Whoops.

I’m in Rawlins, Wyoming now…gonna grab some continental breakfast items and hit the high road to paradise. I’ll be home tonight.

Well, today wraps up my failed experiment of moving to Oregon. Lasting nine months, my visit — while short — was an eventful one, and one in which I have learned a lot.

I’m not going to make this entry very long, but I want to say thanks to everyone who I came in contact with and helped me. It was great to see old friends again and spend time with them. It was also great to be involved in the Washington COGOP camping ministry.

If there would be only one thing I take away from my experience here in Oregon, it would be to follow God’s leading and not trust my own intuition, because if God isn’t in my plans I’m only going to go down the wrong path. Which I did, and now I have a second chance.

I’m heading out tomorrow, and I’ll post again when I get to Missouri.

Oh and by the way, let me just say that Daft Punk’s track “Superheroes” is awesome. Any track that samples a Barry Manilow song and turns it into something great has my approval.

Since I can’t think of anything really good to post, I’ll just let you know I found three of my favorite music videos and I’m passing them along for you to enjoy.

So enjoy them.

I received word ten minutes ago that Dave Cabales passed away at 11:05 Wednesday night, August 22, 2007.

Please pray for the Cabales family, as I’m sure you all have over the past few days. Pray for peace and comfort during this difficult time.

Dave has now had the ultimate healing, as he has gone home to be with the Lord. I’m sure going to miss hearing him play his trumpet at State Convention, and watching him illustrate his sermons on canvas as he preached them, bringing them to life.

Man, this is difficult news to take.

Update: A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, September 1 at 2:30 pm at Westminster Chapel, 13646 NE 24th St, Bellevue, WA 98005. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the building project of Kirkland Family Church, 10489 NE 52nd St, Kirkland, WA 98033.

The countdown is really getting crazy now. Five days before I move to Springfield and I feel like I’m massively underprepared. Maybe it’s because I went to Convention and worked two days afterward, and I’ve been so tired lately for whatever reason.

I’ve got a BUNCH of packing to do over the next few days. I’m gonna be donating a bunch of clothes to Goodwill, also selling whatever stuff I can, and getting some more boxes to pack everything in so I can get out of town on Monday. I have to fit everything in the trunk and back seat of my car, and I actually expect to leave here with less than I left the military with. Amazing.

Is it possible to make the trip to Springfield in two days? Two 14-hour drives, and it shouldn’t be too hard. Gonna try to make it from Hillsboro to Laramie, Wyoming on the first day and knock out over 1,100 miles of the trip. I’m going to take a sleeping pill Sunday afternoon, sleep about 10-11 hours and wake up around 5 AM to head out Monday morning. Then I’ll drive about 15 hours and get into Laramie about 9 PM, a good time to get to bed, wake up at 7 the next day, knock out the rest of the trip and be in Springfield around 8-9 PM on that Tuesday evening.

I’ve got a plan and it’s gonna go well, I hope.

Pray for me!

At this time I feel it would be prudent to only ask for everyone to pray for God’s will to be done for our dear friend Pastor Dave Cabales and to comfort the family’s lives.

If I post anything else it will be after the family has updated us on what is going on. Please continue to pray.

NOTE: We had over 800 people check out the liveblog this weekend. At any given moment, 12 people were viewing the blog. Thanks for checking it out, it was a ton of fun.

Over the days of August 17-19, over 400 people from all across Washington State descended upon the Red Lion Columbia Center Hotel for an awesome weekend of worship, the Word and all the necessary business that made up the 68th Annual Washington COGOP State Convention.

Heritage Ministries Director and Fields of the Wood Representative, Wayne Hall, was the General Headquarters delegate to the convention and really did a nice job preaching to a crowd of over 350 on Friday night. His theme was “Go Into Your Prayer Closet,” and he spoke on the importance of private prayer with the Lord.

Saturday was the only full day of the convention, and the morning session saw nearly 300-350 people at its highest point. Reports were read by various ministry directors, including men’s ministries, women’s ministries and camps. Then Bishop Don Knoblich, Washington state Overseer, gave a great sermon on how everyone is a vital worker in the harvest for Jesus, regardless of their abilities, age, nationality, etc. He asked the membership of each church to “be their pastor’s Force, not his Field.”

After the morning session adjourned, people prepared for the afternoon sessions. I wasn’t there for those but reports I heard was that Bishop K taught a great class on why membership in the church is important, and New Horizons Pastor Frank Smith taught one on why stewardship is important for church leadership.

The Saturday evening sessions are usually the most anticipated of the entire convention, and this one didn’t disappoint. Well over 400 people (some accounts say we may have very well tipped the scale at 500) were in attendance for a wonderful service led by State Youth Director Shelly Symonds.

The worship was inspired and blessed. Sumner’s youth group did an interpretive dance to a song titled “Who Can Stand Before the Lord” and it was great. In a very timely sermon, Shelly implored our youth to get involved in their churches, and the elders of the church to reach out to the youth. When she asked everyone under the age of 30 who wanted a blessing to stand in the front of the convention for prayer, over half the attendees to the service that night responded. We were then led in a powerful time of prayer in which one person under the age of 30 was paired up with someone over the age of 30 to pray for them.

Personally, for me the prayer time was amazing. Paul Symonds, Sherry Johnson and Chris Knoblich all prayed with me during the altar call. It was great especially with me moving out in a week, that these three prayed for my peace of mind, safety on my trip and for God to open doors before I even arrive in Springfield. Sherry told me a word from the Lord, and it was basically for me to have peace of mind and go forth with boldness because I have turned back to God’s will, and He will open the doors for me.

After the youth service, we heard from Spanish Field Secretary Samuel Munoz and Ethiopian Overseer Fekadu Ayele. These men are great men of God who are doing a great work in their respective congregations.

The youth Afterglow followed the service, and we watched some videos created by each youth group. Some were funny, one was serious (New Horizons, again), and we also heard some good music by our young people.

Sunday morning was a great service as well as Bishop Hall issued a departing challenge for us, “The Three Keys of Successful Reaping.” We then had a prayer time, and afterward Bishop K announced the 2007-08 State appointments. A time of prayer followed that and then we adjourned for the weekend.

What a great Convention this was. Not only was it good to see everyone again, but it was great to see the Spirit move and hear from the Lord this weekend. Definitely a great end to a good summer for the COGOP, and also a great end to my time here in Washington COGOP before I move to Missouri.

(Refresh post for updates and photos throughout the weekend. A running photo gallery can be found here.)

Sunday, August 29
Morning Session

12:43 - It’s definitely been fun doing this liveblog and I’ve hoped you all enjoyed it. I’m gonna go up and pray with some folks, and hang out here in Tri-Cities for a bit. Tonight I will probably post a review. God bless and thanks for joining us today!!!

12:42 - Bishop and Sis. K are going to pray for the pastors and appointees.

Bishop K announces the convention is now closed.

12:38 - Of interest is the fact that Paul Arnold is of course still the pastor at Tri-Cities, but will be on leave for three months.

Prayer of consecration for all ministers.

12:36 - Check the WA COGOP website for Pastoral Appointments. I can’t type THAT fast.

12:32 - State Appointments are as follows:

Secretary to Overseer - Mary Knoblich
State treasurer - Dolores Huff
Spanish Field Secretary - Samuel Munoz
Cell Ministries - Allen Cabales
Sunday School/Heritage - Bill Elders
Women’s - Sherry Johnson
Youth - Shelly Symonds
Children’s/State Evangelist - Kelly Lane
Overseer’s Care Coordinator - Frank Smith
State Music Coordinator - Pam Murkerson
Youth Camp Coordinators - Bob & Donella Gaines
Sr. Camp - Shelly Symonds
Jr. Camp - Chris & Siu May Knoblich
Young Adult Camp - Bill & Cindy Davison
Pee Wee Camp - Kelly Lane
Men’s - Frank Smith
Adult Retreat - Don & Mary Knoblich
Seniors - Darlene Symonds
Stewardship Ministries - Mary Knoblich
Webmaster/Lamplighter - Rob Judd Jr.
CBL/Director of Evangelism - Don Knoblich

12:30 - Prayers once again for Dave Cabales. I personally implore everyone to keep praying for Dave and Kaye. Not seeing them at convention is a tough thing.

Bishop K saying that Dave Cabales will be stepping down from his longtime position as state music director, and thanking him for his years of service. Truly a changing of the guard to come.

Also thanking Sis. Betty Snodgrass for being here as well.

12:27 - Bishop K thanking everyone who was involved with the program. Still to come is the pastoral appointments.

12:23 - Bishop Hall has concluded his departing challenge with a message for us all to turn to the harvest and touch lives for Christ.

12:17 - Now standing for prayer as we will all join hands and pray.

12:10 - Preaching now about “Three Keys to Successful Reaping: Passion, Power and Performance.”

12:06 - Hi Mom.

12:02 - Getting ready for the Departing Challenge now. He’s giving some figures about population, etc.

11:58 - Talking about membership now. My mind wandered off and wondered what if we had a Roller Coaster at FOW that depicted COGOP history. It would start at 1903 then start climbing, then about 1980 or so it would do the freefall, and by 2007 would keep climbing again.

11:44 - He’s REALLY pumping up Fields of the Wood. The place in front of our table is becoming a traveled trafficway toward the door. People coming and going.

11:41 - Bishop Hall is promoting Heritage Ministries, formerly the Church of Prophecy Marker Association.

11:36 - Technical difficulties! Our team is right on it though, here we go.

11:33 - Bishop Hall is now addressing the Convention. “We must not forget our heritage.” Giving a short visual tour of Fields of the Wood. Sounds like a place I’d actually like to visit sometime.

11:25 - Bishop K is now introducing Bishop Hall, who will give the departing challenge. Turning the microphone over to Bishop Hall now.

11:19 - People still greeting the Knoblich’s. Wonderful worship with “There Is a Fountain.”

11:07 - In a massive show of support for the Knoblich’s, everyone from the convention are going up and giving their offering to plates set on the stage, then greeting them with hugs and words of support. KFC Worship Team is playing the offertory music.

10:59 - Carol has just pointed out that Bishop K was appointed to the North American General Presbyter Sam Clements’ advisory council.

10:50 - Worship was great! Songs included “Shout to the Lord” and “Sing Over Me.” Now Carol Dillard is giving the offertory and we may also be accepting in new members soon from what it sounds like.

10:28 - Worship time with KFC Church.

10:22 - Bishop K introduces his wife as “Sister Knoblich.” He’s definitely showing us that this convention is all business.

Sis. K is now pumping up Adult Retreat. Seems like we’re hearing from all the auxiliary ministries this morning.

Joel Senior has just pointed out to me that there is a caffeine injection station by the sound booth for all convention participants. Pastors have been among the first to receive the drug intravenously.

10:17 - Kelly Lane is pumping up Children’s Ministries. Her presentations are creative, but not nearly as wild as my dad’s when he was Children’s Ministry Director. I think my Dad smoked rocks before he got on stage. Kelly, just has a very vivid imagination.

10:02 - Children’s Ministries are now going to do a presentation.

9:54 - We are going to pray for the folks going on the Philippine mission trip. These guys are headed out in a few days.

9:44 - Lead usher, Pak Keung Wong, is handing out white envelopes for a love offering for the guest speaker Wayne Hall. He came by our booth and said “It’s a love offering for me,” with a huge grin on his face. I love Pak Keung.

9:43 - Sherry Johnson is pumping up Women’s Ministries and giving a Ladies’ Retreat report. 87 women attended this year.

9:39 - While we’re still waiting to get underway this morning, let me point out that there is an astounding number of people here with personal technology devices here…laptops, PDAs, etc. The presence of Wi-Fi at the hotel helps.

Now we’re getting underway…9:40 and Bishop K is speaking now.

9:32 - KFC Worship Team singing “I Will Sing a New Song.” They’ve been singing this for 5 minutes.

9:30 - KFC Worship Team still offering the musical prelude; we’re waiting for things to kick off here this morning. People still filing in — it’s really good to see how in every service we’ve had, the youth/young adults of the state are filling the front rows.

There are significantly fewer people this morning, as is usually the case. Many people leave early Sunday morning for whatever reason. The weather today may be playing into that as well, it’s dreary and rainy outside for the first time out of all the times I’ve been to the Tri-Cities.

9:21 - The Kirkland Family Church worship band is playing some wonderful modern renditions of old-school hymns. Got the guitars wailing, horns a-blowing and the guy on the piano is rocking. Drums kickin’, bass kickin’, it’s awesome. There will definitely be a meeting in the air and I want these guys to play my way to heaven.

9:17 - From all indications it looks like we may actually be starting at 9:30. People are still filing in as we speak.

9:07 AM - Welcome everybody to our last day here at the Washington COGOP State Convention. Yesterday was an amazing day of worship, the Word, and awesome fellowship — during the youth service we had over 400 attendees and one report said we closed in on the 500 mark. Praise God for that.

Today we are going to hear from either Bishop K or Bishop Hall, then we will hear a departing challenge and re-affirmations of pastoral and leadership appointments. I will post those at the time they are announced.

As far as traffic on the site over the weekend, we’ve had over 350 people each day viewing this site for updates on Convention. 43 already this morning…glad you all could be with us.

We are in the musical prelude right now and will begin within the next ten minutes.

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