West Coast Conference 2015

Everyone has their own WCC, which is why you can read multiple blog posts about the same conference, and not feel like you've read it before. Everyone has their own memorable experiences, their own focus, their own moment that made the entire week worth it all. 

So I bring you my week, seen through the reflecting eyes that always look back on each WCC with fondness, and a hope for yet another year.

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All my Southwest fans say Amen.

If you've never flown Southwest, you won't know what I'm talking about. 

Every Southwest flight is pretty bearable, and some of them are downright awesome. Over my years of flying, I have heard the flight attendants admonish the adults on the plane, "should we lose cabin pressure and the oxygen masks drop from overhead compartment, first put the oxygen mask on yourself, and then choose the child that might have the most earning potential down the road, and help them put on their mask."

I've also heard a brilliant Southwest poem that I cannot neither remember nor find on the Internet, so you'll have to trust me when I say it was hilarious. 

This flight however started off pretty normal, nothing really unique about it. 

My flight crew - I always demand the window seat

We took off and like always, Caleb was popping around the plane (not really sure where there is room to pop, seeing that there's just an aisle and a bathroom), and while he was about he struck up a conversation - and soon friendship - with the flight attendants. Caleb came back to his seat and introduced (I don't remember his name, so I'll call him Joe) the whole family to Joe. He had us cracking up in a matter of seconds - 

Caleb: "And this is my mom!"

 Joe: "Nice to meet you! And I really don't believe you drink as much as Caleb told me you did."

HAHA

So Caleb heads to the restroom and Joe kind of gives us a weird look. After Caleb had gone past him,  he walks up real quick and removes Caleb's seat and stuffs it in the overhead bin.

Caleb comes back and.....well you should have seen his face when he goes to sit down and there's not much there to sit on LOL

The flight was full of stuff like that, but when Joe came up and whispered something to Caleb, I knew something else was about to happen. 

We were just about ready to land when over the loudspeaker came Joe...

Joe: " We are going to be landing shortly but I wanted to bring something to your attention. He didn't want me to mention this because he's shy, but Jacob, sitting in seat H3, is flying to Fresno to try out for American Idol! He has a great voice, and if we all clap for him enough, he might he sing for us!"

Jacob: "........................................................................"

You know when someone thinks you can do something, but you really can't, and when you say that they are really mistaken, they just think you're being modest and so they insist even more?

Yeah. 

I had people following me into the airport wishing me luck and trying to get me to sing. 

THANKFULLY I ENJOY A GOOD JOKE.

When we got off, we waited for them to empty the plane of people, and then we got a picture with him in the terminal. 

Joe had a flight friend that was hilarious as well - from left
Guy#2, Sam, Me, Joe, and Caleb

Sam has been doing something great these past few years at conferences, and I am incredibly indebted to him. For without him, I would have never driven a Camaro, Challenger, or the new 2015 Mustang. And this year since I was helping pay for it, I got to drive it more, and it was the best year yet.

All of the muscle cars we've rented have been the V6 models, even so, it's been an amazing experience to get behind the wheel. 

This time, however, when I got behind the steering wheel of the Mustang and shifted into Sport mode.......

My eyes got wide. 

Never have I seen a car react like that to Sport mode. The whole attitude of the car changed from "I'm a low level V6" to "Can a V6 do THIS?"

Seriously. You gave that car some gas and it tore out of there. From the highway to the parking lot, I left WCC saying "How much does this car cost? Cause I want to buy one." Good job, Ford.

Did I mention it was a convertible?

Hitting Chick-fil-a is a must, which we took care of in short order. 

They keep on saying we're going to get one in Vancouver, just over the bridge from Portland. And I keep on saying PROVE IT.

We drove into Fresno and the convention center that Tuesday night, and since the entire week was pretty much one big memorial blur, let's start with the preaching. 

All of the preachers at WCC 2015 did an amazing and powerful job. Bro. Nathan Morton, Elder Morton, Elder Garrett, Bro. PJ White, Bro. Michael Brown, Elder Parker...

So much so that I didn't even think once to pull my phone out and get a picture while the Word was going forth. 

But thankfully someone did get a picture of the speaker that I was most proud of.

Pastor Davies (I see Sean, Luke, and Mikey's backs)

If you have read my previous blog on the subject, the pastorship of my church was recently handed down from Bishop Davies to his son, the now pastor of my church. 

And it just so happens that he was asked to preach Friday morning at WCC. I knew he would do an awesome job, but couldn't help stopping by and telling him that I was praying for him.

Let's just say that when the Holy Ghost started moving and it felt like Sunday back at my home church, I was rightly proud and thankful for my Watchman all over again. 

What are you going to do with what you've been given?

It was a good WCC. Did I already say that? So many friends from near and from far, from way back when and from recent. 

Wednesday night we went to Cheesecake Factory (it was Wednesday right??) and I convinced Cherie and Stephanie Marchbanks to ride in the back of the Mustang. That was a big mistake for all of us. 

The back seat of the Mustang is not really conducive to comfortably seat people that are taller than 5 feet. And all the way there, Stephanie sat on my bag of dried blueberries. 

Bethany, Stephanie, Nicole

Speaking of riding in the Mustang, I must give a shoutout to Justin. This young man rode with me through thick and thin, through front seat to back seat, spacious to cramped, warm to cold, top up to top down.... He was there for me, a true friend. 

Especially once you see that back seat.

Cherie, Cara, Me, Vanessa

Nicole, Stephanie, Me, Lindsey, Bethany

Ahh. Such a nice quiet group of young people. 

Or at least that's what we were trying to make it seem to the Yellowjacket so we could talk a little longer. 

I have to commend the young ladies that I hung out with. I believe most all of them showed up to hear all of the preaching of both morning services. 

I'm not picking! I give allowances when you SPEND 2 HOURS ON YOUR HAIR AND MAKE EVERYONE ELSE WAIT. 

Just kidding. 

Wouldn't be complete without an elevator shot.

I have to stop right here and tell you about Avonlee Hosey (hope I'm spelling that right). 

Chris and Cassia Hosey are a young couple that I have been blessed to know, and since they live in Mississippi, I don't get to see them much on the West Coast. 

Avonlee was born this past year and amidst circulating pictures and what have you, it was pain akin to the pain of not being able to see your niece or nephew in real life for several months after they've been born (or so I guess, I don't have any nieces or nephews).

So when Cassia came into church pushing a stroller, I knew I couldn't wait for the end of service to go see Avonlee. And when Nicole whispered to me that I should just go across the aisle and see her before service was over, so I could claim meeting Avonlee before certain individuals, I couldn't resist. 

And folks.......

She is a doll. 

She won my heart in about 2.5 seconds. 

They call me Uncle Jake.

She's already learned to wink!

I said at the beginning that everyone has their own special moments. Well, this picture represents one of my special moments from WCC. 

You put us four together, and you have no telling what will happen. 

I watched the baby while Bethany did Cassia's hair, and Cara kept us all entertained. It was a hoot, and one of the best afternoons I had all weekend.

Apparently Avonlee didn't think I was very entertaining.

SAVE ME!!!!

This kid was always smiling, so when she started crying, you know you did something wrong.

Friday morning keeping with tradition, we all met early and went over to the Starbucks behind the convention center. 

Did I mention that Marvin showed up?? It had been way too long since I'd seen this guy.

BUT. This year we had more than coffee and old bananas. 

We had mind blowing fruit. 

See, up until a couple years ago, I had no idea that there was fruit out there that I had no knowledge of. I thought I'd been there and done that. Bananas, grapefruit, pears.....

Until Lychee showed up. 

I was hesitant at first.....but there was no way I wasn't trying it. 

Aaaaaaaaaaand....

It was good!!! Kind of hard to describe it or I would try. 

My thanks to those who made that experience possible. 

There were lots of things that happened that weekend, and sorting through the memories, I've been trying to keep them in line with the pictures that I have, so as to provide visual stimulation to my stories.

But rest assured, there were a numerous host of good times, and special memories that no picture was taken to remember it outside of the minds and hearts of those who were fortunate enough to have been there.

One of those moments was when Denae Abbott went up to sing during one of the services.

If you haven't heard her music, or heard her new single, you best get yourself over to iTunes and check her music out. You'll find her under Denae Joy.
My newest favorite was her latest release, He Wouldn't Trade Us For The World, but I never thought I'd get a live performance of that song. So when she started playing and singing the first notes of the before said song, I couldn't help but smile. Nothing like Apostolic music.

Friday afternoon, a few of us went to Nordstrom Rack after we had eaten lunch. When I heard the yelling, I knew why the Lord had directed us there. Brand new, still with dealer license plates......

And as they say #nofilter.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooh.

The last night of WCC, so many good friends showed up!

Me, Emily, Heidi

Caleb, Eliana

Youth Lock-In 2015 - Never going to wash it off, as we say.

Emily, Jenny, Me

Every WCC is better than the last. Thanks to all my friends, the ones I got pictures with and the ones I didn't. We'll see you next year if the Lord doesn't come first!

I Was There When It Happened, So I Guess I Ought To Know; ROE (Rules Of Engagement)

Well folks....

It happened.

Sam decided that he couldn't live without Vanessa.

A proposal was imminent.

Since all the planning and preparation will be evident by the time I'm done telling you my tale, I won't drag you through any of that. Instead, we'll jump right in.

Into E-Day, as I like to call it.

Push the red button.

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Just one thing.....

Sam had a great idea. The week leading up to the engagement, all of the family and close friends were armed with white roses and given simple instructions.

#1. Present the rose to Vanessa while she was at work.
#2. Get a picture with her holding the rose,
#3. Cause Vanessa much confusion about why all these people were bringing her flowers.

It was beautiful. She was so confused and the people just kept coming.

It was then she began to smell something suspicious.

And it wasn't me this time.

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Saturday Morning @9:40 AM

It was the Saturday of the Hearn's 25th Church Anniversary, so I was going to drive Sam and Vanessa over to Keizer to hear Bro. Frazer and Bro. R. Davis preach. Which seemed innocent enough except for some reason we were leaving almost two and a half hours early.

Vanessa was coming over to the house at 9:45, so my parents had left 30 minutes prior to get things ready at the location where this thing would go down.

Sam's choice for the location of the proposal? A second floor balcony belonging to the historic McMenamin's Hotel and Restaurant. More important than its historical significant to mankind, it was the place where they had gone on their first date. It was also the very day that marked the 7th month anniversary of them dating.
 IT WAS ALSO THE SAME DAY THAT MY BISHOP AND HIS WIFE GOT ENGAGED.
(It was also the day that Johnny Appleseed was born. So Happy Birthday Johnny. And Happy Birthday to anyone else that may have had a birthday recently. We don't want to leave anybody out.)

The seeming coincidences just kept on stacking up. It was shaping up to be quite a day.

@9:45

Vanessa pulled up and asked me to store her extra shoes in the back of my car.

Studies show that in order to keep your readers attentive, you have to include pictures every once in awhile. So to keep you from clicking from my blog to a blog I'm linked to, before you've finished reading this post, here you go - a picture of the car that took us on our date with destiny.
Now sit still and let me finish.

 Vanessa didn't know what she was asking.
Put her shoes in MY trunk??? Along with the camera, trip-pod, note, and watch??? (actually two watches, but I'll explain later)

I opted instead to place her shoes in my back seat, and thankfully she didn't insist any further.

She did, however, ask why in the world we were leaving so early. Sam and I hadn't really conspired as to what we were going to tell her when she asked that, so instead of us both blurting out completely opposite reasons, I let him take care of it.

Vanessa: "Why are we leaving so early?"

Sam: "Ahhhhhhh HAHAHAHA BECAUSE! It is good to be early! Look, service starts at 12. And prayer starts at 11:30. I want to be able to get a good seat, so we need to be there by at least 11. To get there  by 11, we need to leave by 10. Which is why we're getting in the car at 9:45."

I'm not sure she believed him, but she didn't ask any more questions, and that's all we cared about.

I swung a left on 3rd St, and parked in front of the hotel. Sam explained that he had a real quick 7-month anniversary present to give her, and then we would be on our way.

All the details get pretty fuzzy at this point because I, with the sole duty and heavy responsibility of being the cameraman, had a lot of pressure on my shoulders. I believe I ran up and down the stairs at least 3 times before they made it up there, I had to make sure everything was right. So if I'm not as detailed on this part as I was on the part leading up to it, I do apologize. I shall rely on the pictures to fill in where I leave out.

Sam and Vanessa moseyed through the 1st floor lobby, up the flight of stairs,  around the corner, and opened the door that led to the balcony.

What they saw was a small courtyard, and the vase of white flowers that we had given to her all week long.

And a single red rose lying off to the side.

Down on one knee he went.

Carefully chosen words of dedication and love, a question, a few tears, and finally a yes.

Sam grabbed a box that had been sitting there, and presented Vanessa with a gift for her to remember this day by.

A WATCH SHE HAD GIVEN HIM A COUPLE WEEKS AGO HAHAHAHAHAHA

He had wanted to make sure that the watch he gave her would fit. So he causally requested one from Vanessa, and took both of them to a local watch shop to get his fitted to match the other one.
And put her old one in the new watch box.

Trust me. It was funny.

To save himself from getting bashed over the head with a vase of white flowers, he pulled out the striking silver new one he had bought, and helped her put it on.

See the one red rose?

Almost done got muhself runned over taking these pics.

(I want to note that these pictures were taken on my mother's wonderful camera, I love it. Also note that I edited all of these pictures on my computer, an experiment of sorts. First time without using any of my dear iPhone apps)

One of my favorite pictures. I think they were actually radiating light.

They're engaged everyone! Can you believe it?? An Avendaño is finally getting ready to say "I do."

He stole her heart, and she's stealing his last name.

The Passing of the Torch: My new Pastor and Bishop.

I know a farmer.

This farmer's name is William Davies.

And there is a church in McMinnville that stands for God's glory, because this man was led of God to sow seed where his burden had taken him.

He came to McMinnville with his young wife and son, and the first Pentecostal church service was held in a humble rented hall in September of 1975.

I was not even born yet, but I have heard the stories of the early beginnings of outreach, and in-home Bible studies. I've heard recordings of passionate sermons, seen pictures of the Holy Ghost being poured out, and people being baptized. 

I've seen pictures of a farmer that sowed seed. 

He sowed this seed not in the ground, but in people's hearts. 

He planted the seed, and God gave the increase.

The seed began to grow, and as the congregation of souls learned to follow their man of God, He blessed them with the first building to call their own. 

Several phases later, God provided everything that this growing church needed.

A sanctuary large enough to hold all the victorious souls, and space for many visitors. 

Classrooms to teach the school-age children about arithmetic, and creation, and Sunday School rooms to put this precious Truth into the hearts of bus children.

I know a farmer. 

He planted seed into my heart, and the hearts of my family. 

How could we have heard without a preacher?

The saints of Abundant Life Pentecostal Church are forever indebted to the voice that they heard, crying in the wilderness. The voice that led them to Jesus Christ. 

The voice that spoke with words from God to challenge us when we were weary. 

The voice that spoke with words of correction in love when we were leaning towards a wrong direction. 

The voice that spoke with convicting words of a vision that was this farmer's heartbeat.

This farmer cared for the seed.

This farmer was Pastor William Davies.

Last weekend marked the 40th Anniversary of ALPC, and it marked the passing of the torch from one generation to the next.

Ministers and church families gathered from near and far to celebrate this milestone.

Bro. Jackson

Bro. Bracken

Bro. Hearn

Bro. Holmes

Bro. White

Bro. Pope

When God is in control, the resulting orchestra of events cannot be more beautiful.

For the saints of ALPC, the installation service held on that Saturday afternoon, was the culmination of the perfect timing of God's will. 

We have watched God use Bro. Matthew Davies mightily from his youth, to the last message that he delivered to the church; for God truly has His hand on this man.

And now we watched as he became the Pastor of our church.

 Bishop Davies presented our new Pastor with a shepherd's staff, along with a Bible and notebook.

There's lots that could be said, but it wouldn't come close to doing justice to what happened that day.

Pictures paint a thousand words.

Elder Price

 Sis. Elder Davies

Sis. Davies

Pastor Davies

The best part about looking back on 40 years of sowing and reaping, is looking forward with pockets and hearts full of seeds to plant, and a shepherd to lead you.

I know some farmers. 

Their names are Bishop and Pastor Davies.

Time will only tell the great things in store for my church.