As for our gardens, the blueberries are done. We did get a good crop this year, even though we were late getting our net up and the birds got a lot at the beginning! The tomatoes are coming in now. Some big zucchinis, purple peppers (?), and some watermelon. The first watermelon wasn't quite ripe - hopefully the next one will be better.
We're taking my daughter back to school. Her junior year! Time flies. She had a good summer. Worked a lot and made some good money. She'll be happy to be back with her friends. We're helping more with my wife's parents now, too, as they are getting older. We'll stop and see them and do some things for them while we're out that direction.
Been trying to ride regularly and stay in shape, though it's been a challenge with so much going on. I think something I'd like to do is ride Skyline Drive through the Shenandoah. It's approx. 105 miles. Hilly. I could try to do it as a fundraiser - for LFL, missionaries, something. I think it might be a fun ride. Before that, though, I have the hiking competition with my daughter in November. Ultratrax. We're going to try to win the "Wolf medal" by doing four loops (28 miles) in the ten hours alotted. I think we can do it, though maybe I am underestimating how hard it will be. We'll see.
That's it for now, I guess. Stay tuned for updates!
So I spent last week at the Higher Things Conference at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. This time without my youth, serving as Conference Chaplain. It's a lot of work! But a great group of very dedicated and caring people. And serving the youth is great.
A few pictures . . .
This week we visited my older daughter in Virginia Beach and got a few days of R&R after the busy Higher Things trip last week. We had a very nice time and it was good to unplug. Thanks to our friends who let us use their condo for a couple of days! Right by the beach! Easy to walk right on. And we even got to see fireworks on Monday night. Some pics . . .
(1.) The kingdom of Israel was divided before it was split in two after Solomon's death. In 2 Samuel 2, David is "anointed king over the house of Judah," and then Ish-bosheth (a son of Saul) was made king over the rest of Israel! Then in chapter 5 the nation is united under King David.
(2.) 2 Samuel 8:18 - "and David's sons were priests." Hmmm. Only sons of Aaron were to be priests. David is from the tribe of Judah. This little phrase is just tacked onto the end of a listing of David's officials. The note in the Lutheran Study Bible says, "Or, "chief officials" (cf. LXX). Not Levitical priests but ministers of state through whom the king ruled and through whom others would do business with the king." 1 Chronicles 18 uses "chief officials" instead of priests. So I guess maybe that's so. But, hmmm. Maybe it's really pointing to Christ (THE Son of David) and then through Christ to the priesthood of the baptized?
Got home safe and sound last night. Nice to sleep in my own bed! This morning, found this next to our house . . .
Last day! :-( The week always seems to go by so fast and it's time to go home before you know it. So we had to get up early to pack up, load the van, and check out so we could leave right after the closing service to get to the airport. It was a little bumpy, but we got it done!
After breakfast was the final plenary, before which was the announcements and one last chance for tetramorph teams to earn points and win. And we almost did! Four youths from each team (including one from our group!) got to do one final challenge - and whoever won would win the team competition. It was close, but our group cam in second. But a valiant effort.
The closing Divine Service was great, as were all the services. Already talking about next year! Thanks WashU!
Just a couple photos today . . .
