Just got back from two trips and two weeks away.

First was a drive to Detroit, Mequon WI, Grand Rapids, Detroit, and then home again. This was to take my daughter back to school at Concordia University, Wisconsin. On the way there and back, we stopped at my in-laws in Detroit to visit my mother-in-law (in Memory Care) and help my father-in-law with the house and other things he needed to get done. On the way back to Detroit, we stopped in Grand Rapids to visit a pastor who I knew but never met before! So we stopped by for dinner to meet him and his wife and had a nice time. And Shirley, the blueberry pie so so good!

Then it was off to Florida for the Lutheran Haven Board of Trustees retreat and meeting. That was a long three days! Much discussion about the future of the Haven and how to move into the future. Had a tough time getting home. We tried to depart before storms moved in at the airport, but didn't quite make it. We sat on the plane for about two hours, after which we had to deplane due to "tarmac rules" about how long they can leave us there without actually leaving. So we sat in the terminal a while longer, then back on the plane and finally departed about four hours late. But I did get home! And now I'm here for a few weeks until my next couple of trips in September.

Re-elected

One thing to update you all on is that I was re-elected to serve on the Synod's Board for International Mission for another six year term. Elected on the first ballot, so no drama. ;-)  Last convention, there were some very close votes (3-4 vote margins!) with one of our incumbents being unseated and one just barely getting re-elected, so I didn't take this for granted. But I enjoy serving so was glad to be chosen. Now it's back to work.

Update?

Yeah, I haven't posted again for a couple weeks . . . Not that I haven't been thinking about it! Just nothing newsworthy, I didn't think. Just got my nose to the grindstone, trying to get things done, especially since I've got a couple trips coming up. I'll try to post about them a little. 

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!

Higher Things - Part Deux

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 . . .

The chapel set-up in the main ballroom. Nice view of the mountains in the background!

We had almost 900 youth in attendance.

With President Bruss of the Fort Wayne Seminary, getting ready for Matins.

A view of the mountains as we drove to the airport.

It was a very tiring week! I left right after church for the airport and arrived at CSU in the evening. My responsibilities: Monday was unloading the truck and setting everything up - and there's a LOT to set-up! Monday night is Service of Evening Prayer with the Staff. Tuesday the Conference begins. Final preparations and set-up, leader's meeting, the opening Divine Service, teaching a Breakaway session, Evening Prayer, Private Absolution, and Compline. Wednesday and Thursday are Matins, leader's meeting, Vespers, teaching a Breakaway session, Evening Prayer, and Compline. Friday is the closing Divine Service, followed by packing everything up, loading the truck, and then Staff dinner. Saturday is the drive to the airport and the flight home, finally getting back about 9:00 pm or so. That's a long week! But again, a good one!

A Few Days of R&R

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 . . .

Kayaking with the dolphins

With my daughter, hiking at the State Park

There were lots of pelicans!

Interesting . . .

The Memento reading plan has a reading through the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. Two things that caught my attention this time through:

(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?

Home!

Got home safe and sound last night. Nice to sleep in my own bed! This morning, found this next to our house . . .

. . . which looks like a spent firework to me! That's kinda scary . . . if it had fallen on our roof . . . hot? fire? Thanks be to God it didn't!