Higher Things Day 5

Last day of the conference! :-(  This is always both a sad and joyful day as we rejoice in all we've done and received, and yet leaving friends old and new and re-acquaintances. So this morning, Matins and the final plenary, lots of thank yous and packing, lunch, and then the closing service. The closing service is always great, as we have the choir and instrumentalists who have been practicing all week, a sermon that wraps everything up, and get to sing the conference hymn one more time. (We also got to sing For All the Saints, one of my all-time favorites!).

Here are the stats from the conference:

Right after the closing service we checked out and headed for Ohio. Spending the night in North Lima. That will get us roughly halfway home, maybe a little more, so not too much driving for Saturday. The hotel here is basic but clean, so both hotels this year were definitely better than last year's debacle!

Just a few more odds and ends . . .

Yes, the Mike and Ike's made an appearance driving last night! In case you don't know, they are the official candy of Higher Things road trips. (And the red ones are still nasty!)

"Flat Jesus!"

There was some kind of challenge going on for one youth group to get a picture of all the pastors there with "flat Jesus." (Think of "Flat Stanley" and this will make more sense. And if you don't know who Flat Stanley is, ask the Google, who knows everything.) Though I think he looks more like Flat Moses. Anyway.

Kitty and a new friend at lunch.

Another picture of Bumper Ball - you can see how crowded and bumpy it is!

So home later today, early afternoon probably. As usual, all want to come back next year! That will probably be in Nashville, TN for us, at Vanderbilt University. Theme: Bread of Life. Can't wait!