A Whirlwind Month

It is hard to believe we have finished the first month of the sabbatical! Lots has been going on! I've been doing a lot of reading. Walter Brueggemann's An Introduction to the Old Testament: The Canon and Christian Imagination, proved to be 400 EXTREMELY dense, but wonderful delving into what scripture means, as it has been "traditioned" throughout the generations of its formation. On the lighter side, Polly Berends' Gently Lead: How to Teach Your Children about God While Finding Out for Yourself , offers stories and ideas about how to enrich the spiritual lives of our children in ways that enrich us as well. Sarah Juengst's Equipping the Saints has made quite an impact on me. It is a book I've had a long time, but am just now reading. Sarah (a former seminary professor of mine) says that we as churches cannot expect good leadership from members unless they are taught ahead of time--in Bible, Christian theology, and leadership. This is an eclectic list! For the next several weeks, I expect to delve into the New Testament. On the "family" side, Doug and I have been traveling! We spent a week with my mother in Pawley's Island, SC (and she returned the favor by spending a week with us). I attended the Homiletics Festival in Nashville--what a week of wonderful preaching and teaching! It was good to spend time with clergy colleagues as well as enjoy good Nashville barbecue. Next, Doug and I spent a few days in Chesapeake, VA for my niece, Lauren's graduation from high school. Then it was on to Philadelphia for a few days with our nephew and his wife, Zach and Aubrie. Many of you may remember Zach from the years he was part of our Northside family while he attended VT. Now we are off on a new adventure. We will travel to Daphne, AL, to visit with Doug's daughter, Talitha, and her family. The bonus is that our Navy granddaughter, Ellen, will be home for a few days before being stationed at San Diego. On the way back, we will hit "Hot-lanta" for a few days. I will be using Columbia Seminary's library and will meet with Rodger Nishioka and Kathy Dawson, Christian Education professors at the seminary. Hopefully, they will help me shape the material I want to bring back to the church. Hit my milestone birthday--60--last week! Hard to believe! This summer is a momentous one for Doug and me. He will hit the quarter century mark in August, and I will celebrate 25 years of ordained ministry. How time flies! At home, this past week, it's been gardening. Ernie Bentley tilled our vegetable garden, and the plants are finally in the ground, just in time for nice hot weather. Hopefully we will enjoy tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and basil. Our berry plants look to be producing well--I have just picked our first bowl of strawberries. God is amazing--look at what God does with a few plants! I miss you all, but have enjoyed meals with Martha and Kathy, and a shared birthday meal with Don and Louise Bloss and Sue and Ernie Bentley.