the weekend that was: i was in san juan, puerto rico, for the ys youth worker event there. wonderful time, with 750 youth workers from across the denominational spectrum. i’d not been to puerto rico before, and really loved it. being part of the united states, it’s a very easy place to be a non-spanish speaking visitor. many people speak at least some english (especially in restaurants and stores), and u.s. currency is used; and there’s no customs or need for a passport. i had a great time hanging out and getting caught up with lucas leys, the ys spanish director. and i had a blast with my seminars and general session — people were super responsive.
that said, i had quite an experience getting through security at the san juan airport. “traces of something” were found on my luggage, shoes, and hands (!). and right there at the end of the line, in front of everyone coming through, two TSA employees took every single item out of my luggage and backpack, holding each up, one at a time (including my undies!), and examining them. joy!
saw two movies on the flights home: the duchess (with keira knightly), which was pretty good, but very sad; and the longshots (with ice cube), which was predictable, but decent plane fare.
where i am at the moment: unfortunately, i’m heading right back out again (i’m in a wicked few weeks of travel). we have a ys leadership team retreat starting today, going through wednesday evening. it’s local, in san diego; but we’re staying at a hotel, so i’m not home.
on my to-do list this week: two leadership team retreat — first, 3 days with the ys leadership team, then 2 days with the zondervan leadership team.
procrastinating about: um… oh, getting the final tweaks done on the middle school ministry book. need to get to that!
book i’m in the midst of: i think i’m in the middle of three right now:
– still reading the know it all
– halfway through jack handy’s what i’d say to the martians
– started are you there, vodka? it’s me, chelsea
music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: ben taylor’s music (particularly his newest, the legend of kung folk). dude sounds like he’s channeling james taylor; and i mean that in a very good way.
next trip: wednesday night i take a red-eye (san diego to l.a. to chicago to grand rapids) for a zondervan leadership team thurs/fri. come home friday night.
how i’m feeling about this week: well, i wish i were home with my family!
I got busted at security before too. I put lotion on my hands in the morning and the glycerin content got picked up by their scanners. I was with teenagers who were giggling about their youth minister getting arrested and how fun that would be in the newspaper back home.
Note to self: deal with the dry hands and ashy legs until after security.
Have a great week, Marko!
Man what a week it seems like you barely had time to breathe.
Oh wow, thank you so much for sharing with us this weekend. These words; simple, less, slow, small, be present, full of Christ; keep pounding in my heart and mind. Hope to put them in practice with the Lord’s help! I’m confident this is the way. God bless you, and gives you new strength!
Leslie
p.s. From all of us “Boricuas”, sorry for what you had to go through security in San Juan’s Airport :(
Leslie
traces of AWESOMENESS no doubt!! here’s hoping you also didn’t shout out a familiar greeting to a fellow named “Jack”!!