the weekend that was: busier weekend than the last few, and only semi-home. friday night was a good chill night for me and max. we went out to dinner together, then to see race to witch mountain (which was in that “didn’t suck too bad” zone that parents of children hope for in movies these days). saturday, i got up at 5:30am, then drove up to LA for “KASSCON” (the korean american sunday school conference). it was at young nak church of LA, which was cool to be at, as young nak church in seoul is our host church for the ys convention there in may. i think there were about 1000 people at the event, but it was split between a korean language side and an english language side (i’m pretty sure you can guess which part i spoke to). i did a seminar two times, then gave a short talk in the closing main session. the main session speaker was mark devries, and it was good to hang with him for a little bit. i really haven’t spent much time with him before, but have a deep level of respect for him. wish we could have spent more time.
anyhow, while i enjoyed being at the event, it was a long day, with 5 hours of driving and a full day of speaking. i was wiped when i got home, and took a hard-core nap. then we got carry-out and rented a movie (well, jeannie, liesl and i; max and a buddy were having an overnighter in the back house). we watched “changeling” with angelina. it was both good and disturbing.
sunday was church (and a great sermon on suffering), then family lunch at souplantation. then jeannie and i worked on our taxes a bit (almost done). in the evening, we had our home church at our house. we’re in the midst of a multi-week discussion about what community really is, and what kind of community we want. i lead the discussion sunday night, based on joe myers’ book, the search to belong. a few weeks ago, when i was mentioned joe’s book, i was asked if i could kind of present some of the ideas in it at one of our gatherings. i joked that i would put together a powerpoint presentation. and, because one person in particular had such a strong reaction to that, i decided it was something i just had to do! so, the image here is from that “presentation”! (actually, it was a really good discussion, primarily about the difference between private belonging and intimate belonging, and what level of expectations we bring to the group.)
where i am at the moment: flying to grand rapids. i had a very early flight this morning, and arrive in michigan in the mid-afternoon. tomorrow i have mtgs all day, then fly to atlanta in the evening. i have meetings in atlanta all day wednesday, then fly home that night. 3 days, 9 airports, 6 flight segments, 2 hotels, 2 rental cars.
on my to-do list this week: well, mtgs at zondervan and with our friends at big stuf. then catch up stuff thursday and friday. i also have two interviews later this week with candidates for our vp of finance and ops position.
procrastinating about: well, since we worked on our taxes this weekend, it’s probably not fair to say i’m procrastinating on them. i still have work to do on the middle school ministry book; but i’m kinda waiting for the line editor to tell me she needs it done (so i suppose that’s procrastinating).
book i’m in the midst of: only pages away from finishing losing my faculties: a teacher’s story (i’ll likely finish it on the plane today). i’m listening to the cd teaching series called richard rohr on the enneagram (it’s called enneagram: the discernment of the spirits). and i’m just starting the manuscript for pete gall’s next book, learning my name, which releases in july.
music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: i downloaded two fantastic cds this week. first, i’d heard of the alt rock band rocket from the crypt for years, but really didn’t know their music. but when liesl and i were hanging out with zach lind (from the band jimmy eat world) a couple weeks ago, he and liesl were talking music, and he said she had to try rftc (as their fans abbreviate the name). so i asked zach for a suggestion of where to start, and grabbed scream, dracula, scream (nice title!). i haven’t listened deeply yet, but have dug it on the surface (really, the sound, that is). then, there’s a song playing all the time on my radio station that sounds like connor oberst (or, bright eyes), and i thought it was him. turns out it’s by a band called the airborne toxic event. so, i took a little risk and downloaded the whole album. and, i likes it.
next trip: well, i’m on one! but, after i get home wednesday night, i’m home for a couple weeks. i have a one night trip to orange country april 5/6.
how i’m feeling about this week: yeah, ok. bring it.
friday night was a memorable treat. i’ve gotten to know 
music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: WOW, what a GREAT music week! very rarely have i had such a great music week. the highlights: