Summer Sabbatical Scoop 6

17 Jul Summer Sabbatical Scoop 6

Since returning from our camping trip to Buellton, sabbatical has been hopping. Is that an oxymoron? Should sabbaticals be this busy? Apparently, only if you’re at home during them!

The week we returned, Colleen was at one of her two jobs (nursing and teaching) for most of the week. Josh had football practice every day from 3-6 pm, Jonathan participated in a football camp from 9 am – 3 pm. We were much too busy beavers, but the activity has been good for the boys.

Last Saturday, Colleen get a penchant to have some folks over, so scrub away at the house we did all afternoon preparing for friends and neighbors to share an evening of good food, friendship, and our great firepit.

On Sunday morning, we visited Centerpoint Church here in Simi Valley, pastored by none other than my good friend, Steve Pope. We really enjoyed celebrating Jesus with other brothers and sisters in our own city. Later that day, we celebrated a 40th wedding anniversary with some good friends of ours. We unexpectedly ran into some old friends while there. It was a great time!

This week has thankfully been a bit slower is pace for us. However, we also mourned the passing of THREE people connected to the life of our church. None of them direct members, but parents of three of our folks.

Today, we attended the memorial service for Gail Tyson, who is Kelly Montgomery’s mom. It was a very moving time of celebration. Kelly’s son, Tyson (named after his mom’s maiden name as you can tell), shared what his Grandma meant to him. It was so powerful.

In 1997, Tyson went through treatment for a cancer that was connected to his bladder. His Grandma was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just six months ago.

Some of you know Johnny Cox, a good friend of mine, and a Teaching Pastor at our church. Johnny’s dad, Joe, passed away in Texas today. It was expected (also from cancer), but is painful nonetheless. Johnny is headed from Iowa, where he was speaking at  camp, to Texas, tomorrow morning.

This Sunday, Colleen and I will leave for a trip to San Luis Obispo (about 3 hours north of us, including a beautiful drive along the coast!), where we’ll enjoy one of our favorite places, The Apple Farm. Got a really good deal on their website for the stay. We’re both looking forward to it, and it will be our first time to get away for just the two of us so far on sabbatical. We’ll come home Wednesday.

By the way, for those connected to me either through my blog, Facebook or Twitter, I’ll be going “off grid” while we’re gone. No email, Facebook, or blogging.

You might catch a tweet or two from Twitter (you can follow me here), but only if it’s for something to die for (in a FUN way!!), and I won’t be actually checking Twitter or conversing by it. Even email access by phone will be shut off. Phone access will be for the kids and family.

I have been planning to go off grid for an extended stint or two since the start of the sabbatical. This will be the first time actually doing it for more than 24 hours. I’m really looking forward to it!

I think that’s it for now. I’m sure there’s something I’ve forgotten to share, but that’s what happens to your mind on sabbatical!!!