The Long and Winding Road

Hey folks.  With my tease from last week I bet you were all waiting for the great post about spring training baseball but lets just say I am TIRED!  We left for the Phoenix area on Sunday afternoon and soon into the trip I remembered that traveling with two vans and five kids under six years old makes for a long day.  We arrived in the valley of the sun way past sunset and promptly went to sleep.  I shared a bed with my oldest and Jill had our youngest next to her.  What that means is that mom and dad don't get much sleep.  So after a long road trip and not much sleep I found myself in Maryvale Stadium watching the Milwaukee Brewers play the Los Angeles Dodgers yesterday.  At one point, as I was baking in the sun (because I forgot to pack my hat) I looked at my friend Matt and said, "I will buy you a beer if you can tell me what inning it is and what the score is."  No answer from Matt and I could not help either.  Needless to say, two Angels fans watching national league teams play as we were "catching some rays (not the hint of sarcasm)" did not make for intent watching or critiquing of each pitch.  We did have some great conversation and the group from my church had a blast.  The best part was that as we were going into the stadium a bus pulled up and a bunch of the Angels got out to have an unannounced inter-squad game.  The kiddos in the group got to watch it up close and got some cool autographs.  

Today was another long day in the car and I am happy to be home.  Now it is off to bed looking forward to another long day tomorrow.  This time it is work and school.  Overall the trip to AZ was great.  It was wonderful to see family and catch a little bit of baseball.  If you ever get a chance to go to spring training I highly recommend it.  Good night and I will talk to you next week.

Totally forgot...

It has been quite a week and as I was in my office working on the details for Holy Week, Easter, and beyond I realized that it was Wednesday and I did not blog this week. I tried to rationalize it by remembering that I did post twice last week but here I am typing away. I really don't have much time but I did want to say that I really feel like I have had a big weight taken off my shoulders. My time in St. Louis was hard but the outcome was great and I realized when I returned how many people were praying for me. One quick story. On Wednesday afternoon, Jill told one of her classes that I had "passed" and a few of the students thought I died. How funny is that! The mind of a junior-high student, sharp as a marble. Needless to say things are busy but I have some renewed energy. In a few months I will be done with school. I can't wait.

Well I am off to the grocery store with the girls so I will wrap this up. Talk to you next week from beautiful Phoenix Arizona, spring home to my favorite baseball team the ANGELS! Go Halos!!!

The result....

I have been tested by fire and I have survived. I entered my interview at the seminary with many nerves and sweaty palms. After 90 minutes on the grill I was asked to step outside and about three minutes later they brought me back in and said that they would recommend me for certification. It was a big relief to be done and I didn't get myself into too many tough spots. I did get into a bit of a jam but one of the interviewers threw me a rope and saved me. I am sure I will have more to say later but right now I am in a bit of a fog, just happy to be done. Tonight we are going to Lenten service with some of the profs. and that should be great. I will be up early to get to the airport and will be back in SoCal just in time for class tomorrow night. Well that is about it for now. Talk to you later....

The Seminary

Greetings from beautiful Clayton Missouri. I am in a Panera Bread establishment (actually the Saint Louis Bread Co. but the same thing) they have free wi-fi so here I am. The manager just told me that they are closing in 15 minutes so this will have to be short. I am here for my theological interview at the Seminary tomorrow. I am a bit nervous but think I will do OK. My interview will be at 1:30 PM Central time so your prayers will be appreciated. I got to spend some time with family yesterday that live in the area. I stayed with my folks and had dinner with my brother and his family and my grandparents came over as well. The weather is very nice. It was in the 50's today and won't get too cold tonight either. If you have never been to the seminary in St. Louis I highly recommend it. It is a beautiful place and it would have been neat to study here but that was not part of the plan. Anyway, I head back home on Thursday morning and am back in class in CA on Thursday night. No rest for me. Check back tomorrow for a longer post and an update on the interview. Until then...

Happy Birthday

Today my youngest turned 3.  She has been waiting for this day for a while now.  She has been so excited to tell everyone she is 3 and has been practicing holding up 3 fingers.  It is so cute.  Today when she woke up we brought her two presents that she opened.  She got a new pair of sunglasses and a new Barbie.  She also got some cards in the mail which she opened.  Of course she wanted to have cupcakes for breakfast but settled for yogurt.  She said she had fun at school and came home with a great birthday crown.  We went out to Ruby's for dinner tonight and she got her favorite- Mac'n Cheese.  She also had some chocolate malt for a special treat.  Over all it was a good day.  I proudly say that today I am the father of two three year olds.  Now that will change on Monday when my oldest turns four but it is kinda fun to say that at least for a week.

In other news.  I am off to St. Louis next Monday for my theological interview at the seminary.  I have some serious butterflies because no matter how much you prepare you never really know what direction things will go.  It freaks me out a bit to sit in a room with some seminary profs who don't know me and I don't know them and what happens in that room could make or break my future.  I would feel much more comfortable if the professors that actually taught me and know me would do the interview but that won't happen.  For the past few weeks I have been pouring over my preliminary questions and rereading a few books, but I know I won't feel good until it is all over.  I will get a chance to see some family when I am out there and I am looking forward to that.  Of course this could not come at a worse time because I am preaching the next two weekends and am still taking one class and Easter is right around the corner.  Anyway, I covet your prayers for safe travel and that my brain works next Wednesday.  I will give you an update in a few weeks.  Have a great week...