"An intellectual is someone who takes more words than necessary to tell more than he knows." - Dwight Eisenhower

Good day yesterday. But I didn’t get back to my mother-in-law’s place until 9:30 and I was too tired to post. Besides, she doesn’t have wireless. Stopping someplace on the way home would have put me there unreasonable late if I’m going to keep my position as her favorite son-in-law (OK, only son-in-law).

Wednesday started at The Rainbow Grill, a classic west Michigan joint. The parking lot full of pickup trucks, the male patrons wearing blue jeans and caps, and the matronly waitresses calling guys “honey.”
I met our realtor, Sue there for the breakfast special. Almost five years ago we connected with Sue as soon as we met and she quickly became our friend first and (very good) realtor second. She and her sister/assistant came out to visit us after we moved to Phoenix and any trip here includes meeting up at The Rainbow Grill for a pick-up-where-we-left-off conversation. This morning Sue told me about some cool stuff she and her husband Mike are doing to live out their faith through service to the suffering.

I hustled over to the college for two morning sessions and then lunch in the cafeteria. The passage of time hasn’t changed cafeteria food. The upside is that I have a couple of pounds to lose, so going light in the food line has its benefits.

A meeting after lunch with the Publications Committee. I left before the discussion was complete but I’m told they’re very positive about the potential and will be working on some of the details to take it to virtual reality. A domain name, a hosting server and some instruction on uploading come next. We should be close.

I spent the middle of the afternoon studying and going over my presentation for the evening’s session. I also caught a 30-minute nap in my rental car out in the parking lot. Note: no matter how cool a Dodge Charger looks, it is uncomfortable, especially if you want to fall asleep. Why bother putting in a fully reclining front seat when it’s like laying on a riverbed?

You know not to ask me how it went. I have no objectivity re. my own work and this was no exception. I went in with some anxiety knowing that the last part of my presentation would ruffle some feathers. That anxiety meant I was a bit frenetic (I was also aware of the ticking clock). Paul asked me afterward just how many Diet Cokes I’d consumed beforehand. A: none. I got kind words of affirmation from some afterward; I’m sure those who thought I erred passed on the opportunity to tell me so. It’s done, there’s nothing I can do to remodel it now (though there are a few places where it would help) so I’m telling my brain to move on.

Today is another full one. Sessions all morning and then lunch. I’m going to visit Bonnie and the kids this afternoon, then the banquet and final session tonight. “Home” again about the same time, so it might be another morning post from Panera tomorrow.

One of the things I enjoy about coming to these kinds of events is seeing old friends. In this case that includes former students now with ministries of their own. I was humbled and blessed to hear one of them say last night that he’s now in pastoral ministry because of weekly conversations we had over coffee. I also visited last night with Bill Rigg. I’ve known Bill since I was a Jr. High age dweeb at church camp and he was the speaker for the week. Years later Bill was the Dean of Students when I showed up as a freshman at GBC. He’s now 71 and looks better than I do. Best part - he and Nancy are coming to Phoenix in a few months so we’ll have another opportunity to visit. I’m hoping they can come to Pathway while they’re in town.

Something about the distance does it. I think it’s anything over 200 miles, though I haven’t tested that empirically. Getting away into a completely new setting helps me see the forest instead of just the trees and gain a sense of overview and perspective. It hits about three days into the absence; I start seeing things. Not things I was totally unaware of, but in a more holistic way. The big picture with its major features instead of the details of individual tasks.

I’m blessed. Very blessed. And the people are THE best part!