Time at Camp

Back in Fruitland Park this week for Board of Ordained Ministry interviews. Praying for those clergy interviewing this week for provisional and full connection status. And praying for our board members for wisdom and discernment. 

 

Random Slices of Life

Sweet snuggle babies. Bella has finally learned to sleep in the large bed, which means Caspian and Fergus share the small one now. 

Some of my plants are blooming so pretty. 

 

Friday Fun

Daryl and I went on a nice long four mile walk on the Legacy Trail on Friday. 

We also took Bella and Fergus to the vet for their routine checkups. Everything was good. Bella loves the car ride and the vet and their chicken treats! She always astounds the vet office for old she is vs her puppylike attitude and how good her weight is. 

Fergus is never impressed by the vet's office. 

 

The Week In Review

For the last four years I have had a dedicated parking space at the District Office. But soon that parking lot will be reduced to accommodate a new playground at the church. When the construction is done, I have relinquished the need for a dedicated parking space since I travel so much. I'll be hiking over from the parking garage a couple of blocks away. 

This week I signed all the letters to thank the district churches for their 100% apportionment giving. 

This week I also was the featured author in the conference's daily devotional guide, Awakened to Grace. I wrote about the spiritual practice of Scripture reading. 

And today, we hosted our first district clergy gathering of the year at Grace UMC in Venice, where I got to preach. We also had presentations about dealing with adults with cognitive decline. 

It was a busy and good week! 

Tree Transformation

All the Christmas decor is down and instead we've put up Valentine's and Lunar New Year.  That means we still get the decorated tree up for the next month. Lunar New Year is the Year of the Horse and it starts on February 17. 

 

IMG Track Meet #1 - Jimmy Carnes Invitational

 Wesley's first track meet of the season was the Jimmy Carnes Invitational at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center at Celebration Pointe. He and I drove up on Saturday night and stayed nearby. We reported to the arena at 9am but he didn't end up jumping until the afternoon. 

His first five jumps he hit all on his first attempts: 1.55m, 1.60m, 1.65m, 1.70m, and 1.75m. That's 5'1", 5'3", 5'5", 5'7", and 5'9". 

Then he cleared 1.80m (5'11") on his second attempt. That was his first PR of the day. His previous PR at the end of last season was 5'10".

He cleared 1.85 (6'1") on his third attempt. 

He cleared 1.90 (6'3") on his third attempt also! 

There were only four boys left at this point. Wesley made three attempts for 1.95 but he missed them all. Two of the other boys missed their attempts also. Wesley ended up finishing fourth overall with that wonderful new PR. What a great first showing of the season! 

This is Wesley with Bill Lawson, the head of the distance and cross country runners at IMG Academy. 

From Bradenton to Georgia

I worshipped at Rogers Community UMC in Bradenton. After worship several folks were gathering up food to take to feed the homeless in the community. 

Tuesday and Wednesday I was in St Simon's Island for the SEJ Cabinet Consultation at the retreat center: Epworth by the Sea. It was good to be with all the superintendents and bishops from around the southeastern United States. The retreat center is on the river between the mainland and the island and the views are beautiful for sunrise and sunset. 

There's a great labyrinth on the island that I made it over to walk: Christ Church Frederica. 

One of my best friends is on the Cabinet in North Georgia. Loved spending time with Laurie this week. 

I made it back on Wednesday night for in time to see the boys before they went to bed. Thursday I spent in meetings at Daryl's church in Venice.