It was a great experience; it was the best thing I’ve attended during my 9 years of in worship ministry.  Read about that experience here.  I knew I had to go back this year, and I knew Neil had to go with me.

So we’re spending the week in Nashville with a group of 150 or so other worship arts leaders.  It made the most sense for us to drive, so we’ve made our way across several states over the past couple of days.  We missed the Super Bowl to do this.  

I know. There were zero little smokies for us.

I briefly considered a small crockpot in the back seat.

As Neil said, there are about 12 layers of goodness around this week.   He’s on vacation from work for a week.  He and I get to spend the week together.  We get to spend the week learning to know some great people.  In a great city.  Eating great food.  And all of that is in addition to the actual content of the conference, some of which we know about, and some of which is a surprise.  It’s part of the magic of re:create.  It’s part think-tank, part rest, part resourcing, part inspiration, all creative. 

Hopefully I will be able to write about it a bit throughout the week.  Many others will be writing as well.  If you follow me on twitter or facebook, you’ll see a flurry of updates I’m sure.  

I’m thankful for a church leadership that values these kinds of experiences for staff. I’m grateful for Neil’s week of vacation.  And I’m in awe of the fact that my mom is living in our house this week to take care of our kids.  

Oh, and I’m grateful you all got to eat your little smokies.  Really.

I have been a curiously inactive blogger for about a week. Mostly because this week I am taking a few days of vacation. And as such things go, last week had to be all about (and by that I mean, every waking moment was dedicated to) making this week possible.

Where am I going? Oh wouldn’t you like to know. Suffice it to say that there will be salt water and the promise of warmer temperatures, and non-stop conversation with four of my precious college friends. I’m en route at the moment, enjoying a long layover and taking the opportunity to write and listen to some great music. There may be posts appearing over the next few days…. those will have been scheduled, my friends, as I’m likely not taking the powerbook out of the case once I arrive.

The five of us who are gathering represent ten children, and are from five different states, and this IS a school week. This means there are five husbands who are being altogether awesome to make this possible. In my case, there’s also a small army of family members and friends and neighbors who are involved. Don’t get me started on the ‘do I feel guilty about this?’ question. I’ve got no other grid through which to view such a reality.

But did I mention the salt water? and sun? and friends?

Yeah. See you next week.

This is Lorena. She came to the Baja orphanage last year, when her mother could no longer provide for her. Lorena’s future is not clear, but for now she is thriving in a place where adults love on her, teach her, and provide a sense of security. At Christmas, each of our kids received a picture of Lorena as a gift, as our family is now sponsoring part of Lorena’s care.

In July, we are going to meet Lorena. A group of 35 people from our church will travel to Mexico to serve at the Baja ministry location. Groups like ours come year round to provide support to those who work in these locations by doing ‘dirty work’…. mundane tasks…. whatever….. so that those who are there to care for the kids can spend their time doing that.

Our kids will be the only children in our group. They are tremendously excited. Our prayer is that as a result of this trip, they will have a view of a bigger world, a heart filled with more of God’s love, and hands and feet propelled to help those who are hopeless.

I know what I’m doing this summer.

it’s been a really long time since i have flown anywhere alone. therefore, it’s been a very long time since i have flown while sitting by strangers. usually i’m sitting by small people who must be entertained. silently.

in the course of 3 airports, 2 flights and a layover, had 3 different men do the polite ‘please, go ahead of me’ thing. chivalry, apparently, is still alive.

while waiting to de-plane, a guy standing in the aisle recognized the guy sitting in front of me as a high school classmate. hadn’t seen each other in 20 years. nice little crowded reunion that we all got to enjoy.

speaking of which, regional jets NOT SO MUCH WITH THE ROOMY.

Am attending the re:create conference this week. Have had one afternoon of sessions, which were great. Have met some amazing people. I would guess I might have a lot to blog about over the next few days, so, you know, be ready!