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We're back...
After many brutal hours on tiny aircraft and a long drive from Phoenix to Tucson, Kathy and I arrived back from Boston at about 2:00 this morning. The trip was excellent! The conference was very, very good. I learned alot, but mostly I realized just how good God has been to Eric and I as pastors of the Village. We made some good connections with other people who are doing what we are doing and that was helpful.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Jamming with a band of guys from New Orleans who knew almost every song my mother ever sang on Tuesday night in the hotel lobby. They invited me to join in when they saw me mouthing the words. I've never sat in a lobby with guitar players, a pianist, and a drummer (improvising on beer bottles, couch pilows, and the coffee table) and sang to hotel guests before.
A deep insight into community and discipleship in a breakout session at the conference.
A theological discussion while cruising the bay on a boat.
Watching Susan organize a band around the Philippians song at the conference.
Dinner at La Vita Dolce with Eric and Susan and some strangers who became friends.
Driving through the White Mountains of New Hampshire. God makes leaves in amazing colors.
Spending time with my lover.
Eating a lobster.
Becoming an honorary Red Sox fan for a week.
Listening to a wise and wonderful blind man in park ranger garb in Thenuel Hall talk about the history of the revolution. I didn't want him to ever stop talking.
Getting to know my co-pastor and his wonderful wife. They are actually fun to be around.
LOWLIGHTS:
A hideous five hour plane flight from Boston to Salt Lake City.
An even more hideous hour and a half flight to Phoenix on a plane where my shoulders touched the roof of the plane when I stood. The air circulation wasn't working and I almost went on an insane killing spree.
Getting lost on the streets of Boston and having no idea how to get back to the hotel. An employee of the hotel named Jason talked me back to the hotel. I will always bless his name.
A breakout session dominated by a guy who liked to hear himself talk even more than I do.
Developing a half dollar size blister in the middle of my left foot. Not a good thing in a community that walks everywhere it goes.
All in all the good far outweighed the bad and we had a great time learning and then vacationing.
Rod | 
