Thanks for Travelling With Me

To so many of you who took this journey with me (and so often Gwen), I wish to say thanks for all of your encouragement, prayers and support.

Back to [School] Work!

My first day back to work was Tuesday – also the first day of school for every kid in Michigan. I decided to walk to work (since one of our cars was in the shop – long ethanol story).

I walked past some teens waiting for the bus (bummer to have to ride the bus). They were all ready for day 1 of the school year – every article of clothing, every accessory, every part of the backpack – carefully selected.

Inside of all of the outward stuff there were the obvious day 1 anxious thoughts – will anybody remember me? Will the kids like me? Will I have anybody cool in my classes? Will anyone sit with me at lunch? Will anyone want to be my friend?

I thought all those things for them – and then for myself. I was going back after 3 months out. I was wondering the same things – will anybody remember me? Will they like me? Will anyone want to have lunch with me? Will they want to be my friend?

I’m back in and on the eve of my first Sunday to preach in 15 weeks – I wonder what it will be like?

Gliding . . .

I kept watching them being pulled up over the Frankfort Lake Michigan beach - so I thought, "I'm going to check into this!"

A few minutes later I received a trip up to 3,000 feet in time to see an incredible sunset on Lake Michigan (it still seems like it would go out when it goes into the water like that)!

Never "glided" before. It was incredible. So smooth. Seemingly effortless.

Pete was flying - while Peter Y is one of my best friends, for the 25 minutes in the air, Pete the Pilot became my very best friend - he was in control - my life was in his hands.

One of the joys of this Sabbatical experience has been learning to glide . . . being led by the one who created wind.

WOW! The Final Week . . .

It's so hard to believe that I am in the final week of this Sabbatical Journey . . . time flies.

I am alone this week at a cottage provided by one of our board members (thanks Craig & Lora!). It's been a great get-away - quiet, comfortable, and beautiful - perfect for processing the final week of this journey. Bonus that it is relatively close to Lake Michigan and only 40 miles from my folks (we met half-way for lunch on Sunday).

Yesterday (Sunday 8/26), I walked 5+ miles on the beach of Lake Michigan. Had an incredible time looking back on some dark issues of my life and finding cleansing at a deeper level in the midst of the amazing sunshine of the day and the freeing light of my Shepherd. He leads, guides, and restores . . .

This final week includes:

• wrapping up and summarizing key ideas and growth points along the journey
• some work ahead on the fall sermon series
• debriefing the experience
• somehow discovering and embracing the What could life be like in the days ahead because of the sabbatical experience?

I realize that the journey will continue - even after I return - but could you hold me up in prayer for this very significant week?

Thanks

21 Days . . .

Three weeks from today (September 4), I have the joy of checking back into my role as Senior Pastor of Spring Lake Wesleyan Church. That means that I am 80 days into this Sabbatical with just 21 left.

At 80% completed lots of memories come to my mind . . .

• A host of solitude experiences – some significant, some pretty routine, but lots of moments alone to think, reflect, smile, and rest
• Experiences with God - mostly just sort of "normal" times with a friend
• About 70% of the days, thus far, have been spent with Gwen – they have been rich to this journey
• Lots of hours in reading and writing and processing books and teachings
• Times of travel – something I enjoy – times that have enhanced the Sabbatical

Most of all – my gratitude for so many prayers and my certainty of the need for significant prayer as this experience draws to a close. Would you please send up a few prayers related to:

• The use of these final days – best experiences and connections with God and others
• The debriefing process – integrating God and life lessons into real life
• Identifying and clarifying new rhythms and pathways for the journey beyond
• Clarity in understanding this next season of life and ministry
• The ability to stay on Sabbatical until the final day
• The adjustments for Gwen and me as we return to regular life

I haven’t been able to do this without your prayers – I can’t finish without them either. Thanks in advance for finishing strong with us