Day Zero – Sunday, 9/28/08

I preached at all three services today, it went well. After that I felt a real need to visit with six and eight year old sisters who are having a difficult time with their parents’ divorce. Don’t know how much they really opened up, but I hope they know they can at least trust me for any future talks. Then I went out to Mike and Deborah Penn’s to celebrate their step grandson’s and grandson’s baptisms. Later this evening I headed up a meeting for an El Paso / Juarez mission trip. Then, the sabbatical was underway.

People have been asking me what I’m going to do these six weeks and I honestly don’t know. As for the time off, I’m excited about the freedom, the “no commitments.” Being a pastor doesn’t usually afford me that. But by the same token, as for the time off, I’m a little nervous about “wasting” it and when the 42 days are over not having done much.

I also hope to do things for my family; things I can’t always do but have always wished I could. While it’s my time away from Bethany, I want them to be blessed as well.

I hope to panhandle a couple times – once looking real presentable, another time looking more destitute. I don’t really know what it will prove, I’m just curious about people’s reaction. I may do the same thing passing out free water, again just to see people’s reaction in comparison to my different appearances.

Other plans (we’ll see how many come to pass) include: “guy” housework stuff [painting, scrubbing…], getting back on the bike, golfing, getting more familiar with Spanish, writing that children’s book, and of course Vietnam. I really don’t know what to expect, and in all honesty, six weeks isn’t all that long. I can imagine it will be over just about the time I learn how to relax.

Part of me thinks I could write for hours right now and part of me is ready to call it a night and see how each day’s journal entry plays out. I think I‘ll do the latter. kdl

Day One – Monday, 9/29/08

I weighed in (using our own bathroom scale) at 187 lbs. Don’t plan to weigh again until right before Vietnam, then upon returning home, then at the end of the sabbatical. Not overly worried about it, just curious.

A good day; a tiring day – I’m wiped and it’s only 8:30. After taking the kids to school, I went panhandling. I wanted to look real presentable, with the hope of doing it a week later, looking not so good. Going to Manchaca and Ben White, clean shaven, clean clothes, and with box in hand saying “ANYTHING WILL HELP,” I approached cars for an hour and a quarter.

I was given by individuals: $2, $1, $1, a granola bar, one acknowledging wave, and a job offer to dig fence posts. But what struck me most was how people, for the most part, wouldn’t look at me. They were busy talking on the phone, putting on makeup, or just staring straight ahead. Neither age (young or old) nor ethnicity (white, brown, black, yellow) mattered. I didn’t see any “disgusted” looks; just very little acknowledgement. Made me wonder why I sometimes do the same thing and if I’ll change that about myself? Is it really that hard to say “hi,” to look at another human being, even if I don’t plan to give them money?

I was hoping to do it longer, but after an hour and a quarter, the police came calling – nice guys; two squad cars. Showed ID, told them what I was doing. One of them, real nice, (we talked for about 10 minutes) thought the panhandling idea (looking nice and again, not so nice) was kind of neat, but told me he couldn’t let me do it any more, at least not in S. Austin. (The other officer just said, “Sir, get your hands out of your pockets.”) According to the one, they either run them off or take them in. He said I may have been intimidating people, making folks fearful of using the crosswalk. I don’t know.

Then I brought up my other plan, to pass out free water, looking nice and not so nice. He seemed to like that idea too and said I could do that, even at that very corner – nothing “illegal” about that.” We parted ways, me being let off with a polite warning.

So, I went back to the same corner a couple hours later, (with the cop’s blessing) still looking nice, with a cooler having signs attached to it which read, “Free Water.” Many cars passed by, and I was able to get rid of 15 bottles, ice cold, in 40 minutes. I’ll do it again next week looking disheveled, and see how quickly I can distribute 15 more.

People acknowledged me a lot more doing this than they did in the morning. Lots of thumbs up, waves, smiles, one guy even offered $1 for one bottle, but I turned it down. Others asked why I was doing it, just told them I wanted to. People didn’t have too hard a time looking at me while I looked nice and was giving things away. We’ll see how next week goes. So all in all, asking/ taking/panhandling for money not well received while giving/offering something was just the opposite, even though I looked the same both times.

Rest of the day was just kind of spent running around, tending to errands, and relaxing a very little bit this evening. Good night. kdl

Day Two – Tuesday, 9/30/08

Not much to write tonight. Worked at home all day, scrubbing the hardy-plank. I’m exhausted and sore. Chicken Ebner came by and kept me company for a little while. Took me all day as I couldn’t do it when the sun was shining on an outer wall – had to wait for the sun to go around the whole house before I could complete it. After that it was just supper, taking it easy during the evening, and off to bed. Did I say I was exhausted and sore? kdl

Day Three – Wednesday, 10/01/08

Kind of a wasted day – didn’t tackle mountains but did get a thing or two done. It’s funny, I’m only finishing up day three, but it really feels like time is slipping away. I think the fact that I’m “losing” two weeks to Vietnam has got me thinking every moment is precious.

Spent the morning inside the house - first time for everything. Putzed around here and there, got around to installing Rosetta Stone, and did a few Spanish lessons. Real easy right now. I hope it gets harder and I can do some real learning. Went to lunch with Chris McClellan at Texas Chili Parlor. Had a great time – he’s such a nice guy.

Upon getting the mail and checking e-mail, all after lunch, got some major sabbatical bills. Came to about $4,200. So thankful Bethany gave me the 6K for the sabbatical, or Vietnam would be a major hit financially. Have about $1,000 remaining (Rosetta Stone costing $550) for the remaining five and a half weeks, but will recoup 2K from PLI upon completion of the trip.

Went for a bike ride, about 11.5 miles – I’m so out of shape. Was riding real regularly until about 3 weeks ago – why did I stop? Plan to get back on the bike more during the weeks ahead, but we’ll see.

Highlight of the day was watching Jacob play football. He’s really doing well this year. Bears won 32-8, and he’s 3-0 as a starting quarterback. I got to play “Mr. Official” and was part or the chain gang. At least it afforded me the opportunity to be close to the action.

That about does it for the first day of October. We’ll see what tomorrow brings. kdl

Day Four – Thursday, 10/02/08

Didn’t move any mountains today. Spent an hour studying Spanish – enjoyed it. Amazing how the brain works – the more time I spend in the Spanish the more naturally I just start thinking in it. Sort of a “taking over” of my thoughts.

From there went to lunch – local collegial group. Good to see the guys; it had been a while. Took up a lot of my day, which is good, because I have the time, but at the same time, still having a hard time “letting go” of being productive. Couldn’t wait to leave, but to come home and do what – paint? The housework will always be there and doesn’t have to get done right this second. Relaxing, just letting time go by, has not come easy for me.

Got some disappointing news. It’s possible, although we are certainly going to pursue it, that Kathy’s health insurance may not cover any of her Vietnam shots. Could be pricey – hundreds of dollars. Just another reason we’re thankful Bethany has blessed this sabbatical financially.

Met with Chris Godwin about financial planning. He’s going to now be in charge of our investments – sharp guy, and super nice. Glad I’ve gotten to know him and glad he’s a part of Bethany.

The rest of the day went like this: 1) The bike ride was good today. Rode hard; best time ever (of those I’ve put a watch to). 2) Kathy has been swamped at school this year, so I fixed supper – nothing much, but glad to help. 3) Spent the evening at home. kdl

Day Five – Friday, 10/03/08

Got a round of golf in. Sid S. invited Nat G., Jim M. and me to join him at Falconhead. Nice to get out; was able to just relax and enjoy the day. Didn’t play real well, but I blame that on the wind (got to find some excuse, even if it wasn’t really that windy. The sun was kind of bright too.) Then lunch with the guys. Didn’t do too much after that, except the high school football game. I think the fact I’m not writing an awful lot on the day meant I took it at a slower pace; not too worried about “getting things done.” Overall, a very good day. kdl

Day Six – Saturday, 10/04/08

Started the day off early at Jacob’s basketball game – we won’t talk too much about how that went. Was faithful with both the biking – 11.5 miles, and the Spanish – about an hour. Spent the rest of the morning and afternoon watching college football - not the most exciting of days, but I do enjoy the college game.

Kathy and I had a very nice evening. At the last Hoe Down, Gary and Carroll Knippa bought a dinner for four, and they invited us to be the other couple, hosted by Randy and Lynda Keen. What a wonderful time the six of us had. We got there at 7:00 and didn’t leave until 11:30, yet the night absolutely flew by.

First – thoughts on the meal. It was magnificent. We started with a very nice (and tasty) relish tray, but the courses had not begun. We had a six course dinner, each one fabulous. I can’t even tell you what they all were, but I learned much along the way. Started hot (a wonderful seafood appetizer), then cold (1st salad), then hot (main course), then cold (2nd salad), then cheeses (yum yum) then dessert. It was a brand new experience for me and I enjoyed it very much.

Second – thoughts on the company. I know a ton of people at Bethany by face and name, and what a lot of them do. But I really don’t know them. I had known Gary, Carol, Randy, and Lynda for years, but I now know them so much better. Without a doubt, that’s one of the drawbacks of serving a large church – you just can’t get to know them all. While I do like serving the larger parish, when it came to serving smaller I knew the people much more intimately - kind of a sad trade-off. I can’t imagine how many stories are out there, interesting, wonderful stories, yet I’ll never know them. It was a very good day. kdl

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