Day Seven – Sunday, 10/05/08

So this is what it’s like to sleep in on a Sunday. No alarm, no commitments, slower pace and very different from a typical Sunday for me. I can see why people do this, yet I’m so very thankful for parents who raised me to have church be part of my life. Not to be a pastor – that was never put on me; but to just have worship as part of my weekly routine. It’s a good thing. Kathy and I even joked a little (and not so little) - the relaxed morning, the sleeping in – I get the attraction. But to hear folks say, “I can’t get to church because Sunday is the only day I get to sleep in,” when we have worship at 11:00? I don’t know.

Worshiped at Austin Stone. Three biggest impressions: 1) lot of music; 2) lot of youth; 3) must be lot of volunteers who set up and tear down each week. It was very well done, I can see why 20 something’s are attracted. Unquestionably a Biblically based message - on finding our role in the church. But I did miss some of the things we do weekly: confession and absolution, Lord’s Supper, central focus on the cross.

Spent the rest of the day at home eating, watching football and baseball, running the kids here and there, taking a nap. No Spanish today (just didn’t want to) and no bike today (too windy). Such is the level of dedication when not required. Again, a good day. kdl

Day Eight – Monday, 10/06/08

Went golfing (then out to lunch) with Ron Gray. He’s such a great guy. It’s funny how much more fun golf is when, on those rare occasions, you put together not just a good hole or two, but a good round. I’m ready to go out again. Or am I? I don’t see golf being my number one way to fill my free time. Occasionally – great. Weekly while on sabbatical – great. But at this stage of my life to get out once a week – no thank you. Too much commitment – dollars and time, and I don’t love it enough. (But it was fun to play well.)

Spent about an hour on Spanish and went for a long bike ride – both enjoyable. Ended the day fixing dinner for the family and watching playoff baseball. Didn’t change the world today, but all in all, a fine day. kdl

Day Nine – Tuesday, 10/07/08

Started today playing “catch up,” – getting ready for Vietnam. Read through a ton of e-mails I had gotten along the way from different folks about the trip. Didn’t learn a whole lot of new stuff, but it was just kind of good to start to get into “Vietnam mode.” Was also given a book (from Greg and Phyllis Peters) on Vietnam – things to see and do. I think we’re ready, at least as ready as we can be to this point. But I’m sure there will be lots of surprises, most of them wonderful, along the way.

Took part in day two (eight days after day one) of the “social experiment.” Today I went out looking more “bummy” – eight-day beard, torn & dirty t-shirt, bleached out shorts, old tennis shoes, no socks, do-rag [the Aunt Jemima look] covering the head, old glasses. Had with me again the cooler with the signs attached saying “FREE WATER.” Last week: got rid of 15 bottles of water in 40 minutes looking nice. Today: got rid of 15 bottles of water in two hours ten minutes – OVER THREE TIMES AS LONG! I guess maybe we do judge books by covers.

Reflections: 1) while there were a few waves and thumbs up, not near as much as last week, especially given how long I was out there; 2) more people insisting on giving money. Brought home $3/could have brought home more [will give to SAAM]; 3) most people couldn’t look at me, like when I was asking for money.

So I was able to do three of the four things I wanted: panhandled looking nice, passed out water looking nice, passed out water looking not so nice. The one I couldn’t do was panhandle looking not so nice – THE ONE I MOST WANTED TO DO! Too bad / such is life.

Clearly that was the highlight of the day. The lowlight? Flat tire on the bike. I just love walking it home. Relaxed at home during the evening. All the fresh air today has taken its toll – I’m tired. A good and interesting day. kdl

Day Ten – Wednesday, 10/08/08

This morning I turned a ten minute paint job into a three hour paint job. All I wanted to do was paint a cable coming into my house to “hide” it a little, have it blend in with the siding. But once I got going, there was no stopping me. With the same paint I painted the outside entry area, the garage façade, touched up the door, and the two pillars out back. Nobody will be able to tell, but it’s nice to get that done. Got some other “outside” stuff done too, including changing the flat and getting on the bike.

Did a little shopping this afternoon – starting to get some things for the trip. Got some details to take care of, but I’m not worried about getting them all done. We’ll be ready. Speaking of ready, I (but mostly Kathy) got the house ready for company – the folks come in tomorrow.

I’ve been able to get Rebekah from school a fair bit of the days. I do enjoy waiting for her and bringing her home. I’ve always liked being a “school bus.” She had Confirmation tonight. It’s kind of strange for me to know these classes are going on, yet I’m not taking part.

Jacob had another football game today. Team won and he played well.

Evening was spent at home for me; at school for Kathy. She’s been so busy, so many hours getting her classroom ready for the two weeks she’ll be gone. She’s very tired and very much looking forward to the trip. kdl

Day Eleven – Thursday, 10/09/08

Just a “taking care of business” kind of day. After playing school bus, all I did was work around the house, getting it ready for the folks to come in: mowed, weed eated, mopped, straightened, vacuumed, touched up/painted some nicks on the walls, did a little shopping. All that plus time out for lunch took me to their arrival. So good to see them – it’s never long enough or enough times.

Took them to the pep rally to watch Rebekah dance. That’s always fun. Then KKRJ headed down to the bats to see them with Kathy’s class. We’ve done this now for at least the last three years, if not more. Gives us a chance to meet her kids and their families. We enjoy it, but the bats were real hard to see tonight, so it didn’t work out so great.

Came home, watched some play-off baseball, visited with the folks, and just relaxed. Busy start of the day, but it slowed down nicely. Again – a good day. kdl

Day Twelve – Friday, 10/10/08

Attended a funeral for Paul Gerdes this morning. Such a shock / such great guy / such a wonderful father. Bill did a nice job and the music was uplifting, but it was just such a sad, unexpected event, like a pall over the whole sanctuary. I enjoyed Paul’s friendship and I will miss him. The ones we really hurt for are Claire, Henry, and Maia.

Gave the folks more “parenting” responsibilities. Took them to the schools, had them added to guardianship for kids while we’re gone, or else they wouldn’t be able to even pick them up for a doctor’s appointment. Schools are sure a lot more restricted than when I was young. I guess it’s a good thing.

Dad, mom, and I got a round in at Butler Pitch and Putt. I like that place. Played okay, but the more important thing was getting them out there to enjoy the day. Golf is done now until we get back from Vietnam.

Went to the Bowie/Austin football game (homecoming). While the Bowie win was great, what was best was Kathy sneaking over to Rebekah’s seat (along with all the other moms sneaking over to their daughter’s seats) and doing the fight song hand motions as the girls came off the field. Rebekah was surprised and it was so much fun to watch. She was then able to sit with her for the third quarter. She’s such a good mom.

Hit Sonic on the way home. A good way to end a good day. kdl

Day Thirteen – Saturday, 10/11/08

Jacob had another early basketball game again today – 8:00. While they lost again this week, the team really played well. So much more hustle. It was fun to see a better effort out of the boys.

Still making final plans and purchases for Vietnam – we leave tomorrow!

The day was spent doing three things: 1) getting ready [more purchases, getting a start on packing, lining things up for the kids/folks…]; 2) watching college football, and; 3) taking the folks and the kids to Green Pastures. (We’re thankful for the very nice gift certificate at Christmas from Art and Glenda Nebgen.)

We had a wonderful evening. We wanted to take the folks as a thank you for all they’re doing for us. It’s so great for Kathy and me to go to Vietnam and not have one moment’s worry about how things are going here at home. We could never thank them enough. We also wanted to take the kids so they could experience a very nice restaurant and enjoy the evening with us. It was also nice for Kathy and me to have one more good meal before we hit the road. I’m sure the food over there will be great, but this was nice. That, plus watching some play-off baseball took me to bedtime. Getting excited, yet anxious. kdl

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