...and miles to go before I sleep........
A major portion of being a deacon in this church is - and has always been - being responsive to need. The needs of the world, the needs of communities, the needs of the marginalized.
Sometimes, it's even the needs of the clergy.
I had no idea about a month and a half ago that I would be driving Barbara directly from addressing the ECW Triennial dinner @ General Convention (Columbus, OH) to a Day of Sharing with Lutheran caregivers in Center Valley, PA.... overnight. She just plain double-booked. See, it happens to all of us!
We flew to Columbus Tuesday afternoon June 13. Upon arriving at the airport we were upgraded to an SUV type vehicle at the car rental place and drove it to the parking garage of the Convention Center. I had forgotten about the dinner and was dressed much more for comfort than to impress; my crinkled jeans were a far cry than the sequins of grande dames in attendance.
The ladies were very gracious and attentive and hospitable. I drank an inordinate amount of 'high test' coffee. By 9:30 the skit, address and dinner were history and we were in the parking garage once again.
Barbara settled in for a long late spring nap after offering several times to spell me at the wheel. "You OK, DJ". Yes - driving at night is second nature and wasn't a hardship.
I stopped three times to stretch, get something to drink. I even coaxed Barbara out of the car for a comfort break at a TA truck stop. I wish you could have seen her face at the sight of all manner of appliances that could be operated via an adaptor for a vehicle cigarette lighter... microwaves, refrig.
We started with a glimmer of light to our backs and ended driving into the sunrise Wednesday morning. At about 6am we said morning prayer at 65 mph not far from our destination. Four hundred sixty-two miles later, we were at De Sales University.
It was a good day, all in all. I got a 2 hr nap upon arrival there and did a bit of pinch hit counseling. After lunch and a wrap up (and 70 more miles) we were back at the Farm. I went direct to sleep..... (do not pass 'go', do not collect $100).
We were up and about Thursday morning and headed to Irvington, NY for a group. Then back to Newark airport and our 2nd flight to Columbus, OH in 50 hours.
When you sign up for this life of Christ you have no idea where the road may lead you.... the only thing you can count on is that - if you pay attention - you will be led.
More installments of the Columbus collection to follow.
Sometimes, it's even the needs of the clergy.
I had no idea about a month and a half ago that I would be driving Barbara directly from addressing the ECW Triennial dinner @ General Convention (Columbus, OH) to a Day of Sharing with Lutheran caregivers in Center Valley, PA.... overnight. She just plain double-booked. See, it happens to all of us!
We flew to Columbus Tuesday afternoon June 13. Upon arriving at the airport we were upgraded to an SUV type vehicle at the car rental place and drove it to the parking garage of the Convention Center. I had forgotten about the dinner and was dressed much more for comfort than to impress; my crinkled jeans were a far cry than the sequins of grande dames in attendance.
The ladies were very gracious and attentive and hospitable. I drank an inordinate amount of 'high test' coffee. By 9:30 the skit, address and dinner were history and we were in the parking garage once again.
Barbara settled in for a long late spring nap after offering several times to spell me at the wheel. "You OK, DJ". Yes - driving at night is second nature and wasn't a hardship.
I stopped three times to stretch, get something to drink. I even coaxed Barbara out of the car for a comfort break at a TA truck stop. I wish you could have seen her face at the sight of all manner of appliances that could be operated via an adaptor for a vehicle cigarette lighter... microwaves, refrig.
We started with a glimmer of light to our backs and ended driving into the sunrise Wednesday morning. At about 6am we said morning prayer at 65 mph not far from our destination. Four hundred sixty-two miles later, we were at De Sales University.
It was a good day, all in all. I got a 2 hr nap upon arrival there and did a bit of pinch hit counseling. After lunch and a wrap up (and 70 more miles) we were back at the Farm. I went direct to sleep..... (do not pass 'go', do not collect $100).
We were up and about Thursday morning and headed to Irvington, NY for a group. Then back to Newark airport and our 2nd flight to Columbus, OH in 50 hours.
When you sign up for this life of Christ you have no idea where the road may lead you.... the only thing you can count on is that - if you pay attention - you will be led.
More installments of the Columbus collection to follow.
posted by Joanna Depue | 12:00 PM
1 Comments:
I loved meeting you in Columbus and will enjoy following the lead of the spirit in your life.
I too have traveled inordinate miles getting twin daughters to college within 24 hours of each other - always ending up in my driveway - having driven enough miles to be in Florida and so it goes....
Fran Malone, Cincinnati
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