In my daily prayer these days, I’m praying for my staff colleague, Robin, down in New Orleans with our youth at the ELCA National Youth Gathering. (Have you been checking her daily posts — with great pictures of our kids — on her “Director’s Blog?” Click “Youth” and then click on her blog.)
And I’m praying that my staff colleague, Sandy, is having some time for refreshment and rest. She and Tom were able to escape to Virginia Beach — without kids!!!
Summer no longer offers the “slow down” it once did. But summer does offer a chance to get away. My staff colleague, Michael, will take three weeks of vacation in August. He’ll be leaving just as I return from some time off. (He tells me he didn’t arrange it this way on purpose!)
On Monday, I begin two weeks of vacation. It’ll be especially hard to get away mentally this year, because both Walt and Jean will both have major surgery the first week I’m gone. And who knows what emergencies might arise among our folks? I have arranged for pastoral coverage, and any in need will be well cared-for. But still …
A “staycation” is never a possibility for me, because, as I drive or bike around town, I think of people in need as I go past their streets or neighborhoods — even though I’m “off duty!” When I take vacation, I HAVE to leave. And, after a few days, I find that I’m not only away physically, but mentally, too.
When I’m gone, I’ll spend part of the time riding my bicycle in various parts of Virginia, staying in motels along the route. Then, Patty and I will join our kids and their spouses, my mother and Patty’s parents, and my brother and his family at Pawley’s Island, SC. It’s an annual beach week!
So, pray for these two weeks, that they will offer refreshment and renewal!
