Thursday, November 17, 2016

November 17 – “Convention”

We actually did make an appearance at the Texas Baptist Convention.  Monday morning, all the way from Josh’s house we looked for a place to pull over and have some breakfast.  There just wasn’t anything that wasn’t McDonald’s or Whataburger-esque.  Suddenly we found ourselves at the convention center, still hungry.  We decided to go on inside and take our chances.  Best case scenario, there would be a food station inside.  Worst-case scenario, we would duck out for an early lunch.  As it turned out, there was a little stand set up inside the hotel that served breakfast burritos.  We each had a bacon, egg and cheese–er, I had a cup of coffee and Chris had a bottle of orange juice.  Any guesses as to our total bill?  $5.75.  Not at all bad. 

We finally decided to join one of the very long lines for registration.  As we waited, the elderly lady in front of us (OK.  That means she was obviously older than us) turned and cheerily greeted us with her name and added, “I’m from Columbus Avenue Baptist Church here in Waco.”  I couldn’t resist.  I responded, “I am Kelley (pause here, then much louder for emphasis) VAUGHAN.”  She looked at me a little funny, so I filled in the blanks, “I’m Josh Vaughan’s Dad.”  Suddenly it dawned on her.  She was talking to her pastor’s Mom and Dad.  And her entire demeanor, already bubbly, was suddenly off the charts.  We heard how much she loved Josh and Christi and how great they were for their church (All things a proud parent hates to hear, right?).  we now have a friend for life.  Or at least for whenever we come to Waco. 

She wasn’t the only person we connected with.  As we made our way around the display part of the facility collecting free stuff, we ran into several others.  An ex-Seasider, a college student ministries pastor, the ex-pastor of South Oaks Baptist Church in Arlington, a couple from FBC Texas City who knew Kel and Christina, the chaplain guy fron the state convention (He introduced me to the guy who is redoing the CISM and Psychological First Aid training with a spiritual slant to it so they can certify chaplains and others for crisis response), and two associational directors.  We stopped by the HBU booth.  It made us sad.  It was … boring.  Not even a fun give-away item.  We also went to the Guidestone Insurance Booth.  I complained about their lack of concern for the small church pastor in offering health insurance.  I asked him to register a complaint.  He won’t.  He was just there to sell life insurance.  We did get a lot of free stuff, though.  Toothpicks in a plastic holder, level and tape measure about the size of a credit card, 3 or 4 shopping bags, a backpack, lots of candy, a thing that sticks on your phone and peels off to clean off the screen, then sticks back on and never loses its sticking power, a specially treated towel for cleaning computer screens, lots of pens, a coffee cup, and several chip clips.  OK.  I know.  That wasn’t supposed to be the highlight of the convention.  But it kinda was … 

Ephesians 2:13 says, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”


Father, thank you for the chance to see old friends and meet some new ones.  Amen.

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