September 14 – “Accidental Evacuation”

We got off to quite an early start yesterday.  Chris was in bed and asleep the night before by 9 p.m.  I joined her around 9:45.  So … we were both awake early. 

 

We headed downstairs for the breakfast buffet (included with our registration).  Typical breakfast you would expect.  Eggs, sausage, hash browns, biscuits, muffins, fruit of all kinds, etc., etc., etc.  Good stuff.  We sat at a table with Bridgette, a police chaplain from Sacramento.  She and I shared first responder stories.  Chris chimed in often with nurse perspectives as well.  Really enjoyed the time.

 

The class I am taking is essentially how to work as an interim with a church that doesn’t have a pastor.  The idea is to prepare them for the new guy, not endear them to you.  It’s called the John the Baptist approach to ministry.  Meanwhile, Chris is in a spouse’s retreat where they are studying the Psalms.

 

At lunch we sat with a mixed bag of chaplains.  Several were hospital chaplains.  One was a seminary student in training to be a military chaplain.  Fascinating conversations on everything from dealing with patients to Covid restrictions. 

 

Our afternoon was free.  Well, mine and Chris’ was.  It was reserved for those who are required to get a certification renewed regularly from the entity they work for.  I don’t have to do that from the fire department.  We decided to take a walk … at a mall.  But first we stopped by a sports card and memorabilia shop nearby.  The proprietor was not very friendly, but I did find one of the 1961 cards I’ve been looking for.  Not is great shape, but it will hold a spot until I can find a better one.  Next we hit the mall.  Boy, I don’t know how long it has been since we have said something like that.  Neither of us could remember the last time we were at a mall for anything.  I think it was when we were in Waco and Josh’s church did a scavenger hunt at one.  Strange.  After a quick supper at Luby’s (couldn’t talk her into Pancho’s), we headed back to the hotel to get rested up for round two today.  Well, that and to check on the progress of Tropical Storm Nicholas.  Talk about an accidental evacuation …

 

Zechariah 14:9 says, “The Lord will be king over the whole earth.  On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

 

Father, thank you for the chance to just hang out with Chris at the mall.  Felt kind of teenager-ish.  Amen.