What a start to the day! I got up at 5:45 and took a brisk and envigorating thirty minute walk in the fifty degree sunrise! Man, does that feel good! I felt so connected to God, even though I didn't really say anything. Upon my return, I cleaned out part of the firdge, ate a bowl of cheerios with strawberries, cut an entire cantaloupe, read some scripture, took my pills and headed for the shower. WHEW!

Last night the eldest clergy kid and her parents attended the sports banquet at her school. Each team was introduced and given a token for their efforts. Since this is her last year in elem school, she got a little emotional when the banquet ended and wept a bit. We told her that it was ok to feel sad that she was leaving elem school and that this is a part of life and life changes all the time. She replied, "Can I have a coke before bed?"

We went to a couple of graduation parties on Sunday: the son of a family friend fron HS and our nephew from middle school. The friend lives in a big house, has a pool, trampoline, hot tub, three big tents, buffet line, two live (as opposed to dead) bands, along with three hundred of their closest friends. Having said that, one might think the big bash was impersonal, crowded and kind of clique-ish. 'Twas not. The kid (graduate) greeted all guests as they came in and thanked them for coming! Can you believe that? An eighteen year old that actually gives a darn about manners and doing what is right and proper and mature.

As a rule, I'm not a party guy (big or small) especially where there's people I don't know, but I made it and Mrs. CC (as usual) pulled me out of my corner and we mingled with others. Overall, we had a good time.

Our nephew is just entering high school (the same one the other kid graduated from) and is still in the midst of pre-pubescent uncomfort. Physically, he has grown a ton, but has some emotional development remaining. He's a good kid; he's just not as sure of himself as someone older. It was just our immediate family for the nephew's bash; cake and ice cream and a few family stories. Good time.

I bought myself five books for my birthday:

A Generous Othodoxy- McClaren
Reverberations of Faith- Brueggemann
Margin- Richard Swenson
The Art of Forgivig- Smedes
Guerrilla Marketing- Levonson

This gives me a little something to read whilst on vacation.

Carry On.
Cap'n