On the Lookout

You know how it is the day before vacation? You get a week's worth of work done because you concentrate, you focus, and you MUST finish it all.
Well, I feel like I've been in that mode for the last week or more. Between yard work and some church work and work work and preparations for our tour/cruise, I've been going, going, going. I've taken and stored some pictures I've been wanting to post. I think some of that will have to wait. Friday we leave for a two-week tour/cruise, "Paul's Fourth Missionary Journey," i.e., a Mediterranean cruise. :-)
There's be no Internet (well, you CAN pay $50 for 90 minutes of access, but I've decided not to do that.) So, maybe I'll squeeze out a minute to post tomorrow. (Tomorrow night's assignment: mow lawn and PACK.) But maybe I won't. If not, I'm afraid this diary is going on a 2-week hiatus. But I WILL be taking pictures along the way.

So here's what I can offer today. One of the tasks on my list was to gather some pictures for a little slide show CCU is preparing for a program at the NACC. I decided to take some pictures from the issue of The Lookout in 1976 that introduced me as editor. I was 26 years old! At that tender age I had the misfortune of getting the job of my dreams. And although it hasn't been all dreams since then, I've never left Standard in all these almost 37 years since then.
Anyway, here's how I looked as a very young, inexperienced guy. I could wish the price of knowing what I know now were not looking like I look now

Now I'm Legal

Well, here's two posts in one day after several days with none! I had time to finish up this morning's post because I went to work a little later. I went to work a little later, because I needed to stop by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles this morning, and they don't open till 8:00. I needed to go to the BMV because my driver's license expired on my birthday, and I'd been driving illegally since then.
I didn't realize it.
Last night Evelyn and I were making small talk, and she said, "My driver's license expires on my birthday. Huh! I guess maybe yours expires next year. I thought we were on the same schedule."
Then we looked at each other wide-eyed and I dashed for my wallet to look at my license.
"Oh my gosh! It expired this year!"
I searched madly online to find out the BMV's hours. And I drove . . . carefully . . . to the BMV this morning. There's no penalty if you renew within 90 days, and the lady behind the counter didn't even scowl at me.
My only concern is that by the time this baby expires the next time (2017), I certainly won't be LESS forgetful!

Too Busy Not to Write

You know how you feel when you owe someone a thank-you note but it's been too long since you got the gift? You feel guilty about not sending the note, and you don't like to feel guilty; so you think about something else. This only makes you feel guiltier the next time you remember it, and if you're not careful the months and then a year will go by. And you may just never write that thank-you note.
The same syndrome applies to writing a difficult letter or having a necessary or unpleasant confrontation with someone in the office or your family or the neighborhood. It's the same deal with missing church; after staying away three or four weeks, it's easier just not to come back.
I was thinking about that tonight after not posting here since the weekend. I decided some time ago that I wouldn 't be compulsive about posting every day. But after skipping one day, it's easier to skip the next. And then it would be easy just to quit posting.
I've come across blogs that fell victim to this syndrome. A few good, meaningful posts--and then nothing, for months.
Well, I've decided not to be one of those bloggers. Partially because I really have enjoyed looking back a month or a year to see what was going on in my life. And partially because I'm just not ready to quit.
But I've been busy, busy, busy the last few days. Several parallel but somewhat unrelated deadlines and duties at work. Getting ready for our cruise coming up the end of the month. And trying to stay even with the yard work that piles up every spring.
A couple of good developments at work. We received the first proof for the central feature in Christian
Standard's July issue, labeled "40 Leaders Under 40." It's our answer to Time Magazine's annual "100 Most Influential People" issue, but featuring folks just from our fellowship of churches. Deciding on the list, compiling the pictures, assigning and receiving the profiles--all of that was a massive effort. But the result is good, and I'm pleased about it.
We also received printed copies of our June issue, whose cover theme is "Why Missional Matters." It looks very sharp too, and the content is solid.
Meanwhile we made final plans to launch a  monthly online radio program featuring contributors to Christian Standard. It's at BlogTalk Radio; we're calling it "Beyond the Standard," and I'm interested to see what it will accomplish and how folks will react. The cool thing about BlogTalk Radio is that the programs are archived, and will exist online for listeners to use into the future.
I'll try to say more about the rest of the week in a later post. As I've mentioned before, when there's a lot to report, I don't have time to report it! (I have all kinds of time when nothing is going on!) That's the way I've felt this week. But I've concluded I don't want to miss the chance to record it. I'm too busy not to write!

This List Makes Me Tired!

As I took a quick shower this evening, I found myself wondering how I could have been so productive and busy this weekend while still ending Sunday feeling unsatisfied with what I'd accomplished.
I guess it comes down to making a list too long to finish.
What I accomplished:
Talked with Wendy on Skype Saturday and with each of our children this afternoon: a combination of between 3 and 4 hours catching up with some of the people we love most in the world.
Officially celebrated my birthday with dinner out at Trio's Bistro Friday night, using a Groupon I'd saved for the occasion. Ran by Stein Mart and bought a couple of things, one of them at a great savings with a coupon we'd received in the mail.
Welcomed and watched Jim Tompkins who brought a 2,000-pound stump grinder to our front yard Saturday morning and literally obliterated the stump to the Bradford pear that blew down last summer, almost a year ago. Dug up a clump of mums growing in front of the stump just before he arrived Saturday morning and transplanted them by the driveway by the garage door after he left.
Raked the wood-chip-dirt mixture out of the lawn and into a mound at the corner of the flower bed.
Sprayed Round-up on tree shoots had come up from the roots and got rid of quite a few of the weeds that had grown up around it.
Shopped at six different garden stores or departments for something to plant in its place. Finally settled on a four-foot dwarf Alberta spruce. Lugged it home in the front of the car along with some top soil and "Moo-nure" to amend the soil. Dug a hole in the mound and planted the tree.
Went out for Indian for supper at about 7:00 and then went with Evelyn to the grocery to divvy up the week's shopping. We weren't home till after 9:00.

Planned the Communion meditation for this morning's classic service at 8:30, where I hosted this morning.
(Mark Sullivan had an excellent sermon on Philippians 1. It was the first in a series from Philippians,
creatively titled "Paradox." Mark's sermon: "Chained but Free." He preached the sermon while presenting us with the visual aid of himself chained to his golf cart.)
Stopped at a nursery after church and bought a yellow Knockout rose bush to fill a hole behind the deck.
Planned the worship service for next Sunday morning; I'm leading the classic praise service for Dave Lautzenheiser, who will be on vacation next Sunday.
Paid bills and wrote our monthly donation checks.
Folded and put away some of my winter clothes and brought upstairs all my stored-away summer clothes. But they're not arranged in the closet well enough yet.
Mowed and raked grass in a little more than half the yard this afternoon, after talking with both of the kids on the phone. Trimmed down the winter-dead liriope beside the driveway. Raked up the mess I made. (Evelyn finished the mowing by cutting grass in the front yard.)
Packed my lunch for tomorrow.
Enjoyed "60 Minutes" and grilled cheese and bacon on rye sandwiches with Evelyn for supper.
It's helpful to see it all in print. I guess I don't need to feel guilty for not having accomplished anything this weekend! But, both at work and here at home, I have quite a long list of tasks that must be accomplished this week, and in the 2-1/2 weeks before we go on our 2-week vacation, departing May 31.

Honor Where It's Due

It's been a few days since I've made time to post. Let me begin to catch up with this note about

Thursday. It was the final employee luncheon of the year at CCU, and Dave Faust had invited me to attend, since he was saving his tribute to Evelyn for that occasion.

This lunch is sponsored each year by the alumni association. It's a nice lunch, with door prizes, and awards for years of service and other honors. 

Dave called Evelyn to the front and made these remarks (I asked him for a copy, so we can keep and remember them here):

Evelyn Taylor is retiring after 34 years of teaching here at CCU.  She started serving as a professor back in 1979.
In 1979:

• Jimmy Carter was president of the United States.

• Harvey Bream was president of Cincinnati Bible College & Seminary.

• A postage stamp cost 15 cents.

• "Saturday Night Fever" was the album of the year.

• The hostage crisis in Iran occurred.

• McDonalds introduced the Happy Meal and Sony introduced the Walkman.

• A gallon of gas cost 86 cents.

• The Three Mile Island nuclear accident occurred.

• Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister of England.

• And Evelyn Taylor began teaching at CCU!

When I think of Evelyn, certain words come to mind:  Reliable.  Dedicated.  Gracious.  Student-focused.  She has consistently gone the extra mile, whether by grading papers, having students in her home, or simply driving the tough commute down I-75 each morning.
I also think of the word "inspiring."  Evelyn has inspired her students to be teachers, children's ministers, ministers' wives, and missionaries in other lands.  She has inspired students to write well, and to understand and serve people through all different stages of human development.  As an adoptive parent I appreciate the way she has given a voice to adopted children and their needs.
Whenever she was asked to serve on a committee or help with a project, she provided a reasonable, wise, and encouraging perspective to the group.
Evelyn, our faculty and staff will miss you.  Our students will miss you.  But we're glad to know we will still see you around here a lot in the years ahead.  Thank you for your service to CCU.

 On behalf of the school, he presented her with a beautiful crystal vase, engraved with a note of appreciation for her 34 years of service. It was all very nice.

Evelyn is walking through a string of "lasts." That was her last employee luncheon. She taught her last class Friday and will give her last exams as a full-time teacher, followed by her last graduation next week. She plans to teach one class as adjunct faculty next year, going in for the blocked class just one day per week. That will make the transition easier, I think.

That class will be in the afternoon, so no more morning rush-hour commutes. And no more freshman English term papers. She's rejoicing about both of those!

The Good News Outweighs the Bad

So here's the good news: The doctor's office gave me an appointment at 4:50, at the end of the work day.
Here's the bad news: When I got to the office, somehow my appointment had been cancelled.
Good news: They had another cancellation (I hope that guys knows it) on Friday and can get me in at 1:20. And they have a plan for recording the info on my new health insurance card.
Bad news: I have to fill out three pages before they can make the change.
Good news: They gave me the pages to complete before I show up Friday.
Bad news: Evelyn got only part of the lawn mowed after work before she heard thunder, saw lightning, and decided she needed to come inside.
Good news: Since my appointment was cancelled, I had time to cut the grass before dinner when I got home. (It had stopped raining.)
Bad news: After dinner a shower blew through, pouring rain and blowing the trees. It lasted till dusk, so I couldn't do any other yard work tonight.
Good news: I studied Revelation in anticipation of my group tomorrow, paid bills, and made a list of the songs I'm leading at our group times on the cruise so Dave Lautzenheiser can make me a booklet of the music to take on the trip.
All in all the good news outweighs the bad.
But that doctor better be there at 1:20 on Friday.
Yesterday I took some pictures of the flowers in the planters around our office building. They're good news too. See below.

Birthday Lunch, First Day Back

First day back at the office: Catching up on e-mails, making a list of everything I need to get done this week, checking the status of outstanding assignments, finishing up a couple of projects I started yesterday afternoon.
Nice surprise: I wrote a column to be posted this week, but I already have a column  scheduled to post tomorrow. So now I have next week's column written!
Today was the first day all of us would be in the office at the same time to go out for my birthday. We had lunch at First Watch (my choice), and it was wonderful.

Weekend Update

Got home yesterday around 2:00 after driving from Nashville all morning. It rained most of the way till Louisville, which slowed me down a little, especially driving in the unfamiliar, rental car.
Made a salad for a late lunch and went to the grocery store for Evelyn. Checked e-mail, read the mail, changed clothes, and joined Evelyn and a houseful of folks at Dan and Cindi Cooper's place for a baby shower for Jeremy and Cara Lawson. They're expecting a boy, just a couple of days after Cara finishes teaching this school year.
We enjoyed visiting with Tom and Joyce Lawson and three of their kids, plus Ryan and Andrea White (Dan and Cindi's daughter) and JP and Chloe Glenn and a gaggle of preschoolers on the floor and on laps and between legs. Like I said, it was a houseful!
Cindi made wonderful lasagna. Evelyn made her favorite romaine and mandarin orange salad. And Cindi and Joyce made desserts.
It was a pleasant evening--lots of laughter and catching up with each other as well as all the good eating.

Jessica Lyons rehearsed with the
worship team before
the 9:00 service.

This morning I hosted in the 9:00 service; we grabbed breakfast at Frisch's, and I ran by Lowe's to gawk at their flowers and plants and buy a big jug of Roundup. It started sprinkling as I was leaving, and it rained off and on the whole afternoon. Evelyn and I sat in the kitchen and dining room and did work. She graded term papers and finished 'em--the last research papers of her college teaching career! She's very happy about that. I wrote a draft of an editorial, rewrote some marketing copy for our website, sent some e-mails, brought the checkbook up-to-date, and made some phone calls.
At about 5:00 we drove over to Ferrari's Little Italy Bakery and Restaurant where I'm hosting a small retirement celebration for Evelyn and some of her CCU colleagues May 18. We had pizza and salads there (wonderful pizza on homemade focaccia-like crust) and met the manager, Sandy. We enjoyed visiting with her and choosing the menu for our dinner, which will be just a little under two weeks from now.

At the EPA

I drove to Nashville Wednesday to attend the Evangelical Press Association conference Wednesday evening through Friday evening. The conference gave me a great opportunity to 

1) get out of the office a few days, 

2) meet and swap insights with several professionals doing similar work to mine, 

3) get some tips and insights for my work--I mostly attended workshops in the track marked "digital," 4) meet a couple of new acquaintances for possible future work or partnerships, and 

5) practice using my new camera. 

I did take a lot of pictures, so I think I'll let this review come in the form of picture captions.

Meanwhile, the conference ended with tonight's banquet, featuring the Annie Moses Band and Beth Guckenberger. More pictures soon.

Amy Dolan, a children's minister and curriculum strategist, encouraged us to "develop a digital perspective," that is, to define how and why and where we will use digital technologies. She advised us to pick and choose  which digital formats and applications we will use, not to use tech for tech's sake. "How can digital help me make my life less busy, help me do more and more easily?" Her goal is always to consider digital first and paper second. "If I can do this digitally, and it will make me more effective, that's the route I'll choose."

I was blessed to get acquainted with Brent Adams, editor of the Southeast Outlook.

Jars of Clay brought the musical entertainment at Wednesday's lunch. 

What a great sound and thoughtful lyrics they have. It was a treat to hear them.

Doug Trouten concluded his service
as EPA executive director with this
conference.

"Clean Comedian" Marty Simpson
entertained us a lunchtime Thursday.

Sean Fowlds, a widely published freelance writer and editor, gave a
treasure trove of tips for writers and publishers. Among them, "Five Trends
Affecting the Publishing Industry": 1) Ebooks, 2) Self-publishing, 3) Social
media, 4) Searchability, and 5) Microchunking.

Ed Stetzer, oft-quoted, widely traveled head of research for LifeWay Christian Resources,
entertained and challenged us at the opening session Thursday morning. His central theme: "How do we move Christians from spectators to participants?" Churches are struggling, he said, and if we must reverse this trend if the church is to survive.

In his workshop, "The Digital Future: Thoughts from a contrarian practitioner," he observed
that the digital future seems uncertain. "Many publishers rushed in, but now they're pulling back." He believes the digital future will have "a huge print component. . . . Print sales will continue to decline, while e-books will increase, but slower and lower than many originally thought."

A New Look, Looking Toward a New Day

The older I get, the longer my list of what there will NOT be in Heaven.
Last night I was thinking that the grass in Heaven will be lush and green and weed free--and it will NOT grow. No mowing in Heaven, nosiree. Or maybe it will grow and Satan's minions will come mow it every day, maybe twice every day, while we sip iced tea and watch them. It's a thought, don't you think?
Evelyn and I mowed last night (Tuesday). We had just mowed Saturday, but it was so long we had to catch it or rake it to avoid clumps or rows of dead grass. But I'm not complaining. Come July or August I'll be posting pictures of a yellow, dried-out lawn and frustrated by the drought.
Now, for today's pictures. I got new glasses last week. My new prescription is not that much different from the old, but I had Flex money that was going to go away May 1 if I didn't spend it. So I went to Costco and got two pair, and had to pay very little for them out of my own pocket. So now I have three "looks," although two are very similar.
Which do you like best?

The above are two views of the same pair of glasses (as well as my five o'clock shadow!).

This pair is a lot like my old glasses, but with a thin rim at the top.

These are my old glasses, rimless, lightweight.
Actually, I really like 'em and will probably still wear 'em quite a bit.