New York

Oh yeah... as I was reading Donna's blog, I was reminded I was supposed to post my recollections of the trip and see how they compared. New York is an ant hill!!!!!!!!!!! Only Shanghai has been worse in my book.

When I finally got her to stop following the "natives" and stepping out in front of traffic the trip went much better. We did have a great time. I hadn't been there since 1966 and she had never been. We stayed in the old Pennsylvania Hotel right across from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden. Lots of activity to watch and become a part of.

We had dinner with one of my business associates, Michael Pasenchuk, and his wife Joannie. We got to see Mike Jr, who we had only seen emailed pictures of right after he was born just over a year ago. The sightseeing was great and I have to agree the Mesa Grill experience was the tops. The food was great (as you would expect from a Food Network chef) and the staff was too... very friendly and accomodating. We'll be going back.

We did learn something the hard way... If you are going to go to the Statue of Liberty and want to go inside, you have to register online for a timeslot at least 48 hours in advance. Otherwise you do like us and walk around the outside and hit the gift shop. Next trip will be the Ellis Island part of it. We were too tired to get off the Ferry at that stop.

Slow Poster

Wow! It has been a terribly long time since I have blogged. I have been to Brazil for lumber business and the training meeting for the leaders of churches where we will have teams this July. We have 9 churches committed and 18 Americanos going.

During all of it I have gotten back into seminary. You know, after you preach for 33 years you ought to go to school to figure out what you don't know. Taking an online class on the Gospels that has really been fun and a Creative Expository Preaching class using James' letter. All good. Think I might have an A in both. Planning a weeklong class at the San Francisco main campus in June before the mission trip because the tuition is free. Then was blessed with a "full ride" scholarship for the Fall and Spring. Maybe I can get my MDiv before I retire from something.

Donna and I went to NY on business last week and took Amtrak down to see Rachel and Jason and all the Burch bunch + others. Great weekend. Back home and hit the ground running. Guess that's all that's fit to print today.