Mothers' Day 07; Appointment Season '07; Graduation week '07; Waiting to hear from Abingdon '07

A very happy Mothers' Day from the Cox-Johnson household. This was taken today on Philip's balcony porch. Cana and I went to North Star and heard Brian Roots preach...LOVED the Alice Walker illustration...I have used it myself before. Brian proves that you don't have to be trite to be engaging...and proves it faithfully. The kids here look happy. By and large, they are. Caleb is struggling a bit to find himself (or is it a new girlfriend he is really looking to find?) Wanted: a 16 t0 18 year old beauty with an old soul, appreciation for a philosophical and very creative mind, a beard and a musician; a girl who likes indy bands, thin men, and has a car). Cabie wrote in his card to me that he was glad to be part of such an evolutionary family---he means a family that grows from its issues---but really he means more than that, but I have a hard time figuring out how to say it. Cana graduates THURSDAY!!! She has all her work in already! Her grandparents Johnson are coming as are her uncle and aunt Cox, who is my bro Sam and sis in law Su.
Busy, busy, busy time ds wise
---putting pastors in and out--and mostly very good...mostly(this business would be great if it weren't for the people)
---student pastors assigned (in my mind and theirs) but PPRs not yet contacted
---tired until the last two days...took naps in the afternoon (I heard today Stan Musial did it, so why not me???)
---Smith Chapel going full time!!! Yea!!!
---this week Monday and Tuesday at the 'Right Start" meeting, to help moving full time pastors get off on the right foot. I've had primary responsibility for the details, along with Nancye Dunlap...oh, I hope it goes well!
---Going to Braymer on Wednesday to give the UMW program---I think on developing ministries with public schools
---Finding out that I am helping to lead a workshop on this same thing at annual conf
---Kendall calling yesterday just to remind me how much better I am this year than last (depression...what depression??? ... knock on wood)It is so good to have good friends on the cabinet and in my life
---Hoping a certain retired pastor will take on a church as an interim. Please, please please.
---And, on the emerging front, having sent off the outline of chapters, general approach and thesis for the book to Abingdon on Wednesday, I await the news...Please, please, please. Cana says that no matter what I hear, I should go ahead and write it anyway. She, who finished an 80 page novella for her creative writing class this spring--about a UMC, a new Hispanic pastor and I'm not sure what all...I get to read it, I think.