Update

Yes, it has been nearly a month. Not quite sure why. Well, there is the fact that for two of those weeks I was without a computer (thank you Bill Walters for ordering and installing a new hard drive). And that fact I have conducted 13 charge conference (actually that includes 16 charges---3 had joint ccs) and I have 25 (really 27) yet to go. I have no more 4 conference Sundays, though this week, I have three on the east side of the district. It is not that I have not had fodder for blogging--I have, but just have been otherwise occupied. And I have not had a computer for 2 weeks of this last month. Gee, I sound like I am being defensive about this...tell me to get over it!!!

Some highlights over the last month:

---GREAT charge conferences. Fairly informal, with 5 practice-ese spoken at each. There is a wide discrepancy in how much folks know about them--and it doesn't depend on the size of the congregation. Some of my small churches have really taken hold of them. I also am doing, sometimes, a story that Bishop Carder build an ordination sermon around that he preached at AC several years ago.

---The Heartland office is as crazy busy as ever, and when I said yesterday "I HAVE TOO MUCH TO DO" Barbara , our administrative assistant, called back, "I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT!" with a smile in her voice, which pretty much says it all. Cody, Yolanda and I really are enjoying each other, which makes life fun.

---I am working a bit with Steve Cox on the 5 Practices website. He is doing a great job getting this together with the help of some folks who have know-how and interest. It should be up pretty soon. And watch out! We soon will have a Blogging Bishop!!!

---Emergent has really taken a back seat until about two weeks ago. I am not sure why I faded for a while, exactly, but I am back to it again. I will probably blog more about this, but Tim asked me if I could come moderate questions at Jacob's Well a week ago Wednesday when attendees at a Church of the Resurrection event came over to worship. The lights went out just before the service. It was wonderful. I just hope that the people who in darkness sat really will see, or perhaps already have seen a great light.

---I am being especially prayerful for one of my student pastors who has been diagnosed with cancer and who will be taking a leave for a couple of months coming up here soon. Please pray for him. I have just exceptionally fine students this year---what a huge blessing. And so many musical ones!

---rs came over to meet with a some of my pastors in two meetings a couple weeks ago. I was very grateful. The pastors in the medium size church group were so appreciative to actually sit down and have a conversation with him...many who have been in ministry a long while had never been able to do that before.

---Oh, I'm sure there's more to tell, but can't quite come up with it right now.

On the home front:

----MID CENTURY MODERN has come to the Cox-Johnson household at last. My living room is really wonderful and I am having a few folks over a week from tomorrow for an "open living room" party that will be shaken, not stirred. It really is less kitchy than you might think--I am pretty pleased with myself. Most of the items were purchased at River Market Antiques in City Market at reasonable or less than reasonable prices, or at Boomerang. I have invited those guys over for the party. I am going to fix '50s appetizers and I hope a good time will be had by all. This has been occupying much of my free time mind and body wise. My landlord Dick has even painted the foyer and laid new carpet runners for the event. The Singing Fish picture shown here is Miro print that is on our wall. Photos WILL follow when I figure out how to work the camera.

---The kids are doing fine. Wish Caleb had a girlfriend. Cana and I are enjoying MisKnits in the 39th street corridor on Wednesday nights, where a whole crowd of knittin' women come and have a great time. Amber, the owner, is great. Caleb is doing okay in school, and is telling me he wants to start looking at colleges. Cana is really in to her Spanish class and continues to work for her dad.

---I am crocheting a baby afghan for ....shhhh, Geovanna, who may have the baby any moment. I plan to crochet during the District UMW meeting tomorrow. I think they will understand.

---I am losing weight gradually, and am back at Curves 3 times a week. My jeans were looser today. Thank you Jesus.

--The kittens are a HUGE blessing to us. Mel is definitely my cat and romps in in the morning so that I can hold him and he can purr. Anytime I come home from being away, he meets me, ready to be loved on.

Well, this sounds more like a letter to a family member than a blog entry. I guess I'll close. Don't forget to say hi to Aunt Maxine and to find out what everybody wants for Christmas. Make sure you leave the light on for me. Home is a great place to be....
Luvya

Susan