It is that time on August where school exam results are being debated versus the degree of difficulty from the golden days of yesteryear. It is a time where kids are heading back to school either now, as in the US and Scotland, the Americans having been on 104 days of summer vacation (source Phineas and Ferb theme song) since late May. It is also time for the summer base camp of Florida to be packed up and crammed into some small suitcases as we are repatriated soon. Eight weeks is really not long in the scheme of things.
You can cram a lot into it though and the activities of the last two months have been wide ranging, serious, hilarious, frivilous, family, friends, fellowship, food, worship, grilling out, swimming, surfing, cycling, driving and laughing. A lot.
As our two kids gazed into the Atlantic the other weekend, hot on the heels of a weekend on the Gulf of Mexico coast, it was hard to explain that heading in an easterly (ish) direction from where they were standing, and several thousand miles was their home country, perched on the northern edge of Europe. Small world.
A year ago I made mention of the terrorist bomber being released by the Scottish Government from prison ‘to die’. The repercussions of that action are still reverberating and the story won’t go, nor should it, as there is so much remaining unknown to those of us who make up the general public. I had always wondered how one man could have made the whole thing happen, and still do. Anyhow, the release has impacted the reputation of Scotland and Scots as the diagnosis on which his release was based is clearly now wrong. But medics are highly educated guessers, right? My own mother beat the cancer timeline she was given by a country mile, simply through wanting to live and faith.
So with our annual musical production of ‘Brigadoon’ now firmly in the sights for a mid September delivery, the libretto and score along with prep for the stage and scenery are all work in progress. The team which gathers to deliver this every year is an incredible portfolio of talent, patience (lot’s of that) and drive, all for His glory and it is a real pleasure to be part of it. Brigadoon coming 15th-17th September and report to follow. If you want to go just ping me.
That notion of a ‘team’ was also the topic of conversation when I spoke to the guys at Reproducing Churches Broadcast Network (www.reproducingchurches.com) and was interviewed about the work I do in business and how it might be applied to the operations and working of daily church. I’ll give more details of the podcast in due couse, but the morning was a mix of hilarity and serious discourse, all filed in my mind under ‘happy time’. Billy Mitchell is a cool, quiffed, bespeckled, designer looking type who helps support, by the use of ‘spanx’, (check out Google) those who plant churches thanks to his patience, calling and expertise. He is also very funny, and that probably goes back to his Scots heritage, because as Mike Myres used to say on Saturday Night Live, ‘if it’s not Scottish….’ (check it out on YouTube). He is a friend.
Then step forward JC Dukes, the Jase, the big guy, big daddy, extraordinary dad, husband, brother and cool dude. Who ever though an pastor and author could be so hilarious. I’d like to get him together more with Bryce and Sandy and just record their conversation. The podcast is one to look out for and listen to, and I dare you to keep a straight face. Jason and the team at WFC walked through a series called ‘Summer Love’ and it was great for us to be in on that through the summer. Our kids were on the same message through Josh and Kelly and the awsome help team the Compass Kids have there. Any kids group that has my son sign a contract that has as its number 1 item – ‘I promise to be thankful for what I have and not for what I don’t have, trusting God to meet my needs’ is top notch. As a special thanks we say so long to the friends at WFC, see you real soon.
We’ve had a lot of friends and family in town over the summer too and in every way each time was special. Summer 2010 goes into the album with a great vintage of memories. Of course there were some absentees and we hope they will be part of summer 2011.
So how do you finish the piece that finishes the summer, and return to warmer clothes and log fires. It’s easy, I say I love you and thank you to Sheena for making it all hang together, for being the glue in the gang of 4 that we are, and my kids for loving me inspite of me being me and being dragged off on things just when we are about to……oh have to go, conference call time.
Summer 2010 Credits.
Sheena, Cameron, Fiona, John, Leza, John, Craig, Jason, Jen, Caleb, KG, Abbey, Ella Ella, Noah, Dindy and Jake and their mom and dad, miracle whip, Jimmy D, Tommy, Billy Mitch, PSL Crew, Clermont Crew, Jimbo C jr, Michael, Tampa Rays, NY Yankees, Kenny, Gregor, Audra, Alex, Olivia, Douglas, Karen, Robyn, Josh & Kelly, The Coopers School of Surf, The Watson’s, The WFC band, Gary, Chuck, The Albers crew (esp Jaq), House Blend Cafe (thanks Ryan), Jim&Judy, Barry, Beverley, Evan, Darcey, Millie the dance champ, and Mrs W. The McGinn’s, Pinellas garage, Zotz garage, mall at millenia, the Y, Lake Highland Prep, Apple, the invented venti iced decaf soy vanilla latte. Barnes & Noble, Lego, Ghirardelli’s, Houston, WFC and absent friends.
