Random Thoughts

This is the first Sunday I’ve had off all year. And I like it! This weekend is Hope Walks, a joint CPC-Upper Room fund-raising event to help AIDs victims in the Congo. As a result, we don’t have our normal 5 worship services between the two communities, but a walk around Lake Normandale, followed by an outdoor worship time and a BBQ. All of that adds up to me not having to work today. And since I get to take Memorial Day of as a floating day, I took Friday. So it’s been a nice, quiet weekend. I did take a bunch of pictures of Hope Walks, which you can see here.

I just realized that I’ve haven’t posted anything here in over a month. Sorry about that. I think because I’ve gotten so into Twitter, I’ve been laying off blogging. So, once again, we’ll do a quick post, bullet-style catch-up.

• I’ve been able to mix sound for CPC a few more weekends, which is something I’ve very much enjoyed. It’s great to be behind a board again, and I’m digging the digital console we have. So much fun.
• A few months ago, I was invited to be part of a podcast targeted to church tech types called FaithTools. You can listen to it here. So far, I’ve been on two episodes. The other guys on the podcast are great, and I have had a lot of fun following them on Twitter and getting to know them.
• In early June, I flew to Chicago to attend the Willow Creek Arts Conference. I had gone last year and loved it. This year, it was another great conference. Last year, I was really tired when I got there, and the first session was a great time of rest and healing. This year, I wasn’t struck the same way by what was happening. Then I realized I was in such a better place this year, and it became a time of celebration. Then the rest of the week was great. I even got to meet a fellow tech director/blogger that I’ve been following for a while. We hung out for dinner one night and had a great time. I blogged about it extensively, which you can read about here, here, here, here, and here.
• Our meal group wrapped up, and sadly, 2 of our couples won’t be returning next season. As our facilitators won’t be back, I’ve offered to step into that role next season. So we’ll get to meet some new people next year.
• For summer, our staff has decided to change our schedule up. We’ve normally met as a staff on Wednesday mornings at 10:30, which means most of us take the first hour or so off. This summer, staff meeting is moved to 9 (which I’m not crazy about), but then we take off Thursday at 3:30 and head up the road to Laredos for happy hour. It’s great to spend time with everyone outside of work and just hang out. And as a bonus, our resident sunglass expert and kids ministry director Katie W. has been getting each of us new sunglasses to match our personality. I got mine this week, and they’re very stylish. 
• Last week, we had Matt, Suzie and their girls, Macy and Georgia over for dinner. Matt & Suzie are the contemporary worship music directors for CPC. They’re great folks, and we really enjoyed our time with them. Except when they beat Katie and I at badminton. Twice. Oh well.
• Friday night, Denise and I went over to Steve & Emily’s for Steve’s birthday. Steve is my office-mate and UR’s Missional Director. It was a good time, and I sent most of the night taking with Steve’s brother-in-law Charlie, UR’s resident keys player. That and listening to the 25 worst demos ever submitted to Word records. That was quite funny. 
• Yesterday, Robyn and I went over to help Katie W. move. It was a very efficient move, and was over in less than an hour. It was fun working with some new faces, and some friends. As it says, many hands make light work. 

So that’s about it. I think that makes you up to speed. Still one more day off then it’s back to work. We have some extremely exciting things coming up with Upper Room. Once things are finalized, I will be able to share more. Good stuff coming, though!