Friday Rush Out of Town

Tonight finds me in Riverside, California, after a torrid week—figuratively and in actuality.  Just when I thought it was safe to venture outside in the seemingly less intense sunlight—boom, back comes the three-digit temperatures again.  Summer is not willing to surrender any sooner than it has to without a fight.

Week of Prayer ended at TCE today.  Pastor P was away in some out-of-town meetings, so I had to pinch hit for him.  I loved it!  I cannot speak for the kids, but I certainly enjoyed my time with them.  At the conclusion of TCE’s gathering I rushed to TAA to speak to the high school students for their Friday morning chapel.  I enjoyed that as well!  It was great day for the “youth pastor” side of me.  There will always be a special place in my heart for young people and children.

After some tasty Thai food while waiting for repairs on the Prius, we headed over to visit the family of the young man who lost his life last week.  Since I was not going to be able to be here for the funeral service on Sunday, I felt I should take some time after the rush of the first week since the tragedy to convey my regrets and share a moment of prayer with the family.  The father is truly an amazing man.  His ability to frame such a tragedy in the context of a loving God who he believes had been preparing him to face this crisis allowed him to be a witness to his family and total strangers as well. 

The trip to Riverside took us through Desert Hot Springs and my mother’s new dwelling, until she moves again.  It was a short visit, but we were able to provide her with some items she had left in Scottsdale.  I had to take her phone in order to repair it since the reception in the desert was not sufficiently strong to speak with the technical support in Manila!  In any case, I will have to return it to her on my way back to Arizona on Sunday.  Well, time for bed.  Happy Sabbath! (228.0)