March 27, 2008
I've been back at work for a few weeks now. The transition back was a bit hard, but I think I'm beginning to get back in the swing of things again. Looking back over the three months period, I'd say it was very beneficial. The first six weeks are so was mainly letting go of things, which wasn't easy. After June's hip replacement surgery on December 26, most of my time was devoted to taking care of her. If I had not been able to have this time off I guess she would have had to go to a nursing home for the convalescence. Our vacation the last part of February was great! This is when I really began to feel renewed. My observations and meditations during this time have changed how I view work quite a lot. If we are going to be mentally and spiritually healthy, we can't be consumed with "things." Life is much more that all the urgent demands that continually bombard us.
I guess what I've taken away from this time is that I just need to leave a lot of things in God's hands and not worry about them so much! It's His Church, not mine. I'm just an under-shepherd doing whatever He wants done. He is building His Church; I'm just a helper. I have determined that the priority must be God first, June second, and all the other stuff comes somewhere after this.
This time off has been a very good time for both June and I. It seems like we are closer than ever before. Watching her blossom as we spent time together has been worth it all! Thanks to all of your for your prayers and support during this season of our lives. God bless you wonderfully!
February 20, 2008
It's amazing how quickly three months fly by! June is recovering well and in very good spirits. We've been enjoying a vacation in Texas visiting family. I think I'm beginning to feel rested. It seems that now would be a good time to begin a sabbatical; I think I could enjoy it a lot more rested. LOL. We had a great trip to Big Bend with my brother Lloyd. Today we are going to Fort Worth to spend a couple of nights with June's sister Dorothy, then we well go to Glen's for the weekend. Next week it's back home and getting ready for work again. The calendar looks like I'll hit the ground running and be quite busy for a while. It's been a good time off. I'm very thankful I could be off to take care of June during the recovery period after her surgeries.
February 3, 2008
It's hard to believe, but two months of this three month sabbatical have already sped by! I can feel renewal taking place. It's been a busy time. Getting started took a while. First I had to catch up on some things at the office; there went week one. Then it was the Assemblies of God Executives Conference, week two gone. Next, it was doctor appointments and getting ready for June's surgery with Christmas thrown into the mix. Okay, by now month one is mostly used up. Finally we came to December 26 and June surgery. It went a lot better than I expected. She was in the hospital four nights. January was time for me to be a nurse! I think I'm pretty good at it! I've fed her well and kept the house, laundry, shopping, and chores pretty well caught up. We watched a lot of football during this time. That was nice; I haven't been able to do this in years! Tomorrow we go back to Duke for her cataract surgery Tuesday. Then it will be back again the next week for follow-up visits to the eye doctor and the hip surgeon. We're planning to take a vacation after this and make a trip to Texas to see family. Oh, something else, I broke down and got glasses and grew a beard. I think maybe this time off is making a new man out of me!
December 23,2007
Being on sabbatical is quite a new experience for me! So far it's been a busy time, although not feeling the full load of responsibility is nice. Maybe I've been a bit slow turning loose of things. I promised John Jordan I'd try to back off on emailing our staff about the things that need to be done. LOL I'm sure they are way ahead of me, but you know how it is when these things pop into your head. I'm beginning to back off; this may just be a part of the process.
The month started with trying to finish up some financial work at the office. Some things just have to be done regardless! Then it was on to Nashville for the annual Assemblies of God Executive Conference. It seemed to me that this conference was the best yet, and all have been good! The sessions explored the change process and how to lead it. Just after arriving home it was time for June's appointment with her eye doctor. Well, it's confirmed, cataract sugery is needed. I think we already knew this since it's getting to where she can hardly see. Then the next week was back to Duke University in Durham for the appointment with the orthopedic surgeon in preparation for the hip replacement Wednesday. Hopefully after this I can start to think about some of my projects. I think I'm beginning to get a bit more rested mentally. I'm also getting back to my exercise routine. I really didn't realize how burnt-out I was. It's taking a while to begin to bounce back. I'm beginning to see the benefit of a sabbatical. Renewal is so important. The daily grind and pressures of responsibility take an unseen toll on us, especially those in top leadership. I'm very thankful for the insight of our district board for mandating this time of rest, renewal, and creativity.