Its been nearly 2 months to the day since my last entry. Lots has happened.

I'm on a break right now (for a month) to get my batteries recharged. Its been a long year, longer than the calendar indicates. I find myself feeling more spent than I realized, not unlike vacationing in the US (it was so much easier on the pocket book when we lived in the US and vacationed in Canada).

So what have I been doing? Well, for the first week I napped at least twice a day. Finally got over my cough which I had since early December (no more Hall's).

I've been reading a bunch. Just finished Eric Sanders, "Plastic Jesus" (commenting on "comfortable christianity"), Steve Berry's, "The Amber Room" (pretty cool treasure hunt), a few pages from completing Steve Berry's, "Templar Legacy" (interesting story challenging the resurrection), and nearly done Craig Groeschel's, "Confessions of a Pastor" (someone saying it like it really is on the inside looking out). I started in on Richard Clarke's, "The Scorpion's Gate" (story about terriorism) but found it a little slow after the opening pages. And of course, the scriptures have been a lifeline. Its amazing what you see depending on your frame of mind.

Linda and I just got back from a week in the Mayan Riviera. Very nice. Hot and sunny 5 of 7 days. One cloudy, one rainy day. Lots of great snorkeling viewing the marine life occupying the 2nd largest coral reef in the world. Great place (Barcelo Tropical Maya Resort), great food, fantastic conversation and time to re-connect with Linda (she just got back from her 5 week trip throughout Southern Africa), missed the kids, got a bit of a tan. They had a great open air chapel. Had a couple meaningful moments there.

I'm off to Phoenix tomorrow to play some golf for a couple days with a good friend.

I've been thinking and reflecting about lots. Life, my purpose, my calling, my obligations. One thing I've realized is that I need and want to write about a couple things. I've been in contact with a publisher about my dissertation. I need to revise for a slightly different audience (than my dissertation committee) and I've got a few new chapters to write. So I need to find a way to carve out some time with everything else going on.

Talk to you soon.

So, Linda is just a few hours away from hitting the runway and heading off with a team of seven for Luanchya, Zambia. This is her 4th January in a row engaged in a short term missions initiative. I know she'll be an incredible part of continuing the story we've been writing in Zambia over the last couple years.

I always feel a mix of emotions. Of course I'm very proud of her, a little concerned for her health (she tends not to eat so well when she serves the poor and hungry); admittedly a bit sad (I prefer life with Linda rather than without), and a little lonely (especially at bedtime). But I know she's living out a calling on her life and there's nothing like being able to support your spouse in embodying their calling.

But as you can see by the countdown machine, I'm already looking forward to when she gets back.

Keep her in your prayers.