R-E-V, who Me?

So, I just took this photo of me, and I'm starting to realize a change. I didn't realize ordination would make that much of a difference, but I think it's quite clear to see that there is now a halo that accompanies my head, just like those ancient icons of the Saints and stuff. Who knew, eh?

Yeah. I was planning on writing something right away about the whole thing, but time has gotten away from me. In fact, I'm not exactly feeling inspired to share the whole event right now, but maybe a few little tidbits from the great weekend that was.

First, it began with this new airline Skybus. Now, you've got to know that Skybus is first and foremost cheap. Secondly, it is cheap. And finally, it is cheap. It flies out of Columbus, and among other destinations, goes to LA (Burbank) and by the time my ordination date was set, was by far the cheapest ticket remaining. Well, that is without factoring the following costs: $5/checked bag (first 2, $25/bag after that) each way, $2/drink, $8-$12 food... and yeah, the flight out of Columbus was delayed by nearly an hour. Of course, they made up most of that time in the air and we landed only 15min late. But we wasted that time waiting in line with Budget rental car - ARRGGHHH! And then the shuttle took FOR-EVER!

Now, that was Friday, a long day with a 18 month old who had to sit on our laps. But Saturday was a new day, a day that had me and my father-in-law with an 11:30 t-time on a nice So-cal golf course. The day just happened to coincide with the 3rd round of the British Open and followed a very warm stretch, so the course was amazingly quiet. We actually got a chance to play as a twosome - nearly unheard of in LA, at least for me. I've been stuck with a group of five, but never just two. While I shot a rather ugly 122, and my father-in-law shot a disappointing score by HIS standards which was enough to kill me by more than 20 strokes, I had a wonderful time. If I could've kept from doubling par on about half my holes, and kept from three-putting on another four, I might've been able to break 100 - that'll be my Summer goal.

Then of course there was Sunday. Worship at Bel Air Pres, hearing both Mark Brewer preach and Richard Mouw (Fuller Seminary president) give a Christianity-culture address, and seeing a bunch of friends was nice. In-n-Out Burger followed, then the ordination service, a nice reception where I got to chat with a bunch of friends, family and colleagues - and a great evening with 3 friends & former ministry partners that included Italian & French food.

What followed that was a slightly sad and long day where I had to say good-bye to Bridgette & Brennan, board a plane and fly alone for the first time in my life, wait 30 minutes for my luggage, another 10 for the shuttle and add a 40 minute commute home from the airport, which by the time I wound down meant 4am before my head hit the pillow.

Essentially, Saturday and Sunday were great, bookended by days of slightly frustrating travel, which still made for one of my favourite and most memorable weekends ever.

Now, I'm home alone, watching and waiting as our new floor is installed - which looks beautiful by the way - and getting used to being an ordained minister. I heard this deft comment by Mark: "It's like a tell grooms when they get married and explain they don't feel any different - tough, you are!" Yeah, I am different, there's now more expected of me, and I need to step up to the plate and deliver...