Vacation Round-Up

Later on Friday, after Eucharist at Holy Family, we met good friend Meredith Stewart for ice cream at Maple View Dairy Farm. The company and conversation were fantastic, even as the sun wasn't quite up to setting yet; we were soon drenched in sweat and good stories as we struggled to take in the usually idyllic view.

That evening, the sun retired and things a little cooler, long-time good friend Bobby Tunks picked me up and we headed for the DBAP to catch the Durham Bulls. A storm the night before had turned our game into an unexpected double header. I was really grateful for the extended time together. Bobby and I have known each other since elementary school. I remember one day in 6th grade in the changing room after gym, asking Bobby what he was going to do when he grew up. Pediatric cardiology, he said. I was impressed and pretended to understand what that meant. Sure enough, at the time of our arrival in Durham, Bobby and his family had just moved to Duke, where he is a fellow practicing pediatric cardiology. Random note from the night: Carolina Brewery represented well.

Pictures here are from outside the ballpark, and from the next couple of days at the beach with the Gallahers.






























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Location:NC

Family Camp, Mustang Island

Home today after a wonderful 4 day stint as chaplain at Mustang Island's Episcopal Family Camp. Bek and Annie came with, and together we were blessed by the pace (slow) and grace (lots) of camp. The session's theme was bearing one another's burdens (Gal 6), and the weekend's teaching focused on naming our burdens, our thanksgivings, and our gifts before God. Bek and I have a hard time naming our own gifts (thankfully we can point them out to each other), and so we were particularly glad for the opportunity (and encouragement) to name our gifts with grateful hearts. We were also unspeakably glad for the gift of friends - old and new. Also, the staff rocked the house. They made my job easy and brought more joy than they can know.


Family pic


The camp cross on the dunes.


SMORES!





Staff, The Stupendous


Youth Night


Annie's gift from Pirate Allie


Pirate Allie


Ben and Bek and more smores





The chaplain, saying something wise and edifying and definitely not singing the Chicken Song.





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Location:Mustang Island

Back to Church

While on vacation, Bek and I worshipped at Holy Family on the Feast of the Transfiguration. We saw seminarian Tom Warren, met retired priest Father Tony, and went out to lunch afterwards with Mother Michelle.

Like many aspects of our trip, the service was holy balm: the encouragement that came from the readings, the welcome and reception of friends, and time in the presence of the still small voice - small enough and deeply felt to hold me.

As posted before, Holy Family is the church at which Bek was confirmed; it's where we were married; where we ministered together as youth volunteers; and it's where I first served as deacon and as seminarian. Strangely, these weren't the first memories that met me as I stepped back into the nave. Instead, I remembered ironing candle wax off the brick floor at one in the morning, following the glorious Easter Vigil. I remembered setting the table on Saturdays, washing the dishes, vacuuming the carpet, pushing the Swiffer. This is more than a plug for altar guild - it's a reflection that while most of us want to feel "at home" in our church, it's a seldom sought and rare privilege to actually do what you do at home at church - to make your home in the household of God.

Mother Michelle is a gift and our conversation over lunch at the Loop was a consolation and encouragement. I pray I never forget the gentleness and humility with which Father Tony read. And I am daily thankful for Father Timothy and for the prayerful attention and sacramental delight he modeled for me and others during our season with the Holy Family in Chapel Hill.


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Location:North Carolina

Supper Club

On Thursday night and Saturday morning of the first week, we rejoined a slightly older, kid-rich version of the supper club that for the better part of three years was for us a source of prayer, friendship, and amazing food. (I try to describe the supper club in this sermon, toward the end.) So good to see everyone. Bekah's guacamole was as good as I remembered, and the perfect compliment to Jenni's tacos. (We ate out at Carrburrito's on Saturday.) And it was our first introduction to babies Greta and Geneva. Amazing to catch up on the current season with these friends and reflect back on our former season of more regular life together. Good times.



The supper club, sans Gallahers


Greta and Annie


At Carrburrito's


Paul and Geneva


Jared, impressing the table with with his untold talents.

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Location:North Carolina

The Journey Continues: Scoggin-style

I haven't been putting this vacation blog off - at least I don't think I have. But I still don't know how to do any kind of justice to the next leg of our trip - the blessing of our extended time with Jason, Jenni, Lexi, Kiara, and Matt-Matt. They welcomed us as family and that's exactly what we felt like. As a family, they paint with a swirling mix of compassion, conviction, fire, flair (mostly Jason), and fun. The openness with which Jenni and Jason talk about parenting, faith, challenges, joys, and everything else is met by the Spirit who indwells the humble and contrite. Kiara and Lexi are incredible girls, and we were glad for the chance to get to know them. And what can say about Matt-Matt? He was a gracious host to Annie, and it was a joy to watch his joy. (I'll try to coax Bek into a Matt-Matt guest blog. Specifically a, um, bathroom incident.) Scoggins, we love y'all! Our time with you was balm to our souls.























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Location:Durham, NC

a day at the park

Bek and Annie have made a mid-morning routine of hiking out to the neighborhood swings. Every once in a while I get to tag along. Lots of memories for me on swing sets. My friends and I would 'bobsled' all through the winter Olympics back in the day during recess. Neat to see Annie both nervous and excited by the wind on her face. Also, I'm bringing our WD40 next time.






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Location:Home

teeth!

I had just come from the dentist's - aside: they could tell I'd been flossing! Thirty years into it, he's listening to his hygienist! - when Bek confirmed what we'd both been suspecting - that Annie has teeth! And a smile that lights the sky.




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Location:Home