African Children's Choir

Sharing our home with two wonderful young men and their fearless leader this week, as the African Children's Choir spends a few days with St. C's in Portland. Blessed by their being with us; a lot of fun I'll write more about later. Just now, using the blog in order to access these files elsewhere, on a printer worth its salt, so that we can give these pics to the boys before they leave.

Reading bedtime stories and saying night prayers.

Bright, teaching Annie the finer points of lacrosse.

Geoffrey and me, playing paddle ball

Dress Up

Bek remembers these photos as Annie's first dress-up. She didn't don the dress unaided, but she did dig through Bek's clean laundry and request this snazzy number from the pile. One of many ways these days that Annie asserts her opinions, sense of self, and flair for fun.

In mildly related news, Annie joined me for Stations of the Cross last night, a time Rebekah remembers as her first Annie-less time at home since Annie was born. Sometimes it's not enough to get away, especially if you can't also stay home. Annie and Daddy are planning subsequent Daddy/Annie dates to Starbucks and the Beach.

BTW, Annie was awesome at Stations. She quietly removed every pencil from the pews, while following the circular path and tapping curiously at the stained glass.

Saturday breeze

Spring Break kicks off today, a fact we didn't think too much about until we made a quick drop-in at the aquarium after the usual Saturday morning Farmers' Market/Sun Harvest run. Over 3,000 people they're expecting today. Another 3,500 tomorrow, before the big crowds pick up on Monday - over 5,000 a day. The upside of all the people is that we ran into a few that we know: Justin, who works there, met us over by Bo, the aquarium's new alligator (originally from Taft); Justin is married to Emily, who is in Bek's Corpus Christi Mom's Group. Later, on the way to the car, we met Jason, Shannon, Karen, and her boyfriend (Jason's mother and grandmother attend St. C's), as they were coming out of the birds of prey show. Anyway, glad for the gift of friends and familiar faces, and some of the few folks we know within a few years of us, age-wise, which makes things easier sometimes. All in all, a beautiful day, with lots of sun and an unbelievable wind, and two gorgeous ladies with whom to share all these things.

a Friday window of bliss

Beautiful Friday in Portland, TX today. Blue skies, bright sun, green grass that's growing again after a delightful two month reprieve. The mosquitoes haven't quite realized the full measure of the opportunity before them, thank goodness. A tiny window of bliss.

And not just the weather. Long days and late nights at work lately, meetings and travel (all good), still giving way for a day - a beautiful Friday in Portland, TX - to my girls, Annie's giggles, some rest. A tiny window of bliss.

Just before lunch, I asked Rebekah if she'd like to go for a walk a little later on in the afternoon. Annie heard the "walk," but not the "later," so we did, just then, because the window was open and sometimes a dad can learn a lot by following his daughter's lead. Just enjoy it. We tracked down our shoes, I threw on a cap, and we went for a walk, on this beautiful Friday in Portland.

Day 1 at Council, nutshell thoughts

Really good first day of diocesan council here in San Marcos. Great St C's delegation: Deb Gardiner, Sue and Richard Fiedler, and me. We opened to act one of a one person play (humorously) decrying change in the church and "those 15 year old clerics." My delegation related, they said. (I've been the youngest priest at Council for four years now.) A really thoughtful portrayal of what's at work in the dynamics of change and resistance in church.

Usual business after that, reports and votes, and 10,000 cookies. A lot of good friends. Foreign and Lutheran guests. A conversation on the Anglican Covenant. Most of those who spoke on the AC were opposed to it, but the diocesan statement supporting it passed, albeit narrowly. A related resolution (that Dad helped write and which he co-sponsored) expressing our care for each other regardless of race, sex, etc. - and without the strings attached of the Anglican Covenant - passed more handily. The resolution said the obvious thing, but also the too frequently unspoken thing. I'm proud of you, Daddy!

Council Eucharist was predictably wonderful, though in unpredictable ways. Not a funnier or better friend to share it with than Sean Maloney, who graciously took me in under his church's banner and fastidiously monitored the liturgical excesses (ha!) of the diocese. Bishop Reed delivered a powerful word that he says we won't remember, and maybe he's right, but you can read it here.

The choir sang a beautiful Offertory to the middle section of Holst's Jupiter.

Recurring themes include being the seeds that we scatter; the action of God; the connectedness of mission and reconciliation; generous regard for those who hold minority positions; the centrality of Christ.

Closed with St C's delegation dinner at Carino's (chicken penne gorgonzola was fantastic)...

With gratitude for your prayers. And with much more to come.


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Happy Tuesday: an afternoon with A-bear

A busy work week kept me on my toes and largely out of the house last week, but got to recoup some Annie-time this afternoon. Fun times jammin', bunny cracker eating, monkey back riding, and otherwise making mischief, having fun. Perspective is a good thing. Good times with my girls. :)


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a long, zany, good day and Christmas photo fun

Long, zany, good day today. Work out and prayers. Job posting for the St. C's administrator position is just about good to go (kudos, Jon Heffley!), sermon prep, post-office, Burial Office and Holy Eucharist for Lucille Cox, huge help from - and good conversation with - Altar Guild and reception folks, financial meeting with super-bookkeeper Cindy Jett, first bulletin sans long time administrator Cindy Hunt, home for supper, bath time, and bed. Ready for prayers and rest. On a totally unrelated note, some fun family Christmas pics from the Saylors.













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