Louisa Interim

What Have I Gotten Myself Into When We Get Home

Teresa and I have loved being in Hawaii. It has been like a second honeymoon. We have enjoyed the beaches, climbing Diamondhead Crater, visiting Pearl Harbor, seeing Dole Plantation, and on and on. We have just had a great time. Now we have to get back on the plane today.

What really concerns me though is that we have a move waiting on us when we get home. The people who we are leasing from insisted that they could not have the house available until August 1. Now, we have to leave Hawaii and get into the moving spirit.

Bryan and Jacob haave been really good about taking care of lots of things this week. Tom Stocks, a colleague at VBMB, is doing us a huge favor by coordinating the move. But we will get home tomorrow at 9:15 while the move is taking place.

Friends who have come back already have texted me how difficult jet lag has been for them coming home from Hawaii. Teresa is convinced I will be able to drink a five hour energy and be ready to go. What do you think? UGGHHH!

I am grateful for good friends who are helping us move.

John Upton Is New Baptist World Alliance President

Yesterday on his birthday, John Upton was installed as the new President of the Baptist World Alliance. It was quite an honor for all Virginia Baptists. John will do well on this world stage. He has a real heart for the people of the world and gives him a very unique position for a person from the United States. As he and Deborah were standing before the crowd of people, it was just an awesome moment.

There has been a very good delegation of people from Virginia at this meeting. Many of our churches are represented by lay people and pastors.

It is really nice to come to a meeting and not be worrying about denominational politics. We have centered our thoughts on the Lord and the advancing of his Kingdom. With the increasing globaization of the world, it may be precursor of the future that these will be more meaningful gatherings than ones with just Americans. I love America, but this global stage really helps you gain a clearer picture of God's creation though out the world.

We end today with the last celebration this morning. I can hardly wait. You will have finished lunch by the time we even get started. It is amazing how time zones change everything.

Teresa and I will be able to get out an see some sights of Hawaii over the next couple of days. We are looking forward to walking Diamondhead, snorkeling, visiting Pearl Harbor, and seeing the Dole Plantation.

Anybody need a souvenir?