Friends,

Again, thanks for the prayers.  My journey to Illinois, Tennessee, and Georgia  September 4-13 went very much as planned, with an extra measure of God's grace all the way, and some happy surprises.

As usual, the disappointments had mostly to do with people I tried to catch but for one reason or another could not.  This time there were about five such people.  Compared to more than 60 significant conversations and encounters I did  have (three of these on the airplane flights), five is not a lot.  Also, as I was reflecting about this situation on the way home, I realized that for the most part if not in every case, the schedule readjustments resulting from the "misses" actually opened up more quality time with the people I did see.  So likely it was all for the best.  God is in control.

From a business standpoint, I did what I went for.  The day with the staff in Knoxville, the talk at the Georgia State Law School, and the embryo registries meeting in Chicago -- all accomplished their purposes.  My hostess at Georgia State, Dr. Jerri Nims Rooker, was especially gracious and complimentary. 

It's probably no secret by now that the Nazarene University campuses are my favorite places to go, and this time was certainly no exception.  The two days each at Olivet and Trevecca were absolutely delightful.  I met and prayed with both University presidents and several other special friends among the campus leadership.  All three lectures were well received both by students and faculty, and on both campuses I connected with students -- some lifelong friends, some new acquaintances.  Two of the young ladies I spent time with at Trevecca were in the same church newborn nursery (in Kentucky) with my son Dawson 19 years ago.  

Pastor Kevin Ulmet of Chicago First Church, and his family, deserve particular mention because this visit wrote another chapter in a close friendship that now spans 23 years.  While in their home, I flipped open the front cover of the guestbook in their living room and was startled to see a page in my own handwriting.  I had inscribed this gift on behalf of Frankfort, KY Capital Church in 1991 as a part of their farewell when Kevin finished his pastoral assignment there.  I was reminded that I have seriously bawled my eyes out only twice in my adult life, and one of those times was on the day of the Ulmet farewell.  (I can tell you about the other instance another time.)  While in Chicago, I spent some quality hours with Kevin, Karen, and youngest daughter Christy.  I told Christy that some of the ways she talked and acted made me very much miss my Monica at home.  Though neither of these daughters had been born at the time of the 1991 farewell, they've become acquainted long-distance and on various visits through the years.

Then, in Tennessee, I connected with the two older Ulmet daughters, and son-in-law.  In addition, my long-ago boss Dr. Joe Skaggs and his wife Betty, now living in Fairfield Glade, once again extended a warm and special welcome. 

Okay, I have to tell you about the one piece of craziness in Chicago, but pretty please, don't let it be the only thing you read or remember about this report.  I returned on the train from downtown after the embryo meeting to the park and ride, to find all four tires stolen from my rental car and the vehicle propped up on plastic blocks.  The next three hours were consumed with police reports and waiting for the tow truck and my replacement rental car.  I'm told that professional thieves work the area and sell their wares at swap meets.  Fortunately, it turns out that a combination of insurance and my employers will cover the entire loss.
 
Annette worked very hard to keep everything moving at home in my absence, and I've said thank-you a number of times.  Monica went to two retreats during those days -- one with her school and the other with the girls of our church youth group. 

At the time of the Knoxville visit, we had not yet heard the result of our funding proposal that keeps our office and projects operational through 2011 (this news has now come through).  That factor constricted some of the planning we wanted to do during my day in Knoxville, but we got a good bit done anyway.  Now, you can pray that some of the administrative steps that the Knoxville office needs to take can be moved forward quickly, so that the projects will be successful and we make good use of the resources we have been given. 

Blessings in the name of the Lord!

Reg