My two weeks of study leave did not turn out as I had planned. I did not get to an in-depth study of the lectionary Scripture for the next year, but I read all the texts a couple of times. I did not get to as much writing as I had intended, but I now have a project underway. One of the questions I wanted to answer for myself was whether I need to do this, and it's clearer to me now that I do. My sabbatical experience is at the heart of the writing, but it's not exclusively about the sabbatical. The working title is The Soul of Jesus: Wanderings in Galilee and Palestine.
 
I'd like to say a few things about the interruptions. The death of Dina Hernandez was not a surprise, and yet it was. After being told she had three months, Dina lived two and a half years, and she lived it with such radiance and vitality until the very end. I will always be grateful that Dina chose to live her last years among us. Almost immediately, she became a beloved sister, and her legacy of love for Christ and all of God's people will be with us, as will the friendships of her wonderful children.
 
Our family is grateful and relieved that my brother Hugh's brain surgery in Houston was successful. Thank you for all your prayers. I talked to Hugh yesterday, and he is eager to begin two weeks of rehab. Hugh is my older brother, and he has survived a very serious car wreck at the age of 19, a plane crash twelve years ago, and now this. I had just begun my leave when Hugh called to tell me about his diagnosis. It was an anxious time for our family, and we are so grateful.
 
Then one week ago, our one year-old granddaughter, Laura Marie, suffered a fever-induced seizure. Because Jean and I went through this with our oldest son, Jason, we knew exactly how frightening this was for Nathan and Carolyn. After a few anxious days of continued fever, Laura Marie is now fine, and again we are so grateful.
 
Last Thursday, my best friend of 35 years, Charlie Updike, came to visit and we spent an afternoon together. Charlie and Sharon have lived in Los Angeles for the last three years, and had come to Maryland for a week of vacation at the beach with family. Before going to the beach, they planned a few days to visit with old friends. On Friday, they were driving in a friend's neighborhood when Charlie heard (Sharon does not remember it) the crack of a tree falling, and it fell on top of their rental car. Charlie escaped physical injury, but Sharon was not so fortunate and has been in ICU at Suburban Hospital. Eventually, Sharon is going to be okay, and again, we are so grateful.
 
And I am grateful for all of you.
 

Steve