This week, I was blessed to be the “Mystery Reader” for my daughter’s class for which I read Dragons Love Tacos. I have spent a lot of time on Zoom these last several months with both great and challenging moments, but this opportunity was a true highlight. I got to see their little faces up close to their cameras as they looked closely at the pictures in the book. I loved enjoying Dragons Love Tacos anew through their enthusiastic interest.

Sarah and I celebrated our wedding anniversary this week and as I reflected on all the ways we have grown together over almost a decade and a half it is mind boggling to recall the multitude of experiences, events, changes, and chapters we have shared. Neither of us are the same people we were when we got married and yet the continuity of our story is persistent. Everything seems to logically have led to where we are today. Most changes were unexpected, and most were better than we could have chosen for ourselves. To God be the glory!

This week my daughter graduated from Kindergarten.  It is a strange thing to have graduation in September, but then again, this is not a normal year.  We will have the Blessing of the Animals this Sunday in an unusual way and Trunk or Treat will be a bit different on October 25th, but we are holding fast to some of our community traditions so as to continue to create space to stay connect, grow in community, and deepen our connection to God.  Through our Bayou City Blessings in a Backpack program, we continue to do the good work of feeding small children all over this city every weekend, something you can sign up to help with HERE. We have allowed creativity and vision to focus our attention and energy on the ongoing work of God in our lives and in the world.

During this pandemic, my family has spent more time outside than ever before. Sarah and I made a ritual of having our morning coffee on the front porch and our family took daily walks on the bayou or in the Edith Moore Bird Sanctuary. Even in the heat, we had dinner on the back porch almost every evening. We played hours of driveway basketball and took a short vacation to rural Arkansas for hiking and a change of scenery. We even went to a drive through petting zoo to surprise the kiddos. All that to say that we have been exposed to more wildlife (and maybe not so “wild” life at the petting zoo) in the last six months that ever before.

It is interesting how the experience of a routine is different from how every day felt exactly same during lock down. These last few weeks have involved getting kids ready for school, me going to work either in person or from home, and routine evenings. I believe the difference must have to do with knowing at least nominally what to expect. The day has rhythm and weekdays are different from weekends…and Sunday morning will have a more tangible impact on the demarcation of time and weekly routines.

Today, by zoom, I met with our Finance Committee, the Bayou City Blessings and a Backpack Board, corresponded with our Stewardship Chair about our upcoming campaign, and had a phone conversation with Holy Spirit’s Head of School.  At each turn I heard good news and each moment of encouragement was due to a group of awesome people who are committed to this wonderful community.  Every conversation was filled with creativity, thoughtfulness, optimism, and laughter.  We all know that this is a difficult moment in the world as the future of so many things are uncertain.  None of the meetings I had today ignored or were naïve about this backdrop.  But still there was a joyful and determined approach to do the very best we can to serve Holy Spirit and trust in God. 

My kiddos got home from school today and found me staring at a blank screen. When asked what I was up to, I told them that I was writing this article for the Spirit Shot. They looked confused and pointed out that there weren’t any words on the screen. I explained that sometimes I have to wait for a spark. Then one of them said, “You could write about Jesus.” I said “Great idea! What about Jesus?” “Well how good he is to us because he made the world…and he made our houses…and he made us…and animals…” I told them how helpful that was and thanked them for their help.

“Our help is in the Name of the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” - Psalm 124:8

The last couple of days Sarah and I checked Space City Weather almost compulsively. We got things ready and moved all possible projectiles off our yard and porch. We prayed constantly as Hurricane Laura made its way through the gulf. When it finally became clear that the storm had shifted east we started worrying about the people in the path. I wanted to feel relieved we were no longer in the path and I was aware of some of the possible repercussions of experiencing the storm in our community, but I just worried about people who would inevitably experience the impact of this massive storm.