March 16...Home at last....

Flew back from New Zealand just fine....surprisingly I had an extra seat next to me....and the food was good! Arrived in LA and rented a car...drove to Santa Barbara. Stayed with Russ and Kay Howell. But that first afternoon I met with Jeff Schloss at the old stomping ground...East Beach Grill then we both drove to Bart Tarman's place on the Riviera. (Don't Jeff (left) and Bart (right) look a lot like the "Bobbsey Twins?!) Bart and Linda are staying with David and Helene Winter until their house in D.C. sells. We chatted, then I had supper with Russ and Kay before heading across APS to visit Bob and AnnMarie Feitt. Wished John Perry could have joined us but he had a Bible Study and was headed out of town the next day. Sorry John.....we'll reconnect. These are life-long friends from an accountability group of '89 to '93!

Spent the day on Wednesday with the COLD (Commission on Leadership Development). All three US Bishops (Kendall, Roller, and Thomas...with Matt presiding) were present. Enjoyed our conversations and was impressed with the work Mike Kilbane and Alex did in presenting. Had a great time with Howells, shot down to visit Paul and Jeannine in Carp on Wednesday night...then drove to my daugher Eva Marie's in Mission Viejo for the weekend. EM is trusting the Lord daily for the baby...she's 17 weeks along and finding it easier not to worry. I pray daily for her. And Brandon's doing a great job supporting her!

After hearing them sing in church Sunday morning I flew back home in Virginia Beach via St. Louis. And it's great to be home! God blessed me with so MANY new friends...I must have met over 150 people! And He blessed me with health and NO missed flights and no illness and no lost bags! I would NOT have believed that was possible! Thank you Lord and now I pray I will be able to use the unique information I have about the state of Christian higher education around the world to advance the partnerships in this important calling so that the Kingdom may be advanced and God may be honored. To all those who followed my trip I thank you for doing so and especially for praying......

Eva Marie, Brandon, Jimmy, Lyla, Joe, Dan, Craig, Jeannine, Paul, Gary, my home worship group from the Tab church in Norfolk, Paul Corts and Lisa-Jo from CCCU, and perhaps others of which I am unaware.....Thank you!