In case you wondered - I am still alive

Wow! What a time to be too busy to post. It has been a crazy few weeks. After a fairly slow trial year, I am spending the last couple of months in back-to-back trials. That means that in addition to my church work, for the last several weeks I have been in trial prep or in trial. Last week I was in Florence for a trial. On the historic election night when I would have loved to have been out celebrating, I was in a hotel room getting ready for the next day of trial. I stayed on the phone with Alicia for over an hour while she stood in line to vote. She needed someone sensible to talk to as she sensed she was the only blue dot in line. I had celebratory phone calls, text messages and email. Those blue dot friends of mine getting in touch to share some of the excitement. It was a big night. Then it was back to work.

Work turned out well. Of course the local papers were quick to report that the defendant would appeal the almost $2.3 Million verdict. Because of said appeal, the client will not see any money for a long time. But it is still fun to win. And several of us went out to celebrate. It was a big night. Then it was back to work.

I had class at Huntingdon this week. On Friday I drove back from Florence, dropped my equipment off at the office, re-organized and headed to Montgomery. Friday night and all day Saturday I sat in class. By afternoon I was texting to get football scores and sharing them with the class. It was good to have an Auburn win. The other game was exciting. It was a big night. Then it was back to work.

One of the Sunday school teachers notified us she would not make it. I was trying to get back into a normal schedule, but I things were hectic when I arrived at church. Sitting in for that SS teacher, trying to get ready for worship. Then the Children's church person needed something for the lesson. I rushed to make copies. I rushed back to the sanctuary. I helped the acolytes get ready. I processed in and realized I had forgotten to get a wired for sound. during greeting I had to run back to the sound man. It was crazy. But I could not slow down. Alicia and I had to engagements Sunday afternoon before I had to rush back to teach Sunday night. It was a big night. Then it was back to work. Getting ready for the next trial that goes out Monday.

Things have been so crazy and I had been so busy, that I missed a couple of issues. One of my adults who helps with children and youth activities might not come back to the church. Another one is kind of fed up. A couple of our youth are boycotting. What, you may ask, could cause such division in the church? Here is were I remind you that my current appointment is conservative. (I know I hate the label, but this is how they would describe themselves.) I am not usually described as conservative. The two youth workers of which I speak do not consider themselves conservative. The two boycotting youth apparently do consider themselves conservative. They feel they cannot be respectful of anyone who could support the Muslim anti-Christ.

Let me pause here to say that I have not talked to these youth about this situation. I have been out of town. Sunday and yesterday I have only passed these youth and did not really understand the issues until after they had left last night. To be fair, I wanted to point out that I still need to get their side of the story.

From the reports I received from several people, the election has been very divisive to some of our congregation. It should be interesting to see where we go from here. I hope people can realize that we can differ in our political views without hating each other. I hope we can concentrate on the things on which we agree and move forward.

I want to go on record right now. I voted for Obama. Maybe this will mean you can no longer respect me as your pastor. Maybe you no longer want me to teach your children. Maybe this means you think it is acceptable for your teenagers to be disrespectful. Of what are you afraid?