The big news is that I stayed home all last week. My only travel was a day trip to Willow Grove (near Philadelphia) for presbytery on Saturday.

After a semester full of travel you would think that a week home would either enable me to catch up on everything, or that I would get bored. Neither happened. I am always amazed at how long it takes to do simple projects. I went to the dentist, hung some blinds, finished some woodwork, and other household chores that had been long neglected. I filed some late expense reports, worked on email, filed papers, and other office work. And there is still enough left over to keep me busy this week. This was my only week in town on a Tuesday, so I went to the Lehigh RUF meeting. I was delighted to see Christy (Boblenz) Stockdale and other old friends, as well as meet the freshmen. Scott Mitchell gave an excellent message on Jesus as the resurrection from John 11.

At presbytery on Saturday we approved a budget for Scott Mitchell for next year. At the previous presbytery there had been some questions, but I had been absent. This time we resolved everything. I was planning to take Ruth out for her birthday dinner afterwards, but all the restaurants were crowded due to the Lehigh Lafayette game, which Lehigh won in overtime! So last night we went to the new fondue restaurant in town and had a wonderful meal.

I began this week meeting with Scott Mitchell to discuss how to improve the Lehigh ministry. Tomorrow (Wednesday) I am going to Philadelphia to discuss starting RUF there with some pastors. While I am away Ruth's brothers will begin arriving. We expect all three of her brothers, their families, and her parents -- over 20 people -- for Thanksgiving. It will be tiring (for Ruth!), but fun. Meanwhile, I've still got a lot to do here in this office.