March 4, 2010 - Tempe, Arizona

Today we spent part of the morning at the Tempe Public Library. The kids seemed to enjoy the change of scenery for their home-school lessons. There were more other children there than I would have expected - other home-schoolers I suspect, working on their various assignments at computer terminals or with more traditional print media.

Lunch was out at a favorite restaurant of ours, Sahara. Originally, this was a tiny little 'dive' located down the street from our former church and Arizona State University. The cooking was amazing, and the place itself was eerily oasis-like - with skylights that allowed diffused natural lighting over the ten or so tables clustered into the small space. With the rampant renovation/destruction of downtown Tempe, transforming it from an eclectic collection of mom & pop stores & restaurants into a bland reproduction of brand-name commercialism, Sahara was forced to relocate. The same family runs the place, and the food remains exquisite.

I tried the other Coffee Shop today - Gold Bar. Much better Internet connection and practically empty. Smaller than Xtreme Bean as well, which probably contributes to the less-busy atmosphere. Gena's out tonight with her sister, and I'm glad that they have some time to hang out and shoot the breeze in person. They have a good relationship, and I'm grateful for that during those times when we're struggling to find our way in a new place and situation - which has been more the rule than the exception in the past six years or so.

Tomorrow the agenda is to get the tax stuff together and sent off. I'm not looking forward to it, but it has to be done and there's no sense putting it off any further. Prayers are appreciated - I'm expecting we're going to have to pay more than I like to think about this year. It's strange to think that, for the moment, I'm no longer a pastor. I look forward to taking that mantle on again when God leads me to the right place. And after some of the challenges of the last Call, it's nice to catch my breath. I know I'll be ready when the next Call comes.