Where Will I Wake Up?

I've heard airline pilots joke that at times they forget where they are. This, because of their near-constant travel, and the different places they visit all blending together. I can relate.

Since January, I have spent at least one night in these places (and, in many of these places, more than one night):

California
Fresno
Rancho Cordova
Pinole
Salinas
Turlock
San Bernardino
Camarillo

Arizona
Flagstaff
Phoenix
Scottsdale
Chandler

Utah
Blanding

Colorado
Grand Junction
Durango
Silverton (Cascade Lodge)
Dolores (Four Corners Camp)

Kansas
Liberal
Great Bend
Wichita

Arkansas
Searcy
Arkadelphia

Tennessee
Jackson

Oklahoma
Tulsa
Edmond
Shawnee
McAlister
Elk City
Yukon
Duncan

Texas
Lubbock
Amarillo
Clarendon
Childress
Wichita Falls
Midland
Pecos
El Paso
Alpine
Sweetwater
Abilene
San Angelo
Junction
San Antonio
Corpus Christi
Houston
Temple
Austin
Plano
Arlington
Lewisville
Flower Mound

New Mexico
Santa Fe
Albuquerque
Gallup

Yes, I have actually spent a night at home in Gallup! Although, it seems like many years since I've been there. Actually, its been 39 days since I've been home (and counting . . . I've got 9 more days to go on this trip, and another 5 overnight stops!). However, to be honest, I was home for 45 minutes on October 10! A pit stop on a drive from Lubbock, Texas to Flagstaff, Arizona, and then on the next day to Turlock, California.

I really do love the travel. This is a beautiful country! And, I've seen everything from the Mohave Desert, to the Pacific Ocean, to the Great Plains, to the Mississippi River, to the Grand Canyon, to the Colorado Rockies, to the Gulf Coast, to Monument Valley, to the Sierra Nevadas, to the Great Bend, and, for the past several days, to the San Joaquin Valley of California.

I spent today "pitching" another double header. I visited the church in Dinuba, Calif. this morning and the congregation at Farmersville, Calif. tonight. I enjoyed being with both families and sharing some news about the Manuelito Navajo Children's Home. These are two small churches with big hearts.

I have said it many times before, but the great blessing of my job (other than talking about the beautiful kids we have at MNCH) is spending time with so many different congregations. Big ones. Small ones. Churches in the city. Those in the country. Traditional churches. Churches trying some new things. Affluent churches Those in low income neighborhoods. Some common denominators: a love for Jesus, a love for each other, and a heart for those in need. May God be praised!