Monday Brief

Highlight of the week: Lots of them, but my birthday in general was pretty sweet. I've already blogged about it (twice, actually) so I'll leave the repetition aside. Beer with Marty and Christopher in Ann Arbor was awesome, as we only get to see each other once every few months. It was also a real blessing to be able to talk to one of my dearest friends, Adrienne, for several hours over the weekend. She is like a cross between a twin and a reverse of myself (identical on many things, 100% opposite on others) and she has always been a huge encouragement for me. All in all, a great week.

Book(s) I’m reading: Many updates here in the past few weeks. I finished several books includings Jacobs' Year of Living Biblically, Keller's Prodigal God, and the latest ones by Kathy Griffin and Rob Bell. I'm working through Newbigin's Proper Confidence and will be picking up a Leanne Payne title soon for a class (see below).

Music I’m digging: No matter how many times I listen to it, the Jason Derulo track with the Imogen Heap sample does not get old. For paper writing lately, I've been playing Beethoven's Complete Symphonies on repeat. I am fully aware of how strange this may seem.

Something that blew my mind: my ISP straight-up hates me. I am not sure why, but they seem to take great pleasure in knocking my service out for several days. This happens to me every couple of months. Not sure how to move forward, but as of this writing, the internet works at our house.

Ministry update: Alpha scheduling and the like is ongoing at the parish, while Giles has started her new singing job downtown. More stuff "in the works" but I'm getting tired of typing that, so let's leave it at the "no report" phase.

Looking forward to: Saturday. Jason and I are going to the football game in Ann Arbor which will officially bring me out of my sabbatical. That will not be discussed publicly until next week (sports superstitions run rampant here).