The Struggle Continues

I am still struggling to rid myself of whatever illness it was that struck me last week and ruined my time at the Writer’s Retreat outside of Cincinnati, Ohio.  I don’t know if it was just a severe summer cold or some type of flu, but I was pretty much wiped out for five days.  All I did was participate in the times of prayer and meals and sleep.  I did get one small devotional written on John’s gospel, but I had so much more that I wanted to do!

After the retreat ended on Friday I spent the next two days with my friends Mark and Jane Newkirk in Wilmington, Ohio.  I continued to recuperate there thanks to their hospitality, and on Sunday I started my trip back home, stopping overnight at a Microtel Inn in Clarion, Pennsylvania.  I love Microtel Inns.  They are almost all new, clean, inexpensive and have free wi-fi in all the rooms.  You really can’t beat their price.

On Monday I picked up my Desiree and brought her home with me for the rest of the week.  She has a doctor’s appointment next Monday, and we were planning to go to D.C. on Thursday and Friday to see some sights, go to a play, and meet up with a friend of mine from Florida – Dorinda Fox (as well as her daughter).  I was really looking forward to this, but today I decided that I am still too weak to do anything as grandiose as driving three hours there and back, walking around the Mall and such, and being on my best behavior with my friend.  : )  Yesterday I went to the store to pick up a few items and by the time I got home about 30 minutes later, I was beat.

I am still prone to coughing fits when I exert myself, and find it hard to concentrate on much at all.  We will probably end up staying at home, watching some movies, and generally taking it easy until I fully recover.  Of course, I will be back in the pulpit on Sunday, and there’s all the work I need to do there in order to be ready for the day, so it won’t be all down time.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for their prayers and well wishes.  I hope to be my old self soon.  And special thanks to Lisa and Donna for looking after the cats while I was gone.

Just thought I’d let you know.