APCE 2009

The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators has an annual conference that is usually one of the highlights of my continuing education experiences - for many reasons. My favorite part is that it is always in a different city so we get to see new places. However, this year it was in San Antonio, TX so I went a few days early to spend time playing with my sister and brother-in-law.

We stayed in a beautiful condo/hotel with three bedrooms, living room, kitchen, washer & dryer and balcony that looked out over the River Walk. The weather was glorious so we spent a lot of time sitting on the balcony drinking coffee and visiting. Jo & Scott even came over to play and enjoy the incredible view of San Antonio!

At the opening dinner with our region, I had the pleasure of dining with a young lady who was my camper when she was in the 3rd grade. She didn't remember it nearly as well as I did considering this was the group of girls who decided to dress up in funny clothes so they all borrowed mine! That's a little hard to forget. :)
I got to experience Sushi for the very first time! Ron found a gift certificate on restaurant.com so I decided to give it a try - break out of the mold, be brave... I liked it!! Of course, you could probably put ginger and wasabi on just about anything and I would like it. I felt very mature for trying something I said I would never eat - and I would definitely do it again.

My favorite workshop was led by two of my favorite people - Bill & Holly. We met about 10 years ago when my friend, Keith, invited me to assist him with the youth bible studies at the Montreat Worship & Music Conference. We all ended up working together and it was a bonding experience! If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger.

Since we had such a fabulous pad, we invited friends over on Friday evening for a little get-together. Sitting there in a room full of amazing Christian Educators - including the CE of the year and the Vice Moderator of the PC(USA), I couldn't help but think about Hebrews 12:1 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." The inspiration and encouragement that I get from APCE doesn't always (or even usually) come from the speakers.

We had a fun PSCE gathering at a restaurant on the river walk but they way overestimated the amount of food needed so instead of throwing it away, they let us package it up and take it to the homeless folks around San Antonio. I was a little nervous but my friend, Sarah, was an inspiration. She had us drive to a nearby city park and we walked around giving out food until everything we had was gone. It was amazing! Sarah even came upon a pair who were praying together and when they opened their eyes, she was standing there with food. I don't know if it's what they prayed for but it might have been the answer.

My friend, Eric, came over to play with us one evening. Eric and I have a most unusual friendship. He was the youth director that followed me at Burke Presbyterian and somehow we became friends. When he left BPC and moved to San Antonio, we were able to get together when I would be down there visiting my sister. He's a blast to be around!

I had a special visit on my way home. My friend, Laura, lives about 45 minutes from Denton so she drove over and met me for lunch just off the interstate. I haven't seen Laura since we were at FCA Camp together in Colorado when we were in high school. It's continues to amaze me that you can spend a week with someone who will become a friend for life.