Princeton University

It’s been nearly a week I’ve been back from a week away praying, planning, and writing. I discussed what exactly I do, where I go, and all that good stuff in a recent post, if you’re interested. I thought I would discuss how it went and the fruit of it. I’ve also put a gallery of a few pictures I took with my IPhone at the bottom of the post.

The weather was generally quite cold in Princeton (it’s December in New Jersey–go figure), so as I shared with Emily, this trip was more task driven. There was a reason other than weather, however. Often, I go to Princeton very on top of life, but needing to get on top of the future. This year, I feel more on top of the future, but not on top of life. So, I spent a significant amount of time thinking about life and mapping out a strategy to get life balanced out, tightened up, and heading in a direction that I and God feel good about.

• I read Michael Hyatt’s e-book on creating a life-plan. You can find it on his blog. It’s free when you sign up for his email list. I used that to stir my thinking and look at the different aspects of life and craft a plan that I feel is doable but ambitious at the same time.
• I was going to make some improvements to the blog. As I was doing so, it crashed. Hence, the new layout you see. I don’t know if I’ll keep it. But, after a few hours, I had a new one built with the content saved.
• I did get my sermon schedule mapped out for the year 2012.
• I did get about 40% of an e-book I’m working on completed.
• I talked with a friend in ministry who’s going through a tough time and facing some big decisions.
• I dealt with a big deal at church…but did it without stressing about it.
• I created some new initiatives for New Vintage Church in the coming year, with plans to boot.
• I just got away and, without realizing it, hardly spoke for a week, other than a few phone calls back home, the aforementioned conversation with my friend, and ordering food at restaurants. That, too, was interesting and a good reminder that sometimes, silence is golden 😉
• I came home exceedingly glad to see Emily and the girls. When we had no children, or they were very young, I admittedly found the road to be refreshing. Now, I find it a necessary evil. I miss our girls and, of course, Emily, when I’m gone.