great time last night

I had a very enjoyable time last night at the CRM USA leaders conference. We were only able to afford to go to dinner and an evening session (David one night, me another) and we lucked out because the conference is being held just “up the mountain” from us at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park. So I went last night and David is going tonight.

I got to hang out with our friends Steve and Eloise (who also live right up the road from us and Shayel takes riding lessons from their daughter) and meet a few people I had only talked to on the phone or email which was a joy. I got a chance to talk with Alan Hirsch and his wife Debra for a few minutes - - not nearly long enough but we’ll have more chances in the near future. I already knew I loved Alan but I was very sad having to leave so soon after only getting a few mintues of his time.

Debra gave an excellent talk about being a “centered set” vs. a bounded set and also about how we need to stop idolizing the nuclear family. I have lots of thoughts about all the things she talked about that I’ll share over time (I’m an introvert, gotta process you know) but needless to say, I was nodding my head a lot - - and my charismatic upbringing was coming out with lots of out-loud affirmations hehe.

I wanted to stay after the evening session but it was already pretty late and I had over an hour drive home, most of which was through the canyon and my night vision is horrible so I figured I better be safe and go home before I got too tired. Also, Aliyah tends to wake up around 11 and if I’m not there, she usually freaks out and is not easy to console. Hopefully David will get a chance to stay a bit longer tonight and I can live vicariously through him…oh and I got a cool water bottle. I have a water bottle obsession so I was inordinately excited

So far, from what we’ve experienced, CRM is a great organization full of really passionate and lovely people. I do have to say though that the USA tribe is not as “young and funky” as I would like *smirk* but we’ll fill in the gaps

In the past week I’ve had the privilege of meeting and chatting with Karen Sloan, Doug Pagitt and Alan and Debra Hirsch. Next comes whoever we’re likely to meet at the Emergent Gathering in New Mexico in October, Michael Frost at the missio intensive also in October immediately following the ‘07 Emergent Gathering and my “minor Christian celebrity” name dropping will be complete for awhile hehe.

I actually just really love meeting new people and hearing their stories and sharing ideas and hopes and dreams - - I’ve always enjoyed that and it’s the thing I love the most about conferences. The worship and teaching and stuff is all good but it’s the relationships that I value above it all.

Related posts:

1. STUFF Alan Hirsch directed his readers to the Story of...
2. home We’re back from the Gathering. Shayel was sort of “off”...
3. chewy Alan Hirsch is a smart guy - - and friendly...
4. maybe people aren’t so bad afterall I like to joke sometimes that I really don’t like...
5. Thinking blogger awards I traced this (as brother maynard said) up down...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.