Slow Summer Days

It has been a while since I have written anything here. I have just been lazy about it. Besides, there just isn't much happening right now.

I've been back from Greece for about 6 weeks and it has been good being back home. While all of the unrest in the middle east is not too close to where we were in the islands, I'm glad I'm not traveling to that part of the world right now. I miss a few things there though. First is the scenery. Dallas looks pretty ordinary by comparison. I wonder if the Greeks get tired of seeing mountainous islands and deep blue water... no way. I also miss some of the people we met there. The family that owns the hotel... the couple at the jewelry store... the assistant librarian... and several others. I made many friends there that I hope to see again some day. Finally, I miss the food... except octopus. However, I would even eat octopus if it meant visiting again. Maybe we will get a chance to photograph manuscripts on Patmos again.

Last night I sat in my chair at my desk and leaned back to relax. I ended up leaning back way too far. Then I leaned up. Again, way too far. My chair had finally wore out after 9 years of use. I'm glad it was old so I can blame it on the age of the chair instead of feeling like I need to go on a diet (which I should really do anyway.) I went out to get a replacement and the boys helped me put it together. I'm working on getting it broken in right now.

Everything is pretty slow this summer. I'm not taking any classes but am getting ready for the fall. I'll be taking my second (and final!!!) preaching class, third semester of Hebrew, and Old Testament Prophets. It will be strange not having a New Testament class in the fall. I hope to get started on my thesis research during the fall so I can start writing in the spring.

Good to be Home

We got home last Wednesday afternoon and it's good to be back. As a final treat at the end of our trip to Greece, we were able to visit the National Library in Athens, Greece a couple of afternoons to study manuscripts. It was very interesting and a real treat to visit such an old library.

Thursday night we went to parent's night for VBS at the church. The kids put on a nice presentation and Caleb did a very good job singing with the other kids. Jacob didn't want to participate in singing with his class, so he hung out with Ashley.

Saturday we went to visit Jay and Allison and their new baby Grant. We had a great time, as usual, visiting over lunch and playing a game at their house. Congratulations to the new parents!!

Visiting the Patmian School

Yesterday was most likely our last visit to the monastery. We delivered a couple of books that Dan wanted to give to the library. One was an early copy of his grammar and the other was a copy of the Greek/NET Bible New Testament diglot. The assistant librarian was very grateful for the gift. The assistant librarian's father is the principal of the Patmian school so he arranged for us to visit it.

The Patmian School is an all boys Ecclesiastical School located about half way to the monastery. This school is famous for keeping Greek education alive during the Turkish occupation of Greece. It still operates today and has about 25 jr. & sr. high school boys many of whom will enter the Orthodox priesthood. They were excited about our visit and we were invited to stay for lunch. During lunch, the boys were quiet but I could tell they were curious about who we were sitting there at the lunch table. After everyone ate, we were introduced and they had a chance to ask questions. They learned about who we are and our work at the monastery photographing manuscripts. It was a good time for all of us.

Today we will probably make some more DVDs and begin packing equipment. Our trip home is getting closer. Today's picture is of a small island off the south coast of Patmos.