Where has Blessèd Blending gone?
Hi, Jim Dunn here after a long pause between this post and my last one which was on December 20th, 2016. That was one day prior to my 37th wedding anniversary. Where has the time gone, my lovely Patricia?
Earlier that month I had been in Edmonton, Alberta attending the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers’ annual Convention. As always , I was moved by the many speakers with riveting and moving stories and new ideas.
My family was also still on a joyful high after our daughter Rachel’s wedding to Michael Gibson earlier in the Fall on September 24th. It was a beautiful day for a beautiful couple.
The New Year arrived and I was off again to the Religious Education Conference in Anaheim, California. This is a gathering of over forty thousand people sponsored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Each year, this conference fills me with new grace and a renewed sense of spirit. A side trip to Palm Springs also provided a relaxing environment.
Mixed in with all these events, I have been concurrently writing my first book. It is now complete, published by Novalis Press and will be ready to launch in early September 2017. Can’t wait! I hope to begin speaking again to interested audiences about my thoughts on discipleship. You will hear more in the coming months.
Recently , I visited two of my aging aunts. One, in Quebec is now 98 years old and the other, in Vermont, is 92. They continue to connect me to my roots and are true blessings for the family.
Since life can never be filled with all happy moments, I share as well that I am watching the unfolding of an illness with my brother. It continues to worsen. I do not know where this will all lead, but his attitude is good and has allowed me to see a more reflective side to his character. I am grateful to spend much time with him during this period.
Today is my 65th birthday. I am told that this is a milestone. My family celebrated me well and my wife took me away to a Spa Resort as a special treat to mark the occasion. I will welcome this new year with open arms and anticipation.
The gratitude that I have for all these God given moments in the past few months fill me with joy and, of course some uncertainty. But it is all good.
It is all part of who we are and what we are called to become.
So you see, the last little while I may not have been WRITING about Blessèd Blending but I sure have been LIVING it! How about you?
God bless you all.
James (Jim) Dunn
Blessèd Blending
July 9th, 2017