I am sitting in the Atlanta Airport waiting for my connection to Dublin, Ireland where I will be holding two Music Industry Consultations. I am excited about my first trip to Ireland and meeting new friends, musicians, and ministry colleagues while I’m there.
The week leading up to today has been quite eventful … and not all in a good way. Last weekend, however, was awesome. Emily, our 23 year old daughter who lives in New York City, flew in for our son Elliott’s 18th birthday party. We had a great time getting ready for the big party Saturday night, hanging out, eating at some great new restaurants in Jax, and enjoying each other’s company. Emily hadn’t been home since Christmas, so it was great to have another girl in the house!
Her flight back to NYC on Sunday night got cancelled due to bad weather in Atlanta (where she was to connect), so she stayed an extra night and left Monday morning. In the south we have a saying “when you die, you go through the Atlanta airport before you reach heaven” because every Delta flight connects through here on your way somewhere else!
On Tuesday I drove down to Palm Coast, FL (about 1 1/2 hours south) and had a very productive meeting with John Mandeville. John’s new CD, We Belong To Heaven, recently won the Independent Music Award’s Christian Album of the Year. We talked about John’s ministry, the direction he’s heading and how TMA could possibly assist him. John is a great friend, very talented, and our time together is always refreshing!
After our meeting and lunch I began my drive back to Jacksonville and by the time I had arrived back in town I knew something was terribly wrong … food poisoning. Without naming the chain restaurant where I had lunch, let me just say that the “yard bird” from Boston didn’t agree with me at all. By evening I was violently ill. It has taken lots of prayer and TLC from Laura to get me back to where I felt I could actually leave home this morning. I’m still a little queasy but feeling about 90% better.
I arrived here in Atlanta around noon today and my dad met me and took me out to lunch away from the airport. It was good to get away and have a home-cooked meal. We actually found a tiny southern-style restaurant in nearby Hapeville, GA. The roasted chicken (yes, I’m brave), home-cooked green beans, cornbread and potatoes au-gratin were amazing. And the fellowship with my Dad was especially good, since we see him and Mom only a couple of times a year (they live just north of Atlanta).
So, tonight at 6PM my flight departs Atlanta for Dublin, arriving at 6AM local time. I think there’s a 4-hour time difference and the flight is 7 hours, 52 minutes, so I’m not sure what condition I’ll be in when I arrive. But my hosts will meet me at the airport and take me to the hotel nearby where I’ll check in and hopefully sleep a bit before we begin our meetings with dinner tomorrow night.
My hosts have promised to take me sight-seeing on Sunday and I can’t wait to try some good Irish coffee! On Monday, another musician from Sweden is flying into Dublin for a one-day consultation with him. Then on Tuesday I depart Dublin, arriving in NYC that afternoon. I’ll spend the rest of the week with Emily in the city, holding another consultation with another artist on Thursday. On Friday night, it’s home to Jacksonville!
I’ll endeavor to keep this trip documented and I encourage your comments! Keep us – me, Laura and Elliott – in your thoughts and prayers these next 8 days!
