Five guys from Church traveled 2,100 miles to Tennessee.

Wow! Who knew. Who knew June would be so busy that I would forget where I was going today when I got to the airport?

Well, I did. I got to airport security today and they asked, “what city are you heading to today?” I had to think. She said, “You don’t know where you’re going, do you?”

Well, I do. It just took a second. Let me explain why.

I just got back from a 2,100 mile motorcycle trip from Michigan to Tennessee. The purpose? FUN. Five guys from our church spent five days on the road so that we could ride one of the nation’s dangerous roads, US 129 through Tennessee and North Carolina known as “The Tail of the Dragon.” It’s just 11 miles, but it’s full of 318 turns and curves that have claimed many lives over the years. And, we did it.

Blue Ridge Parkway, TN.

Not only that, we got to see, smell and hear God’s creation in the open air. Nothing better. We even got to experience a monsoon like rainstorm along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I’ve never seen it rain so hard. I might not say that, but I saw animals pairing up two-by-two….

On the last leg of our trip, I had to make a detour to visit a family friend. That was fun. I returned back to work for three days only to have to get on a plane to California for a conference. It’s the Christian Music Broadcasters Leadership summit. MNN is sponsoring part of it. Our desire is to add more radio stations to our broadcast.

We received some great news this week. Audience Development Group was hosting listener focus groups for one of our affiliates. According to Brian Wright, listeners mentioned the MNN broadcast as a recognized feature, but also started mentioning specific stories they heard on various broadcasts. Brian tells me this is very unusual. He says its another example of compelling content impacting listeners deeply. We hope to use this information to help add more stations. It’ll be difficult since most Christian Music Radio stations don’t air what the industry calls “short-features.”

Following the one day conference I’m heading south to see my oldest daughter near Fresno. I haven’t been there in a couple of years. I’m looking forward to seeing the grand kids, whom I haven’t seen in a couple of years.

I will return to the office next week, only to leave again June 30 to head to Russia. I’ll be leading a video team to put together a couple of videos that will help encourage people to go on short term mission trips and to help orphans who are aging out of the orphanage. This is a passion I have. Why? My youngest daughter is Russian. Over 700,000 kids in Russia will not be adopted. What will happen to them?  Statistics say they’ll either end up on three street, involved in organized crime, prostitution, sex trafficking, drugs, and many will commit suicide. But, much of that changes as they receive help and training from Christians who show them Christ-like love.

The video will show the true story of someone doing just that and now he has a life to live for.

I will return July 7, only to return to school for my final class to of finally earn my degree.

Does it sound busy to you? It does to me. Pray for me.