Enjoying the Big Easy

Hi from New Orleans, Nelda and my first trip to the Big Easy. We came here on Tuesday to attend the Southern District (LCMS) orientation for new pastors and vicars to the district. Got to our hotel near Six Flags on Interstate 10 then went to the district president's home in Slidel back across the lake for a wonderful BBQ dinner and fellowship as an introduction to hospitality Louisiana style. Wednesday was spent in our meeting sessions until 5 p.m. then we were free to site see on our own. We went with a young couple, Pon and Amy, who are recently moved here from the seminary in St. Louis. Pon is the new Vicar at St. John Lutheran located right on Canal Street. We parked in the secure parking lot at the church then took the streetcar down to Bourbon Street. There we walked down Bourbon St. to a restaurant called Desire where we enjoyed Jumbalya and local refreshment before heading back to our car. It was a fun evening.

Today we fininished our sessions at noon and after a nice lunch provided by the staff we once more ventured down Canal St. taking the streetcar all the way to the river, went to the Riverwalk Mall then strolled back on the boardwalk and took the ferry across the Mississipi and back. Again we enjoyed the companionship of Pon and Amy and had a wonderful afternoon. Tomorrow we will head back home. We did really enjoy the orientation and meeting all the new pastors, vicars and their wives, along with the district executives and staff. It was very helpful and will prove so I believe in my years ahead as pastor of Trinity in Gadsden. But we also enjoyed our visit to a historic area of our nation that we had not been to previously. I'm sure we will enjoy revisiting the area from time to time and will enjoy our futher contacts with the many fine dedicated servants of the Lord with which we delighted in their company.