Sitting in the lounge at Copenhagen International Airport on my way to Boston, enjoying free coffee and putting up with loud construction noises downstairs, I realize that I have not written much at THTW lately beyond our Giffones in Lithuania updates and sermon audio.

That’s partly because things have been so busy, as we are settling into life in Klaipėda and as I’m adjusting to a new job. It’s starting to feel like we have all we need and all we want in order to have a fulfilling life and ministry here. Finally, after 3+ years of tumult and turmoil, we are moving from survival to flourishing–I hope.

I also just haven’t had as much time to engage with politics, sports, and other areas that I’ve written about previously. I’m (thankfully) somewhat insulated from American public life, so while I still see what happens in North America, I’m not immersed in it all the time. That’s probably healthy for me.

But another reason for my lack of blogging, I think, is that I have other productive outlets for writing and speaking. In addition to my Isaiah course and thesis advisees, I have been working on a paper on 1 Kings 18, as well as a couple of other projects. It feels good to be heading toward something more substantial. I’m hoping that this paper, along with this past year’s contribution to VT, will form the basis for my next book–one publisher has shown interest in my idea.

Looking ahead, I have two book reviews due in January, a couple of paper proposals I hope to submit for summer conferences, two courses at regional seminaries–and my OT course at LCC and CFHF responsibilities.

Blogging has always been mostly for me–no offense to my readers (love you, Mom!), but I don’t get enough hits to make it “worth it” in terms of impact. I may simply be moving into a phase of life and mission where blogging is no longer necessary for my soul. That feels like a positive step. THTW will continue to exist, as a place where I can post updates, writings, sermons, etc.