Jan. 1 → Happy New Year! I spent the day around the house with Kyle and Betsy. We watched lots of football.
Jan. 2 → After dropping Betsy off at the airport bus, I got busy with chores around the house.
Jan. 3 → I spent most of the day finishing chores and packing for tomorrow’s trip home. In the afternoon we went for a walk at Blackie’s Pasture.
Jan. 4 → I caught the airport bus around midday. My drop-off, flights, and arrival home were all on time. I arrived at my apartment around 11:30 p.m.
Jan. 5 → I went into the office around noon to deal with a couple things that came up that morning. In the afternoon, I met with Canon Ponder and Vice-Chancellor Ireland.
Jan. 6 → I rose very early and drove to Little Rock for the ordination of John Harmon as the Bishop of Arkansas. After the service, I drove home to Jackson. While driving, I kept several meetings via mobile phone.
Jan. 7 → It was another early morning drive, this time to Gulfport. I preached, presided, reaffirmed two, and confirmed four. I enjoyed fellowship and lunch following the service. The main course was their brisket! They sent me home with a large care package!
Jan. 8 → My normal sabbath day ended up being a very busy work day. It started with an early breakfast meeting with Granville Tate. Later in the morning, I met with the vice-chancellor and several officers of the diocese. After lunch, I drove to Raymond to meet with our Diocesan Discernment Committee. I’m grateful for their efforts and discernment by the aspirants. In the evening, I met with leadership from one of our Jackson churches.
Jan. 9 → With Canon Ponder involved in the discernment interviews, I convened the weekly staff meeting at Allin House. The rest of the day was quite busy with lots of phone calls and emails.

Jan. 10 → I spent most of the morning in Raymond with the Diocesan Discernment Committee. After our meetings, I drove back to my apartment for lunch before walking to Allin House for afternoon meetings.
Jan. 11 → The morning was busy with phone calls and an annual consultation with the Rev. Deacon Tami Roessler. The rest of the day was slammed with phone calls and Zooms. In the early evening, I finally found time for a workout.
Jan. 12 → I met Andy Andrews at the Downtown Donut shop for our weekly Missioner meeting. In the office, I met with Peggy regarding my weekend schedule. I used the rest of the morning and early afternoon for phone calls. In the afternoon, I drove to one of our congregations for a meeting with their vestry.
Jan. 13 → I finally found time for a swim workout! It felt great. In the afternoon, I offered a prayer and blessing over the Honduran Medical Mission during their planning meeting at St. Columb’s.
Jan. 14 → I woke to cold weather! My morning visit was at St. Alban in Bovina. It was a packed house where I confirmed three and received three more. After church we enjoyed fellowship and food. The parish gave me a lovely Wyatt Watters print of their Church. In the afternoon, I visited at St. Mary’s in Bolton. In the service, I preached and presided and enjoyed fellowship after.
Jan. 15 → The cold weather really set in overnight. So much so that getting up early for swimming didn’t happen! I took most of the day off until supper when I drove to the Manship for dinner with the bishop candidates.
Jan. 16 → In spite of the cold and ice it was a busy day. In the morning, there were a number of phone calls. In the afternoon, I drove to Ridgeland for individual meetings with the bishop candidates. We have a very impressive and faithful group of candidates in discernment with us! I watched the first Meet and Greet session on Facebook live.
Jan. 17 → Given the winter conditions, most of my appointments were rescheduled. I enjoyed a fairly calm day.
Jan. 18 → I spent most of the morning catching up on telephone calls. In the afternoon, I started work on my address for Diocesan Annual Council.
Jan. 19 → The day started with an early meeting with the chancellor. Throughout the day I was busy with catch up phone calls and Zoom meetings.
Jan. 20 → In the morning, I found time for a swim workout. After returning home, I kept a phone appointment with a Senior Warden. In the afternoon, I rested.
Jan. 21 → My morning visitation to Redeemer in Greenville was canceled due to the ice and winter conditions. I read morning prayer and spent most of the day working on my Council address.
Jan. 22 → I rose early for a workout after which I enjoyed a sabbath day off!
Jan. 23 → My morning started at Allin House with an all-staff meeting. After staff meeting, I met with Canon Ponder regarding Diocesan Council and Convention. The afternoon was full with a lunch meeting followed by a meeting with Gray Center leadership followed by a dinner meeting.
Jan. 24 → First meeting of the day was with our CFO, David Martin. Subsequent meetings included a Postulant for Holy orders, participants in the Vitality Improvement Project, and the President of Tougaloo College. Before finishing my day, I met, via telephone, with a local clergy member and a bishop colleague.
Jan. 25 → An early morning started with a breakfast meeting the Chancellors and Canon. Immediately after the meeting, I drove through a terrible rain to All Saints in Vicksburg for the graduation of the recent FEMA corps class. After the event and a quick lunch, I drove back to Jackson for a meeting with one of our deacons.
Jan. 26 → I spent nearly the whole day sequestered at home finishing my Council address and beginning work on my sermon for the Sunday service at Council.
Jan. 27 → I enjoyed a free morning. In the afternoon, I worked on a Sermon.
Jan. 28 → I left early and drove to Columbus for visitation at St. Paul’s. Before the service, I blessed and dedicated stained glass windows. During the service we confirmed eleven and received one. After fellowship and food in the parish hall, I drove home.
Jan. 29 → I worked out first thing in the morning. The rest of the day was spent looking over agenda and details for council.
Jan. 30 → I spent most of the day working on details for Council including contacting Clergy whose registrations were incomplete. Over lunch, I met with Churchwide Office for Government Relations.
Jan. 31 → It was a busy morning at Allin House. During the morning hours, I met with the parish leadership from one of our churches. Over lunch, I met with the diocesan staff for a full run through of the agenda for Council. After finishing my monthly journal, I finished work on my sermon. Kyle arrived on an evening flight. She’ll be here through Tuesday.