It asks the rhetorical question of whether we should let our old friendships and memories go in favor of the new. I had the chance to share songs and rich conversations with a bunch of folks around the continent this year, and I am grateful for each of those visits.
I had some wonderful time with my family, did some work that I think mattered, and wrestled with the possibility of a big change in the course of my life. Turns out that when you put it all in a pile, it was quite a year! College students are among my favorite conversation partners, and the or so who come to this event are smart, engaged, passionate, and insightful. It was packed and productive, and one step on the long road. I wrote the foreword. I also moved into my new office in Swannanoa, which has been a tremendous gift to my productivity, creativity, and sanity.
In February, I headed up to Warren, Pennsylvania, where I got to put on a concert as part of a music series there. Check out his art. Then I went to Guatemala for the first of four trips last year. Lots of work to do, and lots of fun seeing it pay off.
I kicked off the month leading a retreat for Wake Forest Pres. Church, and now they are coming with us to Guatemala this summer! Abraham Jam also was in the studio in the spring, finishing up our studio album, White Moon ,. It was an honor to share a few thoughts and songs with committed people who are doing the work so well and so steadfastly. Along with some lovely shows and trips, June brought the fifteenth anniversary of my marriage to Deanna.
That would have been plenty to celebrate for one month, but there was more…. And speaking of worthy charities, I made two more trips to Guatemala in June, taking groups to get to know the country and learn about the work that PEG does there. We did four shows while we were there, including a big benefit show in El Tejar, and playing for the kids at the David LaMotte School in Tzanchaj. Again, it was beautiful to see different parts of my life intersect.
