It was like a dream

Did you ever have one of those frustrating dreams where you were supposed to be somewhere and you couldn't quite get there as one thing after another prohibited you?  Well that's the way my latest trip seemed.

I started very early to make a return visit to Barton College in Wilson.  I left in plenty of time (according to my faithful guide) but there was construction in Winston-Salem and traffic in Greensboro and a horrible accident near Durham, all of which caused delays.  I watched as my ETA got closer and closer to the appointed time.  Finally, I called the Director of the library to let him know I'd be late for our appointment.  I got his voicemail!   Not knowing if he wouldlisten to his messages, I pressed on and arrived a few minutes after our appointment was scheduled. 

My purpose was to meet the Director, George Loveland and to discuss ways to streamline his ordering and cataloging procedure.  He told me that my earlier visit was during "FAST Week" when faculty and staff meet to plan the year's activities.  George and I have something in common--we both pastor two small churches.  George has just begun his ministerial training with a year at Hood Theological Seminary.  His wife, Tuck, is also a pastor and an Assistant District Superintendent.  I would have enjoyed spending the day learning from this humble leader but we had to get down to business.  I look forward to meeting with the rest of his team near the end of September.


By the time I reached my next stop, it was noon and time for lunch.  I checked for local eateries and found Shorty's Hot Dogs but when I drove by, the line was out the door.  So I went to a little place called "The Burger Shop."  It featured hand-made burgers servedwith a multitude of free toppings.  They also had fresh-squeezed lemonade.  I took my meal outside because the weather had changed dramatically for the better.  Seated at an outdoor table, I was immediately beset by a plague of the most aggressive flies I've ever seen!  Usually, a simple "shoo" will cause a fly to flee but not so with these insects.  They were houseflies with attitudes. 

My next stop was Southeastern Baptist Theoligical Seminary in the town of Wake Forest.  Wake Forest University is a fine institution begun by the Southern Baptist Convention and is located in Winston-Salem.  WFU began in the town of Wake Forest in 1834 and moved to Winston-Salem in 1956.  SBTS began in 1951 on the property which housed WFU.  It has grown and expanded over the years.  My best friend, Hank Williams (no not THAT Hank Williams), received his doctorate from SBTS and one of his sons is a current student in the Master's program there.  At SBTS, I met Steve Frary.  Steve has worked there for 18 years.  He clearly has the mission of the school in his heart.



Vance-Granville Community College is located in Henderson.  It is a beautiful

campus covered in shady hardwoods.  Almost every parking spot is "primo" because it's under a shade tree.  The library is part of a beautiful "quad" with benches and planters.  Elaine Stem is the director but she was hurrying to a meeting with school administrators so our conversation was very brief.

I suppose it's a good thing I did not tarry.  Most of the rest of my next journey was behind a fully-loaded logging truck on a curvy two-lane road.  I arrived very near the end of the day.

Wentworth is the home of Rockingham Community College.  There is a town in south-central North Carolina called Rockingham but it is in Richmond County.  I was interested in the connection so I did a little digging and discovered the town of Rockingham was named for Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham and British Prime Minister from 1765 to 1766 and again in 1782.  Apparently,Wentworth took it's name from the same man and the county was thus named "Rockingham."  Mary Gomez is the director of the Library.

Travel was frustrating on this day.  But on the way home it occurred to me that in my brother's day, the distances I had covered would have been impossible in an entire week and the fact that I made the entire trip safely, met new friends and enjoyed beautiful weather was reason enough to give thanks.  And who knows, perhaps I learned some patience from my "bad dream."