First time at the BCAs

Spent last week in Richmond, Va. visiting family and attending the annual Baptist Communicators Association conference. I missed out on it last year when it was held in Denver, but entered some stories and was actually part of the haul of honors brought in by the Index. I was given a "Finalist" honor for my story last year about Christians in public schools. Basically it was like a second-runner up placement. Yes, more than three people entered my category ... I think.

It was a great time up there and I got to meet a lot of cool people in my profession. I'm looking forward to my involvement in BCA for a long time. For a couple of days prior to the conference, thought, myself and the family hung out with my cousin and her family. Usually when we see them, it's when they're passing through on the way to Florida or something, but with BCA taking place literally down the road from their house, I thought I'd take a vacation day or two and visit with them. Amy, Rylee and myself went to Colonial Williamsburg for a day (pretty authentic, right down to the horse poo in the middle of the street) and checked out a little of downtown Richmond. Got turned around a little due to road construction, but got to drive on the cobblestone streets there, if only by accident.

Drove there in two days, but had to get back in one. Ugh. How's 12 hours sound to ya? With a three-year-old, we had to extend our breaks a little. Poor kid. Back in the day you could stretch out on the back dash and get a nap, but no more. Get back in the double-strap restraint seat.

Preaching NASCAR style

I went out to Calvary Baptist Church in Rome last month to write about something that I've heard other churches have done -- a series relating to NASCAR.

This was something I wouldn't have associated together -- church and racing. Growing up my family joined in with a few others and we all went to the infield at Talladega twice during the summer. A young boy could get quite and education if he kept his eyes open in the infield during those days. I've heard they've cleaned things up quite a bit since going corporate.

The principles taught over the six-week series mesh together. I was a little disappointed in my photography on this story; it's something I'm working on. It's not often that I go out to cover a story and take the pictures. Steve, the pastor, said they were hoping to have a car out front the Sunday I was there (they did for a prior message) but it didn't pan out.