I just arrived home from my third Oregon Christian Writer’s conference at Canby Grove Conference Center. I’m exhausted, exhilarated, and eager (not anxious, Sue M.) to get some more words flowing. There are many people to thank for all the organization and hard work that makes a conference hum, but this special thank you is for Pat Rushford who formally retired today from her role as coordinator of the OCW summer conferences. Being a newbie I’m not sure how many of these she has led, but I know it’s a big number. And from my experience with organizing church retreats and other women’s events I know that when everything runs smoothly for four days, there are lots of people working very hard in the background while a capable leader oversees the entire task.  So thank you, Pat, and thanks to all of the wonderful people who did their part to put on this encouraging event. I loved every minute of it.