We're still here in Portland. The flu faced by my family is still impacting our short vacation plans. My mother also had to leave for South Carolina where my grandmother's condition continues to worsen. I've cut short my time here in Portland and will return to St. Louis on Sunday after church and then head for South Carolina after that. My computer has also crashed and the seminary's e-mail server seems to be down so I cannot check e-mail. I'm starting to look forward to the New Year so this month can be over with.