Disclaimer: The draft was written shortly after Halloween, but I guess it was actually "completed" (not!) in mid-November, left unedited.
I sat down and wrote a better reflection, but I lost it.
Therefore, after hours of other stuff, I am trying this again.
It will be sloppy and a sort of teaser... mostly for my memory.
I was able to see my mentor, friends, and a family member who is chronic. It was a good experience, better than expected, more relaxing than I imagined. In other words, I kind of got a vacation out of my visit. (To be clear: My uncle was better than I imagined.)
I got to bask in the wise presence of a humble, cheerful, hard-working pastor. I was able to dress up with a friend and attend a Halloween night football game. And I was able to meet several locals, a few of whom became instant friends. And I was able to sit down and relate with my sick uncle and his wife. Simply put, it seems God answered many of my requests.
People met (in no order): JD (waiter in downtown), Tina and Shawn (from thrift shop), Quintin and Kayla (from street), Jeremy (small group leader), Elma (exchange student), Donnie, Ken ("walrus"), Deb, Blake (greeter), a hotel worker (note to self: call front desk to follow-up), and Dorthy (3 months new to the church, wants to get more involved), Gregory and _____.
In closing:
I had a great trip, one that has grown me in my faith-walk and life's journey.
I am seeking to put into practice the lessons (re)learned.
Pastor while he cleaned: "You can praise God, no matter what you do, right
?"
I sat down and wrote a better reflection, but I lost it.
Therefore, after hours of other stuff, I am trying this again.
It will be sloppy and a sort of teaser... mostly for my memory.
I was able to see my mentor, friends, and a family member who is chronic. It was a good experience, better than expected, more relaxing than I imagined. In other words, I kind of got a vacation out of my visit. (To be clear: My uncle was better than I imagined.)
I got to bask in the wise presence of a humble, cheerful, hard-working pastor. I was able to dress up with a friend and attend a Halloween night football game. And I was able to meet several locals, a few of whom became instant friends. And I was able to sit down and relate with my sick uncle and his wife. Simply put, it seems God answered many of my requests.
People met (in no order): JD (waiter in downtown), Tina and Shawn (from thrift shop), Quintin and Kayla (from street), Jeremy (small group leader), Elma (exchange student), Donnie, Ken ("walrus"), Deb, Blake (greeter), a hotel worker (note to self: call front desk to follow-up), and Dorthy (3 months new to the church, wants to get more involved), Gregory and _____.
In closing:
I had a great trip, one that has grown me in my faith-walk and life's journey.
I am seeking to put into practice the lessons (re)learned.
Pastor while he cleaned: "You can praise God, no matter what you do, right
?"