Four weeks into it

Well, it's been four weeks into being a pastor again...so far, no desires to drive my car off a cliff. I have enjoyed -- for the most part -- being back in this thing called "Pastor"...or should I say "pastor".
I had an interesting conversation with a guy who came to buy the old oven we had in the garage. We got into a conversation about what he did, where he lived, etc...and then he asked me "so, you're a teacher, huh?" I didn't know how he knew that I taught, but understood that Linda had told him that info. I said "Yes", and then he asked, "So where do you teach?" I told him about the training community and the 35 or so, (largely) twenty-somethings that I get to teach. Then he asks, "What's the name of it?" I replied, "Mad City Training Community".
"Interesting name...what's that?"
OK...he's got me. I have to start talking about the Training Community as a part of the church, and that I'm a pastor. "Oh, that's good...I don't have to worry since you're a man of the cloth." Smile...
There's this web site that I often go into. When it came to filling out some info on who, where, what...I wrote "educator".
It's not that I'm ashamed of being a pastor; but, it sounds so "sterile". Pastors have been around since the beginning of the church. The Apostle Paul said "appoint elders" and "God gave to the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors/teachers." So, I prefer the second part of that gifting...teacher to pastor. Why? I value teaching. I value thinking...learning...the process of growth in learning. I have grown so much through those who invested themselves in me...to guide, encourage, and develop what they saw inside. I simply want to return the gift to others.
This is something I genuinely love to do.
So...four weeks back into getting paid to do what I love to do...it's going ok.

MyBrother & Foggy Walks

Labor Day this year is one of those every 7 year times when my brother Ed and I celebrate our birthday. Yeah that's right, I'm now officially 57...doesn't feel a whole lot different than 56, but it is the official anniversary of the "labor day" my Mom had with the two of us 57 years ago.
The day started off with Ed coming to church with us and listening as I preached. We haven't had the ability to be together for a long time for that. Then, in the afternoon, we ate together, played cards, and had a "birthday cheesecake" that Kelly made for us. I don't remember the last time we celebrated our birthday together, so it was a special day. So, sincerely, Happy 57 years Brother! Ok...there's no correlation between My brother and the Foggy walks. As of writing this he doesn't seem to be in any kind of foggy walks. What I'm adding on to this is that one of the things that Linda and I have done recently is take the camera with us on our early morning walks. I should edit that to say that Linda takes the camera with her on our walks, which means we do less walking and more camera shooting. Still, it's been interesting to see some of the pictures she's taken with the early morning fog settling over our farm land less than a mile from our house.
The fog often settles in over the horse pasture on the farm near us.
Tully loves the horses, especially when they gallop...thinks they are big dogs!

Oh yeah, here's Tully...with me after one of our most recent walks...he always comes along and lives for the morning time with us outdoors. Yes, he's getting bigger!

Summer Over, Yeah!

I have to admit, I'm not ever sorry to see Summer come to a close. I know there are people who love the summer...I just don't get it. Hot, Humid, always perspiring...never able to take off enough stuff to get comfortable. Granted, not every feels as I do. There are people who love the summer hot weather and grieve the passing of summer to Fall...I am not one of them!

Fall...now that brings a smile to my face. It's my favorite time of the year. The weather is clearer, the temperatures "fall" to very nice 60's & 70's in the daytime, and perfect sleeping weather. While it's still fairly humid, the lower temps lead to lower humidity. I have the windows open and the air is fresh...not soggy as it is during the summer. The leaves begin to turn...every morning as I jog I look up to see if I can see anything changing. The sumac on the back hill have a touch of red already, but everything else remains fairly green. The early morning jogs in the early Fall are quiet and the country side drips with low hanging fog over the majority of the countryside. As we walked this morning, the sun began to rise and the light began to burn back the low hanging clouds to allow the air to dry out. At the beginning of Sept. the daytime is still almost 13 hours. By the end of the month, it is less than 12 hours. I love the early sunsets, and the nightime quietness, stillness, and slowness to life that comes with this shifting season.

What is there not to love?
The apples come to ripeness...the tomatoes and zucchini are ready to pick. The squash and pumpkins are not far behind, and because it's finally cooler, the oven can be used to bake some delectable dishes.
The school year begins, which for me means the Training Center year is about to begin -- this now the 5th year for me.
I love looking at the little kids as they march down the street in new clothes, new backpacks, shoes, and for the most part, smiles on their faces.
And most of all...the Fall means Football begins. It's Saturday as I write this. The first couple of games have been played. Not very thrilling as of yet, but I love football. The game can be on in the background and I may not pay much attention to every game, but I enjoy the atmosphere.
Our Packers have a very "tough road to hoe". They may not do well, but right now at the beginning of the year, everyone is a champion.
My Badgers hold more promise for an enjoyable year than the Pack...but we'll see how things look after tonight's first game.

Fall, Autumn...I'm smiling.