Cedar Falls High School, my junior year, a science class, strangely enough called Edible Plants class. It was a rather odd botany study where we learned what to eat in the woods. The old Grape Nuts commercial with Eual Gibbons, “Ever eat a pine cone? Some parts are edible, still sticks in my memory. Doug Holmes sat next to me in that class. I remember telling him about my last two summers working at
Ingawanis Boy Scott camp outside of Waverly, IA. He in turn told me about his last summer at a Lutheran camp called
EWALU outside of Strawberry Point, IA. In the conversation he suggested I apply.
One of the most pivotal moments in my life was that moment in time sitting in that science class. If I had not been there that day, my life would have taken a different direction. It was just a moment. Nothing flashed, or seemed out of the ordinary. It was not a recognizable moment of significance at the time. That conversation would take me to a place that would shape my life, my occupation, my vocation, my values, my beliefs, my church, many key relationships, my wife, my family, and so many other amazing directions.
Nor would have I spent the afternoon and evening with my sons eating out and enjoying comedian
Jim Gaffigan at the
Pantages Theater (opened 1916). Very ornate theater on Hennepin Ave in Minneapolis.
The morning choral arrangements performed by Robins, Cedar Wax Wings, Red Wing Black Birds, Geese, and Ducks is becoming fuller and richer as new members arrive daily. A bit in the fog, I still find my way, as my mind plans tomorrow evenings session on prayer.
first robin down by the pond during today's run
SNAPSHOTS:
Beavers are hard at work taking down trees and stripping the bark by the stream.
Ps 46:10
Nick joined me today! I had a hard time keeping up. I think it was the cold, or maybe the sun was in my eyes. I'm sure there was a good excuse.
Great winter run day to be in the now and now and now!
hood seems to help keep life warmer.
From worship to the streets, next to the airport to what someone just described as the real winter awaiting me in MN. My Extravaganza experience kept me in the midst of towering buildings near the Hyatt. Five runs, five directions but all led past incredible art, large sports stadiums, theaters, and then into to areas of great poverty. Such a curiosity, an obvious division, an illustration of something that doesn’t seem right, something that isn’t working, a brokenness that has no easy answer, if even there is an answer.
“IT’S IN YOUR HANDS”
