Springtime in Iowa

Hello all...sorry for the delay in posts. I actually have not had too many things going on lately, but just didn't feel like blogging. Today I did though, and it probably had something to do with the weather. Awesome day outside, and you can't waste it by sitting inside all day. So I went out to eat at Hy-Vee for breakfast, did some school work, then putted on a putting green at my apartment complex (I know, I live the life of luxury- actually this has to be THE worst putting green ever, the worst Jerry, the worst), then went for a run and cooked up some pasta.

Some random thoughts for today: The Cubs really are cursed. Injuries happen in baseball, but why don't they happen to Freddie Bynum? Instead they happen to Derek Lee, the best Cubs player. Great. My second favorite team, the Twins, got swept by the White Sox so things aren't really any better there. I love though that baseball is back. It is relaxing to sit and watch a game with the screen door open...I do need to figure a way to arrange my tv so I can sit outside on my "deck" and watch at the same time.

East Marshall's prom was last night and I did my duty of chaperoning. The kids all cleaned up very nice and overall were well behaved. If you ever wondered what your teachers were doing while chaperoning a dance (I know you all did), well we just talked about sports, made song requests in the names of other teachers in attendance, and quizzed each other on the year that the song being played came out in. Fun stuff.

Interesting note here and my last comment for the day...I was cleaning out my Hotmail inbox yesterday and found some emails from YEARS ago. If there is such a thing as an email "pack rat" I am it. Well one was from the wife of a former pastor of mine. So I figured, let's do a Google search...see if his current church as a website all that. Turns out he has a Blog and I see commented on a post of mine here. Today he posted one about why churches pull "stunts" to come across as more friendly...isn't a church supposed to already be friendly? That is an excellent question, and got me thinking a bit. I almost hate to admit this, but during my time here in M'town, I have never attended a church service. When I go home I have. I've visited friends on weekends and gone then too, but never here in Marshalltown. So what is it that is so intimidating? Well I guess in my case it isn't the "fire and brimstone" that some denominations use, or any serious questions of faith (I say "serious" because I believe that sometimes we all struggle with our faith to some extent), but more just a comfort level thing. I have been in Marshalltown for not even a year yet. For part of the year, I was running around in circles with just moving, the school year starting, then coaching...Mostly though, in Algona I know everyone and they know me. It isn't that I'm afraid to meet new people...in fact I would probably be considered a people person...but my comfort zone when it comes to religion seems to be more narrow than in other areas. When I went for breakfast this morning, Hy-Vee was busy. I went to find a seat and no open tables existed. So I scanned the room, found a guy sitting at a table alone who was close to done (he was also wearing a Hawkeye shirt which always helps) and asked him if I could take a seat there. He said sure, and we ended up discussing the current CIETC controversy in Iowa because there was an interesting article about it in the paper I had bought. No problem whatsoever. It was at that point that I thought about it...and later when I read Doug's blog it came up again..."why am I so afraid to go to a new church and branch out a bit?" So, I have decided tonight, April 23, that next Sunday, I will go to church. I know where the LCMS church is...I've cased it out before...so now I just need to get myself through the doors. I'll report back next Sunday night about the "adventure." Wish me luck! ;)