I get so excited when Sunday comes around. I can't wait to find our church. I have such high expectations - that's where I found my closest friends in NH so I want to pick a church and join a community group and a Bible Study and start making friends! (did I really just say that? Must be something that just came out during my stream-of-consciousness typing)...
Looking for a church is FRUSTRATING too b/c it's not like a home search where you can look at 5-10 homes in a day... I can only go to ONE A WEEK. That's not fun! I want it NOW! But it keeps up the excitement/anticipation. :))
We've looked at three churches so far:
1) A denomination I've never been a part of, that frankly made me nervous b/c I was expecting that the focus wouldn't be on God or the Bible. It was recommended to us by one of Bob's work colleagues who's been looking for a church FOR A YEAR. Wonderful. I get to look at 49 more churches.
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised by the sermon topic - it was about true conversion, what it should look like and how America would be changed if we all experienced it. I liked what he was talking about, I just felt he touched on the surface too much. I wanted him to explain things more deeply, even his personal stories he was telling about changing the oil in his car. The music leader was very engaged and I liked this singing, but it was LOUDLOUDLOUD and I didn't know any of the songs. That was frustrating b/c I wanted to sing! William loved all of the musical instruments. The kids church part was really small - the facilities were large but there were only two kids in Lauren's class and maybe 8 total in the boys (combined K-3). And they showed a video to the kids as their lesson. I would say "I'm not sure how I feel about that" but I know how I feel - I don't like it. Maybe if I ask them about it their explanation will make sense. I don't even remember if they had community groups. We also talked about how we "think" we want to go to church closer to home (it was a 20+ minute drive) so that we can feel like we're connecting with our community.
Overall, we didn't feel this was the church for us.
On to #2. A small country church recommended by a friend of a friend. Bob and William couldn't go (W was sick) so we'll probably have to re-visit as a family. It was far. At least it seemed that way. And it was definitely small. But the music was great - the main female singer had the most ethereal voice - and I knew the songs! There was a guest speaker, so we didn't get a feel for the real pastor. The sermon was about Evangelism- how we are all scared of it but that's b/c we feel like we have to attack people/convert them. But it's about sharing the Good News. That's it. No pressure (except prayer). I liked it. Not sure about the kids group - seemed small like church #1. And I think they played a video for the kids that taught the lesson, also like church #1. And they don't have community groups. They meet once a week as a church and do a Bible study all together. I think I'd prefer CG's.
Overall, though, this church is a contender.
#3. Megachurch. Seems like everyone in Athens goes here. The music was like a rock concert. Seriously - there was special lighting and smoke machines. The singers were AMAZING but I still didn't know the songs! The sermon is a satellite feed from another big church in Atlanta. So that was kind of weird but they do have a local pastor so it's not like it's just you and a robot. Bob said he felt the sermon was "Bible-lite" but I pointed out to him all the Scripture references he made and how it tied in to his four points and retold him the story he told and repeated the main theme of the sermon and..... wait. Did you just get all that?? I REMEMBERED IT. And I didn't even write anything down. There's something to be said about that!
Sooooooo the kids' area. Might as well call it a circus. Not in terms of craziness - it was actually very organized. More in terms of the decor. And the clown passing out lollipops. Really. Have you been to New York, New York in Las Vegas? The kids area looked almost exactly like that - a city street with buildings and the street signs on the buildings indicated the grades/classrooms. The classrooms themselves were pretty normal looking. The helpers were super-nice and there were several per class. The boys loved their lessons and they each left with (a lollipop) and a sweatband for their wrists.
Overall, it was pretty theatrical. The goal of the church is to reach out to unchurched people. We felt like we wanted something a little bit more low-key, but the message was solid and I like the mission. A possible contender. I wouldn't be disappointed if we ended up here but we do like the "we know (almost) everyone" feel of our old church.
SUMMARY TO-DATE
We know we will never find "the perfect church". There will always be something we don't like/prefer to have done differently. None of the churches we've gone to in Dallas, Dripping Springs or Hanover have been perfect. One was so big it seemed impersonal and the people a tad snooty but offered tons of Bible studies. Another was so small and didn't really have CG's and didn't have a church building but we loved the message and the people. One was the perfect size but didn't have a church building but did have CGs and the people were awesome, etcetcetc. So we're being nitpicky in what we're noting above but we know we're not likely to check all of our boxes. We haven't felt the "this is it" stirrings in our heart as an indicator from God that that's where He wants us.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Friday, July 25, 2014
Deep thoughts from the long journey south...
I posted a lot of these on FB, but wanted to include them here b/c it will provide a complete picture of the trip!
I broke the drive down into three days - the first day I drove 4 hours to my brother's house. The second day was the "12 hour" drive and I stayed in SC at Bob's sister's house. L;eaving an easy 2 hour drive on the last day (and the ability to "sleep in". Well, as best as you can with a one-year old nephew and my own dog barking at anything and everything at 7 in the morning. So I had to shush him in order to keep the baby sleeping so we could all sleep.... but by that point I was awake. Darn it.)
I took a different route than usual, which was kind of fun but also the most direct according to gogle maps. I didn't realize that this way would have tolls (I don't do GPS. Just the old-fashioned "take-95 the whole way" method). I paid about $30 in tolls (don't tell Bob!)
I was a little sad when I realized that I wouldn't be driving through Pennsylvania - such a pretty drive! But I've never been to NJ so before I exited the state - about 500ft from the border - I pulled over on the side of the road, opened my door and touched my foot down. Yes, I did and it counts.
NEW YORK Oh.my.gosh. Everywhere I go I look for beauty, and landscapes are my favorite. New York, you have provided my top three breathtaking moments (including Europe, but that was post-college i.e., a LONG, UNMENTIONED AMOUNT OF TIME AGO, so I don't really remember it). On this drive, the view from the Tappan Zee Bridge.was.Breathtaking. And you could see the Manhattan skyline in the distance! Not that I'm a city person but it's kind of neat to see the contrast of nature and buildings (far, far away, of course).
NEW JERSEY. $10.35 in tolls. Sure would have been nice to have used CRUISE CONTROL, but you have too many cars.... and buildings.... and people.
DELAWARE. $8.00. Your tolls were almost as much as New Jersey's but I was in you a fraction of the time. I blinked and Hello Maryland! Shame on you!
MARYLAND. Don't remember much about you except that I came from the EAST side of Baltimore across a lot of water. Probably stunk like fish but the windows were sealed and the A/C cranking by now!
VIRGINIA. In this state I learned that my mood is 100% correlated to traffic conditions. I also discovered that I have more than three emotions - I experienced a broad range of emotions - from surprise to shock to anger to incredulous to hope to rage to hopelessness... (Michelle McFarland would be proud!) And FYI - NEVER EVEREVER drive on I-95 starting 30 miles north of Richmond. 0 for 2 in terms of awful traffic (or 2 for 2). Like 1-2 hours. To drive 30 miles. I was told by a local that it's ALWAYS bad, esp on weekends. The moving truck driver told me he never goes that route - would choose to go 80 more miles just to keep moving so he goes through Winchester. Note to self.
NORTH CAROLINA. God bless you and your 70mph speed limits! Nothing but a beautiful, traffic-free road to report here!
SOUTH CAROLINA. It was dark so I don't have much to say about it except that I'm thankful for my in-laws' hospitality! I was 2 hours late so at least they didn't have to cook for me (but they ARE good cooks so that's kind of unfair). I did keep them up late waiting for me, however. And Bob and my MIL were apparently tracking me via satellite. Or at least via phone calls to all relatives to make sure I made it ok.
Oh, and within 5 minutes of being there, Allie got out of the fence. I was so glad to be able to let them loose and run around by themselves. That dog is too smart for her own good. And really annoying.
GEORGIA! When I saw that "Welcome to Georgia" sign, I knew there was no turning back! Well, I could have turned back and friends offered to house me/us, but I didn't really feel like doing that drive again. At least not anytime soon.
OTHER THOUGHTS
-From about Virginia, I bet I helped all the little kids playing the license plate game score MAJOR and previously unscored POINTS with my New Hampshire plate! Just think about how excited they'll be when I drive to Texas!
-No I didn't try to get any trucks to honk (Megan/Ethan Eshbaugh!)
-"Speed monitored by aircraft". REALLY? Do you know how much that would cost?
Overall, it was a very weird, cathartic drive. Do you know how nice it is (1) to be by yourself for 14 hours at a time and (2) to drive 14 hours with NO KIDS? Ummmmmm pretty awesome.
I broke the drive down into three days - the first day I drove 4 hours to my brother's house. The second day was the "12 hour" drive and I stayed in SC at Bob's sister's house. L;eaving an easy 2 hour drive on the last day (and the ability to "sleep in". Well, as best as you can with a one-year old nephew and my own dog barking at anything and everything at 7 in the morning. So I had to shush him in order to keep the baby sleeping so we could all sleep.... but by that point I was awake. Darn it.)
I took a different route than usual, which was kind of fun but also the most direct according to gogle maps. I didn't realize that this way would have tolls (I don't do GPS. Just the old-fashioned "take-95 the whole way" method). I paid about $30 in tolls (don't tell Bob!)
I was a little sad when I realized that I wouldn't be driving through Pennsylvania - such a pretty drive! But I've never been to NJ so before I exited the state - about 500ft from the border - I pulled over on the side of the road, opened my door and touched my foot down. Yes, I did and it counts.
NEW YORK Oh.my.gosh. Everywhere I go I look for beauty, and landscapes are my favorite. New York, you have provided my top three breathtaking moments (including Europe, but that was post-college i.e., a LONG, UNMENTIONED AMOUNT OF TIME AGO, so I don't really remember it). On this drive, the view from the Tappan Zee Bridge.was.Breathtaking. And you could see the Manhattan skyline in the distance! Not that I'm a city person but it's kind of neat to see the contrast of nature and buildings (far, far away, of course).
NEW JERSEY. $10.35 in tolls. Sure would have been nice to have used CRUISE CONTROL, but you have too many cars.... and buildings.... and people.
DELAWARE. $8.00. Your tolls were almost as much as New Jersey's but I was in you a fraction of the time. I blinked and Hello Maryland! Shame on you!
MARYLAND. Don't remember much about you except that I came from the EAST side of Baltimore across a lot of water. Probably stunk like fish but the windows were sealed and the A/C cranking by now!
VIRGINIA. In this state I learned that my mood is 100% correlated to traffic conditions. I also discovered that I have more than three emotions - I experienced a broad range of emotions - from surprise to shock to anger to incredulous to hope to rage to hopelessness... (Michelle McFarland would be proud!) And FYI - NEVER EVEREVER drive on I-95 starting 30 miles north of Richmond. 0 for 2 in terms of awful traffic (or 2 for 2). Like 1-2 hours. To drive 30 miles. I was told by a local that it's ALWAYS bad, esp on weekends. The moving truck driver told me he never goes that route - would choose to go 80 more miles just to keep moving so he goes through Winchester. Note to self.
NORTH CAROLINA. God bless you and your 70mph speed limits! Nothing but a beautiful, traffic-free road to report here!
SOUTH CAROLINA. It was dark so I don't have much to say about it except that I'm thankful for my in-laws' hospitality! I was 2 hours late so at least they didn't have to cook for me (but they ARE good cooks so that's kind of unfair). I did keep them up late waiting for me, however. And Bob and my MIL were apparently tracking me via satellite. Or at least via phone calls to all relatives to make sure I made it ok.
Oh, and within 5 minutes of being there, Allie got out of the fence. I was so glad to be able to let them loose and run around by themselves. That dog is too smart for her own good. And really annoying.
GEORGIA! When I saw that "Welcome to Georgia" sign, I knew there was no turning back! Well, I could have turned back and friends offered to house me/us, but I didn't really feel like doing that drive again. At least not anytime soon.
OTHER THOUGHTS
-From about Virginia, I bet I helped all the little kids playing the license plate game score MAJOR and previously unscored POINTS with my New Hampshire plate! Just think about how excited they'll be when I drive to Texas!
-No I didn't try to get any trucks to honk (Megan/Ethan Eshbaugh!)
-"Speed monitored by aircraft". REALLY? Do you know how much that would cost?
Overall, it was a very weird, cathartic drive. Do you know how nice it is (1) to be by yourself for 14 hours at a time and (2) to drive 14 hours with NO KIDS? Ummmmmm pretty awesome.
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