The Guys and the Long Weekend

This weekend was the (sort-of) usual annual get together with some Clemson buddies. The plan was to get a cabin near Hendersonville, NC and just hang out starting Friday evening and leaving Sunday morning. Well, it wasn't all according to plan. The "cottage" turned out to be a rental house in a residential neighborhood of Hendersonville. This wasn't all bad since it was close to everything in town. And, it was fairly secluded with trees all around. Overall, it was quite nice except for one thing: no running water. The pipes were frozen between the street and the house somewhere.

Being guys, we were able to deal with this situation fairly well. And the company gave us our two nights for free. So we sat around, played Settlers of Catan with both the Cities and Knights and the Seafarers expansions - very fun. We also played Risk, but used this version that has a much shorter play time. I highly recommend both. One also brought some episodes of Top Gear, which I also recommend. We also traded old in-jokes most of the time.

It was a great time with some friends that I see too rarely. It's great to be able to pick these relationships right back up after being out of contact for long periods of time. Facebook doesn't count - nor does it allow time for more serious, reflective conversations that can take place.

Well, it turned out that everyone wanted to leave by Saturday evening. Admittedly, without showers we were all getting a bit stinky. I debated staying the night and called Kristy to talk about it. I found that Kristy was sick and probably couldn't teach Sunday School in the morning, so I came back that night as well. In the midst of this, I had dropped the kids off with my parents for the weekend, so this morning on about 5 hours sleep, I went to church (40 minute drive), went from there down to Greenville to get the kids (another 2 hrs and 20 minutes or so), and came back up to Cullowhee (another 2 hrs and 15 minutes or so). And Lydia was up Saturday night/Sunday morning with a cough - thanks to my mom for nursing her for that one.

Leaving Hendersonville was bittersweet. Good to get back to the family (and get a shower), but sad to see good friends scattered again.

On my way from church to Greenville, I took a route on Hwy 123 that goes by Clemson. I drove through campus, enjoying good memories - and even some unpleasant memories that have shaped me. Those guys have been good friends to me - I'm thankful to know I have them.

Anyway, it was a good weekend. The kids are in bed, Kristy is on the mend. I'm tired but happy - and I have tomorrow off to recover from my weekend.

Putting down roots…again

It's about 6 months now since we moved from Texas, and I've been reflecting on that transition. When we first moved to Texas, I was hesitant to make friendships and get very involved in the church there since I knew it would be temporary (2 years, maybe only 1). Of course we couldn't really help ourselves, and we were sucked into choir and small groups; and I was eventually ordained a ruling elder.

But now, we moved "back" to North Carolina. I love my job and it's great being close to extended family. However, this evening I see our family having to once again set down roots. I miss being 10 minutes from other couples our age with kids our kid(s)'s age. I miss getting up before dawn on Thursday mornings to shoot the breeze with some of the guys from church over greasy breakfast food and slowly (oh so slooowly) go through a book of the Bible. And the church here is different – not bad (at all!) just different in character and style in many ways.

It’s partly a matter of time to settle in here – and get used to being so far from the church building, and therefore the majority of the membership. But, on this Easter Sunday, it’s also a matter, I think, of longing for that final permanence that can only be tasted to a tiny degree in this life. I really long for that eternal city of God, for that permanent home that will never be shaken. I’m tired of setting down roots in a place and then having to dig up again. I miss the many friends I’ve made, but I’m bad at keeping up. I suppose it’s driven out by more immediate tasks and geographically close people to see. Consider this passage - I hope it gives you great comfort to look for that permanent "place":

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. -John 14:1-3