I keep having these dreams in which I am not sure if I have moved to Minnesota yet. Sometimes I am in California reminiscing about what it was like to live in Minnesota, or still planning on coming here in the future. Sometimes I am here, but only visiting. Night before last I had a dream that I got a call from Arlington Community Church, the church I grew up in from 11 years old until I went to seminary, asking me to come be their pastor. I was flattered. I was tempted. I love that church. I love the people of that church. They helped raise me. But, in tears, I told them no. I said, “You know I would love to be in ministry at ACC, but my heart is here, in Moorhead.” I woke up thinking that maybe I am finally feeling like I am here, in Minnesota.
And then this morning. It is currently 1 degree and very windy here. There is snow blowing in intricate patterns down the street. The wind is strong enough to shake my car when I am sitting at a red light. I shoveled my driveway and then I got to work and shoveled the front step to the church. Today I feel like I live in Minnesota.
My cousin, Emily Cook, used to tell silly jokes when she was a kid. One of her favorites was, “Does your face hurt? ‘Cause it’s killing me.” “Why, yes, Emily, my face did hurt,” at least the part of it that was exposed while I shoveled my driveway hurt.
I worried all the way to church- a drive of about 10 minutes- about the couple driving an hour and a half for their premarital counseling session with me at noon today. There was a travel warning in North Dakota, but it was north of them. When I got into the office there was a message from them that the roads are too bad between them and me and they can not make it in today. Yes, I definitely feel like I live in the North today.
And then this morning. It is currently 1 degree and very windy here. There is snow blowing in intricate patterns down the street. The wind is strong enough to shake my car when I am sitting at a red light. I shoveled my driveway and then I got to work and shoveled the front step to the church. Today I feel like I live in Minnesota.
My cousin, Emily Cook, used to tell silly jokes when she was a kid. One of her favorites was, “Does your face hurt? ‘Cause it’s killing me.” “Why, yes, Emily, my face did hurt,” at least the part of it that was exposed while I shoveled my driveway hurt.
I worried all the way to church- a drive of about 10 minutes- about the couple driving an hour and a half for their premarital counseling session with me at noon today. There was a travel warning in North Dakota, but it was north of them. When I got into the office there was a message from them that the roads are too bad between them and me and they can not make it in today. Yes, I definitely feel like I live in the North today.