Tuesday, November 25, 2008

15 Years of Clutter

Fifteen years ago, Marge and I moved to our house on 1512 Bank Street, Kalamazoo, MI. What a wretched beat up hulk this place was. Me as the erstwhile home improvement guy learned quickly that I would have to teach myself to do all sorts of things I had never done before. I also quickly discovered that it was going to be no quick nor easy task to fix this place up. It's been a money pit, but we've done some great things.

Our children have spent their entire lives here so far. They love this house. It is their home, and full of memories.

We tried to reach out to neighbors and friends, and show hospitality here. Several times our attic or basement became an extra room while a friend or two got "back on their feet." It was a place of family and to treat friends like family. This was a place to mentor kids and adults.

Sojourn practiced here, and lots of dreaming, planning, and learning music happened here.

Throughout all the years, we've worked to keep uncluttered, and to keep the house.

In less than a week our house goes on the market, and will sell sooner or later. While I'm hoping it sells quickly, it is the end of an era for our family. So, as we clean up what clutter we have, and repair the little things we had been putting off, it's a little tough, because it reminds me that this is the end of our time here.

As much as I hate all the work this place takes. It will be hard to say goodbye to 15 years of family and ministry, and the familiar Bank Street.

Adam

Saturday, November 15, 2008

From Cicero to Peoria

At 1pm on Wed I drove to Cicero, Illinois and presented at 58th Avenue Baptist Church. 58th is an old neighborhood church nestled in the midst of Chicago brick houses and apartment buildings. Thirty years ago it was a Czech neighborhood, and pastor Karrow to me to eat down the street at one of the remaining Czech restaurants. No surprise that dinner included gravy and dumplings. It was a great turn-out for a Wednesday night and the people were friendly and enthusiastic.

By 9:30 that evening I was back on the road and home with my family by 1:30 the next morning. It took lots of coffee, but I did fine. I don't bounce back from late night drives quite like I used to, but by Friday I was clicking on all cylinders.

Friday morning I took Marge and Maryellen to school from which they were going on a field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. From there they took the Amtrack to visit early with Marge's family. It's also an opportunity for Maryellen to take a trip on a train. She's never been on Amtrack before. Michael and I are driving down today. We'll all be staying with Marge's sister, and presenting in the morning and evening serivces at Calvary Baptist Bible Church, Peoria. Sunday night we will do yet another late night drive to get back to Michigan. At least that's the plan.

After that it looks like we will be off the road for a week or two. That will get us time to finally put our house on the market. December first should be the day it goes up for sale.

Adam

Sunday, November 2, 2008

My Trip To Pageland was Providential

My Trip To Pageland was Providential

O.K. goofy play on words. Providence Baptist Church is in Pageland South Carolina.





























It's beautiful here in the land of pages. The landscape is like michigan with lots of open spaces and gently rolling low hills. Some of the leaves have changed color, but other than an overnight chill the daytime temps are in the high 60s and even low70s.

The folks at Providence Baptist are friendly and the worship service was rich and enjoyable. I enjoyed teaching in morning Sunday school and tonight I have the evening service. After church Scott and Angie took me to The Smoke House. I'm told it's world famous. At least the sign says so.





























It was crowded and the food was plentiful. Southern cooking is good.

Adam