To and from home
 
It may just just seem this way, but I feel like I write this particular post this time every year. We just got back from our annual week in August in Iowa and every year as we drive home, my head is flooded with memories and observations. I also ask myself the same question every year, could I ever move back to my home state? In a sense, I always try to be open to anything. Maybe God will nudge me to move to Iowa. Or Seattle. Or Australia. But I also have a family that has a say in this, so I try to keep it a little more simple. Though I think my wife would be open to the Australia thing. On the one hand, asking that question seems like I’m dealing in extremes, especially considering where we live now. We visited some friends who live on a farm in central Iowa and, needless to say, that’s very different from our corner near 14th and State. I found myself really craving wide open spaces as I sat on their patio. Interestingly, I’ve talked to more than a few people who say that they’d either want to live in the middle of everything or the middle of nowhere. I’m not sure what to make of that, but I kind of agree with it. I feel at home in both places. Of course, I also don’t think about the enormous amount of work it takes to live on the farm. Just one example: It takes my friend 5 hours to mow the lawn. The grass is indeed always greener (or longer as the case may be). It’s also a bit unfair to make these comparisons because life isn’t always as simple as it was last week. The Iowa State Fair (above) isn’t always going on, an event that oozes Americana and the freshness and hope of youth as they show their lambs and create their 4H projects. Adventureland (a Des Moines-area amusement park) isn’t a daily occurrence with its fun rides. Meals aren’t always steak and sweet corn. But, still, for some reason, I feel a bit more attached to my home state this time around. It may also be that I miss community. As much as I enjoy doing this church planting thing, we’re also a bit disconnected because we don’t have a church home. We’ve been attending First United Methodist in Chicago (aka the Chicago Temple) somewhat regularly so that helps--I actually got a little choked up the last time we were there. All we were doing was singing a hymn, but to be one of many voices...well, it’s a powerful thing. I certainly don’t think we’ll be moving to Iowa any time soon. I’m excited about this new church. I’m passionate about it and I really do like living in Chicago. I believe with every fiber of my being that we’ve been called to do this. But it’s also nice to stay connected to what and who raised you, as well.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009