Something Squirrelly...

The other day I went with the associate Pastor of the church as he went to give communion to the nursing homes of the areas. The second home we visited had a chapel with pews, a piano, and stained glass windows. As the elderly folks were coming in in preparation for the service, one of them, a new resident, told the associate pastor, "my, what a big person you are!" He is indeed a very large person, being well over 6 feet. He took it in stride and continued to introduce himself.

The service went well, we sang a few hymns, received communion, and watched as squirrels tried to find their way into the chapel through the stained glass windows. They would scamper along the ledge next to the window, stand up and try to find an opening, then move a few windows over. I joke now that they were just trying to find Jesus, but they were doing a poor job of it. After all, Jesus was in the window below them.

Fleas Please

Since arriving in Bryan, it seems that I have developed some sort of animal "magnetism." What I mean is that every house we visit invariably has an animal or two. Or three. One if not all of these animals will find me, and sit in my lap, preparing to be pet. In fact, I am constantly visited by an allergic cat before bed. That's right, a cat with allergies. So far two of these pets have been discovered to have fleas. By me. As I was petting them.

Possible gift idea: Flea Collar.

Calm before the Storm

Only a few days until I go to Houston for Annual Conference. Until then I am enjoying the time of relative peace. After next week, each Sunday will be spent teaching, preaching (at a different church, for one Sunday), and making appearances.

Cows and Grass

It sounds like the title of a bad country western song. Although that's assuming there is such a thing as a GOOD country western song.

It was late Friday afternoon. After a long drive from the intern retreat we stopped at a farm in west Texas. There we were greeted by a Sunday School class from the church. We were offered cookies, drinks, and a tour of the cows and grass.

So there we were, two interns and a group of fifteen or so elderly members of the church on trailers carried by a tractor and a four wheeler. We traveled along the dirt road out to the pastures where the cows were grazing on the aforementioned grass, until we "hopped" the fence and were face to face with future steaks. The imagery was thick with metaphors and mortality. The sun high overhead beating down on the country safari. The cows, dumbly staring and mooing at those who would one day eat them. A gun shot goes off in the distance (later to be discovered to be our host pastor killing a water moccasin). Across the road, a cemetery. Whitman couldn't make this stuff up.

Although if he did, it would be a lot better than I could ever say it.

Sweet Internet

Sweet Internet, oh how I longed for you.

After a few days without blagging, this may seem like cheating, but this post is short because I am savoring my connection.

Shanghaid!

This internship for the Methodist church is not starting well. Going on about 7 hours sleep, I desperately need to go to bed, but here I am blagging. It probably doesn't help that I just finished a cup of coffee a few minutes ago. I was in the lobby trying to get some change for the vending machine when Pastor Chappelle Temple (great friend and mentor) invited me to go get coffee with him and his family. Naturally I agreed (I wonder if the unhelpful front desk worker is wondering where I am?) and spent the next 45 minutes driving around Galveston looking for an open coffee shop at 10:00. Needless to say, epic fail. Defeated, we settled on Sonic "Premium Roast," and cut our losses. Now, I eagerly await the 8:00 AM IHOP breakfast, where I shall drink my fill of coffee.

By the way, if that's not the correct spelling in the post title, sorry.

Intro

Its 2008, and blogging or "web logging" is in vogue. So I have jumped on the blog wagon and am taking my first feeble steps into the dark, murky, cesspool that is The Internets. I will try to update this blag as much as possible as I have crazy thoughts, travels, and experiences. Yes, I will refer to this as a blag. Because I can. Join me as I continue my crazy trek through life with detours down Memory Lane and Forgetful Avenue.

Yes it is a weird title for a blog. But this is a blag, so its cool.

-Patrick