My Roller-Coaster Ride Last Weekend

Finally having a weekend where I didn't have anything that I had to do up here in Rockford, I finally got out of town. Friday, I made it down to Charleston, IL, where I got to see some Eastern Illinois University friends. That's where I received my history degreesl, and it was good to reconnect with my past profs. I was amazed at how it seemed like had seen them not so long ago. In fact, the last time I saw Anita and Newton was in 1999. I'm glad they hadn't changed much. I kind of like them just the way they are. So that was the highlight of last weekend.

Unfortunately, on Sunday I was down in Ladd with the First Presbyterian Church. I served as their pastor for 2 years, until we didn't receive the redevelopment grant that we'd hoped for. As a result, I had to get another job and they had to make the difficult decision to close. Last Sunday was the final worship service for that congregation. I really enjoyed being their pastor and I hope they find congregations they can connect with. While it was great to be with them again, it was a really sad occasion.