The attached image is an AP picture taken over Moosehead about a week ago. It is this sun that has awakened each of these recent mornings.
The great Moose myth is no more. I am now a believer. A lengthy, guided boat ride this evening through the marshes of the northern end of the lake proffered for us one galloping moose. We saw more lake spray than mammal, but t'was enough to testify to a sighting. Even had we not succeeding in locating our goal the trip alone was extraordinarily beautiful, filled with loons, osprey and other fowl. Then, on the way back from the marina, we spotted a cow moose just feet off of the road. We stopped and chatted awhile, though she trotted off before I could secure the camera. All in all, a good moose day.
There was a different sort of "Son" that greeted us this morning at the Community Church of Rockwood, a small United Church of Christ congregation meeting at a log cabin in town. This beautiful, rustic building (that appeared on a cover of an old Christmas Edition of "The Saturday Evening Post") was nearly filled when the forty or so worshippers found their pews. Worship was predictably traditional and familiar. About half way through the service there was a time for worshippers to stand and share joys and prayer concerns. I was introduced. It is the sort of setting in which I have often been invited to "come up and say a few words." Thankfully, this morning I could just worship. It was a treat.
There was a little time today to crank out one more report. Three down...six to go.
We are beginning to renegotiate the next few days. While I appreciate the electronic suggestions, we have opted for a third direction that had not occurred to us until now. About three hours (by private dirt road) to the northeast is Mount Katahdin, the highest point in Maine and the northern termination point of the Appalachian Trail. It just sits there begging to be hiked. So...likely on Tuesday we shall head in the direction prepared to scale it. I'll know more after some web research this evening.
My thoughts and prayers were with Atonemenites this day. This time away has been wonderfully re-creating, but I am eager to get back to Kansas. Frankly, I'm a little tired of explaining where our wonderful state is to these northeasterners.
God's richest blessings to you!
2 comments:
Good evening Pastor Joe, I have been catching up on the last few days of your adventures and stormy experiences. Aren't those thunderstorms great! What power and majesty they display. I'm glad you have had a couple of moose sightings. They are spectacular animals. I think you should hold out for a float plane trip to really see them and the rest of the scenery. A retreat by the congregation may be a great idea!
Todd, the kids and I just returned from our annual trek to "our lake" in MN. We too were lullabied (if that really is a word) by the loons at Upper Cullen Lake just outside Nisswa MN. Tonight though my lullabies were produced by one very tired 6 year old Katie Ruth begging for us to go back to our cabin now - she misses MN too much to sleep in her own bed (oh the drama to come in the next years at the Schultz household).
Todd and I spent a much needed week disconnected from technology, phones and the TV (except for much needed Baby Einstein for the youngest :-)!! ) and yet a very CONNECTED time with our children and with God. You cannot do anything but deepen your intimate relationship with our Savior and with your children when you are in a setting like that. Watching some of the most spectacular sunsets we have ever seen. The sky was on fire this past week. And having wonderful quiet talks with your spouse with the Loons providing the background music. Their music even quieted us for they produced some wonderful compositions for us.
Our reentry in the world as we know was done in in the most sink or swim kind of ways....MOA (Mall of America). What were we thinking????? It is just amazing how the world acts around all the commercialism...Todd and I could not get out of there fast enough! And back on the road to KC!
Todd and I pray that you have been able to actually worship yourself the way you allow us to worship on a weekly basis. Atonement is blessed to have you and your family guide us down this marvelous path to "make Christ known". We pray that this sabbatical brings you inner peace that we all seek through our relationship with Christ.
Safe journeys both here and there,
Kim and the Brood
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