I've been here a week already

The last week or so actually went quite fast.  I have met a lot of different people and I'm sure that I will not remember names very well, only the faces.  That is one dilemma when it comes to new places.  Everyone else remembers my name, yet for the life of me I cannot remember many of the people that I'm introduced to.  The past few days have been fairly busy.  On Saturday was the big parade for Baldwin's Junebug Days.  It's their yearly festival, similar in many ways to Sheridan's Springfest.  The church had a truck in the parade and they passed out water bottles, little plastic footballs and basketballs, and flyers for an upcoming fundraiser to feed hungry children.  I had the opportunity to walk in the parade with some of the people from church.  I haven't even been here a week and I've already walked in a parade.  I bet not too many pastoral interns can say that.  I could be wrong though.  I haven't heard a lot from others who are doing internships yet.

Yesterday was the day that I worshiped with FRC for the first time.  I must say that there is quite a contrast with how Second Reformed worships and FRC does church.  Second Reformed's niche in Zeeland is that of the more high church variety when it comes to worship.  Worship with FRC yesterday was less formal in nature.  You had to look harder for the hints that it was a worship service in the Reformed mold.  This was mainly in that Pastor Tim gave opening sentences and a prayer of confession was present.  It reminded me of worship at Heartland in Pella in many ways.  The informal atmosphere, the praise music, the type of hymns sung.  They also use the same hymnal as Heartland does I've noticed.  After the service was over, I got the chance to talk to perhaps two dozen people.  Many were interested in where I was from.  They asked me about my family.  Even talked about about sports and the teams I root for.  This friendly demeanor is a common trait in small town churches.  I'm also there for a purpose, people knew who I was once they saw me yesterday morning.  So it was easier for people to introduce themselves to me and have conversations with me.  I have been in the process of crafting a sermon that I'll be preaching to them this coming Sunday, so we'll see how that is received.  It'll be good to grow as a preacher this summer.  I don't get the chance to preach often enough during the school year. 

Last night I took a walk around Baldwin.  In many ways as I walked its streets, it reminded me of Sheridan.  In some places you have nicely kept lawns and next door the house will be in bad need of a new coat of paint and the lawn looks like a hay field.  Sidewalks were also haphazardly placed.  In that way it had the character of Sheridan.  Not at all like Zeeland or Pella, where things are a little more ordered.  I think that I should make a habit of taking walks through this community and become acquainted with its character.  It may tell me more about the people who live here.  I also imagine that conversations with Pastor Tim and others in the coming days will also reveal more about this community.  I'll be able to learn more about this place than merely by sitting in a church office all day.  Be good exercise too.

The last couple days have also been fairly draining.  I tend to be a fairly reserved person around those that I do not know very well.  I'm not the best at meeting people and getting to know them.  So when I'm put in a situation where I am meeting a lot of people, I need to take time to be by myself for awhile so that I can process things.  It has also been a little lonely as well.  That's to be expected though when coming to a town where I know absolutely nobody at all.  Those of you who know me quite well know that I am not so reserved when I'm with you.  Actually, it can be hard to get me to shut up.  At the seminary there's only about two or three people who can do that easily.  I enjoy close fellowship with others.  I haven't had that the last week or so.  I have been much more reserved, yet I can't be reserved all the time, that's just not me.  It will take a few weeks, but these little bumps in the road will be smoothed over as I get more comfortable with my surroundings.  It takes time to do so.  By the end of the summer, I doubt these things will be a problem.  It's part of the transition to a new place is all.

So far it's shaping up to be a good summer.  It's hard to believe that I've been here a week already.  I'm settling into the house I'm staying at pretty well.  It's a little big for one person, but it's a nice place.  I'm grateful to have it.  There are plenty of things to do here.  Today will be sermon prep and this afternoon I'll be going with Pastor Tim to visit some people.  This is something that I look forward to.  The post later this week should update you on what I've been doing and also I will probably give some insights concerning my sermon that I'll be giving this Sunday.  I hope that each of you are doing well.  God bless you.