We Ran Away From Church!

I've been doing a lot of writing lately. Couple odd freelance jobs have kept me busy during the day - not to mention shoveling off our driveway and sidewalk! It was so cold this morning that Sam kept picking up his paws and hopping around before I even had half of it cleared off.

Teaching has been going really well for Heath. It's a lot of fun to see him scrounging around in our utility room and boxes for things to make experiments with. He tried one last night - it was a bust. Oh well. They've been burning food in class so I think that'll keep them for a while. ;)

So the big story of the weekend was our experience at church this Sunday. We loved the Baptist place we'd tried last week, but at the last minute, felt like it was a good idea to keep looking around - even though we loved it, it was still our first service here. Anyway, we looked up a church in Davenport that sounded like it was much more contemporary and closer to what we were used to.

Fifteen minutes later, we're there and walking into an old rec. building. Neat. An older gentleman greets us and asks if we're new. (We figured out how he knew - we felt like hicks stuck in an urban bubble!) He walks us through all the old raquetball courts now sunday school rooms and into the gym/sanctuary. Wow! Music is awesome! Heath said it was just pretty good, but I loved the style - only, I'm used to that style in concert not in church.

We're open to this. Okay - let's sit up front...try 4th row front! Music is good. Good singers (a couple distracting ones, but overall good). Lot of lights and electric guitar. Well, we decided it was a great place for young people. There's even a few college age guys dancing up front. Interesting we think. Time for the sermon. NOPE! A young guy gets up and by the end, was yelling for our tithes even if it was going to come out of an emergency fund. Whew! He was on a roll. Not quite used to that. Oh well. Let's see what the pastor has to say...

15-20 minutes later...we're still trying to figure that out! ;) Then - music starts again and we figure, oh, must be about over. Wrong. 3 songs later, after the pastor told everyone their hands were shoved to far into their pockets (Heath pulled his out like they were on fire!) and that every one of us needed to raise our hands...we're still thinking this can't last forever, can it? i think we're 4 songs in now and both of us are having trouble because we're looking around and a group of high schoolers/jr highers and up front dancing in groups and everyone around is waving and swaying to the same words sung over and over. hmmm...now what do we do?

we finally left because we were so uncomfortable - so uncomfortable that we even braved leaving from the front rows! lol...we got outside and found out the service (still going strong) was already an hour and a half long. we'd never felt so glad to leave a church. ...sad, when you think about it.

anyway, although they have a great ministry for the right people...we discovered we were definitely not the right people! lol. In all seriousness, we're seeking a very mature church that will be able to help us learn at a different level. Perhaps the Baptist church is it. Who knows! Until then, we'll keep you updated on our "church drama". :D

Heat went off the other day and I learned how to light a pilot light...but not until I could see both my breath and Sam's inside the duplex. Brrr! Heath had to leave before we could figure out what was wrong, but the 51 degrees on the thermostat had him worried so he was calling during his breaks: "Are you warm yet?" Needless to say - I now know how to light a pilot light. :)

Miss seeing you all. We have very nice neighbors (only know one by name so far), but they've all waved their hellos when we've been outside. Our landlord's mother lives on the other side of the duplex and the grandkids are over here a lot. Actually, I just had the 4 yr old over here not more than 20 minutes ago. Good practice for Sam...and me! We took them sledding the other afternoon and they're here almost every other night to coax us into playing games or nintendo. Lol, poor Heath. He leaves chaos only to come home to it. Hmmm...also good practice. ;)

Hope to see you all soon.
Love from - the Kelleys