Travel Day - Belton

Travel day
Yesterday was a travel day. Sorry about no blog. I think the lack of vegetables and fruit in my body disrupted my state. Why? Is that too weak an excuse? That and no exercise. For whatever reason I did not get walking in until Sunday morning. I needed it.

I'm getting scared maybe. That's the wrong word. But I am getting scared of walking. Long walking anyway. I can convince myself to do a one mile walk. I have often done one mile morning and evening. Sunday I did that. This morning, Monday, I did it again. Finally. I talked myself out of gym but walked one mile. God blessed me. I found several unsealed drinks and a one dollar bill. Wow.

SJ needs wood for our camping trip. As I walk I find great caches of wood put out for big pickup. There was one great cache of think hardwood. It would make great bonfire wood. But where was it now? I can't quit remember. It's not far though.

Belton Church

We visited DD3's church Sunday morning. They have a setup like my church VCH. The services are 9:30 and 11:00. The early service has a time limit so the sermon might end up being a little shorter than the later service. But their 9:30 seems to have more families than we do. They did baby dedications and there were about 10 children dedicated.

The pastor is young, dressed in old blue jeans and a t-shirt. They are going through Nehemiah and have done four weeks. Today he covered Nehemiah 3. That is the chapter where Nehemiah lists all the people who were in charge of various parts of the wall rebuilding. He laughed at doing that. We laughed too. He then proceeded to read the chapter before disclaiming his ability to read all the strange names. He actually did well with it.

He managed to make some good comments based on this chapter. This underscores Nehemiah's abilities as a leader and delegater. I mentioned this later to JF and he said the same things. Yes Nehemiah lists all the people responsible for various areas. By doing this he lets everyone know where the buck stops. Now Nehemiah does not get all the credit. This is good leadership. It is good to see the high priest is even getting in the act. Nehemiah also makes clear that certain nobles are refusing to work. There must be a story there. But quite a few leaders are working on areas near their section of responsibility. Nehemiah is quick to give them credit.

I like to think I remember where all the gates were and which section of the wall, north, south, east, or west each of these areas is in. But I don't I got lost. I am pretty sure the Fish Gate is in the north wall or the northeast corner, near the northern side of the Temple. I think that is the gate we entered in on my last trip to Jerusalem in January this year. The Dung Gate would be in the south wall. Anyway some of the areas I think I know. But then at the end of his reading the areas I got lost. But it was interesting to try to picture where the parts of the wall were in relation to the whole city wall.

Acting Class - Improv

Improv - Acting Class. I sort of dread going now but I would not want to quit, I paid too much for it. Besides how could I show fear and cowardice in front of my wife? She dutifully comes along. I don't even know if she likes it. The class has to challenge the veterans who take this every semester. So it's a bit fast for us the first timers.

The two vivacious young ladies who lead this do not know what to do with me, I don't think. I thought it was me but when I came to think more clearly in preparation for this blog entry I realized it really isn't me it all. It is all of us in the class. They keep their distance from us, the class. Everything is done very professionally. But they do look at me funny.

I was noticing this week when we came in to wait for the class to start. We all sat on the side of the room across the aisle from where the two ladies sit. We have separated ourselves from the teachers. One of the women noticed this. What does it mean? Does it mean anything?

The class ends promptly at nine. It is clear every week that they do not want to interact any more. They go back to their room, the room that we dare not enter. The door might be slightly open but they sit whispering furtively to each other. This is clearly their space.

Sometimes I think they worry that we will rub off them, our lack of talent or something.

Before and after class they sit in their room until we all vacate the building. Last night though as soon as we were out they were too. No talking. They slip to their cars and drive off.

But no it is not me. I think I get it now. Actors have been taught to consider non-actors as potential stalkers. If they ever get famous you cannot have stray pictures or stray stories out their for people to take advantage of. As I am in this class of potential stalker I find this unfair.

But then I remember I do the same thing when I go into the prisons and relate to inmates. I am very reticent to give them personal information. I rarely give out my phone number and then I give my cell phone. Who knows who has access to a cross-ex phone directory? When someone asks where I live I am vague about that. I would never give out my address. So here I am on the other side of it. I imagine many of the inmates think this unfair, an implied accusation. If you think about it long you could get your feelings hurt. They have been understanding.

So I understand how these young ladies feel. This is a class. Better not to get too close to your students. When we do chaplain training for ministry to prison inmates they tell us the same thing. Don't get too close. For persons of the opposite sex, do not get emotionally involved. Do not let yourself fall in love with inmates. You would be surprised. (Then again you might not.)