Sunday, 15 April 2007

"We're glad you're back."

After five weeks, I finally made it back to Engedi! I never would have imagined coming to Hope as a freshman that I'd get so attached to a church here in Holland, but it's true. It made me smile when Pastor Brian welcomed me back to the church, and we both shared a laugh over Friday and my slow not-really reaction to his drive-by greeting. He said, "I wasn't sure if you recognized me, but I then I thought that you've probably not seen me with a pair of sunglasses on driving my car. I thought later, 'Either that was Tyler or some friendly guy that waves at everyone. I laughed either way." My reflexes must be getting slower. Yikes.

While I was sitting in my seat, I said to Billy and Stephanie that I felt like the prodigal son finally returning home (even though I actually was in a church every Sunday I was gone, either in Indiana, New York, or up at home). Billy smiled, gave me a pat on the shoulder, and said, "We're glad you're back."

It's good to be missed.

And by the way, the sunshine we've had today has been GLORIOUS. The forecast had called for afternoon rain that never materialized. I'm hoping that means that God has smiled on West Michigan's spring.