Mississippi Musings

Well at long last, I return to my blog. I haven't taken any breaks from this site since I started it nearly two years ago, but my computer access last week was primarily for e-mail corespondence and not for blogging.

Some of you who read my blog regularly may wonder how a guy from Queens could spend three years of his life in a place like Mississippi, a state than when compared with New York City bears very few similarities. It may surprise you to hear that I was warmly embraced in the Magnolia State, particularly in small towns. Go figure.

The opening picture here is not the typical Mississippi landscape (swamp land is primarily along the Gulf Coast and is most pronounced in Lousianna actually), though this cedar swamp along the Natchez Trace just south of Forest Grove, MS is actually rather serene.

My visit brought me to the northern part of the state where I was welcomed by dear friends in Water Valley, MS. I proceeded toward the center of Mississippi with a desert reception in Morton, MS (the church there is surrounded on all sides by farmland). Meridian, MS to the east had a big dinner for me, which was understood, because it was the biggest church I visited. I ended my trip casually in Leakesville to the south who sent me off with a nice big southern-style breakfast.

My center of operations for most of the week was Clinton, MS, just outside of Jackson and near where I went to seminary. I stayed with my dear friend Al Ward (pictured here) and his family there. They were most encouraging and gracious hosts and I am humbled by their hospitality.

It was also a social trip full of opportunities to reconnect with friends I made over the three years I spent in Jackson. In the last picture, I'm the one in the middle, flanked by Neill (green shirt) and Tony (blue shirt). Neill, I've come to believe, is an example of what I might have become if I'd grown up in Laurel, MS (in the Free State of Jones) where he's from (not enough room here to explain). Tony, on the other hand, is not an example of how I might have turned out if I grew up in England like he did. He's a great, godly man who you might mistake for a Mississippian if he never opened his mouth to speak.

All in all, it was a great trip. Next week, my regular blog postings will return.

NO ENTRY THIS WEEK!
I'm busy making final preparations for my trip to Mississippi. I hope to be able to give an update from the road while I'm gone if I can have access to a computer. It may not be Thursday, but I'll try to work it in.
-Jack

July 4th in NYC

We do holidays big here in New York. People always talk about coming here at Christmas to see the lights or the store windows. New Year's Eve in Times Square sets the clock for the whole country. Everyone's Irish at the world's biggest St. Patrick's Dav Parade. Outrageous Easter bonnets are paraded down the street every Spring.


Independence day here certainly fits the bill. With fireworks filling the night sky over the East River and New York Harbor, and of course Brooklyn' big Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest each drawing an international crowd.

This year, the Americans recaptured the Hot Dog Crown when Joey Chestnut or San Jose, CA downed 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes (1 every 11 seconds) to set a new world record and beat six-time champ, Takeru Kobayashi of Japan. There's big money to win in these contests, but that can't be good for you. Yikes.

Big events like fireworks displays and hot dog eating contests take lots of planning and publicity. Ascension Church has a big thing coming up that poses slightly less of a fire or heartburn threat. In two weeks, we will have our second Vacation Bible School and there's been much planning and publicity. We've put the word out and put the posters up and we're praying for God to surprise us with a great blessing that will surpass what we experienced last year. I ask that you pray for this event as well.

Meanwhile, I'm planning my trip to Mississippi and that's still taking shape as well. I look forward to seeing some of you when I get down there. I don't get enough deep fried food up this way. Of course, I know where I can get a hot dog.