There's a dedicated group of students from the three institutions of higher learning that are based in this little city who are set on being "changers." The organization they've formed is called "Changing the Perception, Inc."
The reason they've formed themselves into an organized unit with a common goal is an obvious one to anyone who's heard what we heard before we moved here. This town is perceived negatively by many in other places. And everyone who loves this place, who calls it home, is now dead-set on changing that image.
I'd heard it all before I came here: "You're moving THERE? Oh, I'm sorry. Well, just never go out at night. Don't go to Wal-Mart past sunset."
But guess what? We love it here. My son and I went less than 5 minutes from our home on Sunday afternoon to see a GREAT production of Seussical, Jr. performed by a highly talented group of youngsters in a recently, and beautifully, renovated little theatre downtown. Then yesterday, our family went another direction less than 5 minutes from our home to walk through a world-class rose garden to a duck pond where children gather to feed turtles and Canadian geese and Mallards. The whole park is situated along a natural river, the longest black-water river in the world. We went there after eating in a great restaurant, again, less than 5 minutes from home.
We've been embraced by everyone in our churches with the greatest hospitality, care, and enthusiasm imaginable. Everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE, we've met in the community has been kind and welcoming to us. We have a beautiful home in a beautiful neighborhood near downtown.
We love this place. Of course, no place is perfect. And there is plenty here besides the perception that does beg to be changed according to God's perfect plan for humanity. Part of my role as a minister and spiritual leader in the community is to help us understand what needs to be addressed and address it. That, I will attempt to do as faithfully as I can.
But for now, I just want to say...we love it here. If you're one of those who thought we were moving someplace that isn't simply great...please come visit! We've got a guest room!
The reason they've formed themselves into an organized unit with a common goal is an obvious one to anyone who's heard what we heard before we moved here. This town is perceived negatively by many in other places. And everyone who loves this place, who calls it home, is now dead-set on changing that image.
I'd heard it all before I came here: "You're moving THERE? Oh, I'm sorry. Well, just never go out at night. Don't go to Wal-Mart past sunset."
But guess what? We love it here. My son and I went less than 5 minutes from our home on Sunday afternoon to see a GREAT production of Seussical, Jr. performed by a highly talented group of youngsters in a recently, and beautifully, renovated little theatre downtown. Then yesterday, our family went another direction less than 5 minutes from our home to walk through a world-class rose garden to a duck pond where children gather to feed turtles and Canadian geese and Mallards. The whole park is situated along a natural river, the longest black-water river in the world. We went there after eating in a great restaurant, again, less than 5 minutes from home.
We've been embraced by everyone in our churches with the greatest hospitality, care, and enthusiasm imaginable. Everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE, we've met in the community has been kind and welcoming to us. We have a beautiful home in a beautiful neighborhood near downtown.
We love this place. Of course, no place is perfect. And there is plenty here besides the perception that does beg to be changed according to God's perfect plan for humanity. Part of my role as a minister and spiritual leader in the community is to help us understand what needs to be addressed and address it. That, I will attempt to do as faithfully as I can.
But for now, I just want to say...we love it here. If you're one of those who thought we were moving someplace that isn't simply great...please come visit! We've got a guest room!
No comments:
Post a Comment