Home #2

Well, it's the night before I leave "home #2" to fly to Miami tomorrow. It's a pretty cool thing to be able to call various places throughout the world "home." However, in this case "home #2" is more commonly called Atlanta, AKA da ATL, and I just spent the past few days here freezing my reminiscing about seminary days and freezing my ass off (slightly colder than SD)!

The visit was short and very sweet. On Saturday a friend and I went to what used to be called Jocks and Jills and watched both the Navy whoop up on Army and VA Tech KILL BC at the same time. Go Navy and Hokie Hokie Hokie Hi!

The next day we ate at the flying Biscuit (http://www.flyingbiscuit.com/) for breakfast before worshipping at Northeast Baptist Church (http://www.northeastbaptist.net/) for the 1st time. I was a member and ordained at Northwoods Baptist Church, when it closed the congregations combined with Northeast Baptist, and created this amazing congregation with these really neat ministries in Atlanta. I was honored to speak there, but froze when I got to the pulpit. This happens sometimes, and I'm not quite sure why...alas I stumbled through my little speech before sitting down to enjoy the service led by Rev Brian Wright.

Today I visited McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University in da ATL (http://www2.mercer.edu/theology/) where I got my MDiv and was introduced to one of my favorite authors Brett Younger! I was like a starstruck fan when I asked him to sign my copy of the book, "Who Moved My Pulpit?" It's such a delightfully funny book!

Next I had lunch with my endorsing agent, and as usual we talked for quite a while (3 hours!).

Now, I'm sitting in my hotel room preparing to leave tomorrow for Miami (South Beach, Salsa, and Mangos Tropical Cafe and Nightclub! http://www.mangostropicalcafe.com/).

But, I wanted to address in this blog an underlying theme in my life which is, "food." As most of you know I've struggled with weight throughout my life. So, it should be no surprise that "Eating on the Road" and actually enjoying "vacation food" without overeating and/or experiencing the guilt of eating the "unhealthy food choice" is a daily struggle. I eat a meal and then feel extremely guilty, even though I don't have much about which to feel guilty (I think "guilt" is actually extra baggage from my past).

Today my endorsing agent prayed an interesting prayer over lunch today...he mentioned that the food is an "experience" presented to us by God. It's such an interesting way of looking at food as an "experience." It certainly is an experience...it's not just the food itself, it's the company, the conversation, and the atmosphere. This prayer made me remember Dr Anita Johnson's book Eating in the Light of the Moon: How Women Can Transform Their Relationship with Food Through Myths, Metaphors, and Storytelling. It turns food and eating into this important and natural experience in our lives that takes all the "fear" out of eating by looking at eating as a very spiritual matter.

Although I haven't come up with some "solution" or "life altering insight" that has made me loose all the weight I want; or be "at peace" with food in my life. All I know is I've been loosing weight over the past few months, I've been doing it slowly, and I've also gained during some of these weeks. Perhaps the key is to treat the dreaded vacation food as an experience, and to relax and enjoy the experience of eating. Enjoy it instead of freak out about calories, fat, and fiber.

It works for dealing with life, why not food? It's worth a try...

Oh yeah, just so it's clear I do have three goals for vacation, which are:

1. Not gain weight (don't have to loose any) over the next four weeks
2. PT five days a week
3. Enjoy myself