Spring Equinox 2011...

Today was a good day. Sometimes it's just nice to be able to utter such words.

This past week was Spring Break and I have rarely come back from such a break as refreshed as I am now. Don't get me wrong, I would still gladly sign up for another week or two, but as breaks go, this one ranks up there.

Highlights:

PEPSI CENTER... A week ago Friday, I went to see my beloved Avs play. In all the games I've seen them play thus far in my life, we had always won. We lost 6-2. Enough said.

The following night, however, a friend of mine treated Ryan and me to a Nuggets' game. In the first NBA game I have seen in some 20 years, we were treated to a run-and-gun game and came out on top 131-101.

Ryan described the game as a 'circus atmosphere'. I agree. Really enjoyed the experience!

RUSHMORE PLAZA CIVIC CENTER... This past Friday I made the trip to Rapid to watch my beloved Rush take on the Laredo Bucks. We won 2-1, but the real highlight of the game may have revolved around my friend's 6 year-old son. Attending his first ever hockey game, my friend continually asked his son (jokingly so) if he wanted to go home and was met time-after-time with a resounding 'NO!' This response only became that much more emphatic after the 'chuck-a-puck' event between the 2nd and 3rd periods.

At some point during the night, I thought it might be fun to let Carson, my friend's 6 year-old, give the 'chuck-a-puck' a shot. I remember explaining to my friend that even if Carson wasn't able to throw his puck to the ice, someone would likely pick it up and loft it over the glass for him. Well, the first two landed in the 1st row (we were sitting in the 5th row), but after removing his jacket, he was able to make the last one to the ice. Unfortunately, his throw had the puck land closer to one of the goals than to center ice.

As they began to rattle off the winning numbers, I decided to pull out our slip of paper with our puck numbers just to keep Carson's interest. Sure enough, the last number they read was one of ours!

Carson couldn't have been prouder and was grinning ear-to-ear the rest of the night.

OLD TOWN... Last but not least, Old Town Fort Collins. Last night, I went with a friend to watch a young man from the small group I am a part of be baptized. It felt good to be there for him and to meet his family.

Then this morning, I attended two church services. The first one was nothing spectacular as I had heard the same message last night. The second one, however, was noteworthy.

The second church I attended today was one I had checked out for the first time a few weeks ago. Like my church, this one is located in the Old Town area (technically speaking, it's located in the historic district adjacent to Old Town, but you get the idea). It's a unique church, especially given it's size. For example, they publish a quarterly magazine on art and faith, Ruminate, and have a gifted music director--trust me that I do not say that lightly!

There are a couple of things I've been praying for as I look into the possibility of moving to Fort Collins. Fellowship, travel, a roof over my head, etc, have all been on my heart the past month. This second service did wonders in those areas. I want to discuss this at length, but will wait until I know more...hopefully later this week!