Church

September 1 Sunday we went to church in Stratford. Mark reminisces about his younger years at the church and remembers who attended and where they sat and where his family sat. He is emotionally attached and seeing the church attendance fall is hard for him. He really likes Pastor Andy and wanted to see the church improve and grow. He got on a kick that we would start going on a regular basis and he would go out and tell others and build it up. We have such a hard time calling a church home. Cornerstone was my church that I felt was my place. I like everything about it, the messages, the teaching, the mission, the pastors, the people, the college network,  the building, the music, the classes, youth groups and activities offered. I love that they are growing and planting ministries, that they do so much with local and global missions. It is another drive to Ames and can be a hassle getting there and it takes up so much of the day, which is the main reason we left. Boone has been  the church we chose to attend and make our home church. It has never really felt like a good fit. I think we try to make it ours, but we aren't very connected. I have done bible studies and helped in child care and gotten to know many people and we are in a connection group, but we feel like strangers attending our own church. I made a big step and gave in honor of Alice, some money that she left me to the church for their growth and future building plans. We are trying to support Stonebridge and be part of the church community. The church is very Boone focused and makes us feel like outsiders. I feel like we have been trying to find a church since we got married. Now Mark is wanting to go back to Stratford and support and attend regularly. The regular congregation attendance is around a dozen people. None of Mark's family attends there anymore, only on rare occasions. There are two families with children and majority are over 70. I would really struggle in such a small little church. The church services are  very unorganized, the music and sound system are always a mess. Sometimes we lose sound in the middle of songs. The sermons are good, but jump around and are often hard to follow. Andy is a great upbeat energetic pastor, but he is also admittedly ADD. He goes on a lot of bunny trails. I am not sure if this is the best move, but I will support Mark and see where it takes us.

Fast forward a few months...
We attended Stratford a few times and were going back and forth to Boone and Stratford. Mark was realizing it wasn't the best fit for our family. Then, in February Pastor Andy was asked to leave due to issues related to alcohol. This was all a shock and we are all saddened. I pray for them, their family, and their 6 children.