Why I Linger

A huge grizzly has been hanging around - here are his tracks...

A couple friends from seminary and I recently dialogued on Facebook about how we bemoan the fact that the nearest theological library is nowhere too near.  One friend practically lives in a theological library by living at the seminary and other friend has a minimum of five to choose from all within an hour or so.  I think I win by being 8 (summer) or 12 (winter) hours from the nearest theological library!  In Denver! 

In response to this my friend Adam wrote:

"To my dear friend Haley, GET THE CRAP OUT OF THERE WHILE YOU STILL CAN!!! WHY YOU LINGER BAFFLES MY BRAIN!!!

sincerely,

Adam"

My response to Adam:

"Why I linger...

Because I ski to get my mail
Because I live where there is no law enforcement
Because I snowmobile to take a Bible study to people cut off all winter
Because I don't leave the bar until after midnight on some Saturday nights with the Sunday morning church crowd
Because I live with only 70 people
Because I'm the only one my age
Because I can't see the road for 20 miles from my house from Nov on
Because I live in a log cabin and watch avalanches out my window
Because I have moose come greet me every day
Because I wake up to bear tracks on my sidewalk
Because high altitude baking directions are usually from 3500-6500 feet and I live at 7600
Because it's round two and now everyone knows me and I know them

Because I have challenges as the pastor when people die on snowmobiles or are eaten by grizzly bears

Because I drive three hours for groceries or supplies

Because I live four miles from one of the natural wonders of the US

Because I live where the average snowfall is over 40 feet!

Because I ice fish by snowmobiling and then skiing to the lake

Because it (hopefully) will be good for my resume

Because I think God is using me here
Because I know my loans are being paid off
Because I will never live in a place like this in the lower-48 the rest of my life
Because it won't last forever

How's that?"
 
I think they're pretty good reasons to linger!

...leading right up to my car/house! (along with fox or coyote tracks going horizontally and mouse tracks going under the car!)