Right now I’m sitting in the Reeve Union of the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh looking out through these huge windows on the UW-O main strip. I’ve always loved this campus during the fall, and it feels kind of comforting to be sitting here. You may be wondering why I would be back here and there is an easy answer – FREE NET. I just got done doing some support calls and other work on the net. Now I’m going to open my Bible and get some time with Jesus. I wanted to post a couple sections of some emails I have received from Ondra, the one student that came to Christ while I was in Czech.

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As I write this I’m looking out of a Starbucks’ window out to one of my most favorite city squares in all of the United States. It happens to be mere miles from the home that I was born in. I’m sitting in Woodstock, IL. If you have never been here it is a fun place to escape away to and enjoy the small town America feel that is Woodstock. It happens to be the square that the majority of Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day was filmed. Anyway, today has been an interesting day and a very encouraging day as well. Here is the run down, I hope it makes you laugh, cry and moves you to take this world by storm.

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This week has been tough. I’m not speaking only from my perspective, but for thousands, no check that, millions of people who are hurting this week. I have been watching the news nearly nonstop. My heart has been broken time and time again as I see the images of so many people hurting in the hurricane ripped states of our country.

As I’ve been watching the images, I’ve been convicted, upset and humbled to see how so many of our fellow countrymen are hurting. While I’ve kept up with the happenings that have followed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina I’ve been wrestling with God.
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It has been a couple of days since I got something up here, but I just got an email with the article that was in my hometown paper. Thanks again to the author, Dan Truttschel, for writing the article. I’ve already had some people from the community contact me about support and my work with Athletes in Action. I’ve got to get to work a short devotional I’m doing at a FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) Huddle for high school students at Johnsburg high school tomorrow morning.

be a revolution.

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Searching from aisle to aisle the young mother frantically looked for her child. He was no where to be found, at least by her that is. Half way across their local Wal-mart her son walked with wide eyes trying to find his way through the scary women’s section then the scary craft section. This pint sized explorer wasn’t set on this exploration by his own will; he happened to take a left, when he should have taken a right. His little palms began to drip with sweat, his breaths grew shorter and shorter. Panic and fear began to grip him as he looked for something that might be familiar. He was indeed lost.
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Happy Monday! So my adjustment back to American culture continues. Very characteristic of myself I PUSHED THE ENVELOPE and ventured into the interesting environment of the State Fair with some friends from college. It was great to catch up with Mel, Melissa, Tanya, and Kristin after not seeing them for over 17 months. But I have to be honest that it was a very interesting day for me.

As we walked in, I saw rows and rows of food stands. I had to venture in. It was if they were calling, “Zach we’ve missed you. We are here for you come and delight in the grease and fattiness of all we are. We will comfort you!” I just had to respond and delight in some of this quintessential American food – corn dogs, funnel cakes, jumbo pretzels, and so many more artery clogging foods! My first foray of eating was a corn dog; I nearly had a spiritual experience with my first bite. The plumb juicy hot dog surrounded by deep fried goodness. Mmmmm, my mouth is watering even as I type the words. During my 17 months over seas I didn’t once think about corn dogs, but I certainly missed them!
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