I'm Thankful for Yinz Guys

So, football season has started.  Ohio State Buckeyes look a bit suspect.  Some of you may know, that’s my team and I have to admit, they look overrated.  Penn State has a tough schedule, but they look like they can compete.  My hometown, Cincinnati Bearcats look like a force and shouldn’t be slept on.  My Cincinnati Bengals are well, young.  The Pittsburgh Steelers will win because of their toughness, I think they need to rely on Najee Harris big time.
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So normally, I talk up my Buckeyes, Bengals, and Bearcats and I trash talk the Steelers, Nittany Lions, and anything PA.  But this year, I think their has been a change of feelings.  I’m trying to root for Penn State, just because their QB is from my hometown.  And I currently really enjoy watching the Steelers play.  So I decided that I will cheer on any PA sports team, unless they are playing my favorite teams or that I need them to lose in order for my favorite teams to get ahead in their respective leagues. 
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It makes me wonder if I am starting to see PA as my home away from home.  Well, in a way it is!  There is a ton of love about PA.  The people are friendly, the church is amazing, the fishing is great.  I mean I live in a place I can literally fish all year around.  Late March to November I can fish for largemouth bass, and December to March I can fish the creeks for trout.  It can’t get any better. 

I am mostly writing this blog to say thank you for all the people of PA.  You have helped make my family and myself feel a part of your family.  The church I work at, is incredible.  I cannot imagine a better place that God has called me to serve.  I still think I am learning, day in and day out in how to be a better leader.  This is truly a church that acts as one body with many parts.  Not all of us are the same, we are all different, but at the end of the day we are a family.  I give special thanks to the Altoona School district for educating my children well and making them feel safe and confident. 

Since we have moved to Altoona, my wife received her US citizenship, my daughter has gone from 2 to almost 7 and my son Ben was born, now three.  My wife is now one semester away finishing her BSN to work as a nurse in what we hope to be UPMC Altoona.  As a pastor at Ward Ave Presbyterian Church I have done funerals, weddings, baptisms, communion, made a new website, developed new activities and revitalized some old ones, and have seen the hearts of people grow in the congregation.  We have been through a lot.  We have gone through COVID, and still going through it and doing our best to be safe, yet stay active, and serve.  We have done works in local missions and international. 

Now I have come to the point in which I couldn’t imagine ten years ago.  Cheering for any PA sports team.  It’s crazy how God works to change hearts.

God bless you all