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Tag Archives: snow

Here’s a way to “fix” the country

15 Wednesday Mar 2017

Posted by laceduplutheran in Humanity, Humor, Politics, Society

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

people, problem, snow, solution

Want to fix what’s wrong with the country.  I have a solution.  We just had a snow storm with at least a foot of snow.  And I think this might be the solution for “fixing” the country.  Yes – snow.  Of all the solutions for the country, I bet you never saw this coming.  I bet you were thinking about some great policy initiative, or electing some great politician or leader, or something of that nature.  Nope – snow is the answer.  Here’s why:

We live in the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA.  Monday night into Tuesday morning we were hit with a nice snow storm that dropped over a foot of snow.  Schools were closed.  Things were delayed.  And inevitably, people started to come out of their homes to start shoveling and clearing out their walkways, sidewalks, and driveways.  Neighbors help each other, greet each other, show appreciation, and stop and talk with each other.  It’s a time to catch up and meet people we haven’t had the chance to meet before.

Doesn’t sound much like a solution, does it?  Well, here’s the thing.  As I cleared out my driveway, I watched as people helped each other – people who not so long ago were divided politically between Trump and Clinton supporters.  And here they were, setting all that aside to help one another out – joyfully too.

When it comes down to it, I don’t think the problems we face in this country have much to do with policy.  Sure, policy impacts people – make no mistake about that.  But that’s not the root of the problems – that’s more of a symptom.  I think if we dig down deeper we’d see the real problem.  We have a habit of not trusting one another.  And so, we treat each other less than we should.

But throw in a snow storm and see how much people change.  We break down barriers because we have a common cause.  We express gratitude because we recognize that we can’t go it alone.  We talk with people, even people we don’t like, because we see their humanity and how much they are just like us.

No policy and no leader can bring this kind of change.  There isn’t a speech or a slogan that can do it.  Nope, just regular life mixed with nature.  Imagine that.  And yet, there are so many that think that politics is the solution.  Maybe it’s more of a problem than a solution.  Snow, now that’s the solution.

Cracks in the crust

20 Wednesday Jul 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Travel

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Tags

crack, earthquake, Iceland, snow

Iceland is an island that is constantly changing and moving.  Earthquakes are common and the landscape is always different.  We discovered one of the areas where there was a crack in the ground and did a little exploring.

Iceland_309

We walked all around the crack and then dove right in.  Our guide said it would be ok.

Iceland_308

I was deep, but the boys had a great time exploring this crack.  We discovered an abundance of things and views in the crack.

Iceland_310

And even some snow.  Remember this was July.  Of course it doesn’t really get hot in Iceland, so there are places where snow sticks around all year.  Even in places that aren’t covered by the glaciers. This was one small place, but it was snow!

Iceland_312

Fresh water

13 Wednesday Jul 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Travel

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Iceland, Island, snow, water

One of the other amazing things about Iceland is the fact that there are all sorts of sources of fresh water around the island.  Since this is essentially a volcanic island, land shifts and changes all the time.  Cracks open up in the earth.

Iceland_285

And you can go down into the crack and discover some of the freshest water you will ever taste in your life.

Iceland_288

Yes, that’s snow down there in the crack.  It’s a bit blurry, but trust me, it’s snow.  This was the beginning of July too.  It was warm for Iceland, up on the surface – around 50F.  But in the crack, it was still around freezing.

After our guide collected some water for us to drink, she took our picture from down in the crack.

Iceland_286

You get a sense of how deep it went.

Pielisjoki River, Joensuu

29 Friday May 2015

Posted by laceduplutheran in Finland, Travel

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Tags

Finland, Helsinki, Joensuu, Pielisjoki River, snow, winter

As I trekked through Joensuu, I ended up walking along the Pielisjoki River.  This was February, so it was frozen over and snow-covered, yet still beautiful.

Pielisjoki River, JoensuuThere are some interesting things along the river too.  Like this:

Pielisjoki River, JoensuuI think the biggest surprise was how much snow there really was.

Pielisjoki River, JoensuuIn case you don’t that’s a good bit of snow, look a little closer at the park bench.

Pielisjoki River, JoensuuJoensuu is 400 some odd kilometers north-east of Helsinki.  And the weather is far different as a result.  Helsinki has had light winters the past two years now.  In fact, the Northeast of the US has had much harder winters for these last two years.  Having said all of that – I was thrilled to be in Joensuu and see some real snow piled up.

Streets of Joensuu

27 Wednesday May 2015

Posted by laceduplutheran in Finland, Travel

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Tags

February, Finland, Joensuu, snow

I was in Joensuu for two days in early February.

Joensuu, FinlandIt’s eastern Finland, far enough north to have some real snow, in case you couldn’t tell.

Joensuu, FinlandBut it wasn’t frigid.  The air is quite dry and if you wear layers, it’s actually quite nice.

Joensuu, FinlandYes, those are snow piles along the side of the road – about as tall as an older child.

Joensuu, FinlandOn this morning, I was thrilled to have the time to troll around a little and see the town.  I love the wooden houses.

Joensuu, Finland

A new journey

08 Friday May 2015

Posted by laceduplutheran in Church, Finland, Travel

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

beauty, church, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, Finland, Helsinki, Joensuu, snow, sun

In February, the church sent me up to Joensuu, in eastern Finland, to continue my conversations about the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.  I took the train – which happens to be one of the best ways to travel, as you’ll see from the pictures I post here.

Joensuu, FinlandAs I left Helsinki, I first thing I noticed was how the landscape changed the further east and north I went.

Joensuu, FinlandAnd also the amount of snow.

Joensuu, FinlandThe vast openness that surrounded us was amazing to see.

Joensuu, FinlandAnd when the sun finally came up, it made for an amazing show of beauty.

Joensuu, Finland

Snow in Finland at the end of March

26 Thursday Mar 2015

Posted by laceduplutheran in Finland

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Tags

Finland, snow

I’m taking this short break from the Tallinn trip postings to share with you the beauty of nature here in Finland.  It’s the end of March and it snowed a lovely light fluffy snow for most of the morning.  It was just so very beautiful.  Enjoy!

The Wall Around Old Town Tallinn, Estonia

19 Thursday Mar 2015

Posted by laceduplutheran in Travel

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Estonia, Old Town, snow, Tallinn, wall

After we left the cathedral, we started heading to new sections of Old Town Tallinn.  What we saw was beautiful.

wall - old town tallinn, estoniaThe snow was fresh and made everything come alive.

wall - old town tallinn, estoniaWhat could be better than an old city wall and snow-covered trees?

wall - old town tallinn, estoniaNow much, that’s what.  We didn’t venture into this section of the wall though – it was closed the time we were there.  But have no fear, we made it to another section later in the day.

In the meantime, we explored Medieval streets on our way to other sites.

wall - old town tallinn, estoniaNext travel post – an old church and a unique street.

Snowflakes

23 Friday Jan 2015

Posted by laceduplutheran in Society

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

beauty, destruction, snow, snowflakes

Each one of us is like a snowflake.

SnowflakesSo unique.  So special.  So one-of-a-kind.

And yet, when we get together with other snowflakes…

SnowflakesSome amazing things can happen.  Then again, some crappy things can happen too.  Just trying to keep it real here.

Snow can look beautiful and clean and it can cause serious destructive challenges that can cause death.

A great deal of what happens and how it happens will depend on each of the snowflakes – where they land and what they hold up.  Kind of like people.

Sunshine in the Finnish Winter

22 Thursday Jan 2015

Posted by laceduplutheran in Finland

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

beauty, Finland, land, snow, sun

When it is winter in Finland you don’t get to see the sun very often – even in southern Finland.  When it does come out from behind the clouds, you can’t help but take notice of it.

Sun in the Finnish WinterOn the day I took these pictures it was the quintessential Finnish winter day – cold, but not frigid around -16 C/3 F.  It was living in a postcard – if that makes any sense at all.

Sun in the Finnish Winter It was around 10:30 in the morning.  The sun was climbing, but it wouldn’t climb much higher.  This was the end of December, so it wasn’t light out for more than about six hours in the day.

Sun in the Finnish WinterBut everything looked absolutely beautiful.  The snow has that effect.  It gives everything a purifying effect.  When it falls, it is fresh.  It’s like a frozen baptism for the land.

Sun in the Finnish WinterThe snow highlights the edges and lines of everything.  You lose what’s inside the lines, but so often we focus so much attention on what’s inside the lines, that the lines get lost.  The detail of the lines and boundaries are what, I think, makes the snow and its effects so interesting.

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laceduplutheran

laceduplutheran

I believe that God, church, and theology are approachable, enjoyable, and relevant for everyone. I write about this a lot because people need to hear it. So many people feel lost, hopeless, alone, and are searching for identity and meaning. I'm an ELCA Pastor (Lutheran) who has a background in politics, business, and the non-profit worlds. I take churchy theological ideas and words and communicate them in everyday language that people can understand, in ways that relate, and show that God, church, and theology matter a great deal. Oh, and it doesn't have to be boring either - mostly because it's the best news ever!

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