Bloghardt's Reflector
“If now I seek the forgiveness of sins, I
do not run to the cross, for I will not find it given there… But I will find in
the sacrament or Gospel the word which distributes, presents, offers, and gives
to me that forgiveness which was won on the Cross.” (AE 40, 214)
"If it wasn't for Texas..."
Posted On: August 17th, 2005 at 1:43 am
When I first heard that I was gonna do my vicarage in Texas, we didn't know
what to think. My wife and I had went right from LSU to
seminary and the students at the seminary from Texas seemed more than a little
bit different. They were so very proud of their state to the point of
arrogance. Who is like that? Well, Texans.
But, we wanted to be open-minded. When we crossed into the state with
our U-Haul and saw a giant Lone Star at the rest area. We were bit taken
back. We drove through Big-D and down I-45 toward Conroe. We passed
through Huntsville and were only about 30 miles from Conroe.
Then, there was this
Sam Houston Statue on the other side of the interstate. I looked at
her and she says wide-eyed, "Was that a giant statue?" Oh yes, it was.
Giant. That statue is also known as "
Big Sam." You see, everything is bigger in Texas.
We got to Conroe, which is just a wonderful town. It's called
"Houston's playground" by some, but it is just perfect. Our apartment
wasn't ready, so we went to the Home Depot to call my bishop. What do we
see as we walk in? A stepping stone shaped like Texas. Have you ever
seen a stepping stone shaped like your home state? I've never seen a Louisiana
one!
We learned alot on vicarage. We learned that no matter which direction
you go from Texas, you are always going "down." When you come back to
Texas, you are going "up." Everything is bigger, badder, tougher, and
larger in Texas. It was quite an education. We've never cried so
hard as we did at our farewell dinner.
It was quite ride back to Missouri. We had heard St. Mark was calling
an assistant. But, that was just nuts. So, I had told the seminary
that I didn't want to be an assistant, but if St. Mark called I could never tell
them no. When Call Day finally came, I had no idea where I was going.
The friend of mine in front of me in line knew he was going to Oklahoma.
So, when they called his name, I leaned forward and said, "have fun in OK."
When I heard my name and "Texas District" and "Assistant Pastor," I
immediately thought, "They didn't!" Oh yes, they did. My wife met me
in the narthex of the chapel with tears in her eyes. "We're going home,"
she said.
Still, it wasn't like I was becoming a Texan or anything. I mean I
still pull for LSU and against UT and A&M. But about two years ago, I met
a friend of mine name Landon "Part Time " Reed. Next thing I know, I'm
HUNTING and FISHING. I was given a pair of black boots. Not only do
they look nice, but they match my clerical (wink).
We rode up to Chicago together and he force fed me a steady diet of country
music. I hated country music. But yet, the more I listened... the more it
started to grow on me. It was painful. But, it's starting to grow on
me....
Then, my southern accent that I had so fought to suppress from Louisiana
started resurfacing - especially when I get rattled or upset.
I killed a duck with Marcus Zill. Y'all know Marcus, he's the one that
doesn't update his blog. Last week, I kayaked the Frio River. And today,
I'm listening to George Strait singing "Texas."
Am I repulsed? Nope. I find myself singing! What is
happening to Bloghardt?
Edited on: September 06th, 2005 11:28 pm
Comments:
Re: "If it wasn't for Texas..."
Posted On: August 17th, 2005 at 11:46 am by Erin Stephens
hehehe
Re: "If it wasn't for Texas..."
Posted On: August 17th, 2005 at 11:54 am by femlem1
sorry... that wasn't meant to sound mean or anything
now as for your stereotyping of texans...
1. I HATE country music... well save the old stuff i was force-fed growing up
2. I have never hunted anything, nor do i have an inclination to.
3. Arrogent? Heck ya! (being polite...)
4. yeah, everyhting is bigger here
5. you cannot be texan till you support the Texas team (we're currently working on legistlation that will evict College Station and Lubbuck from the state). LS-WHO?
Enough
Valete~FL1
Re: "If it wasn't for Texas..."
Posted On: August 17th, 2005 at 12:40 pm by Bloghardt
Heh... the point was not to stereo-type, FemLemOne, but that I have fallen in love with this place.
Re: "If it wasn't for Texas..."
Posted On: August 17th, 2005 at 2:09 pm by Stan Lemon
Re: "If it wasn't for Texas..."
Posted On: August 17th, 2005 at 9:42 pm by Cameron Doty
Isn't Texas the best state in the country. Sportscenter feature Texas on it 50 states in 50 days today. What really makes Texas great it is that everything is bigger in Texas and there's good hospitality down here especially @ Texas A&M the friendliest campus in the world and we have the best dual-threat QB in the country Reggie "The Real Deal" McNeal! Today's country music isn't so bad and the National music of Texas like singers Robert Earl Keen, Pat Green, Kevin Fowler, Cross Candanian Ragweed, Roger Creager, etc. Country music is the sound of the American Heart. We have the best mexican food! The real school is not tu, A&M is the real Texas school since it was the 1st public university and one of the few universities in the country to have a land, space, and sea grant. Texas legistation isn't get rid of College Station ( big city, smal town feel) Austin is weird. I guess Erin's theory about legistlation getting rid of College Station b/c we have the biggest and the best homefield advantage in college fb in Kyle Field. and the t-sips
Re: "If it wasn't for Texas..."
Posted On: August 17th, 2005 at 11:28 pm by The Cowboy M.O.P.
Your stereotypes are an insult to urban texans such as my self. Yes, we refer Texas as "down here" and yes, we take pride in our state. But I cannot condone tacky lawn ornaments such as texas stepping stones. I also despise any inclination that we all wear cowboy hats, ride horses to work and school, and find dinner by shooting furry things with our .22's (although, we do occasionally do that for fun). I may not have been born in texas, but I've lived there since I nearly died when I was little, so let me tell you, we are not all big arrogant hicks.
I know you talk about us Texans lovingly, but you're still labelling us unfairly. You know just as well yourself, even the countryfolk that supposedly fit those stereotypes are really nice people.
Re: "If it wasn't for Texas..."
Posted On: August 18th, 2005 at 3:35 pm by Stephens
Just because some Texans are completely arrogant, that doesn't go for all. Those who aren't arrogant, aren't really Texan though....(it comes with the territory). I think the only reason that Bloghardt doesn't cheer for UT is because our national champoinships weren't shared with another school. Face it Bloghardt, you have the swagger, the arrogance, the accent, the hunting, and the country music, all you need is the good football team, and a heaping dose of Texas High School football, and you'll officially be a Texan! 
Re: "If it wasn't for Texas..."
Posted On: August 18th, 2005 at 8:37 pm by FemLem1
can you really take the aggie that serious when he says things like "Sportscenter feature Texas on it 50 states in 50 days today"? of course they feature texas... it's one of the 50 states sorry, cameron... couldn't resist