This morning Maggie and I are making the now-familiar drive to Brownsville, Tennessee for Maggie’s sister’s wedding.  Brownsville is the family stomping grounds for my mother-in-law, Jane.  In fact, my in-laws live in the house that Jane grew up in.  While I’m not sure we’d ever choose to live in this small southern town, I always enjoy the cross-cultural experience.  My in-laws are amazing hosts who take great care of us when we visit, including feeding us too well.

One of our driving south rituals is stopping in Effingham, Illinois.  We stop for three reasons: the name of the town cracks us up, the gigantic cross along the interstate is good conversation fodder, and the town’s independent coffee shop- Joe Sippers Cafe– is the perfect halfway stop.

The wedding is on Saturday: Maggie is the maid of honor and I’m the officiating pastor, a first for us.  Should be a lot of fun.  Unless we get the giggles halfway through the ceremony.  That wouldn’t be good.