The Scheme O' Things

(This day last year, I was packing my things, getting ready to leave Germany. It's still amazing to me that a year has already gone by!)

On Sunday I walked to the place I usually sit at church to find Deja and her week-old baby, Davonna. I got to hold her during worship, and she was perfectly sweet in the usual baby way: she smelled like baby, had little baby fingers, made cute little baby faces...it was so crazy to think that she was Deja's baby girl, though! Two things I noticed about her: she has a good nose, and very long fingers (for piano playing, I've decided). Beautiful!

It's really weird to think that I'm at the place in life now where friends I've known for years are getting married and having babies! I suppose someday it'll be my turn (even more weird to think about). But as much as I loved holding little Davonna and thinking about these things, I was really content giving her back to Deja. It's a great feeling, trusting God with the timing of everything that's going to happen in my life.

This past Sunday an opportunity was brought to me to consider and pray about- a chance to play piano for the new 8 a.m. church service Grace Baptist is adding to Sunday mornings. I've really been hashing this out in my mind, because it is a different situation from the Late Service- the music is different and challenging (I like that), there's a whole new group of people I'd be playing with (that's a crazier dynamic to me), and it would also mean non-negotiable commitments in my schedule (a practice night and Sundays, of course). Also, this would literally mean staying at church all day Sundays. Being there early to practice and set up, the actual service, Sunday school and/or playing flute in the traditional service, Late Service practice, Late Service. There are little gaps of time in there, which is nice, and honestly I don't mind playing music all day long...just another thing to consider. We shall see!

On the job front, I've recently discovered two possibilities, both I'm going to try and apply for tomorrow. If anything exciting happens, I'll be sure to post it in glee. I need employment!

Yesterday Parker and I had a Scrubs marathon that lasted pretty much all day. Parker slept for half of it (maybe not half, but I didn't mind- he needs the sleep!) Beforehand we had lunch at the Jetty, and somewhere in the middle we watched something about guns on the History Channel. At some point, Parker's dad tickled my feet, thinking they were Parker's, which was funny but then had me thinking- do I have man feet (??), and Mama Parker kept trying to take pictures of me, so I hid under a blanket (I wasn't feeling photogenic). I haven't been much of a fan of getting my picture taken since Parker said I look better in person (golly). Then we had dinner and just relaxed 'til Parker was falling asleep for realsies and I needed to go home.

Oh, one more thing. Mom and I got to have an Olive Garden date and I was really happy about it! We don't to hang out very much, just the two of us, so getting to eat breadsticks and gab was a whole lot of fun.

~VL~

A Great Weekend and a Happy Day

This last weekend was the college Unite conference at Hume Lake. A group of ten of us went up from Grace Baptist (eleven if you count Stephen's gnome), and it was a good weekend of learning, hanging out, singing, and enjoying the beautiful surroundings that are Hume. We had a different speaker each chapel, with this common theme of making a decision to live for God, instead of "limping between two ideas" as one of our speakers put it. It was a more intimate feeling at this camp, I felt- the worship was personal, and the lessons practical. For some reason, though, I couldn't wait to get home. I missed my family and I missed church Sunday morning, and I missed...other people (guess who)... I think one of the best things about the weekend was that my cell phone didn't have reception and I didn't have my laptop. Those two things are definitely things I depend on but don't necessarily need. So not having them was a bit freeing. As we started getting reception on the way home, though, I got almost fifty text messages!

After we got back home, the Late Service worship team got right to practicing and, I'm not gonna lie, I felt a little bit like leaning my head on the piano and falling asleep during worship. I was so tired. Right after Late Service was over, I went home and went to straight to sleep, because the next morning I knew Parker and I were going to...

Disneyland! When my alarm went off Monday morning, I was super groggy but excited to get to spend the day with Parker. As we were getting ready to start our drive, Parker told me he had a surprise planned, so of course I got even more excited. We stopped in Ventura for Starbucks, kept driving...and as we started coming into L.A. Parker pulled out a map and told me to avert my eyes...we got off the freeway, and I was still clueless as to where we were going, and then after driving a bit more, we pulled up to a German bakery! I couldn't believe it- maybe I'm the only one who gets this excited about carbohydrates, but I almost cried. They had German pretzels. And besides the pretzels, Parker thought of it and that was the sweetest thing!

After that detour, we made our way to the Happiest Place on Earth to find it completely packed with people- on a Monday! But no matter. We walked around and rode a record-breaking two rides: Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean, twice. It was really nice to just spend the day there together. We stayed 'til the fireworks and I was totally amazed because I've never seen the regular Disneyland fireworks.

A happy ending to a happy day.

~VL~

Lovin' Them Golden Oldies

Tonight was the Keenager/College group dinner at church, and it was great fun (I was giggling nearly the entire time)! I got to sit at the McKays' table, which was ideal, because I love those two couples and the McKay gentlemen in particular are my buddies. Tonight, I particularly noticed similarities between Mrs. Bob McKay and my grandma Joyce (or Tennessee Grandma, as Parker likes to call her). The way she talks and uses her hands when she talks- she even said, "Oh mercy!" like Grandma does! I loved it. Anyway, the dinner was really fun. Some highlights:

• When Mr. Phil McKay was asking me about Paul, one of the other ladies asked (in a hushed, shocked tone) if he was mine.
• When Mr. McKay (still Phil) asked me about my boyfriend, the unknowing portion of the table assumed he was talking about Paul (since learning he was my cute little brother, wrapped around his finger, etc.), and when Mr. McKay asked what he did for a living, one of the ladies exclaimed, "Oh! You've got a real boyfriend! Not that I didn't think it was possible. You look alright."
• During one of our quiz games about texting, having the gentlman next to me throw down his pen and say, "I don't care for this one bit. What I'd like is some more dessert."
• Before Justin and I played a contemporary song, I was known as "The flute girl." Afterwards, I heard, "You play in that Late loud band?" :)
• Hearing the phrase, "Honest Injun?" I mean, that's just fun.
• Trying to keep from laughing during prayer with Hannah and Stephen. What troublemakers.

All in all, I had a great time. The odds of anyone sitting in on Late Service this Sunday? Slim. But at least we got to spend some time together eating, laughing, and fellowshipping under one God.

~VL~