FMT Tour 2007

I got back last night from traveling on tour over Spring Break with the Faith Ministry Team, those wonderful 9th-12th graders from our school who are privileged to audition and make this group to represent our school. We had a wonderful trip to First Baptist Church Christian School in Mishawaka, IN, Fish Lake Bible Church in Sturgis, MI, Three Rivers High School, and Lakeshore Baptist Church in Grand Haven, MI over the last three days. We had a great time meeting new people and getting to sing for other believers. It was a special privilege to also be allowed to sing for the choir class of a public high school. We enjoyed spending time in Grand Haven, first with the Lakeshore teens, playing 9 holes of "Monster Golf" with giant plastic golf clubs and tennis balls (around the outside of the church building). Then we were able to have some fun time hanging out at the pier of Grand Haven, on the beach of Lake Michigan. We had dinner out at Red Robbin before coming on home. Of course, there are more stories to go along with this, but that's the brief recap.

If you have any stories you want to add, feel free to comment!

Contentment

I have turned a corner. I no longer feel like I'm stuck in limbo-land.

This last weekend I was back home in Michigan, surrounded by family and friends, most of whom I have known pratically all of my life. Friends near my age (in our 20's) are in that new stage of life, entering the work force, many getting married and starting their own families, finding their niches in their local churches, and transitioning into "adulthood" (whatever that is). Sometimes that can feel awkward, trying to relate as "adults" when you've never conversed on that plane before. The last few times going home sometimes I would feel that awkward gap. But this trip home, for whatever reason, I felt totally comfortable in who I was and my place in the whole scheme of things.

For instance, my whole family (mom and dad, brothers and sisters) went out to Country Kitchen for breakfast on Saturday, and it is just a joy to be FRIENDS with all of your siblings. We reminisced about things in the "good old days," but I didn't have the desire this time to go back to those days or find myself choked up because those days are over. This time I was just surrounded with such peace and contentment--and, yes, a few tears when we were singing for Mrs. Midkiff in the nursing home, but that was different. It is no longer weird to think of my sister Rachel as married. She and her husband Matt are doing fine and raising two very cute and lively little dachshunds. My brother Tim is counting down the days (80-something by now) until he and his fiance Kristen get married. And it wasn't weird to think about that, either. Kristen is becoming a normal part of conversation--and we even saved a place for her at Country Kitchen. Of course Sarah lives with me now so I am able to see her maturity as a young adult firsthand all the time. I was just able to see us all moving on to our own places in life and serving the Lord in our different ways. I was just so content this trip, but who can't but be content around family members that love the Lord and are able to have meaningful discussions and game times and look forward to spending time together? Maybe it was just the four of us siblings back together again and sitting around the kitchen table playing Settlers of Catan, but it was wonderful to be back with each other, not longing for the old times back, but facing forward, looking forward to more times together we can share as we move on to our different lives and vocations, yet are still connected, not only as family members, but as the body of Christ. And I am so thankful that I know that no matter what else happens, I will be able to spend eternity with my family, together in heaven.

I am home. Content with where God has placed me for now and so thankful for my wonderful family.

"For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

Goin' Home!!!

Yay! I'm going home! Sarah and I leave tomorrow (Friday) afternoon to drive up to the U.P. of Michigan for the weekend. My brother Tim will be home so I guess this will our last big bachelor fling with him before he gets married in June. I am looking foward to getting away and spending time with family! We took Monday off so we have a nice long weekend ahead of us.

Bonus Picture: For all the protesting Sarah does about Juju, they look pretty cuddly here:

No Rest for the Weary

(Disclaimer: The following contains the rantings of a tired, cranky, and unstable person.)

I've been too tired to sleep lately. I feel almost like I'm so far behind on my sleep that I will never get caught up, so I don't even want to try. I know that I've been "working" extra hours lately due to the many school funcions the past couple weeks: late evenings preparing for the Friendship Banquet, the last two days spending about 6 hours in a bus to and from Anderson, IN, leaving at 7:00 a.m. and not getting home until about 8:30. Spending Saturday (today) at a choir competition for another 5 hours of competition-related activities. I'm worn out. The hard part has been that I have still not quite recovered from being sick (the sickness has been tickling my throat--not much of a voice--the past few days still). And I've just not had good nights of sleep. I know, I know, I should probably do a better job at going to bed on time, especially since I've been so tired, but I've almost been too tired to care (bad, I know). I've been a bad girl and staying up watching movies, because when you get home at 8:30 and then take the dog for a walk, you don't feel like going to bed yet--and the dog hasn't been much help. Juju is usually up for at least 3 hours from whenever I get home, so if I don't get home until 8:30 I can pretty much guarantee I'll be up with her until about 11:00 or 12:00, keeping her from chewing up my things or playing with her and putting her in and out. But I came into this dog thing with my eyes wide open...I knew that she would she require lots of time and TLC. But some days I wish I could sleep in and Ju would sleep in (or go to bed at 9:00) and not get me up at 3:00 and 4:00 in the morning. I am even having a hard time taking afternoon naps; I just can't sleep...

I'm not a morning person. I like staying up late, but I can definitely feel it taking its toll...do I get a day off?? I am really looking forward to summer vacation.

Okay. I'm done.

Sarah made this special St. Patrick's Day supper and it's time to eat!

Can You Smell It?

Fresh air...the wind rushing through open car windows...screen doors open...daffodils and tulips peeking through the soil...thermometer reading 60 degrees...taking down the last vestiges of Christmas lights and paraphernalia...shorts and t-shirts...kids riding bikes...getting the car washed...the last snow piles dissolving into muddy pools...spending time outdoors in short sleeves (even if it is picking up dog poop)...spring is here!

A Little Stressed

Sorry I haven't updated lately. I am kind of running in panic mode trying to finish up (well, actually start and finish up) presentations for Friday night's FCS Friendship Banquet!

Thankfully I finished up the Spirit Week 2007 DVD (BOTH discs--the 94-minute video and the "Bonus DVD" with extra features!) last night so that is ready for the auction. It's pretty sweet, if I do say so myself.

iMovie and iDVD are fun.

I'm not feeling as sick.