Weddings

3 weekends, 3 weddings. I'm officiating at last weekend's and next weekend's, but today I was simply a guest. Well, sort of. The short version of the story is that I did the premarital counseling for this couple since the bride's childhood pastor is now in Michigan. I guess he didn't want to commute for the counseling. :-) So I did the premarital and he did the service. But, it was the first wedding in a long time where I had absolutely nothing to do during the service. I was trying to think while driving there when the last wedding was that I wasn't involved in, and couldn't. I've been the pastor, the intern, a musician, a bridesmaid or maid of honor, the bride's personal assistant. Anyhoo, it was a lovely service and an absolutely gorgeous day. But, I think I'm now ruined for weddings, too. I have trouble sitting through worship that I'm not leading because I pick it apart, and I did the same thing with the wedding today. Not necessarily negative stuff, my brain just swirls around and around as I compare what we do at our church, or I do as a worship leader, how I like some things that are different, how I would never do some things a certain way, etc. Sometimes I wish my brain would shut up!

Here are 2 other random tidbits for this entry: yesterday while driving home I hiccoughed while sneezing and almost drove off the road. Weird. Last Sunday when I drove to church there was a dead skunk in the middle of the road. Very smelly. Then, on Tuesday when I drove home after being gone for 2 days I noticed that someone had spray painted the skunks white stripes green. On the one hand I find it amusing. On the other, I think someone has way too much time on his or her hands!

Transition

Oh, the times, they are a-changing. But then again, what else is new? Things have been crazy around here for the last month or so. It's now been announced to the congregation, so I guess I can type about it, here. SP, for a variety of very complicated reasons, is resigning. Since I have a co-terminus call, I will also be leaving. I can stay until I have another call, but of course this means that I will soon be back in the call process. And then I will have to move again. Things here have been overly dramatic and sometimes downright crappy over the last year, but I still didn't think I would be back in the call process after only a year. I SO do not want to move again. So I'm worried about SP and his health during this process, I'm angry at certain parts of the congregation, thankful for other parts of the congregation, bitter about the call process and moving, hopeful that things will work out, scared about the future, and about 10,000 other emotions. Prayers are appreciated, for me, the SP, the congregation, random strangers--you know--whomever!

Friends Friday Five

So today let's write about the different kinds of friends we have, like childhood friends, lost friends, tennis friends, work friends, and the list goes on. List 5 different types of friends you have had in your life and what they were/are like.

1. When I was preschool age we had neighbors across the street who had a daughter. I didn't know her long, but she was my bestest friend at the time. After they moved I had an imaginary friend with the same name. I sometimes wonder where she ended up (the real friend, not the imaginary friend--I'm still in touch with the imaginary one!).

2. In high school I had 5 friends that I consistently hung out with. We were the somewhat dorky, good kids who got together to eat pizza and watch movies most weekends. We didn't drink, we didn't get in trouble, we were kind of boring. Except once we broke a barn. And once we broke me and had to move the party to the emergency room...

3. In college I met the woman who is now my best friend. I think we must have known each other in a past life (or lives) because we clicked immediately. It all started with the Beatles and a random conversation about eggnog. We know everything about each other, and often joke that we'd better be friends forever simply because of the blackmailing possibilities that are out there if we ever get good and truly pissed at one another! :-)

4. After college and before seminary I moved to TX and had 2 jobs that I wasn't overly thrilled with. The jobs weren't great, but the friends I made at them were. In fact, today I am waiting to hear about the babies who were born to one of those friends just this morning. Last I heard Mom was in recovery and twin girls were doing well. Can't wait to hear the details of names and size! Yay babies!

5. And then there was seminary. I was blessed with lots of people I can call friends in that community, but there are 2 who definitely stand out from the rest. Oh, the stories. Laughing so hard my stomach hurt for what seemed like hours afterward. Watching truly bad TV. Drinking lime smashes. I miss those 2.

Horoscope

Well, that's just wrong. And mean. And depressing. I mean, really...

aries (Mar. 21st-Apr. 20th)Start thinking about love…cause that’s as close as you’re going to get to it this week. Ouch! Yep, tough love is all you’ll be getting this week. Not to salt your wounds, but if you defy the stars and actually try to get close to someone, it will be the wrong someone. Best to just stay home with some good [chocolate].

Weird Research

I read a friend's facebook status today and it said something about how his daughter (who is in kindergarten) got off the bus today and told him that cobras don't pee. Huh. So I asked him if she said why? He said no. Which then led me to start searching on google. Now, I appreciate curiosity, and I'm always open to learning new things, but it did strike me as somewhat funny/odd that this is what I was doing with my Monday night. Maybe I need to get out more?