October

It's been a while since I've been able to update my blog. This is mostly because I've been busy on my normal Tuesday/Thursday "free" night when Jason has class. When I last wrote, I had just met the music pastor at Grace, who is friends with Ron. A couple of weeks after that, I got an email about coming to choir practice on Tuesday nights. Now, the choir sings during the Sunday services. We've been going on Saturday nights, where they have a band with a couple of singers. So I wasn't sure what to do, because we liked the schedule of going on Saturdays, but I wanted to get involved somehow. So I knew it would all work out somehow. I went to choir practice, and it was good. But I was encouraged to also contact the guy who leads Saturday nights. So I figured I would, and just see what happened. He scheduled me for the Blend service, which is a lighter, acoustic service that also meets on Sundays. I sang with them this past Sunday. I was nervous, because it's not what I'm used to in being able to read and learn my part. I had to basically create my own harmony part. They post the songs as mp3s so I was able to listen to it all week. I had to call on my previous experience in the Metro band. Of course, there I had Scott and Wendy to help me come up with parts. But I have to say, it's not as hard to do as I was thinking...I've even found myself doing that more with any song I'm listening to. But yesterday, the guy emailed me and said for now he wants to put me on a regular rotation at the Blend...maybe 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off. So Jason and I have decided to continue going on Saturdays, and I'll go back on the weeks I sing. Pretty cool!

I've been wanting to mention one of the great things about my new elementary school. There is a group of people who meet to pray every day before school starts. Of course, since I'm doing good to get there on time, I really have to work at getting there to pray. But, what a great way to start the day! And what a great way to get to know people.

Our pastor has been doing a series about loving others...truly loving with your actions. He's challenged us to share God's love with others in practical ways, meeting their needs. I hate to say it, but that hasn't been something that I've thought a lot about before. But now, I've been thinking about it a lot more. How can I show love in practical ways? That's one of the greatest things. "If you see your brother in need, but have no pity on him, how can the love of God be in you?"

The most exciting thing that has happened in the last few weeks is that I became an aunt again! Amy gave birth to Ava Grace on October 8 in Germany. In Germany (sniff). I'm not sure when I'm going to be able to see her, when we'll be able to make it to Germany, so this is the one thing that dampens my excitement about this. But she is adorable, and seeing pictures of my 4-year-old niece, Jordan, holding her is almost just as good as being there. But not quite. So maybe God will bless us with a trip to Germany. Of course, we want to be wise with our money, but I feel like we need to just go while they're there. I'm sure we will at some point in the 3 or more years that they'll be there, but will I be able to see Ava as a baby? I hope so, but I guess we'll see.

Aren't they cute?

Last for now, I'm so excited about the time of year that it is. It was really nice to have such cool weather this weekend. It really felt like fall (or winter for Florida)! But, we're into my favorite time of the year...Thanksgiving and into Christmas. I'm starting to feel ready to listen to Christmas music. It may sound early, but when you're in a choir learning Christmas music since September, there's nothing strange about putting your Christmas playlist on your iPod in October. I'm feeling the urge to scrapbook, too. I haven't done any layouts since the summer. I'm sure as the holidays get here, I'll get some done.