I am blessed to be a witness.

[chestnutcurls]

I thought I'd get online tonight (gasp) and catch up on LJ so I could make a nice relaxed post instead of an "I'm insanely busy and would lose my head if it wasn't fastened on, but surely I can think of something to say" post. :)

The long weekend has had its ups and downs so far. I've been struggling with the fact that Evan and I rarely have dates anymore because we are poor. So on Friday night, we had a candlelight picnic in the living room. Then we played Scrabble instead of watching TV. It was nice and free. I guess I have to practice making the simple things more special.

On Saturday I had lunch at Molly's with calypsobard. It was fun and the food was amazing. After lunch we came back to the apartment to visit with Gandalf and started looking through old yearbooks from our common high school. It seemed like we knew a lot of the same people. Finally she asked me what street I lived on in high school. It turns out that we lived on the same block for ten years and never met - until we did so on LJ through Shana. It's definitely one of the weirder things I've ever discovered.

That evening our group of once and current RUFers went to the school to hear Ravi Zacharias, the famous apologist. His free appearance had been advertised to every church in town. When we got to the doors of the theatre, there was a guy announcing that it was for students only, but they'd let the general public in later if any seats were left. The longer we waited around, the more amazing the crowd got. There were at least 200 people. Groups from Arkansas and Kentucky were turned away. I was strangely moved by the way the Christian community was making an appearance. :) Needless to say, we didn't get in, so we all went to Garibaldi's (some of the best pizza in town) and then back here to watch Wayne's World (the movie that never gets old). It was good fellowship. :)

Today was a special day for me. I joined my church! I interviewed last week, but didn't want to talk about it here in case something went awry. All went well, and this morning I took a happy walk down the aisle. My pastor said, "It's about time," when I arrived at the pulpit. Everyone came up and greeted me with surprise that I wasn't already a member. Evan hugged me a lot and said he was proud of me. I'm very happy. :) I feel complete, but in a way like I didn't know I was missing a piece. It's hard to explain. I feel like it's a step toward something. Many things. ;)

The rest of today was relaxing. Evan and I were invited, individually, to other activities, but decided our one full day together was more important. So we just rested and watched the Patriots game. Despite the fact that they beat my Titans and my Dolphins, I am rooting for them. (Sorry, Lori and Shelley.) I mean, everyone likes the Patriots, right? They're patriotic. Not liking them seems un-American. Besides, I'm an AFC girl. Speaking of which, doesn't it seem weird that the expansion teams have been the ones dominating the last few years? Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Carolina, Baltimore, etc. What's the deal with that?

Oh, and also, I love to watch the presentation of the trophies. It brings back happy memories of band victory. I get a little weepy.

I'm feeling rambly and could go on for some time, but I'll spare you. Tomorrow I'm off work. I plan to take care of some chores in the most relaxed way possible, and maybe visit my mom. Happy MLK day!

Comments

[laura8225.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on joining the church! It sounds like you had a happy weekend. :)

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I did. Mostly. :)

[aardwolf.livejournal.com]

Ravi Zacharias spoke at Bellevue this morning. He's very intelligent, and I really enjoyed it.

I rooted for the Patriots during the last Super Bowl they were in, but only because I wanted to be patriotic... I don't really know anything about them as a team. I think it would be fun to have people over and watch the Super Bowl at my place...

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Yeah...I'm already going to a church party. I'm excited I get to watch the Super Bowl this year. The last two years it's been during my conference.

[canticles.livejournal.com]

Haha! That's really cool! :)

Awww... I'm glad you had a good day, joining your church and all that. I was surprised at how much excitement I felt when I joined First Dallas. Like, I was excited about it, but after I joined I just felt like I would bubble over with it!

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

I know! :D

[anulyra.livejournal.com]

Cheap dates can be some of the best dates. One time Jason and I only had a few dollars but I really wanted to get out of the house after the sun went down and drive with the windows open. (I don't do that very often because of the noise and my hair getting messed up, but that day I was in the mood). We decided to drive downtown( Detroit) into GreekTown. We walked through "Trapper's Alley" (a building full of shops that no longer exisits) and did some window shopping and people watching. Then we bought a couple of pasteries, and ate them while sitting on the steps to an old church while listeing to a musician play for pocket change on the street corner. It was fun! (and rather romantic)

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

That does sound fun! I'm really trying to find cheap things for us to do. I spent a couple of hours on Friday looking at "cheap date ideas" online. :P :)

[sominfun.livejournal.com]

It's too bad you couldn't hear Ravi Zacharias. I've heard him on tape and read parts of his books.

Congrats on joining you're church! It is about time. ;)

[sominfun.livejournal.com]

you're? It's Monday, and I'm at work. Forgive me. :)

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

It's perfectly okay. :)

[my-everafter.livejournal.com]

Congrats on joining the church! I didn't know you weren't a member already either- good thing you didn't tell me because I don't know what I think of non-church-members on my friends list! ;-P Glad to have that fixed! hehe
The Friday night date sounds so romantic! Hmm- Steven and I should do something simple like that. Our latest "dates" have been playing super puzzle fighter on the computer! lol

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we've spent many hours with Puzzle Fighter ourselves. :)

[mrszoid.livejournal.com]

Congrats on joining! What kind of cat is Gandalf? Albert Schweitzer said something to the effect of "there are two respites from the doldrums of life - music and cats" - I think it's very true. I love and miss my Petey-pie (Peter) and Girlie (Ellen) very much.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Gandalf is a mutt. :) Or whatever you call a plain cat. His mother was a stray.

[stacye13.livejournal.com]

Mutts are great cats - all mine have been! They've all been black also. Our last 2 were from the House of Mews and I know they have plenty more if you want to go get a couple :)

[krikketgirl.livejournal.com]

We were rather hoping that the Colts would actually win something for a change, but none of us were really surprised when they were soundly tromped by the Patriots. *sigh* Thank goodness I'm not a football fan! : )

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's not good to get too wrapped up in football emotions. :)

[nikichick4.livejournal.com]

Congrats on joining your church!

I've never heard of anything like that though, interviewing and the like..

Mine is so desperate for members, anyone who goes there for a month automatically is considered one...haha.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

LOL. Yeah, all they do is ask you the two EE questions. They just want to make sure you're really a Christian. I was all nervous, thinking I was going to be examined on the five points of Calvinism or something. :)

[keepsmiling74.livejournal.com]

I'll forgive you this time! LOL! Just kidding - I'm a tried and true Colts fan, since they left Baltimore...and the fact that my favorite player is on their team also helps. However, I hope now that the Patriots trounce the Panthers. The end.

Simple dates can be fun...not to run on about someone who's not even my boyfriend, but I know John and I have always been able to just "do nothing" (or at least nothing expensive) and still have a good time. Hrm, would be nice if we could still do that AND be a couple. LOL! :)

Enjoy your day off!

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Yes...I am hoping that for you, too! :)

[alissamarie.livejournal.com]

Congrats!

I have to be a Patriots fan, because my Dad grew up near there and all of that side of the family lives around Boston (including in Foxboro!). I also have to be a Red Sox fan, by default.

I love your shoes. ;)

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :)

[danialand.livejournal.com]

The cheap date of scrabble by candlelight sounds sweet and romantic..even if you were just trying to save some money by not going out. :) Aww

Congrats on joining your church! Is Evan a member of that congregation already?

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Yeah, he joined years ago when his parents did.

[danialand.livejournal.com]

oh! cool!

[jeffholton.livejournal.com]

Ravi Zacharias spat on me once. (It wasn't intentional.)

I still think he's cool.

"The either/or does seem to emerge..."
--R. Zacharias