Words don't make.

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Today.

1. I woke up in the Mansion on Forsyth, where I stayed with my family for the evening. This really is a beautiful hotel. If I was married, even if I lived in Savannah, I would get a room for a mini vacation. It was just so lavish and comfortable! I'm thankful for the opportunity to stay there. The most impressive part of this room... the bathroom. I love beautiful bathrooms! This one was beautiful. Black marble, grey marble, frame-less showers with THREE (yes, three) large shower heads (one on each side and one right above your head in the middle!). I love these kinds of things! Simple pleasures are a luxurious shower at 6AM!

2. My dad took me to church. We stopped at Parkers for coffee, and boy did I need it. For some reason, I was a bit more tired than usual. I've had trouble getting to sleep for the past week or so. We got into a nice little discussion about ... different political things... I rarely disagree with my dad about politics. Today, I don't think we were disagreeing, but I don't think we were talking about the same thing. For once, I was focused on a singular topic while he was concerned about the whole picture. Now I'll have to start being more politically aware. I feel like I have been aloof for a while! I miss those discussions (but not THAT much!).

3. Here is where the day gets interesting. I got to church, and had a serious mood-attack. Nothing seemed to be coming together. Once tied up ends were coming loose and fraying, and I don't know why, but it just seems like I didn't get the job done this week even though I worked on it ALL week. I had to keep reminding myself that all I had was the moment, and that there was no reason to be grouchy, and that I needed to love others, and practice being thankful, and walk with the grace of God. This was an exercise for me for a while. Apparently, my heart was on my sleeve this morning; several people seemed to notice that I was on edge. I really had no reason to be. The only thing I could think of was that God had gone ahead of us, and he was working on great things for this worship service and Satan was trying to pull me down. I know that sounds uber-spiritual and possibly too religious, but whatever, that's just how I felt. I felt fully equipped for such an attack.

Sunday school worship. We did "How He Loves" and "Revelation Song". One of the youth was awesome and just played with the 4 chords I gave him for each song... it was wonderful. I was REALLY filled with wonder for God. I know he loves me. I kept saying that to myself and living in that truth. It was healing.

Anchor worship. God really did work. I was exhausted, and I'm sure it was reflected in my vocals, and there were strange things happening in one of my favorite songs, but overall, musically, the service went well. We had someone join the congregation, which is a big deal to me, and we prayed for my pianist and friend who just found out her breast cancer has come back. That's what a church is for. We come together to celebrate and worship God, but in this life, God uses US to be the hope for each other. Hope, to me, is the knowledge that God is working out his promises in our lives. God works out his promises through you and me, and my own hope is renewed when I see how my church family comes together as a family, loves, and cares for it's own. God is so good.

4. Come home, family leaves (sad). I took a few minutes to rest, and didn't get much rest. Tonight was IOHUMC's Children's Nativity Pageant. I helped run lights (as best as possible, Josh definitely could have done it himself!). I also served communion. It was a workout! I was grabbing, dipping, handing, and talking ... all in about 3 seconds. I love serving communion though.

5. Back home again. I ate dinner and debated going to Late Church. I had planned to go all day, but got home and felt tired... but something was nagging me. I just got up and went. It was great- the music, mostly. The message was also good and worth being reminded of: active waiting. He used the story of Simeon and Anna in the temple when they first saw Jesus, the Messiah. I was able to connect with some other young people who (actually) go to my church (IOHUMC). It was (more than) nice because I never get to talk to these people on Sundays because I'm busy working. I look forward to more encounters!

All in all, it has been a challenging day. God has been so good. I really to love, and love to embrace challenges because they make me most mindful of God and the Spirit of God working in me to develop the fruit of the Spirit as I get to exercise them!

"Here I stand, arms open wide. I am yours and you are mine. My whole life is yours, I give it all; surrender to Your name. And forever I will say: Have Your way. Have your way." Truly, this is my prayer and what I actively live into; it always will be. I hope it can also be yours.

Lindsay