This is Christopher Laurie, son of Greg Laurie of Harvest Church in Riverside. He was killed in a car accident yesterday on his way to work. I don’t know Christopher or his family but my heart broke last night when Andrew told me what happened. Here’s the crazy thing: I saw his mangled car without knowing who it belonged to. On my way to Disneyland yesterday at 11:00 in the morning, there was traffic on the 91 West bound because of “curiosity slowing.” Every time I drive by an accident I am convicted about my own irritation that something made me late. My delay is nothing compared to what this family is going through.
After hanging out with my best friend yesterday, seeing her juggle her 2 year old and 6 week old by herself while her husband was riding the Disneyland rides, I am torn up over what Christopher’s wife is going through. They have one daugher and are expecting another in November. I just prayed yesterday. Crying out to God, with one sentence: “I don’t understand.” I don’t understand, but I still believe.
So now that I have made it to the finals for the Riverside Sings competition (Aug 13th if you haven’t already put it on your calendar), I need to choose another song. Here’s the criteria: it has to upbeat, must be well-known and liked, it should show off my voice.
A few ideas have been: “Respect” (Aretha), “Call Me” (Pat Benetar), “Since You’ve Been Gone (Kelly Clarkson).
A friend first showed me this video. We watched the first 10 seconds about 20 times. I laughed every time. I still do. (Warning: there is some swearing so if you have sensitive ears stop video after 15 seconds. Rewind, laugh again)
I got a phone call today telling me that I WON the semi-finals for the singing competition!! For those of you who came out to support me last night, thank you so much. I had a blast and I felt so incredibly loved. I wish I would have taken more pics but my battery was dying. If you have any, can you send some?
The Saddleback Church bathroom is the closest to a “hands-free” bathroom I’ve seen. No front door, self-flushing toilets, sensored faucets and soap-dispensors, and “hands-free” paper towel dispenser. I was impressed. But not nearly as impressed as when I saw the instructions for their new “water-save” flushing handle. I didn’t know that #1 and #2 were official terms.
I went to dinner tonight with some friends at about 7:00and had 2 cups of coffee because I was so tired. This is a tell-tale sign that I am getting older: it is now 12:30am and I am wide awake. Andrew is asleep (on the couch of course) and I just finished my Astronomy homework. Checked out a few blogs. Still not tired but I need to sleep. Coffee used to never keep me awake this long. What is going on?
So I made it through the first round of auditions for the Riverside singing competition. I am singing in Fairmont Park in Riverside on July 9th at 6:00. I will be singing two songs and competing against one other person. The one who gets the most votes goes on to the final competition in August. The winner gets big bucks!! Its all about how many people vote for you so mark it on you calendar!! This is the one night I need to be super popular and have more friends than the other guy! COME!!
So Andrew and I have been to lots of weddings this year (lots seems to be an understatement) and even though we really enjoy supporting the people we love and being a part of their special day, they are usually all about the same. But every once in a while, someone will come up with some really original idea. This is Carli and Robert. They were in our “pre-married” small group that Andrew and I lead. First of all, their rehearsal dinner was at Chick-Fil-A. Chill and lots of fun. The owners went all out and even dressed up the cows like a bride and groom.
Then the wedding was at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Everyone invited to the wedding got to go to the part that day for free.
In between the ceremony and the reception the park opened up the carousel just for the guests.…
…and animal trainers came out with different animals to show us. This is a hedgehog in case you have never seen one before. I thought it would be bigger too.
Our whole small group was there. We had a blast.
What’s the most interesting wedding you have ever been to? (Or was it your own?)
So I got home from worship team practice tonight and noticed that Andrew did not vacuum the living room like I had asked. When I asked what he did tonight, he said “Stuff. And laundry.” Now, ladies, I know what you are thinking: “How sweet, he did laundry.” This is not what I thought. I always do the laundry to make sure that delicates get washed on ‘cold’ and hang dry. Andrew does not know which items to do this for. I got upset. Here he was trying to do a nice thing for me and all I could think of was my clothes. I tried to let it go as I followed him up the stairs. Andrew, at this point was also upset. Then we walk into our bedroom, he turns off the lights and says, “enjoy.” Then I noticed what he had done.
He drew a hot bath, lit candles, had music, and made my favorite dessert. This was all waiting for me. Yeah. I know. I’m a jerk. This is what he spent the evening doing. Laundry was not his main concern. It was doing something amazing for me.
We talked things out and made up (wink). I married an amazing man.
Thank God, Almighty. When I checked out of my classroom today I kept thinking “there has got to be something else to do.” But there wasn’t. I am done and I am crossing my fingers that I don’t get a last minute call to teach summer school.
I have never had this much time off. Even though I have a lot I want to get done for the summer, I almost go into a ‘mini’ depression when I don’t have a schedule. Don’t get me wrong, I am definately glad to be done, its just that it is in times like this that I realize how much I find my identity in what I do. So when I am not doing that, it makes me go introspective. Who am I? Will I use my time wisely? Now that I have the time, will I really do all the things I want to do, be the person I want to be? Will I realize that my “busy and tired from work” line to simply a reason to excuse myself from accepting more responsibilities and being the person I really desire to be?
Wow. This is a lot for the last day of school. You’d think it would have taken me at least a week to go crazy.
I went to dinner tonight with some friends at about 7:00and had 2 cups of coffee because I was so tired. This is a tell-tale sign that I am getting older: it is now 12:30am and I am wide awake. Andrew is asleep (on the couch of course) and I just finished my Astronomy homework. Checked out a few blogs. Still not tired but I need to sleep. Coffee used to never keep me awake this long. What is going on? 
…
