Home for the Holidays

I just got back from my trip to IL for Thanksgiving. Too many wonderful things to recount in just one post. In light of that fact, I will simply start with my actual travels back to Carson City. For starters, I am/was severely sleep deprived. A very dear friend that I haven't seen in years came over late Saturday night and stayed until almost 4am. Since I had to leave for the airport at 4:30am, I never actually went to bed. Even though I would not trade this time I had with him, I still do not recommend not sleeping the night before you travel. Unpleasant doesn't even begin to describe the experience. But, I am getting ahead of myself.

My Dad and I arrive at the airport at 4:50 am. Plenty of time to check in and make my 6:15 flight. However, when I checked in at the ticket counter they were searching for volunteers to switch flights because they were having a "weight-overage problem" with the little plane I was supposed to take to Minneapolis. I didn't care how I got home to Reno, so I volunteered to change flights. This took a very long time for them to arrange. Then I got sent to another ticket counter because I was now flying American, not Northwest. Then the guy at the American counter was very rude to me. Next, I was singled out to have both of my checked bags individually searched. For some reason, I had to stand there and watch them do it and wasn't allowed through security until they had finished. This was a problem because my new flight left at 5:55. They began searching my bags at 5:30. I was starting to get a little panicked. Unfortunately, when I get panicked I get very crabby (and let's also keep in mind that I hadn't slept at all that night. So I was also very very tired.) So my poor Dad ended up being at the receiving end of my tirade...which is too bad because he was only trying to help me.

So they finally decide that I am not carrying a bomb in my suitcase and I am allowed to leave and go through security. I say goodbye to Dad and hand my boarding pass and Driver's License to the person checking ID's. She takes both and says "follow me." Immediately I know this can't be something good. Lucky for me I had been selected to be hand searched. At this time I really just want to burst into tears (that happens when I am really tired and stressed).

The story does end happily. I made my flight and my connection in Chicago and am now sitting in my bedroom debating whether a nap would be a wise decision or not. I'm still not sure.

Good to be home.

Viva la Bayside

What a weekend. Not only did I get to ride in the Chrysler Pacifica, but I got to spend the weekend in California and see Lincoln Brewster. Sadly, I did not get to meet him. But I was very, very close.

Saturday was spent in Roseville doing the whole shopping thing. Lots of fun even though I didn't really buy anything. Good for my wallet I suppose. On Sunday Tina, Sunny and I visited Bayside Church in Granite Bay, CA. Huge church...Lincoln Brewster is their worship pastor. Here are some things we took away from the experience.

1. We are not that far behind! The main difference between their service and ours? They have way more money for cool toys.
2. We really appreciated their campus. Beautiful would not really be an adequate word. Clean lines, tasteful landscaping, pleasing colors, and oh yeah....plasma televisions in the lobby. Nice. Very nice.
3. I was surprised their auditorium was an all-purpose room. Gym floor, pull out bleachers. They run sound from downstairs in the back of the room....their whole console is on a movable platform that can be rolled to and fro. I think I was expecting more of the Willow model...fixed seating, more lights, bigger room. But this works for them. Again, very cool.
4. I love the sense of community that Bayside obviously works hard to create. The walls in the Auditorium were covered with larger than life photos of "Baysiders" and Bayside events. A very neat move to make the large church, well...seemingly not so large.
5. Everyone I met on their staff was very gracious. Very willing to help, willing to speak with me and answer my questions. Way cool.
6. Seeing Lincoln Brewster live was a definite highlight to the weekend. His band was absolutely killer! It was honestly like listening to a CD. I also appreciated that Lincoln did other people's music as well as his own. It was a four song set, and only two of the songs were his. Of the other two one was a Paul Baloche tune and the other was a Israel Houghton song. It was a great set! Darrel has told me that you have to teach your congregation how to worship. It is so cool to see it in practice. Even though the over-arching principles of worship are the same from church to church...the way in which in happens is different. I was interested to see how Lincoln has taught his Baysiders to worship. It was so neat to watch their mannerisms, their expressions, when they clapped, when they raised their hands, how they responded to where Lincoln was leading them. What a awesome God we serve!

The weekend was a total success. Let's do it again, girls!

Broken

My computer at home has died. Blogging must be suspended until I remedy the situation.