Day 247

I was supposed to be back in Colorado this morning.  But I'm not.  I'm still at home!

Mom and Dad took me to the airport last night around 6PM where we said our tearful goodbyes see-ya-laters.  I went through security and was sitting at my gate at Greensboro's PTI Airport when I heard the announcement that our crew for the plane was in the air and would be there in about 10 minutes, so boarding would be about half an hour delayed.  Alright, I thought, No big deal.  I don't have anywhere else to go.

So we started boarding, first class first, obviously.  Probably the 6th or 7th guy's ticket wasn't scanning correctly.  So they pulled him to the desk and started typing.  I could see it in the woman's face that something wasn't right.  Then, she picked up the phone to make an announcement for all of us standing in line to board.

Crrrrkk. Passengers flying to Cincinnati, can I have you attention please.  This plane has been overbooked and we're looking for one volunteer with flexible flight plans to give up their seat.  We'll be giving you a $400 travel voucher and will try to get you to your destination tonight.  If we can't, then Delta will be paying for your hotel and meals and we'll get you out first thing tomorrow morning.

She probably said more, but I was walking to the desk before she was even done saying all of this.  I was supposed to be working on Tuesday at my job with Nestle but had received a call as I sat down at the gate that I wasn't needed Tuesday (today).  I was the only person volunteering to give up my seat and I was so excited.  It was Mom's birthday yesterday when all of this was happening so I called my parents and told them to turn around and come and get me.  We had another 18 hours together.

I don't believe in coincidences.  God always has a plan.

So today, before we went back to the airport, I had to get one more picture of our dogs.  Well, my dog Maddie and her/my dad's dog, Buddy.

My sweet girl.  She's perfect.  And a diva.

Buddy.  Oh Buddy.  He's a very sweet and loving dog, but he's just not all there.  He chases planes...

Day 245

HAPPY EASTER!

Luke 24:46-47
And Jesus said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem."

We celebrated Easter by going to the Sunrise Service at our wonderful church, Community Lutheran.  We had a covered dish breakfast for which my dad made the best Sausage-Gravy and biscuits.  We also took the annual family portrait of the puppies.

From left to right: Dallas, Sawyer, Buddy, and Maddie Bailey.

We ate Chelsea and Justin's thawed, one year old, strawberry amaretto wedding cake.

It was surprisingly moist and still just as delicious as is was March 19, 2010.

And took a few (people) family pictures.

This Easter, and entire weekend, has been absolutely perfect.

Day 166

It's Sunday, which means a few things.  Number 1: try another church.  Number 2: cleaning.  Number 3: more football (Pro Bowl).  Number 4: grocery shopping.

After the church we tried two weeks ago, John wanted to try a non-denominational church just because they tend to have younger people and we're definitely looking for a place that has people in the same path of life that we are, along with some from other walks so we can learn and grow.  So we went to Calvary Temple, a church about 5 minutes away.  I did some research on the church and it seemed promising.  They're even doing a Bible study by Beth Moore, which one of my friend's is also doing.  That really excited me because Becky, my aforementioned friend, seems to really be into this study and I would love to do a study as I never have.  Plus, this church has a service for the 20 and 30 somethings.  Sounded perfect.  However, after going to the church, it just wasn't right.  I think the search for a church is going to be really difficult.  I want a more traditional church: hymns, the Lord's prayer, and most importantly, communion every Sunday.  Yet both John and I want a church that has a good population of people our age, who tend to have gravitated away from the traditional church.  Hopefully God will lead us to the right church soon.

Once we got back from church, we cleaned.  Growing up, that's what my family did.  We got up Sunday morning, went to church, came home and started to clean.  And not just a pick up your room kind of clean.  I mean the whole kit and kaboodle.  Vacuum, mop, dust, clean the bathrooms top to bottom, change the sheets, do the laundry, etc.  It's funny.  Looking back.  I am now the exact same.  I don't like to do that stuff any other day.  Just Sunday. 

I also like to do the grocery shopping Sunday.  However, that sentiment is quickly changing as I've realized if I go during the day on Monday, there is about 5% of the crowd that would have been there on Sunday.  That's especially nice because when I go grocery shopping, I take my list and just walk around.  I've gotten pretty good at sticking to the list, but I still like to take my time and just tune out everything.  It's relaxing.  Spaghetti sauce was on my list today and of course I had a coupon for some Ragu.  It's not my favorite, but for the price I can throw in some additional spices.  Imagine my heart break with I did see my favorite marinara sauce.

Rao's.  Oh my gosh.  If you haven't had this sauce, you are missing out.  As you can see, the price is steep.  I paid $3 and some change for a jar twice this size.  Gosh.  I love this sauce.  I can just eat it plain.  It is that good.

Day 152

After yesterday's unfortunate losses at the casinos, we felt the need to go to church.  Just kidding.  We're on the hunt to find a church to attend regularly and to hopefully find some people to get to know.  So we went to Messiah Community Church, a Lutheran church in the ELCA, the same as my church at home.  

It was a nice church, but it just didn't tickle our fancy.  The people, like all Lutheran churches that I've been to, were very nice, but there were weren't really any people our age there.  It was pretty much all older people and really young families.  So the search for the church continues.

Day 96

Today was my last day at home.  I'm sad, but it was a great day filled with people very close to our family.  Mom, Dad, and I went to church this morning and then came back home, I packed, and we had a delicious lunch.

Yum.  Baked flounder, grilled shrimp with Old Bay, homemade coleslaw, and Jackie's sourdough rolls.  Ah-mazing.
But in the afternoon we went back to church for the church Thanksgiving Meal.  It was potluck style, and being a Lutheran church, there was more than plenty of food to go around.  There was a huge turn out, I think around 60 folks!  It's so great to see people gathering in fellowship.  Afterwords we had a bonfire with hot cider and, of course, s'mores!

The fire was super hot.  A true boy scout made it :)  What a wonderful last day in NC.

Day Twentysix

Sunday is one of my favorite days of the week, maybe even second to Saturday.  Sunday means cleaning, football, relaxing, and most importantly, church.  Today was the first time I've gone to church since moving up here and so I have now officially begun the search for a home church. 
I went to Trinity Church today.  It is gorgeous.  And very old.  So here's a picture that by no means does this ornate and beautiful church any justice.