Easter Weekend Part Two

Saturday wasn't anything too exciting! I slept in, as usual, ran errands with my parents, came home, then got ready for church. I didn't have much down time in between, but that was good.

I got to the church at the same time, changed, and waited just like the night before. For some reason, things seemed a bit crazier in the "dressing room" on Saturday; the little kids were also in there getting ready, which made for a lot of noise and laughter, in a good way. I was talking to one little girl, who was very impressed with the fact that I was 21, and kept asking me all sorts of questions about it. In my own way, I felt like a superhero. I'm finding that I'm also not as bad with kids as I thought...It seemed like they were actually sort of gravitating towards me, and I didn't mind at all. I was enjoying their enthusiasm and conversation.

When the kids left, it was a bit quiet, so me, "Joseph" and "12 year old Jesus" were talking about who knows what! All I really remember is that I couldn't stop laughing and sometimes at times when things should have been a bit more serious, and I couldn't help it! *oops!*. And then it was our turn to go onstage. This time, the projector screen wasn't working for the video that was played right before we'd walk on, so we had to wait on stage a bit longer, to make sure that we made it on time. I don't know that the lights shined on us that time either, but we did our thing and it seemed to work out.

This time, I left pretty quickly after my scene in the service was over. My mom picked me up and we ran to the store to get eggs, so we wouldn't have to brave it on Sunday (ain't nobody got time for that), then went home to see what my dad wanted to do for dinner. On the way home, we saw another sunset, and it just blew me away at how BIG God really is and how He's everywhere. It gave me peace in the midst of over-thinking and over-analyzing my life and what's to come in the future. I've been worrying so much about the most pointless things and anxious about who knows what? Even if just for those few minutes, I knew that God was going to work it all out.

We ended up ordering a pizza, so I went with my dad to pick it up, then we ran to Walgreens to pick up a few things. We came home to eat, then ran back out to the store, and came home. I cleaned my room because it was way too messy and watched Felicity...Until around 2 or so a.m.

Sunday:

My alarm went off to Shania Twain's "Up" at 6:45 a.m, and I was SO not ready to get up after going to bed much too late the night before, because I was busy watching Felicity. But, I knew I needed to do it then or I never would. I put on my makeup, curled my hair, and changed into my "Easter outfit" which was nothing new or fancy this year, since I was going to be helping out for most of it.

I got there at 8, and it was the same routine, which I liked knowing exactly what I needed to do at that point. I got into costume, then headed out to the waiting room where everyone else. One of the little girls I had been talking to the night before was asking me more questions about being 21...And said, "Do you have your own house?" I said, "No, I still live with my parents." A few minutes later she responded with, "You're 21, you should have your own house!" and was telling the other lady standing right by us. The other lady came to my defense and said that I was just starting out and saving for that...It was cute, but it had me thinking more into it, naturally. I'm 21. I should be at a very different place in my life, and I feel like I'm years behind everyone else. But, I suppose there's a reason everything happens the way it does. And it's time that I start doing something to change the things that I can at this point in time.

The service started a few minutes later than the two previous nights, so I was feeling a bit anxious, and needed to just remind myself that it was okay...Instead of being impatient for no reason at all. I needed to remember to take a few breaths and know that everything was going to be okay.
This time, all of the lights and effects were working for the skit, which was exciting! And the kids were extremely responsive with everything that was going on, which was so cute to hear.

After the first service, I met up with my friend, Viviyan and we walked over to the Starbucks across the street. Those are some of my favorite moments for us; We always have some of the best heart to hearts over coffee and breakfast! This time was no exception! Life talks and realizations are always going on, which is really liberating.

It's the little things...

We walked back over to church, where the first service was starting to get out, and others were coming in for the next one. I ended up running into my aunt in the restroom, and not too long after, saw my parents coming into the family room. Viv and I talked with them for a few minutes, making plans for the dodger game the next day, etc.
Pretty soon, it was time to head to where we all needed to be, so we all split up and said I'd catch up with them later. I went back to the children's church, and got ready for the next service. Everything went great once again, and I had the rest of the service to hang out. Usually, I would go into the main sanctuary with my parents to listen to the sermon, but felt like it was too far into it, so I didn't want to disrupt anything and feel awkward. I went to the coffee shop and hung out with Viviyan and a few other friends from around the church, which was fun.
In between the second and third services, I always have quite a bit of time to kill, so I did a lot of talking and catching up with whoever I found. I was especially glad I got to talk with our friend, Makenzie, who was just in a really bad car accident, but is a walking miracle. Looking at her car, it's amazing to me that she didn't have very many injuries and is doing so well right now. We talked about how she was doing and feeling, and it's incredible to me that she was even at church. God has big plans for that girl!
I talked with a couple other friends, and it had me asking myself a lot of questions about what ministry I want to be part of, because I feel like I'm in limbo with what I really want to do right now. But, maybe that's a good thing...It's a time to experiment and see what fits best. I guess I have a lot of thinking and praying to do after that.

At 12:00, the next and last service started. I was pretty sad to see it all coming to an end. Although, I was starting to feel a bit tired, I was SO glad to be part of such a big weekend in a way that I haven't in quite some time. I guess that's part of stretching my faith and trust in God...Going wherever He calls me. It's scary and exciting!

I talked a little more with everyone before the service, we did our thing, and that was it. I headed out early to have lunch with my family, after saying goodbye to the new friends I'd made, and faces I might not come into contact with again...Which is always bittersweet. 

I rode with my aunt to meet up with the rest of our family at Hungry Hunter for lunch. My other aunt and uncle were already there, and my grandpa pulled up not too long after us. We went inside and snacked on bread and just waited for my cousin and her friend to get there. We all ordered, caught up with each other, and of course, talked about American Idol. Though, my cousin and I don't agree about most of the same people! 

The rest of the afternoon consisted of coloring easter eggs and an easter egg hunt with my parents. It's sort of our tradition. Some may say we're "too old" for it, but I couldn't care less. I know plenty of people who still do Easter baskets and all that jazz...I say if you're into it, go for it. And I have to say that these were probably some of the prettiest eggs we've ever done! Also, I found the money eggs in our hunt and got some money, which was quite nice ;)

It was one of the best Easter's I've ever had! Christ is risen and He gives me the hope that I don't have to be perfect or carry the weight of the world on my shoulder! All I have to do is give it to Him, and it'll all happen the way it's supposed to. I find my confidence and purpose in Him. In this ever changing world, His love is the only thing I can be certain of ALL the time.

That's all for now,
Shelby