No pictures, just peace

Sunday was a good day.

We finally embarked on the find-a-new-church journey. Because we don't know anyone here, we didn't even have "real people" recommendations. No, we were going off really reliable information like "hey, their building looks nice from the interstate," or, "this seems to be about the same size as Westgate." Nice way to pick your spiritual home, I know. But don't judge.

So, choice A yesterday was the looks-nice-from-I-65 option. Overachiever that I am, I made the first mistake of the day. We got to the church a little too early, and there were no greeters or ushers or anyone in the lobby -- they were all still in Sunday School. So, I felt slighted and unwelcome. Strike one (which, I know, is unfair, but it's how I felt). But we got Seth settled in the nursery, though I had some reservations when they put him in the 15-30 month room and he looked like a shrimp compared to the other toddlers. He jumped right in, though, running away from us, and choosing his toys.

We settled into the sanctuary, and my tears began to fall. I had a hard time explaining to Jim what was wrong, but I think it boils down to that this was the first thing that really made this move seem real. Instead of walking around being greeted by name, getting ready to get my mic for praise team, I was sitting, lonely, in a seat, feeling like a second-grader on the first day at a new school.

But things quickly began to turn around when the first person to come up and recognize us as visitors was the pastor. And he was great -- boisterous with a booming voice, and he quickly made us feel right at home. And the worship was great, and the sermon was fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. I think we're both tempted to settle down right away, but we're going to give it a few more weeks and try out Option B and maybe a few others....but there is great peace knowing that there is a church close by that will fit our needs when the time comes.

And, then.

Then we got to have dinner with Sarah and Mike. Sarah is as sweet and charming as she comes across on her blog, and she put me totally at ease to play hostess when my house is still in disarray and not all that clean. We shared a great meal; she bought this incredible salad that I pan to eat all week long, and Jim grilled steaks and chicken that even Mike, the Sarah-proclaimed grill master, gave props to. Yum!

I have a new friend, and I feel so blessed.

(I also think I have a cold, but that's another post.)

I know my blogging has been a little all over the place, both in content and frequency. Sorry? Stay faithful, dear reader, I plan to make it better.

Happy Monday, y'all.