Another Faith

This past Sunday my family and I had the opportunity to go and watch Linda sing a solo in her church service. I had been to a Methodist meeting and Catholic vacation bible school in the past but never a decidedly Protestant service. The first thing I noticed was the immense size of the building. It was HUGE! The sanctuary was almost twice the size of our chapel and yet it was so... empty. I am used to the chapel being comfortably full of families. Children talking and coloring. Moms soothing tired babies. In the Nazarene sanctuary there were only adults and a few teens. The children all had their own classes so that the parents could focus on the sermon.
I was surprised by the amount of standing done in the first part of the meeting. The power-point presentation was also quite different. It was really neat though they have the lyrics and scripture references right there so, even though I was unfamiliar with the layout, I always knew what was going on. And the sanctuary had a sound and light booth! WOW.
Linda was awesome. You could tell that she was really nervous at first but once she settled into it she was absolutely beautiful. The thing that stood out the most though was how happy she looked. To use Maya's words she was "glowing." She was just happy. Happy she had the opportunity to sing. Happy about the song. Happy we were there. I have never seen her so radiant.
It took some time for me to get used to how the pastor taught. He was very animated and enthusiastic which caused him to pace. But after the initial raising of my eyebrows what he had to say was absolutely fascinating. He used a passage in the New Testament concerning being hot, cold and lukewarm in lifestyle. He expounded on that passage using a rich store of knowledge and was telling the congregation to rise up and be more then they were; to be better and more Christ-like. To allow the "hot water" of God to work in our lives and to "turn off the cold water" of the world. We found his analogy very amusing, and it came up jokingly during the day, but I found the sermon to be incredibly interesting.
The thing I really just did not understand was the manner of dress. A big part of the service was singing loud songs in worship of Jesus and in those songs they referred to Him as the "Lord of Lords" and "King of Kings." We share this belief. However, if I were to come before a king, any king, I would dress accordingly. Would you not want to show the utmost respect in dress and demeanor to the King of all Kings by wearing your "Sunday best?"
I really enjoyed the opportunity to learn of other religions and why people think the way that they do. But most of all I was happy to support Linda. I was happy to see her in that light. Radiant really is the best word.

Liara: Hi

Not much happened the first half of the week. The second half, on the other hand, has been busy, busy, move, move, move!!!
On Thursday, Julie, Mom's co-worker, was taking her kids to the doctor so she couldn't come to work. So I went to work with Mom for the whole day. I helped the therapists when they needed it and helped Mom the rest of the time.
Then, after work, I went to Tai Kwon Do. Two of the students were testing for high red belt. That means that the next time they test, they will be testing for black belt. They both did extremely well.
On Friday, I went to the orthodontist and had my wires tightened. It was very painful. On the plus side I got two McDonald's coupons.
When I got home, we had to clean the house. At 7:00 p.m. I went babysitting (or fire-watching to be more specific, because the kids were already in bed) and came home at ten.
This morning, we went to a ensemble recital practice (a ensemble recital is where students play duets at the same time with 4 to 8 other people at different pianos). The two duets I am playing are "My Bold Argentina" and "Celebration Overture".
Mom and Dad are going to a office dinner/meeting thing to night.

Arianna: Welcome to February

Another month in a new decade. It is interesting to realize that as you mature time moves faster. I remember when a week seemed like forever to wait for something. A week was all the time in the world. As a child I could have an epic adventure and be back in time for dinner. My sisters and I used to dress up as nobility and go outside to play. We had beautiful horses, servants, feasts, banquets, brave knights and damsels in distress. Of course dragons were key players in all adventures. Other times we were explorers. Equipped with binoculars, pocket knives and homemade bows we would climb the trees in our yard to try the exotic plumbs growing there. Time travel was a regular event. We could go anywhere and mom did not worry. Dinosaurs were our friends and we knew the Latin names for every one of them.

I measure time in years now. One year to date and get a driving license. Three years to move out and leave for college. Six years to marry. Eight to start a family. Time is a tool as opposed to a game. A bank account rather than a blessing. I race time where before I rode it. Is it possible that in my quest to become more I have lost the value of simply being? Is it any wonder that we are told to become "as little children?" We rush around always trying to do things whether it be for good or ill. Forgetting to enjoy the process of doing and only being concerned about reaching the finish line. I once read a poem written by a teenager diagnosed with cancer. The title was Slow Dance and the last line went something like this:

Don't dance so fast, time is short, do take it slower, hear the music, before the song is over.

I think that time is like a candy bar. You can gobble it up quickly and run the risk of missing a subtle taste or you can savor every flavor that it has to offer.

Remember the past, live in the moment, live for the future.

Arianna: Running Start and Life

I am going to take the Running Start entrance test in March. If I pass I will have the opportunity to start collage in the autumn. There are so many variables in this equation. It really depends on what I want to do and what is my intent. Technically I am a freshmen this year but if I enroll in Running Start I will automatically become a junior. This will cut off a year of seminary and stake dances. I will move out after my 18 birthday and go to regular collage to earn my four year degree. Much of this sounds really appealing due to the fact that, as it stands now, I will be 18 for all but the first month of my senior year. I am a lot older than most of the other people in my grade. I want to be able to move on with life after I turn 18. But, at the same time, by going a year early I cut off exactly one year of my childhood. I would lose a year of seminary thus eliminating the chance to attend a church school. (I am not really worried about that though. I really am not that keen to go to BYU.)And while all my friends are still going to youth dances I would have to go to YSA dances. I don't know. If I pass the test that does not mean that I must attend this year. Do I get a head start on life or do I prolong childhood?
Grandma has been really, really great in helping me with this whole driving thing. She and I have been taking drives into Tri-Cities on weekdays when there is a fair amount of traffic but not so much that it is overwhelming. Those drives give me hope that I really might be able to pass my class.
Tai Chi update: Due to the bus quadrupling the price of passes in February, Tuesday and Thursday classes have been moved from the lunch hour to 3:15. That way the girls can come in with me and then do Tae Kwon Do and there will not be time in between classes. Also, I am starting Saturday classes and have a few people signed up!
But oh, Tae Kwon Do! I have been missing it because of my stupid driver's ed. class. I really must get back soon. Not just because I have been getting out of shape but because I miss that feeling of belonging. I miss the adrenaline. I miss my amazing teachers. I miss my friends. I miss that satisfying ache in my arms. In class I have the opportunity to work out any stress or anger. Hitting people is expected but at the same time I practice control and discipline. I miss feeling like I am good at something and feeling like I accomplished something. I feel like I am missing a critical part of myself; something that I am and not just something that I do. I cry more and sleep less as of late. Focusing has become a chore. I keep reminding myself: three more weeks. I can do it. Just a little farther.