The Perfect Day

My away message today said this was the perfect day, for the reasons I am about to share:

1) I went to church this morning with the Olga, David, and Priscilla -- and I can actually say I thoroughly enjoyed myself there, which kind of feels wierd for me to think or say. I mean, it's not that I've ever had anything against going to church -- clearly that's not the case, or I wouldn't be where I am today. But for the past number of years, basically since my dad became a pastor, going to church never meant anything special to me. My dad, I'm sure, is a wonderful pastor. But he's not, nor has he ever been, my pastor. He's my dad. And so going to his church, therefore, was nothing special either. Plus those last couple churches he had were so small -- they did nothing for me. The church in Greencastle I think I would have liked more if I spent more time there. I could actually listen to the sermons there, I was just in and out so fast before and afterwards that it never really had a huge effect on me. But today I actually enjoyed myself at church. I liked hearing/reading about all the different mission things the church did, and that 500 of its members are involved in some way in those missions. The church goes to Juarez Mexico a couple times a year to work on and build houses there, has made a number of trips to Louisianna to help out rebuilding after the hurricaine, and they do a plethora of local projects around the Dallas area, like building wheelchair access ramps in homes that need them around the city. I love that kind of stuff, am excited to already have been offered the opportunity to participate. They had a sort of church-activities fair after the service where they had more information about their mission projects, their sunday school classes, music, outreach, and worship opportunities -- some things I was interested in, some things I wasn't, but it was nice to learn about everything they did. The church itself was beautiful, with these amazing modern staind glass windows, good music, and the pastor was really nice when I met her afterwards. She had already heard about me, thanks to the press realease we all had to write, and she told me I had a pastor there, even if I decided to go to church elsewhere when I move into my apartment in West Dallas. The church I went to this morning is in Allen, which would be about a 20 or 30 minute drive from my apartment when I move. But you know what ... Sunday morning drives are relaxing and good times to think, so I think I just might keep going back.

2) Priscilla and I went to the mall after church. I take that back, we went to the mall after the lovely pancake brunch we had back at home ... another reason this day was so good. I found a great wedding gift to mail to Annette and Chris, I found a great pair of shoes for myself (couldn't help it ... they were gold and tied up my ankle, and on SALE), and -- best of all -- discovered that, in Dallas, malls have ICE RINKS!!! Oh wow, amazing!! Today we just watched other people skate, but I can't wait to go back one day when I'm wearing socks (you may think that sounds wierd, but would you want to wear rented ice skates without them?) so I can go iceskating in Dallas, in the middle (or end) or summer, in a mall!!!

3) After the mall, we went to the swimming pool. Ah, perfection. I just stretched out in the sun and read until I couldn't take the sun and the sweat a second longer, then ran to the pool and jumped into the perfectly luke-warm water. I'd swim until I became chilly, then climbed out and returned to the lounge chair on the pool deck (all the while being careful not to stand too long in one place on any part of the concreate, seeing as how that would burn my skin!!) I then would repeat as necessary, until reaching the desired shade of tan. Perfection, perfection, perfection. And no sunburn whatsoever.

4) Tonight we all watched Big Brother again. I'm still trying to figure it all out. Some of those people are just mean ... or tricky ... or strategical geniuses ... or all ... or none ... of the above. Craziness. I'm still not sure if I can say I like the show. But hey, it's fun to watch with the other three. I wonder what kind of Big Brother contestant I'd make...