Staycation

After coming back from Arizona, and then finishing what I needed to do for work, I utilized the rest of my time off as essentially a "staycation".   This seems to be fairly popular these days, since staying at home for vacation has become a more common alternative to the costs of traveling in these difficult economic times.  I didn't really do all that much, which was actually nice.   I had time to run some errands, go grocery shopping, and clean out/organize my closet.    I also bundled up some clothes ready to be donated.

Saturday was my all-church picnic.   It was really beautiful weather; and it was fun.   It was a potluck for the food.  I brought chimichangas and tostitos, and made fresh guacamole.   The games were also fun - my class ran the egg toss, which turned out well.  Afterwards, it was fun to watch the softball game also.

Sunday, David Klinkenberg was once again a guest musician during worship.  He will also be doing a fundraising concert for B.R.A.I.N, which my pastor and his wife started.  When I had a chance to talk to him after church, he mentioned that the "energy" in Southern California was interesting; and that he's met a lot of people who are not working at what they want to eventually be doing (e.g. waiters and waitresses, hoping for the acting, singing, or dancing break).  It was nice to have him help lead worship at our church again.  I feel like I could relate to him, because of his faith, love for music, sense of humor, and "laid back" personality.

Afterwards, I went to my Community Group leaders meeting.  We talked about not feeling like we aren't able; about giving it to Jesus; and being personal and authentic.  A phrase that we are encouraged to repeat this year is:  "God KNOWS, God CARES, God IS WILLING, and God IS ABLE"

I also had a chance to watch some of the US Open Tennis Games. Seeing Roger Federer play once again reminds me that excellence does motivate and inspire others.  And to top off his semi-final game against Djokovic,  he pulled off the amazing backward through the legs shot.  Even though he was defeated in the finals by del Potro and "lost it" momentarily at one point, he still played like a true fighter and it was an exciting 5-set match.  On the other hand, as in the case with Serena Williams, it shows that no matter how good a player is, character and sportsmanship does make a difference and still matters.