the beginning of Labor Day Weekend thoughts

Whew indeed... I have never been happier to get a three day weekend... perhaps I really am getting too old for this stuff????? Well, yesterday was awesome. With some level of uncertainty yet great anticipation at 0630 when I started setting up for chapel, I was most pleased, most pleased with the team that began arriving just before 7 to set up... though we had to overcome some significant technical obstacles, the first chapel of the year was awesome... I told the team beforehand "this is not a performance, we are lead-worshippers, worship God in spirit and truth doing it with all your heart, that is the job..." I think that is what occurred. It was awesome. So, the first week of school ended with all my classroom objectives met and a great first chapel.
Then last night Sweet Anna and I went downtown to see the last couple of songs by Sparky's Flaw at the Pavilion... I liked their musical style... (this was music week... heard three songs by Third Day last Sunday night from near the mall and then Vaden Cox at Gravity on Thursday). Then we went to 5 Guys to get dinner (this was the grace of Anna to suggest 5 Guys!).

We sat at the counter looking onto main street (the mall)... there must have been eight million 15 year olds and younger out there do the younger adolescent social dance of wanting to talk to this person or that and being afraid of rejection and talking to your friends to try to figure out how to talk to this person without seeming like you want to talk to them and being all cool and stuff... good grief... it was kind of amusing to watch and then I realized how honestly sad it all is... Anna and I talked about the parents who were there too. They were on the fringe of things... looking on with out trying to seem to do such... We talked about the parties that are held in homes where the parents "looked the other way" and the two parents who are facing jail time for providing alcohol to a bunch of kids some months ago... Why? Sweet Anna asked... I don't know, really... maybe they too... are trying to be cool?? I don't know. Alcohol is such an issue with kids today... We continued walking, chatting and people watching down the mall.

At the Regal, Anna points out the movie "No Reservations" so we decide to hit the late showing. It surprised me right off the bat. It was not just a romantic comedy, it had complexity in dealing with workaholism, grief and loss... it was really good and I recommend it.

Now, I really must go out and cut the grass while its under 90 and before the neighbourhood assoc. calls me (as Mark and Tom pointed out the other night! Thank's guys for the encouragement... ugh).

The reading goal for the long weekend? To finish the Chronicles of Narnia, 4 down, three to go... Haven't read them in a while? Reread them... it is awesome reading which has great Truths that sneak up on you!