A Little Rambling

I went back to the church I grew up in today. I've been there most years for Christmas Eve, but I haven't been on a Sunday morning in ages. About 11pm last night, I remembered that Brad Ellgen would be speaking. I'd put the date in my phone calendar many moons ago, so as not to forget, and yet forget I did. I hurriedly scribbled a note asking anyone from my church to cover for me in Pre-K so I wouldn't miss it, and a friend graciously agreed to step up in my place. It was strange to be back at the church after so long. The buildings are largely the same, with some subtle (and a few very obvious) signs of changing times. A great many people are the same, though half of them do not recognize grown-up me. Those who do recognize me made me glad I came by. It was wonderful to get to see Brad. If you don't know, Brad and his wife Debbie are the missionaries I lived with in Germany, which you can read all about here . I got to see Debbie a couple times earlier this...

1. Ice cream, with warm caramel and hot fudge 2. friends who don't need a lot of words 3. cupcakes, even just pictures of cupcakes, I love cupcakes 4. friends who sacrifice time and considerable mental effort to help me out with musical endeavors 5. little girls who are growing up 6. watching a lightning storm on the trunk of my car with my cat 7. Ryan 8. laughing until I almost wet my pants in the middle of the night with my sister 9. penuche frosting (made just to eat with spoons) 10. warm, scrumptious pizzookie, shared with someone wonderful

I generally go to one Diamondbacks game a year. When dad had season tickets, I went much more often. Back then, I knew who the players were, and I cheered enthusiastically for as much of the game as held my attention. (I was often more interested in the ballpark food.) About since they went from purple and teal (awesome!) to red and tan (blech), I've stopped caring. I recognized 3 names at the game tonight. I wore a hat in support because I got it free at the gate. The fact that we lost almost went unnoticed. That is not why I go to the games (though my love of baseball itself is undiminished). These girls are why I go to the games. Rachel and Bekah, two of my favorite humans on the planet. I know I've mentioned this before . I've known them since they were born, and been friends with their older siblings since I was born. I cannot even begin to express how much I adore them. Going to this game with my parents' sunday school class is a long standing traditi...