Here we go Steelers! Here we GO! (Thanks for the photo Jay)
There are several things as I have procrastinated a ton in blogging. So, I will attempt to brief and still make a couple of points, give a couple stories, and catch you all up on the Savage family.
-On Christmas
I have written a lot about my struggle with Christmas time. So I wanted to fill you in on my Christmas. It really got going on Christmas Eve, when while preparing for our church's Christmas eve service we found out the our pastor's mother had passed away. He was still able to make it through our services and frankly, it was probably the best Christmas Eve service(s) I have been a part of. God really showed up big. We were all really focused on giving Him glory and not just lifting candles to "Silent Night" just because we've always done it. We had a terrific time of worship and we also had an absolute ton of visitors. And while that is SOP for a holiday service, we have seen a major turn around in the following weeks. A ton of new families coming to the church and making commitments to follow Jesus. It really was awesome.
The next day Julie and I went to her family's for Christmas time and we really had fun and relaxed a bit. We went to my family's the next week and despite the travel stress, we again had an awesome couple of days with family. Lucy, sort of got the concept down by the end, of opening presents. It was fun to watch her eat the paper. Best gifts... a Whirly Pop, The Dark Knight on DVD, and a movie gift certificate from Julie, she knows me too well:).
The adventure to tell is that in between our tow visits I conducted my first funeral, for Pastor Mike's mom. Nothing like diving in the deep end first. I was very nervous, totally weirded out and way out of my comfort zone (which doesn't happen often) Having grown up in the Salvo, my funeral experience is a bit one sided. If the they do nothing else great (and I am not saying they don't) the Salvo does funerals with some style. Without explaining it for all of you, just think big, long and always with a great tone and that is the 'Promotion to Glory". Well, everyone else does the short, pointed thing at the sterile and a little too warm funeral home. Where the pastor does the whole thing and is relied upon to provide the family with closure, hope and fill them with great memories. No pressure right? All said and done, it also was a great experience, to see the loving family and loving church family say goodbye. I had to wear a suite. Needless to say, I borrowed one. But other than that, I learned a ton through doing it, and God has again shown up for the family in a big way. So that was Christmas. I should stop there, but I won't.
-Two Stories from the news.
1st Rick Warren is giving the prayer at Barak Obama's inauguration. There was this hoopla surrounding this, because the gay community (not my term, is this the most PC we can get? I don't know how else to say that so whatever, sorry gay community) was offended that they would have someone pray who believes that lifestyle is a sin. Without explaining all of the details in here, I just think it is strange that the same group who pushes for acceptance should be all up in arms when someone who disagrees with them is asked to pray on the national stage. "We want to accept everyone, unless they are different then us. . ."
2nd what in the fat is the deal with these life-like baby dolls? It seems like every other day there is a news story about this craze called Re-Borns. They are creepy little life-like chucky dolls that look like newborns that people spend thousands to get made and then take them out in public, have birthday parties, and the list goes on. Oh, yeah and these are for adults! Can anyone shed some light on this for me, because as of right now, it is just too weird for me. Every time I see an interview about these things, the whole time, in my mind I hear REE-REE-REE-REE!!!!
-In other news. . .I was working a little late one evening last week at the church, which is located out in the sticks. (one stop light) And as I am leaving the building, I see some trash on the lawn. So I pick up said trash, being the nice guy that I am and I walk it over to our dumpsters, which are actually 8 well closed, solid trash cans with wheels. These cans are around the side of the building next to the woods (which is next to more woods and farms and what not, the only reason this is important is too mention that there is little to no light back there. I don't have a problem with the dark, because I am big and strong and intimidating) So I lift the lid on one of the cans, and I get this sort of weird smell. It wasn't standard garbage wine smell that wafts from a garbage can. It sort of had a skunk thing going on. Now having a master's degree, I used my mental prowess to deduce that there is no way a skunk could enter a trash can with a lid four and a half feet off the ground. So, i think, "that's weird." I decided to look a bit closer into the can, remember poor lighting, I couldn't really make out what was in there. Usually, there are just white bags in there. This sort of looked (in the dark mind you), like a piece of furniture. So, I stare in a bit closer out of curiosity. "what is that?" After about 30 seconds of deliberation, I decide to forget it and toss the trash into the can, with my face still over the opening. When said trash hit the piece of "furniture". . . it moved. . . now, for all I know it could have been anything hamster, a cat, a skunk, a raccoon, or my top three finalists a giant bear, Sasquatch or Jason Vorhees. Needless to say, I immediately screamed like a little girl, let the lid slam shut and ran for my life. As I was leaving. . . I definitely heard the can shake with anger and growl. Moral. . ."Don't freakin litter"
-Lucy has officially said her fist word! it is 'dad'. this is a victory. we will continue to work on 'Mom' however, I will still continue to train her on the side for 'Steelers' and 'John McClain'.
Speaking of Lucy, she is getting really big. She has a cute little belly and she laughs a lot when it gets tickled. She also is very vocal and depending on the circumstance she has taken to yelling at the top of her lungs. Like when everyone is singing at church, she doesn't quite get the singing part and just makes loud noises. This also happens when conversation around her gets loud or when there are other babies playing around her. She hasn't quite gotten the crawling thing down yet so when other kids are playing around her she takes to flapping her arms wildly and screaming.
It would be pretty awesome if that remains her social etiquette throughout life.
I think that is all, if you made it thus far. . . good for you. Here's a quote.
"IN-famous is when you're MORE than famous. He's not just famous, he's IN-famous.
-Wow, in-famous? In-famous?"
