Speaking to the Congregation

I totally gave a speech in church yesterday. You see the church was presenting  $500 scholarships for college to 3 graduates: Chris, Jack and myself. Each of the graduates did part of the service which included dividing the readings and the gospel between us and giving the "message" and the dismissal. None of that was as nerve racking to actually do as it was to fret about in the minutes before it had to happen. So I stood in front of the congregation and thanked them for supporting me and being there to watch me grow up and for giving me a chance to really help out the church with nursery and being on the church council. I told them that I particularly enjoyed being on the council because no one really listens to us youngens and now they were. You know, asking lots of questions about my "tribe" and trying to understand my generation a little more thoroughly. I think that is going to be a super important part of the change the church is going to go through to stay alive.

After the first service was over Mia, the coordinator of the service, took us to BK for breakfast/lunch. Then we came back for round two. I think that went a little smoother, though we were still nervous as ever. But speeches were made and the service ended and then it was off to the Fellowship Hall for cake and conversation and little presents and cards that the whole congregation signed. It was awesome. Oh! My pastor and his wife gave me a card and they made me open it at home. I think they made me open it at home because it said "ass" in it. It was purely funny though. Everyone kept telling me how proud they were of me and it was super nice. There was a lady that I'd never seen before and she stood in front of me for a full three minutes telling me how proud she was of me and we ended up discussing my future educational plans. It was pretty awesome.

After that I went to a graduation party for my friend Morgan and I was the only person there that wasn't family. I felt pretty special. I left her party a little early to go to the church for a parent's meeting that J-Fizzle told me about and wanted me to go to. So I showed up and there were three parents. They discussed stuff and and I interjected where I thought necessary. I stayed at J-Fizzle's for dinner (what else is new?) and it was tasty. we had grilled lamb with mint jelly, corn, baked potatoes and homemade garlic bread. So delicious. I don't know what it is about J-Fizzle's cooking, but he can make me eat stuff that I totally don't usually like. Like most vegetables and the occasional meat that I'm not used to or have never had properly prepared. Anywho, go him! Then I went home and read some more of Soul Graffiti by Mark Scandrette. I'm telling you, that book is awesome. Totally cool. I like how he writes and I even like having to write down words that I don't know the meaning of so I can look them up at a later date. There is no point in ready a book if you don't understand the words that the author uses because you could interpret something in a completely different way based on what you think the words mean.

Today was my Senior breakfast. I was up at 5:45 this morning because I thought that it started at 6:30 am but my friend texted me to say that it didn't start til 8. I was a little annoyed to say the least. Anywho, it was great. Jut one last time to see the people that I know I probably won't see again. And one more time to plan things for the summer with people that probably won't happen because we'll end up being busy and we'll forget. But the thought is what counts, right? Thats what everyone has told me since I was in kindergarten, so for once in my life I'm going to believe them. 

Later.