When Going Through the Hellish Trials...Grab Ya Some Marshmellows For Roasting

Ho la friends, neighbors, countrymen, city slickers, and all you other cats. This a picture of me and the first day of Pre-K for my littlest guy Zion. It did not go so well. He wouldn't go inside the building until I picked him up and carried him and then he clung to my leg and cried pitifully. This is my job, comforting the sad 4 year olds who just aren't ready to leave the comfort cartoons and Xbox - juicee and cookies on demand. Tough life.

So the title is a little shocking, but it rings true. Our city is hosting General Conference this year and I don't know if that fact coupled with the time of year , but we are enduring horrendous attacks. Pastors and their families suffering with illnesses and injuries, personal, physical, emotional, and financial. God is at work throughout but pray for your brothers and sisters in the Tampa Bay region that God would send relief soon. Many do not realize but our area hosts several Wicca covens, and in fact one has it's headquarters here. Scientology headquarters is in Clearwater, the skin trade is prevalent here, and the Gulf Coast slave trade used to end in our waters where much voodoo was practiced and has lingered throughout the West Coast of Florida. A great miracle of souls saved and renewed is going to happen. We are making our way through it with much faith, prayer, fasting and good 'ole sense of humor (thus the marshmallow comment). Please Pray.

In the midst of this our church is quite involved in the music of the conference. I've given up the hope of cool conference attire as I will either be robed or in black. I was thinking over the repertoire (sorry, can't tell you which songs we are singing) but it's quite an interesting cross section. I don't know what it is that brings out the desire for majestic songs. The accoustics? The large crowd and venue? The slight chance there MAY or MAY NOT BE flags and banners? Expect a turn or two of pomp with a splash of circumstance (and not of the cap and gown variety). Then there are the most popular songs that probably all the Bible Schools have worn out that we'll try re-interpret. New, original material (YES!!!) as well the oldies but the goodies are planned. Some people dusted off the hymnals and bringing some of the beautiful songs of old to the forefront. Florida Mass choir, a 200 person voice choir is singing Friday night under the direction of Melanie Elms. Our church has some type of musical involvement every day, which adds excitement to our hearts but stress to our brains. I'm constantly listening to some practice CD and one of my kids said the other day, "Can we listen to a CD that doesn't have permanent marker writing?" Precosious I know. They get it from their Dad.

So enjoy your weekend of rest, relaxation, fishing, shopping, noshing and shmoozing. *Sigh* I have to go to choir practice.