We went to Nashville this weekend. One of our dear friends William, started a church there! It was their very first Sunday and we wanted to celebrate with them. (And help them set up!)
William was one of the first staff members we met at our church in Birmingham. I remember I was making copies…or maybe he was making copies. Anyway, we were by the copy machine and within five minutes he had invited us over for dinner and key lime pie. We didn’t accept but I wish we would have! We didn’t know William and his family would become some of our greatest friends!
Back to this weekend, we loaded up the car, got Lydia all settled and drove the 5 hours to Nashville. Lydia was just perfect. She played with all her stuffed animals, her blanket, her Leap Frog Leap Pad, her books, her magnadoodle, she listened to Odyssey (she says, “Oddeeee”) and we played in the grass at the rest areas.
We finally got to our hotel and Lydia and Les took an hour nap. (Why didn’t I get to take a nap?!) Then we got to meet William and 2 of his 4 kids at a Fall Festival. It’s perfect because this festival was held at the local elementary school, the same elementary school that William’s church will be meeting in! And it’s just a mile from their house! I think it’s just a God-thing to have such a great location.
It was fun, but it was about 99 degrees out there! I thought a Fall Festival was to celebrate AUTUMN! Where are those fall temperatures?!
After the festival, we stopped by William’s house to see his wife and the rest of his kids. They’ve got 3 elementary/junior high age kids and one 10 month old! They are the most fun family ever. Their kids are some of the most (maybe the most) confident and normal kids I know. Anyway, we finally got to meet up with more friends for dinner! Joseph and Cary also worked with us in Birmingham as volunteers in the children’s department. Joseph is now the children’s pastor for William. I’m so excited for him. He’s a true children’s pastor in his heart plus he’s organized and creative. And they have a brand new baby girl–only 3 weeks old. She’s just adorable. I was getting flashbacks to little 3 week old Lydia and me saying, “What in the world am I doing?”
Sunday morning we got to the school and it looked so good! Lots of cute banners, happy greeters and a cute children’s area set up. Lydia didn’t even notice that we dropped her off in the preschool department. She just sat down and started playing. (Later on, someone told me she started signing “more crackers” and thankfully one of the caregivers knew sign language, too! So, I guess she got some more crackers!)
The adult service was held in the gym. I think about 100 people came. The band did a good job, there were no sound problems and William was superb. I enjoyed it. Then we spent the next hour or more tearing everything down. If you’ve never been a part of a mobile church, you are missing out! It’s an experience. I’ve done it at 3 different churches. (I hope God doesn’t ask me to do it again!)
We ate lunch at William’s—it was a celebration with lots of friends and family. When William prayed over our pizza, he got choked up. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be doing THE thing you know God called you to do and have so many loved ones around to help it come true. It was so sweet to be a part of that day. If you’re in the Nahsville area and are looking for a good church or would love to help out in a brand new ministry, check out Life Church of Tennessee! (And if you need a wedding photographer, his wife is the best!)
Lydia was a joy this weekend. You know she’s a little leery of new people and places, but she just jumped right in to every place we went this weekend. She loved our hotel, made friends everywhere we went and kept talking about the babies we met!
Here she is rolling her suitcase through the hotel. (Oh my goodness, is that the cutest thing, or what?)
I’m sorry. Did I just say Lydia did great? Oh, she did while we were in Nashville, but because she had no naps and went to bed late, the ride home was a nightmare. She slept maybe 45 minutes total. The rest of the time she either screamed, whined or talked non-stop. I felt like I had run a marathon by the time I got home.
Here’s one of the rare moments of her sleeping. Notice the crumbs on her shirt, I tried everything to pacify her!
That’s awesome that you were able to be there for his first service. What a memory. And yes, that is the cutest picture of her running with her suitcase…but the one of her asleep is even cuter : )
Sounds like you had quite the busy and exciting weekend! I got exhausted just reading about it. 🙂
Fun stuff! I’m so glad that you are back, though!
Isn’t that little Tinkerbell suitcase just the cutest?!
I totally feel your pain… the Wog isn’t a champion traveler even whene he’s had all his naps. We actually plan all trips to my in-laws’ to coincide with naptime. It’s best for all of our sanity!
AWww she is so adorable!!! I love the suitcase! I must find one! 🙂
I totally understand you about riding with a toddler!
I like going to Nashville. My bro lives there, and I could find so much to do up there. Too bad we only get to go once a year…. 🙁 (He comes down here very often!)