October 18 – “Monkey in the Middle”

I met with a couple yesterday who may come to lead some worship at Seaside, at least on occasion.  He used to play on tour with a rock band – keyboard, electric guitar, and apparently anything else he touches.  He also is some kind of computer tech genius.  She was a singer with another touring band and is a percussionist.  Their two sons are musical as well, playing drums and whatever else is needed.  They are heavily into robotics, though.  National champions.  Can you say, “proud parents”?  Looks like we still have to use worship videos at least for this week, though.  I’m still praying for God to call out one of the other accomplished guitarists in the congregation to step up, though.  I have faith in them, even if they don’t think they can do it.  “All things are possible …” right?

We got a text from Jachin later in the afternoon, wondering if we were doing anything last night.  Nothing out of the ordinary, so he brought his family over for some pizza.  After pizza we played some football out in the street.  Preliminaries for the Turkey Bowl, I suppose.  At least that’s what Jachin said.  Just about a month until Thanksgiving.  Whoa. 

I also learned a new game while they were here.  Actually it was one of those “new old” games as it turned out.  Micah and I were playing catch with a rubber baseball, and Josiah jumped in and tried to snag it.  That resulted in Micah officially declaring a game of “Monkey in the Middle.”  Not a lot to it.  The guy in the middle (the designated monkey) tries to steal the ball while the other two play catch.  Seemed suspiciously like “Keep Away,” only with a decidedly more colorful title.  Ah, for the simpler times.

Not long after they drove off to head back into Texas, Cailyn and her Mom and Dad drove up.  Nathan and April were headed out for a quick supper date, so Cailyn stayed with us, along with her doll friend named Jamie, which I thought looked suspiciously like a doll named Julie who had visited before, but I was quickly informed was someone different.  That is until later when I heard Cailyn refer to the guest as Julie again.  I’m confused.  Later on we all engaged in a rousing game of Candy Land.  Cailyn smoked us.  I came in second, though.  And Jamie/Julie was way behind us all.  That’s what she gets for pranking the Old Man.  Hah.  We followed up the game with a cup of ice cream and a movie.  Monsters University.  Cailyn fell sound asleep about halfway in.  And Jamie/Julie did too, I suppose.  At least those doll-eyes were closed.  Well, they were until they picked her up to leave.  The eerie, all-seeing doll-eyes suddenly flew open when the center of gravity shifted.  That phenomenon always has creeped me out. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Father, grant some of those straight paths to Seaside as we look for a worship leader.  Amen.