Some days just suck, what can I say?…
Saturday was one of such days. I was lined up to lead worship at Encounter on Saturday night. Friday night was spent in Dallas for my sister’s college graduation. We had a great time at the ceremony and a big (really big) meal at the Olive Garden. Our festivities ran a bit late, and I didn’t want to drive back to Waco too late at night, so I checked into a hotel and got some sleep.
And here it starts…
9:30am I was awakened by my phone. It was Brenda, one of our singers at Encounter; she was sick and couldn’t sing that evening. I quickly jumped online and checked some lead sheets for ranges, etc. because she was supposed to sing lead on several songs for the service. I had to find a replacement for her.
10:30am Chick-fil-a chicken biscuits, sweet tea!!!!! One of the highlights of the day.
11:15am Leave Dallas, TX.
12:30pm My car breaks on Interstate-35. I’m following behind a car and hit my brakes. When my put my foot back on the accelerator, my car does nothing. My brake pedal won’t go all the way in either. Uh-oh. I keep gently tapping the brakes and move to the emergency lane. I finally stop. I wasn’t able to make the next exit, so I’m on the side of the Interstate.
12:45pm I call tow truck and realize I’ve been standing in a fire ant bed on the side of the Interstate. I take this nifty pic:

1:30pm Back in Waco, TX, thanks to the invention of the cell phone, my sister, and the tow-truck guy. I go to the mechanic and pick up some things inside my car.
2:15pm Back at home in China Spring to shower and grab guitars.
2:45pm Finish writing arrangement of Feliz Navidad for Meet and Greet for the church service, I’ve been trying to work on it for days.
3:15pm Meet lady to open building at the church; they haven’t given me keys yet. I’m 15 minutes late.
3:30pm Band arrives.
3:45pm We have no bass guitar – it’s an oversight that’s quickly corrected. We rent one from the music store down the road.
4:00pm We begin our run-through. Some of our regular band members are out; some of their fill-ins don’t have their parts down.
5:25pm Band ascends the stage to begin worship service. Our stage is in 3 levels; I miss my footing and fall to the ground. Ouch. That hurt. I lift my pant leg and see two big scratches. It’s hurts, but looks superficial. Anyways, we need to start the service.
5:30pm “Welcome to Encounter… it is our prayer that you encounter the living God on this last Saturday before Christmas…”
5:35pm In the middle of the opening medley of O Come All Ye Faithful and Forever, I say to myself, “Wow, I am in a lot of pain, I have to be bleeding…”
5:55pm We finish the 2 song sets and Wayne begins the sermon. Band goes off stage. I step out the back and check my leg. I’m bleeding rather heavily from two deep gashes in my left leg. I’ve been bleeding for the past 30 minutes.
6:05pm Pastor Sue gets a first-aid kit. I have one in my car, but it’s in the shop. Jeniffer, Leah, and I dress my leg wound. Yes, it takes 3 people.
6:30pm We go back on stage and play our last set list.
6:39pm Service ends. I find out my car has some serious problems. We all go to dinner then Mike takes me home.
Have you read the shack? It’s been promoted by the marketing gurus in the Christian media market. I’ve heard mixed review about it. There are those who seem to catch the theology and hate it, and those who don’t catch the theology and love it. This seems to be the two camps of people I’ve found.








