The Cruz Control

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.

Rough day.