Five hours of sleep is about what I got today. I don't really require more than that these days, but I think if I did get more time underneath the covers, there really wouldn't be too much complaining. Alas, my late nights and programmed wake-up times don't really do an adequate job of promoting slumber fests. It's alright I suppose; I'm still young and stuff (ahem...relatively speaking since I'm rapidly approaching 10,950 days of living on Earth). So I think I finally managed to physically get out of bed around 8:23 a.m. this morning. It was pretty cold, so there wasn't an overwheming desire to get out from the warmth of my blanket. But I had a racquetball match with my mentor at 9:00 a.m., so off I went. I had a blast like usual; running around hitting a little bouncy green ball with a man I respect highly - Bruce. We usually play three intense matches, sweat like snow cones in Phoenix, and then whine to each other about our mediocre games and how we wish we could play like the other more skilled players there at the gym. Well all those things occurred today. But as we walked out to our cars, we had some time to chat about life and God. It was really refreshing, and I'm amazed at how God constantly reveals His will and blessings through the people He has brought into my life. I am so abundantly blessed by the people that truly care for me and how they lift my spirits up. So thank you Bruce for staying past our usual time allotment to learn more about me and for allowing me to dive a little deeper into your life.
A little while after my racquetball adventure, it was off to church for practice time with some amazing musicians and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. So there we were, all manned at our respective positions on stage: Chris, our fearless musical director heading up the practice behind the piano; his co-worker Craig, who has graciously sacrificed his time in order to play the hammered dulcimer and string parts on the keyboard; Shannon, our excellent bassist who enjoys a mean Lean Pocket like me; Hos (Mike) playing two guitars due to his certified rock star status; Leonard Troy singing while being a wonderful daddy to his blissful two-year-old, Charlie Brown; Wanda Marie lending her angelic voice while showing her "Labor of Love" to the aforementioned two-year-old; Don bellowing his bass voice and daydreaming about his former days of playing Dungeons and Dragons; and then I suppose there was me, playing the drums and percussion whilst "attempting" to sing and confuse the other more-qualified vocalists by singing different harmony parts - it's not on purpose, it's because I pretty much stink at the whole singing thing. Hopefully it'll get better and not much worse. Lastly, I can't forget Howard, my roommate (not my life partner), who's running the soundboard and responsible for making the music and voices be heard, and Katie for doing everything else that only she can do since she has mastered her craft of being a wonderful wife and mother to Chris and her two little ones, Hannah and Ethan, respectively. Missing in action today were Crustin, our second guitarist/virtuoso performer; Keith, graphic designer/preacher/singer/madballer; Holly, our resident weather guru and singing machine; and Erica Lynn, a remarkable percussionist in her own right, who sings so much better than she gives herself credit for - and she has this knack of making me chuckle and smile on stage. So there you have it...the members of the 2005 First Christian Church Ensemble that I am so privileged to be a part of. It was indeed a fun and productive practice. We're obviously not close to performance level yet, but I believe we're getting there.
We departed our own ways by about 4:30 or so in the afternoon. I came home, went for a relaxing six-mile ride around the neighborhood, and then got ready for dinner with Howard (again, NOT my life partner), Tony (my amazing brother who's gonna make a stupendously yummy Thanksgiving dinner for us to consume), and Julie (one of the smartest people on Earth for snatching up my brother while he was single). You see, it's Howard's birthday on November 24th, and since he'll be home with his family on Gobble Day, we decided to take him out to an impromptu/pseudo birthday dinner. After consuming what seemed like pound after pound of barbeque and sweet tea, we headed back home with over-filled stomachs. The four of us played an intense game of Life, to which I prevailed, some Whoonu, and then Hoopla. The laughter and warmth shared by the four of us was something that I had been longing for. It was a sublime ending to a perfect and happy day for me. Moments with friends and family, and activities that I enjoy so much...all beneath the providence of my Maker. Thank you God for always letting me know You're there. I saw You vividly today O'Lord. I am so grateful for all of the blessed moments you gave me today. I can't wait to wake up from my slumber so that this smile inside of me can meet up with Yours. I continue to wait patiently and humbly at Your feet...
~KH
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