new experiences...

Man, what a day! What a week!  Tonight at band practice I got to sing my song for the first time in front of others.  I was so happy, shocked, and pleased at how well it was received.  They really liked it!  The compliments were very encouraging to me!  Like I have always said, it is so much easier to sing in front of people who support you and have faith in you.  I'm pretty sure we are going to sing it this Sunday, with or without the violin (our violinist didn't show up).  I LOVE the purple slides they made for it!

beginning of 1st verse

beginning of chorus

Yesterday I went to the Pastors conference with Deedee.  She did an awesome job speaking!  I'm glad I went, but not so sure I will go again next year.  I'm not so good at these group situations.

Ladies session at Leadership conference

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

living the Michigan life

These are some fun shots from the Meijer Gardens.  That place was so cool.  So glad that Maryedith and Dave invited us to go as their guests.  We had a fun (hot) time, and it was good getting to know them.

Life has been busy here:

* Dinner and game night with the Rolff ladies while Kyle had his bachelor party (where one guy accidently had his hair catch on fire).
* 2 Frontline rehearsals
* Went to Morgan's birthday party.
* Sang at Frontline this week.  Found out at the last minute that I was the only female vocal.  But it went really well, and I got lots of good feedback.
* We met with our in-laws-to-be.  That was a very fun evening.
* Spent time with our almost daughter-in-law.

I'm glad life is different here.
Where I feel that everything in NJ is dying, this place is coming to life.

Next Sunday I am challenging myself to sing a special music at church.  Sometimes just having people who believe in you is enough to push you forward to new things.  When they see the gifts and talents that you have, sometimes better than you do, it brings hope and a new confidence to live up to their assessment of you.  I'd much rather have it be that way than to always be living under the "not good enough" banner.  Let me tell you, that is one tough banner to crawl out from under, especially having been under it for so long.  And I'm sure it'll take me a good long while to get all those negative voices out of my head!

House update:
As of last night, we have finally hired a contractor to put in the brand new septic system that we are graciously buying for the new homeowner.  < sarcasm...  If all goes according to plan, we will be making our final trek back to the old homestead after Kyle's wedding to pack up the house and load a moving van.  Then that is the end, my friend.

thanks for the memories, Grace!!

Here are some pictures from Sunday.  It was Darryl's and my last week to sing at Grace.  We didn't tell anyone we were leaving until after the evening service, and then the tears started flowing!  There were many hugs.  It was utterly sad leaving after becoming close to folks and worshipping and praying together for the past 5 months.  Everyone's been so nice to me!  What a great group of musicians and leaders.  Their love was tangible.  I am going to remember this amazing experience with such gratitude!

       

 

 
Thank You, God, for allowing me this wonderful opportunity.  It was the perfect environment for me.

We packed up my car and left our home in NJ.  We are in Michigan now, making our way to Grand Rapids tomorrow.  I plan to be out here for a month.  I don't plan on going back until it's time to pack up our house and leave for good.  That's my plan, so now we'll see what God's plan is.

We have many things coming up.  Stay tuned...

Goodbye New Jersey

Goodbye New Jersey music room...we'll be leaving in a few days!

Goodbye to Marty and his beautiful case that I've been having fun creating.  Just give me permanent markers and I'm a happy doodler....  haha!  Marty, I will be back to get you next month!

Here's a month's worth of clothes, and they all fit into 1 large suitcase - except for a small overnight bag - and not including shoes...uh, and all the other junk I'm taking.  Uh, yeah there's more "stuff" going to get crammed into my little red car.

So, I've been alone here this week, and it's been a weird feeling packing up stuff and realizing that most of it is staying out in Michigan.  The house is getting emptier, little by ever so little.   It feels hollow...lonely...like the life is being sucked right out of it.

Yesterday I was sitting here minding my own business and the buyer drove in here... she got out of her car and proceeded to walk towards the back yard.  I'm like, what?!  So I went out there and asked her what she was doing (looking at).  She said she thought nobody was here and she was trying to look in the windows to see if she could see any lights on.  Seriously?  Why not go to the front door and ring the doorbell like a normal person?  Then she says she wants to know if the Septic was done, as she points to front yard where we had previously had a hole dug.  Seriously?  Why are you walking towards the back yard?  Good gracious!  She expected it to be done?  We have barely started getting any bids on the job.  I told her it would be a good long while before it gets done.

So, get this, she wants us to move out before the work gets done so they can move in.  They want to move in by the end of the month!  Seriously?  Now listen, I was trying to be so nice and told her I would certainly see if there was anything we could do about it... but to be completely honest, after she left and I discussed the whole thing with Darryl, I've just been getting more and more angry about the whole dang situation.

These people have been calling the shots since Day 1, making us do a list of repairs and whatnot...they are the ones who have been holding up the works, and costing us a crap ton of money!  If they hadn't made all these demands we could have moved out by now!!  And now they want us to just move out because they are tired of staying at a hotel?  What on earth?!

I'm telling you, if I would have seen the future I would have told them to hit the road a long time ago.  I never would have accepted their offer.  They've done nothing but give us grief.  If they wanted a new septic, let them pay for it, since there's nothing wrong with the one we've been using for the past 20-some years.  Some people can be pushy and selfish, huh?  I absolutely despise the way New Jersey does real estate.

ugh!!  

Ok, I keep asking God to keep me calm, but boy does this tick me off.   Darryl and I have been so accommodating and helpful, bending over backwards for anything they wanted, but that was the last straw for me.  And I made the mistake of mentioning that we were going away next week...so they will probably be here walking around the yard and peeking in the windows.

I am so glad to be getting out of NJ, and pretty soon, for good!

just gotta get out of here...

Business dinner and drinks at Ott's Green Top

hotel lights - Hilton Garden Inn

Darryl and I had a fun getaway down in Marlton.  Now that CBC is over there was nothing stopping me from going.  It was definitely nice for me to get out of this house for a few days!  I had a wonderful time swimming and singing and playing guitar, not to mention going out to eat.  One night we went to a business celebration dinner and I met a bunch of Darryl's important work folks.

My dress for Kyle's wedding arrived in Michigan the other day.  I can't wait to see it!   Soon...

Why do you read my blog?

Are you a friend or foe?

Do you know me, or are we strangers?

Do the things I write make you chuckle?  Inspire you? 

Can you relate to things I write?

Or does everything I write just upset and offend you? 

I’d love to know what camp you belong to. 

This blog is for me, and my family – it’s a toss between a journal and photo album.  My family and I refer back to it many times to remember something. 

Darryl: “Hey, when did we put that new roof on?” 
Me: “I’m not sure.  Let me check my blog.”

Or....

Ryan: "Hey Mom, do you remember when I got my braces off?"
Me: "Nope, but it's on my blog."

See what I mean? 

Or I might want to go back and see where God answered prayers to things I was struggling with.  And there have been many of those times!  I’m not immune to stress and strife in my life.  I’m not immune to worry and doubt, even though try as I might to continue giving it to God.  Here’s a clue about me - pay attention - I’M NOT PERFECT!  And never claimed to be. 

I am a human being with emotions, just like you. It helps me to write about my ups and downs…my failures and anxieties, as well as my accomplishments and victories.

And honestly, I’m a little tired of getting negative feedback about my blog.

I have shared little pieces of my heart.  Some days my heart is happy, but other days it is heavy and hurt.  Some days I keep quiet, and other days I feel the need to vent my frustrations…but as far as I know, I have been very careful about naming names or pointing fingers.

If you have a grievance toward me, please don’t leave me anonymous comments.  Please be straightforward with me and tell me who you are, and then maybe there can be honest dialogue.  Otherwise, there’s nothing I can do for you.  And I’d really prefer it if you don’t go off and gossip about me…

Thank you.

my PowerPuff Vegh Family... yeah

Darryl

Linda

Hilary

Kyle

Ryan

Today I got this little gift from Kyle.  I love it!

Today was Darryl's birthday.  It was nice!

Today we he had practice at Grace.  It was awesome!  I took a carrot cake to share with everyone.  It was a big hit.  I didn't eat any because I don't like it.