How many great weekends am I allowed to have?

Since moving to California I have been blessed to experience many great weekends.  Before moving, I feared that weekends would be a constant reminder of how far away I live from the people that I love.  That has not been the case at all.  I have been blessed by a visit from my Mum and a visit from my Dad.  I have been visited twice by Julie and I have spent some time with my uncle as well.  I have kept busy by recording, jamming and hanging out with some really great friends.  It has made the adjustment so much easier.

On the weekend of November 11-14, Julie gave me the greatest gift of all by flying me home.  The weekend was perfect.  I arrived at DFW airport around 11:00 on Thursday night.  Julie picked me up and took me back to her house, so that we could hang out with her parents.  It felt great to be back in Texas.  On Friday, my Mum and Dad took the day off of work so that we could go down to Waco to see William.  It was awesome to have the entire family back together again!  We went to Vitek's so that I could get a Gut Pak and it was excellent.  Great barbecue is tough to find in California.  We spent the afternoon together on campus and then left before William had band rehearsal.  It also happened to be Sibling Day at Baylor.  How crazy is that?  They must have known that I was coming.

Friday night started at the McKee household.  Julie came over for dinner and then we went out for frozen yogurt.  Afterward, Julie and I chilled at her house for a while and she let me borrow a TCU jacket for the game on Saturday!

On Saturday, we went to the TCU v. SDSU game.  It was the last game to be played at the Amon G. Carter stadium as it is now (they are renovating in December).  I was able to attend the game because Julie's season ticket buddy couldn't go.  The game was actually pretty intense and a close call for TCU.  I really enjoyed being at the game with Julie and I am glad that I was able to go.  That evening, Julie cooked me dinner (I helped) and it was great!  We made margaritas and Mexican lasagna.  Julie is such a good chef.

 
On Sunday, I went to church and got the opportunity to lead worship.  At first, it was a little strange to be up on stage, but I settled right back in as if I had never left.  It was such a blessing to be able to take part in worship.  Sunday afternoon came and went too quickly.  Julie stayed for lunch and dinner (with a nap in between) and then she took me to the airport.

  
It was so wonderful to see my family and my church family again.  It was rejuvenating to be home.  I don't know if I will ever be able to thank Julie for bringing me home.  And it was very providential how everything fell into place.  I didn't have class/rehearsal on Friday, so I got to spend a long weekend at home.  It was Sibling Day at Baylor (something William didn't know about until the week before).  I was able to go to a TCU football game for free because Julie's friend was out of town.  I got to lead worship at my church because everyone was out of town on a youth retreat.

There are so many things that came together to give me one of the best weekends of my life.  I cannot thank Julie enough and I certainly cannot thank God enough for the wonderful time that I was able to spend with my family.

I would like to conclude this post with lyrics penned by the hymn-writer, John Newton.  I love the lyrics and the message to this hymn.  The Lord does provide for His followers.

Though troubles assail and dangers affright,
Though friends should all fail and foes all unite;
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,
The scripture assures us, the Lord will provide

The birds without barn or storehouse are fed,
From them let us learn to trust for our bread:
His saints, what is fitting, shall ne'er be denied,
So long as it's written, the Lord will provide

We may, like the ships, by tempest be tossed
On perilous deeps, but cannot be lost.
Though Satan enrages the wind and the tide,
The promise engages, the Lord will provide.

His call we obey, like Abram of old,
Not knowing our way, but faith makes us bold;
For though we are strangers we have a good Guide,
And trust in all dangers, the Lord will provide

When Satan appears to stop up our path,
And fill us with fears, we triumph by faith;
He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried,
This heart-cheering promise, the Lord will provide

He tells us we're weak, our hope is in vain,
The good that we seek we ne'er shall obtain,
But when such suggestions our spirits have plied,
This answers all questions, the Lord will provide

No strength of our own, or goodness we claim,
Yet since we have known the Savior's great name;
In this our strong tower for safety we hide,
The Lord is our power, the Lord will provide

When life sinks apace and death is in view,
This word of his grace shall comfort us through:
No fearing or doubting with Christ on our side,
We hope to die shouting the Lord will provide