Back in the Ville

Howdy y'all! I think I surprised quite a few people when I showed up in the Performance Center a couple days ago for the first full band rehearsal. Although it's not so much a rehearsal as a reunion after summer months or after several years. You never really know who you'll see there, but it's always a great gathering full of hugs....and "Salvation," of course. The first thing we do as a group again is sing and then play "Salvation." Other traditional songs like "Quilting Party" are also blasted out of the room. The band is nearly 400 this year, so cram all of those people into one room and you'll definitely get chill bumps hearing the Southerners.

The first day felt a little weird. My last two years at Southerners I was a section leader, and since then I've been teaching high schools. So getting back in the basics block was different. But at the same time I don't have to worry about anything-just get to sit back and enjoy the group. Plus by the second day we were putting the opener on the field. After two days, the first song is on with music--even though I'm definitely struggling to play the mad crazy woodwind opening.
And then there's singing "I'll Fly Away" each night.

Michelle moved into the apartment yesterday, so now I have a roommate (and living room furniture:)

Today at church was my Jacksonville pastor's last day, so that was kinda sad, but I was happy to see everyone and vice versa.

So I'll be at camp all this week, working off the pounds. I get a lunch break at 12 and a dinner break at 4 (my grandparents don't even eat this early!)

The good deal is we have next weekend off-see many of you then!