Church Hopping

This summer, Danny and I have decided to church hop (ENO #6). What IS church hopping? Well, it is not a strange-charismatic-slain-in-the-spirit-move (but what "slain-in-the-spirit-move" aint a little strange?!).

Ever since I moved to Raleigh, we have only attended our current church which we're good with. Its got some issues, but what church doesn't and its stuff we are willing to live with. Things we love about it are the music, the teaching and the diversity (read: more than just rich white folk). We feel it accurately represents ALL races and socio-economic faces of the Triangle area (um, and heaven).

The only other church we are familiar with in this area is Sue and Bill's church, but that's mostly because I have been there a ton of times when visiting pre-Raleigh move. And they go to an excellent church, its just not where God has lead us.

What is the goal of this church hopping? Perhaps its similar to my goal of "REAL" cooking. Its to get us out of our comfort zone a bit. We are not looking for a new church home, we are looking to be exposed to other bodies of Christ in this area. We are looking to experience Jesus in environments that aren't about "familiar." Okay, so this is just Raleigh/Cary and its not like we're headed out on a missions trip to the drug lord's playground in Columbia. But I think people take for granted how comfy they get and how much what's familiar can sometimes deceive them (not any of YOU of course).

Nevertheless, I think it will make us appreciate our church more and challenge us to see what matters to us most when it comes to Sunday morning worship. As I do posts on this experience, I am inclined to keep the churches anonymous, but that seems silly. I shall rip them apart in typical Jacqueline style openly. Okay, just kidding.

Church Hop #1 -- Calvary Chapel Cary

PROS:
Location accessible, diverse, intimate service, friendly people (had 2 men intentionally reach out to us), contemporary music and open to leading of the Spirit (in other words, the music did not have to end at a particular time and only certain number of songs sung). Lots of "expressive" worship -- raising of hands, clapping, amen-ing both during singing and message. Teaching was solid and applicable but seemed on the "seeker" side. Pastor -- gifted speaker and very entertaining. There was almost conversational feel between him and the congregation. At times it almost felt like a very large small group. Anyone from any walk of life could feel comfortable being apart of this church.

CONS:
Teaching was not "meaty" enough. Pastor is such a gifted speaker that we could see the potential of confusing being "entertained" instead of being fed.
Pastor-led governing body and not elder-led.

Jacqueline Fashion Con: Too casual. I know its summer time and all folks, but grown men should not be allowed to wear flip flops to a worship service. Listen, I'm convinced even Jesus wore mandals to synagogue.

Would we recommend this church? Yes
Would we go back once in awhile? Yes
The most unexpected thing we experienced? The sadness of missing that church family feeling we had at Immanuel.

A Six Month Review

I decided to review my "goals" as seen in my January post "Starting Another Decade: 2010."
I focused on 5 things and here's how I'm doing as of June 2010.....

1. Read only FICTION
-- finished Amy Tan's "Saving Fish From Drowning"
-- read Marilynne Robinson's "Gilead"
-- just finished Jean Kwok's "Girl in Translation"





2. Exception to goal #1 -- The Bible.
I have not been reading. I have been listening to the NIV audio on my iPod to go along with our church's goal of reading the Bible in 90 days. I am 4 weeks behind and finished "Daniel" on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.


3. Start attempting some REAL cooking.
-- made Rachel Ray's "Hot Curry Noodle Bowls" (liked very much)
-- made Giada's "Grilled Salmon with Citrus Salsa Verde" (DELICIOUS!!!!), Herbed Quiona, and Caramelized Onion and Grapefruit Salad (liked).
-- made Stuffed Zucchini and Red/Orange/Yellow Bell Peppers (liked alright).
** I can't say that any of these recipes are what I would consider "real" cooking, but they have all made me cook outside of my comfort zone dealing with an ingredient or two I don't usually use.
--> ENO #5 -- There is a ton of freedom to experiment with meals now that its just my adventurous hubby's palette and mine!

4. Get back into working out and losing weight.
-- On the wagon, off the wagon. Gain a pound here, lose a pound here. As of this moment, my weight is exactly where it was 6 months ago. Great, I haven't gained weight, but bummer, I haven't lost the weight I gained from last year.

5. Pray. ORIGINAL post: "Pray more. Pray in ways that seem trivial. Pray in ways that are uncomfortable. Pray in ways that are different. Pray more of scripture. Pray. Pray. Pray. No, I'm asking now for you to pray for ME! I want my life to reflect the character of praying. I can certainly "talk" well enough to those around me, why can't I pray to the God who is always around me?"
-- As my teenagers like to say, "Total FAIL." Ugh. So not praying. So lazy. I could blame my hubby. He prays for us in the morning and at night, so I figure he's got it all covered. I guess the harsh truth is success in goals #1-4 don't make a hill of beans if #5 doesn't have any action.....

Empty Nester Observations ["ENO"]

Now that Michael has moved to VA and Lauren is spending time with grandparents in VA, the empty nest season has begun. I have decided to do a series of how this transition is effecting my life. I will be posting various observations as they come up. I have decided to call them "ENO" (Empty Nester Observations).

ENO #1 -- I am a minimalist. I do not like clutter. I do not like to "keep things just in case." I prefer my environment to be tidy, organized and free of stuff. Now that the kids are basically gone, this bent in me seems to be flaring up. I want to clear out everything. Late last week, my first victim was the pantry. Specifically, I attacked the Michael and Lauren shelf. No need for snack items to stuff in lunch boxes, no need to keep all 3 hot chocolate mixes or Michael's grape drink mix and Lauren's lemonade mix. No need for 2 kinds of puddings b/c one child likes only vanilla and the other prefers tapioca. No need for after school quickie microwavable Mac & Cheese or cans of Beenie Weenies.

Rearranging and clearing out the pantry has made it almost twice as big with room to spare. There is room for my cookbooks and my "admin stuff" like rubber bands and tape, etc. There is now room for all the multi-vitamins and over the counter-help-me-function-like-I'm-30-something-again-even-though-I'm-40 pills.

ENO #2 -- The minimalist fashion. Now we may prance about the house in as little clothing as we'd like.

ENO #3 -- Only the front and back door need to remain closed. Why be bothered by closing the bathroom door now?

ENO #4 -- Oh, chores still need to be done. I might be Asian and slant toward the pro-child labor, but I am missing having the "extra help" to take out the trash, vacuum, feed the animals, bring in the groceries.......