Hello friends!! Quick Saturday update. Enjoying a coffee here at Starbucks, just finished some final prep for Sunday school lesson tomorrow. (Actually I’m still not done, but will do rest of prep at home) A bit nervous about it, as am attempting to teach on God’s goodness, love, holiness, righteousness & justice. In 40 minutes. It will be…interesting. Praying that God gives me grace as I have faith that He shall.

What else is going on? Well, enjoyed a good concert last night – Gray Havens were in town!! Have I talked about Gray Havens before? Well possibly, but I can’t recall so I will spill a bit of ink discussing them, I suppose. They’re a husband/wife duo – Dave & Licia! – and they started out kinda folk I guess? Now, as Dave discussed during the show, they’re not really sure what genre they are…but currently they call themselves a “narrative pop folk” band, which I suppose is as accurate as we’re gonna get. Although I discussed it a bit with Licia after the show and she admitted that they’ve been moving away from their folk roots and are more pop now than ever! Not a bad thing though as their most recent album – “She Waits” – may be my favourite of their works yet. I got to see them when they were in Houston last fall, but as that show as about five days after the release of their album, I didn’t properly appreciate hearing all their new songs. Now though…I’ve had time to most fully enjoy their new album (indeed, I’ve stolen quite a few of their songs and inserted on some of my latest mix CDs…they played probably my favourite song of the album – also called “She Waits”! – and it gave me goosebumps as it almost always does…it is the closer on my current very fav mix CD – Jasmine at the Door…which…I guess I need to provide the tracklist for at some point, eh?) Anyways!! It was super fun being at their concert. I didn’t really make plans to go with anyone, figured I’d just go and enjoy the music. Somehow, I got the time wrong (or they started early?), so when I walk in the door, the support act is already playing. I got to hear his last two songs, which were quite good…then intermission time before Gray Havens came up. At that point, Erika and Cindy walked by – oh hello there! Talked to them for a few minutes, then when they left, Jim came by! Him and Melissa were also at the show, so I went and sat with them for the show. Apparently Leah was at the show too, but I didn’t see her…she texted me later, as I had a moment of fame at the show, as I will get to shortly. So, I had lots of friends at the show after all! And then Gray Havens played their set and it was gorgeous. (It’s funny, used to just be two of them…then when I saw them last fall, they picked up a drummer – Asher Peterson – then last night they had two more people, a bassist and keyboardist! I anticipate that at this rate, next time I see them, they will be an eight-person band) They played so many good songs…my heart was warmed and my soul encouraged. Their music sang of glory and love and pointed all praise to God Most High. Truly – what music is better than when it does that? Then partway through the show, they had a giveaway…they’d pick someone at random that recently followed them on insta. Of course, I already follow them, but Jim helpfully pointed out that I should just unfollow/follow. I did so…then – of course – they call out my handle (sonofthunder77 for the curious). I sheepishly raise my hand and walk up to have Dave hand me a Gray Havens mug. Yay! I was going to get it anyway, since I’d bought it for Laura and Caisson for Christmas and knew it was a good mug, but it was more fun receiving the mug this way! At that point, Licia totally calls me out in front of everyone and remarks…”Wait, weren’t you the one who commented on our insta post today, saying that you’ll see us tonight?” I’m sitting down at this point, but respond in the affirmative…and then she says that she remembers me from last time they were in town! I’m thoroughly embarrassed but it’s all in good fun. I shout back, “I love you guys!” Anyway, there’s my moment of fame! I don’t really know how to describe the rest of their music, but please check it out if you haven’t heard. They played so many good songs (they don’t really have any bad ones…??)…Storehouse, She Waits, Train Station, Three Birds in Babylon, Silver, Ghost of a King, Diamonds and Gold…so yeah, gorgeous concert. Afterwards, talked with Jim and Melissa a bit before they left. Then chatted with Erika and Cindy before finally deciding I did want to thank Dave and Licia for the epic show. Dave ducked out right before I got over there, to help break down. So I talked with Licia for a bit…she’s super nice and down to earth and so we discussed various things like…what is their genre?…Dave’s musical influences (Simon & Garfunkle, Cat Stevens & Coldplay!), and I got to tell her how much their music encourages me. She also asked for prayers for strength and for health as they continue this tour, so indeed, I’ll be praying for that. I do so love how God brings glory to Himself through song, and seeing Gray Havens and how they glorify God with beautiful music…well, my heart rejoices. Now I really ought end this mess of a paragraph, just thought it’d be worthwhile to chronicle this night.

Back to my Saturday afternoon. Have a most delightful day, dear friends.