Being 15 minutes early to the wrong church...in the wrong city...

This morning, I was super-excited about going to Caleb's Baby Dedication / First Birthday Party!  And the fact that my morning would begin with a delicious cup of coffee brewed in my new coffeemaker.  A day in the country AND coffee made at the cottage...what a great Sunday! 

I suppose I should back - up...yesterday I got this kind-of nervous feeling about where I was supposed to go for this baby dedication so I re-opened an email from Sara.  In the email, I swear I read "Lena Baptist Church"...so I Googled this.  Per Google - 54 minutes.  All the while, I am hearing this small voice say, "Maybe you should confirm the church name and location with Sara."  I squelch that small voice because SERIOUSLY -- I READ THE EMAIL and I don't want  Sara to think I am a space cadet.  Oh friends...she knows.  SHE KNOWS!  And the beauty of it -- she still is my friend!!! :) 

Soooooo. back to today..the gentle scent of coffee wafts through the air in my humble abode.  Coffee...I sigh deeply and arise from my slumber.  I fill up my cup.  Might I note that the "4 cup" pot fills up my mug and leaves less than 1/3 of the pot for a refill.  Oh well...I add some more water to make another "2 cups" -- faux 2 cups and start getting ready for church.

8:00...perfect time to leave...as I need to run to Nancy's and hang my sheets & towels on her clothesline.  I'm doing this with a prayer begging the Lord to hold off the rain.  Note:  I think I might have heard a rumble or two of thunder...but here's wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin'...you know the rest!

8:25 a.m. decided to run through the carwash because Rosie needed a bath

8:32 - getting on the road.  I think to myself, This is fabulous!  A 54 minute trip and I, Angela Good, am leaving early!!!!!  Wahooooo!!!! 

9:32 - arrive at Lean Baptist Church.  Glance around the parking lot and realize I don't see Curt and Sara's car.  Hmmm...  Check my cell phone - limited service in the country...2 missed phone calls from Sara.  Can't check my messages because of limited service...decide they are probably running late so I wait.

9:42 - been 10 minutes.  No Derrer family!  Getting nervous.  I decided at this point to go inside... 
No sign of Sara or Curt...  I find a friendly looking lady and ask "Do you know the Derrers?  They are having a baby dedication."  Lady replies, "No. I 'm sorry.  I don't know them.  What church do they attend?"  In my head, I am thinking, Ummm...I THOUGHT THIS ONE!!!!!!  Panic sets in.

I hurry back outside and beg the Lord for a signal...a cell phone signal.  Thankfully I find that when I start heading back to the main road, I have a signal.  I get through to Sara who answers, "Are you lost?"  I don't want to alarm her by stating exactly where I am...so I answer "Yes" to which she replies, "When you get to Casey's, turn right."  I immediately realize that I AM AT THE WRONG CHURCH -- IN THE WRONG CITY!!!! 

No need to panic, right.  Wrong!!!! 

I got to thinking that the main road, 73, that I was on seemed familiar...so at the stop sign (no one was behind me), I pulled out my handy-dandy Rand MacNally's finest and determined that YES -- 73 intersects with 72 which would take me to the correct city...and hopefully the correct church. 

Slightly after 10 - arrive at right church. 

10:05 - see Sara and Curt...get informed I missed the baby dedication...sad.

I realize that everything happens for a reason. Perhaps the Lord allowed me to get lost to spare me from a bad accident or some other crisis-type situation.  I like to think that the Lord has allowed this situation...humorous as it now seems...for Curt's benefit!  You see -- for the longest time, I would get lost coming out to the farm to see the Derrer family.  Now I can find it in my sleep...and during those times when I was lost, Curt would answer the phone, "Are you lost?  Where are you?"  Well, he doesn't get that opportunity now...so perhaps, my going to the wrong church and arriving early is just a way for the Lord to send humor into Curt's life.  I like to think that...

The best part of the day was yet to come -- not that church isn't the best part of our Sundays -- but Caleb's birthday party...spending the day with friends that are close enough to be family...that was the best part of my day!

So happy birthday, Caleb!  I'm delighted to play the role of Fun Angie in your life!  Please know that God has something wonderful in-store for you and I cannot wait to see it unfold.

Hugs!

~ Fun Angie