Christmas? ... already did it.

Well, it's Christmas Eve and I am doing laundry. Yes, you read correctly. Laundry. Why? Well, if you must know, I ran out of clean underwear.... but! also, because I've already done Christmas Eve, and Christmas for that matter. It seems that moving Christmas to whatever day is convenient is the new trend in my family. I am a stickler for tradition and if you know me, you know that fact. This year, however, things are just a bit weird. The Tradition: If this were any other normal Christmas Eve, tonight would have been spent with my mom's side of the family. The Maloofs. It's huge. We've been doing it for as long as I can remember, and though little things have changed, like location to accomodate our growing family, and name drawing for gift exchange, to accomodate our shrinking budgets, this year had the biggest change of all. There are now 57 of us... we actually counted this year. And in an effort to get everyone there and keep them there (as some rush off to other events) my Aunt decided we would celebrate on Saturday, December 20th. Fine. I get it... everyone's all grown up and has families and with those families come more traditions and more commitments. Me? I'm still just me. Only now I live on my own. So this makes Christmas a little tricky for me. Sure, bump Christmas Eve to the 20th, but where does that leave me on the 24th?? Doing laundry!! I can't hang out with friends... they're all with their families! I can't even hang out with my family!! They're all with their other families!!! WTH? And as for tomorrow?? Christmas?? yep.. already did that too. The Tradition: My immediate family and grandparents get to gether at my Mom and Dads house for Christmas dinner and the gift exchange. We even still get stockings above the fireplace even though we don't stay the night there...Santa knows.... that's just how he rolls. BUT! since My sister AND brother are both married now... they both were obliged to spend their Christmas's with their spouse's family. Well fine... just leave me here. No husband, no kids, and now no family. Well, I've still got my parents. And that's why I'm here. I'm at my parents doing laundry on Christmas Eve (it's cheaper that way) and tomorrow we will wake up just like any other day and go see a matinee. Is this the new tradition?? I hope not. But if it is... I suppose I will have to embrace it. Doesn't seem fair, but I guess no one ever said life would be. I guess it serves me right since I will be missing most holidays and birthdays for a while with my move to Nashville. But I fully intend to come home for Christmas! or ... the week before i suppose!! I don't even know! Seems to me I need to go find my own traditions. I need to take off to Nashville and make a life for myself. Hopefully I won't be doing laundry at my parents on Christmas Eve next year, but we'll see! Merry Christmas Everyone! a little late if you ask me! :)

He gave me music

I love music. Music has and always will be a huge part of my life and I recognize everyday that I am blessed by the musical talents God has given me. It's no surprise to the people who know me best, that I have dreamed (as so many others have too) of becoming a rock star. It brings me so much honor and joy to serve on worship teams and play bass for music that praises the name of Jesus, but I also enjoy Rock n Roll! And that's okay!! I think some people think that because you are a Christian, you need to use the gifts God has given you in the church. I disagree. I do use my God given talents in the church, but in addition, being in a rock band, and being a musician in general has placed me in positions and put me in contact with so many people who have been impacted by simply who I am as a person. I am a Christ follower. It is a recent epiphany of mine that perhaps one of the things I am called to do on this earth is to minister to the unchurched or jaded "ex" Christians by simply being a genuine, down to earth person, who sincerely enjoys people... just people! I have had more opportunities to converse about my faith in the last year than ever before. And that's exactly what I think God wants me to do. Just talk about him. Just talk about who He is to me, what he's done and is doing. Why I believe what I believe. Why I am willing and excited about waking up for church on Sunday morning, even after a late night gig on a Saturday night. When it's just a conversation between two people who have merely crossed paths, and perhaps have the mutual love for music, I find people are interested. I can attribute these opportunities to Music. I can not count how many times I have been blown away by my life experiences because of where music has led me. Traveling, performing, ministering, meeting amazing people... I am blessed! And all I can do is praise God because He gave me music!