Arizona Day 3 (Church, glass, & ribs)

Sunday found K&I at the 10:15 morning Mass at my sister's church. My mom had reminded me several times to go, and I knew she would be calling to ask me about it, so I dragged poor K along to the service. He's a devout agnostic and a couple of times my mom has made reference that I should bring him toward the faith. But after the boring 2 hour service, which included a rock band and a million songs, lots of hand holding with our neighbors, ceremonies throughout for the children (a baptism was even thrown in that lasted 40 minutes), swaying and blessings--I can say he's probably closer to bringing me his way than the other way around!

It did make me thank God for my own parish, which cuts out all that nonsense and sticks to the basics (and gets us out of there in 45 minutes). There is a huge cultural difference in the services on the west coast versus the east coast and midwest. The west coast churches are into the sort of false bonhomie and ribbon-waving that I associate with game show hosts and used car salesmen. Everyone's all smiley and huggy, but no one really gets to truly know each other like they do in the area where I live.

I can see the draw for a lot of people who don't like the more serious services, but I want to just focus on God when I'm there, not rockin' out and socializing during the actual service. K, for his part, thought it was entertaining.

After that we went to the botanical garden and glass show in Pheonix. It was truly amazing! I've been to a lot of exhibits in my day, but this was unique.

Next we drove to the park to meet up with my sister's family.

Here is L. Isn't she a sweetie? A few months ago she was diagnosed with a heart condition that has had my sister very worried. She's such a happy kid, very like her cousin Lm in that regard. It's heartbreaking to think something could happen to our little dolls.

Here's a pic of she and I last year when I came out for her baptism....

And both of us this year at the park. She's gotten so mobile!

Then Sof ran off through the grassy area and it was hard to catch her...she's the little dot at the top!

That night, my sister and BIL got a sitter so that we could all go out to dinner. We had ribs at El Paso. I don't think I've ever NOT gone to that wonderful place any time I've been to AZ.